The New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour offers a unique and captivating look into the city’s harrowing history with infectious diseases. Guided by knowledgeable experts, the tour takes visitors on a journey through the historic streets, sharing compelling stories of the epidemics that have plagued the region. From medical advancements to the social and economic impacts, you will gain a deeper understanding of New Orleans’ resilience in the face of public health crises. With a focus on accessibility and a limited group size, this tour provides an insightful experience that goes beyond the typical historical narrative. But what truly sets it apart is the opportunity to uncover the city’s hidden secrets and the lessons they hold for the present day.
Key Points

- The tour offers an in-depth exploration of New Orleans’ history with infectious diseases, led by knowledgeable guides through historic streets.
- It shares captivating stories of epidemics that have plagued the city, highlighting their medical, social, and economic impacts.
- The tour provides an intimate and immersive experience for a maximum of 56 travelers, with a 5.0 rating from 15 reviews.
- Key highlights include the 1853 yellow fever outbreak, the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, and the cholera epidemics that plagued the region.
- The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a moderate level of physical fitness required, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Overview of the Tour
- Tour Details
- What to Expect
- Additional Information
- Visitor Reviews
- Tour Highlights
- Historical Background
- Safety and Accessibility
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Types of Diseases Will Be Discussed on the Tour?
- Will the Tour Guide Discuss Modern Pandemics Like Covid-19?
- Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?
- Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?
- Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in New Orleans
- More Tours in New Orleans
- More Tour Reviews in New Orleans
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in New Orleans we have recnetly reviewed
Overview of the Tour

The New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour offers visitors an in-depth exploration of the city’s harrowing history with infectious diseases, from yellow fever outbreaks to modern-day pandemics.
Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour takes guests through the historic streets, sharing captivating stories of the epidemics that have plagued New Orleans over the centuries.
Participants will learn about the medical advancements that helped combat these diseases, as well as the social and economic impacts they’d on the city.
With a maximum group size of 56 travelers, the tour provides an intimate and immersive experience, ensuring visitors leave with a deeper understanding of New Orleans’ resilience in the face of public health crises.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New Orleans.
Tour Details
Commencing at 1:00 pm, the tour offers a guided exploration of New Orleans’ historic streets, with knowledgeable guides sharing captivating stories about the city’s harrowing encounters with infectious diseases throughout the centuries.
The tour meets at the Unique NOLA Tours shop on Toulouse Street and ends at the intersection of Bourbon and Dumaine Streets.
Gratuities are included, and the group size is limited to a maximum of 56 travelers. The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are welcome.
Guests with a moderate level of physical fitness can participate, and there’s free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience.
What to Expect

Upon booking the tour, guests receive confirmation immediately. The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and service animals are allowed.
It’s located near public transportation, with wheelchair accessible transportation and surfaces available. A moderate level of physical fitness is required to participate.
The tour explores the history of pestilence, pandemics, and plagues in New Orleans. Guests can expect to learn about the city’s past encounters with deadly diseases and how it has shaped the community.
The knowledgeable guide provides insights into the impact of these outbreaks and the resilience of the people in overcoming these challenges. With gratuities included, the tour offers a comprehensive and accessible experience for visitors to explore New Orleans’ remarkable history.
Additional Information

Along With the Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour, the tour company offers 3 more experiences for visitors to explore New Orleans’ rich history and culture. These include a French Quarter and Cemetery Tour, a Plantation Tour, and a Swamp Tour.
The Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour is priced competitively, and the company offers a Lowest Price Guarantee to ensure customers get the best value.
With a 5.0 rating from 15 reviews across Viator and Tripadvisor, this tour has earned a Badge of Excellence, demonstrating its quality and popularity.
Whether you’re interested in the city’s medical history or its broader cultural heritage, the tour company provides a variety of options to suit your preferences.
Visitor Reviews

Accentuating the tour’s popularity and quality, the 15 reviews from Viator and Tripadvisor travelers have awarded the New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour a 5.0 rating, earning it a Badge of Excellence.
Reviewers have praised the professional, knowledgeable guide who provides a captivating exploration of New Orleans’ dark history with epidemics. Visitors highlight the tour’s ability to seamlessly blend historical facts with engaging storytelling, immersing participants in the city’s grim past.
The consistently positive feedback attests to the tour’s ability to deliver an informative and memorable experience, catering to a range of fitness levels while maintaining accessibility for wheelchair users and those with strollers.
With the tour’s convenient meeting point and end location, it offers a comprehensive and accessible way to uncover New Orleans’ shadowy past.
Tour Highlights

The New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through the city’s dark history, uncovering the devastating impact of epidemics that have swept through the region. Led by professional guides, the tour highlights:
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The 1853 yellow fever outbreak that killed over 8,000 people in New Orleans.
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The impact of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, which hit the city particularly hard.
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The cholera epidemics that plagued the region throughout the 19th century.
The tour offers a unique and informative exploration of New Orleans’ harrowing past and the lingering legacy of these historical plagues, and how they continue to shape the city’s culture and public health practices.
With gratuities included and a maximum group size of 56, this tour provides an opportunity for visitors to engage with the city’s complex and challenging history.
Historical Background

New Orleans’ longstanding history as a bustling port city has often been intertwined with devastating outbreaks of disease, from the yellow fever epidemics of the 19th century to the devastating impact of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
The city’s warm, humid climate and influx of travelers made it a prime breeding ground for infectious diseases.
Over the decades, various plagues, pandemics, and pestilences have swept through New Orleans, leaving behind a harrowing legacy.
This tour explores the city’s dark past, delving into the stories of how New Orleanians grappled with these public health crises and the long-lasting impact they’d on the community.
Safety and Accessibility

The New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour ensures safety and accessibility for all travelers. It’s wheelchair and stroller accessible, with transportation and surfaces suited for those needs. Service animals are also welcome, and the tour operates near public transit options.
Travelers should maintain a moderate level of physical fitness, as the tour involves walking.
The tour provides:
- Confirmation of booking upon purchase
- A maximum group size of 56 travelers
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience
- Gratuities included in the tour price
This comprehensive tour offers a level of comfort and convenience to meet the needs of a diverse range of participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Diseases Will Be Discussed on the Tour?
This tour will likely discuss a range of historical diseases that have impacted New Orleans, such as yellow fever, cholera, and the bubonic plague. The specific illnesses covered will depend on the tour guide’s emphasis and the current knowledge about the region’s disease history.
Will the Tour Guide Discuss Modern Pandemics Like Covid-19?
The tour guide will likely discuss modern pandemics like COVID-19 as part of the comprehensive coverage of historical and contemporary pestilences, pandemics, and plagues affecting New Orleans and the surrounding region.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?
There are no age restrictions for participants on this tour. The tour is accessible to people of all ages, though a moderate level of physical fitness is required. Families with children are welcome to join the tour.
Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?
The tour can be customized for private groups. The tour provider offers flexible options to accommodate group sizes and specific requests. Guests can inquire about customizing the tour experience to meet their needs.
Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?
The tour allows photography throughout the experience. Visitors are encouraged to capture the historical sites and share their photos. However, flash photography may be restricted in certain areas to avoid disrupting the tour.
New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour
“I was lucky enough to end up with a 1:1 tour experience. It was perfectly paced and informative. I work in outbreak response and love medical histo…”
Recap
The New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour provides a captivating exploration of the city’s harrowing history with infectious diseases.
Guided by experts, the tour takes visitors through the historic streets, sharing compelling stories and insights into the medical advancements, social impacts, and the city’s resilience in the face of public health crises.
With accessibility features and a maximum group size, the tour caters to a diverse audience, offering a comprehensive and informative experience.




























