NOLA Tours

02/17/2025

Mardi Gras x Chinese New Year? We love the glittered dragons, no matter the reason.

02/15/2025

Krewe du Vieux rolls tonight in the French Quarter. Click the link for the route. https://www.kreweduvieux.org/parade.html

In the early days of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, major parade krewes often used satire as their central theme. However, as time passed, less controversial themes—such as mythology, historical events, and geography—became more common, leading to a decline in satirical themes. By the late 20th century, satire made a comeback through smaller walking krewes, with the Krewe du Vieux emerging as one of the most notable examples.

Established in 1987, the Krewe du Vieux takes its name from the Vieux Carré, the official term for the French Quarter. As one of the earliest parades in the New Orleans Carnival season, it is known for its wild, satirical, and adult-oriented themes. The parade features some of the city's finest brass and traditional jazz bands, winding its way through the Marigny and French Quarter before concluding at an official ball.

The Krewe du Vieux is made up of 17 sub-krewes, each offering its own creative interpretation of the parade's theme. Some of the more uniquely named sub-krewes include the Krewe of C.R.U.D.E., Krewe of Underwear, Seeds of Decline, Krewe of L.E.W.D., Krewe of K.A.O.S., Mystic Krewe of Comatose (a parody of the Krewe of Comus), Mystic Krewe of Inane, and Krewe du Mishigas, an all-Jewish group. The parade also features 17 bands accompanying the procession.

02/15/2025

02/15/2025

Some beautiful shots of of the Japanese Magnolia blooming Uptown. Taken by David Nola Photography ❤️

02/09/2025

Look at her… she’s stunning!

02/07/2025

One more look at the spectacular light show in Jackson Square. Only a few more days to see it!

02/06/2025

Stronghold Studios, a Mid-City-based art and fabrication studio, has announced that they will continue the house float tradition for Mardi Gras 2025.

After the Krewe of House Floats (KoHF) disbanded, Stronghold Studios emerged as the leading force behind house floats, ensuring this vibrant tradition not only survives but continues to grow.

The house float movement began in 2020 when the pandemic forced the cancellation of traditional Carnival parades. Rather than let the season slip by, New Orleanians transformed their homes into dazzling floats, bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to neighborhoods across the city. What started as a creative workaround has since become a cherished annual tradition, celebrating the city’s resilience and festive spirit.

“The house float tradition is about more than just decoration—it’s about community, creativity, and keeping the Mardi Gras spirit alive,” said Coco Darrow, founder of Stronghold Studios. “We’re honored to continue this tradition while introducing new ways for people to celebrate, from house floats to event activations and float flowers.”

Every piece created by Stronghold Studios is custom-made by some of New Orleans’ most talented artists, ensuring each house float is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

02/04/2025

On this day in 1927 the Saenger Theatre opened. Like any major event in the city, the theater’s opening was celebrated with a parade witnessed by thousands of people. The theater was the first of the Saenger Theatres built for Joseph Saenger and it cost 2.5 million dollars (in those days!). The theater had a 4000 person capacity. In these days viewers who paid 65 cents could view a silent film and a live action play, with music generated from a 2000 pipe organ, the largest organ made by the made by the Robert – Morgan Organ Company, which was specially designed for the Saenger Theatre.

The architect of this building was Emile Weil. The interior design is known as an atmospheric theater. Instead of sitting in a traditional stage setup, guests were transported to a wonderland resembling a garden or villa. This popular style included all effects designed to give the viewer the illusion of being outside: the ceiling was painted blue with small lights installed to resemble constellations of stars, decorations included birds, trees, and flowers. At the start of the play or movie, lights dimmed in red and gold, treating the viewer to a mini-sunset.

Just two years after it opened, the theater was sold to Paramount Publix Corporation who converted the theater to accommodate talking pictures that were becoming popular, and stopped live action plays altogether. In 1978 the theater was sold to E.B. Breazeale who converted it back to a theater for live action plays.

To read more, check out our blog at https://nolatours.com/saenger-theatre-grand-opening/

02/03/2025

For the first time in its history, the NFL has collaborated with a local artist to create the official Super Bowl logo. The unique logo was crafted by Tahj Williams, also known as Queen Tahj, a renowned member of the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians. She created the design using her signature beadwork technique, sewing the intricate pattern directly onto a canvas frame—a process similar to how she constructs panels for her Black Masking Indian suit.

Williams, a celebrated figure in the Black Masking Indian community, expressed her excitement about the project on Instagram. "There aren't too many things in this world that can make me decide not to continue sewing on my new suit for 2024," she wrote, highlighting the honor of being selected for such a prestigious collaboration.

Mardi Gras Indians, also known as Black Masking Indians, carry on a deeply rooted tradition in New Orleans, one that dates back centuries. The exact origins of the tradition are debated, but many believe it honors Indigenous tribes that provided refuge to enslaved Black people seeking freedom.

Throughout the year, members of various tribes meticulously sew elaborate suits adorned with intricate beadwork and feathers. These suits are unveiled during Mardi Gras as members parade through the streets, singing and celebrating their craftsmanship. The suits are also worn again on St. Joseph's Day, known as Super Sunday, before being retired to make way for new creations.

Williams has long been an ambassador for the culture. She appeared in the music video for New Orleans musician Jon Batiste’s song "Freedom" and performed alongside him at the Grammys. In 2020, New Orleans director Edward Buckles featured her in a short documentary for Teen Vogue.

Williams has spoken openly about the importance of her role as a young Black woman in a traditionally male-dominated culture. "As I got into the culture more, I started to realize that we do way more than just stand next to our chief and be pretty," she shared in Buckles’ documentary.

Her contributions to the Mardi Gras Indian tradition—and now, to the Super Bowl—underscore the power of cultural representation and the significance of New Orleans' artistry on a national stage.

02/03/2025

The Super Bowl Light Show in Jackson Square started and it is incredible. Featuring art by local artists and jazz soundtrack by local musicians, you can catch the show this week only, every 30 min from 6:30pm - 11:30pm leading up to the Superbowl.

01/31/2025

"Architect/builder Frederick Wing, who lived and labored in the Garden District, also designed several houses for his descendants. He erected the raised cottage at 1329 Seventh Street in 1872–1873 for his granddaughters in vintage Italianate style with Corinthian columns, four-over-four rounded windows with matching louvered blinds, wooden balustrade, pilastered dormer with paired round-headed windows, and paired brackets aligned above columns. The side wing is a popular neighborhood feature, as is the center hallway dividing rooms on either side. The staircase, mantels, and medallions are original, but the original balcony has been removed, the kitchen is no longer located beneath the house and accessed by dumbwaiter, and a rear screened-in porch has been converted to a glassed-in sitting room which affords a better view of the patio and garden." _The Garden District of New Orleans_, by Jim Fraiser, University Press of Mississippi (2012).
photograph and text by David J. L’Hoste

01/25/2025

Credit to The ‘Bee Sweet’ house float is just as sweet in this sneaux! 🐝 ❄️

01/22/2025

It has been an extraordinary day here in New Orleans. The snow finally stopped and it was the perfect time to go exploring. It’s so quiet and peaceful. People are sledding on the levee, kids are throwing snowballs, and people are bundled up on Oak Street, having drinks with their neighbors. It’s been a pretty magical experience.

01/21/2025

One of our guides, Leslie, out in front of the Joan of Arc Statue this morning!

01/21/2025

❄️ It's a rare snowy day in New Orleans! While we enjoy this magical moment, please remember to stay warm and follow all guidance from local officials to stay safe. Check on neighbors, stay off roads and bundle up!🧣🌨️

01/21/2025

First real snow most of us have ever seen in New Orleans. At least an inch so far.

First photo courtesy of on Twitter

01/20/2025

🎭 Garden District - New Orleans 🎭

👑 I Love Carnival Season 👑

⭐️ Photo by: Jeff Goad ⭐️

01/19/2025

William Freret, Jr. was born on this day in 1833 to New Orleans mayor William Freret and F***y Salkeld. He studied engineering in England, and soon after his return to the United States, he started practicing architecture. His architectural career spanned over 40 years and culminated in an appointment to a Federal position as Head of the Office of the Supervising Architect.

To read more about his most famous buildings, click the link below
https://nolatours.com/happy-birthday-william-freret-1833/