About Us

Omar Iriarte has a passion for the French Quarter for many reasons, but mainly because it is similar to where he grew up in Lima, Peru. In fact, he was a tour guide in Lima as well, and has been travelling back and forth between family in both locations for the past 10 years. From the unique culture and expansive history to the Spanish architecture and focus on cuisine, Lima and New Orleans have more in common than many might know. Omar loves to draw his French Quarter walking tour guests' attention to these similarities that come as a result of past Spanish rule and occupation. Omar has conducted walking tours, bike tours and cocktail tours in both Lima and New Orleans, and is happy to help the Spanish-speaking visitors to New Orleans with bi-lingual tours.

Omar studied hospitality management and tourism in Lima in an effort to learn how to better share his knowledge of history and culture with travelers, as well as his own personal penchant for travelling. He interned in Vermont, then in New Orleans where he met his beautiful wife, Tracy, of 9 years, and now has a beautiful 5 year old daughter. He is a big fan of local seafood, often splurging on the bountiful oysters and shellfish served in Nola, and sampling new gumbos as often as possible. He enjoys watching NFL games, being both a Saints and a Patriots fan. He also loves to swim, and remembers many a day in Lima when his Mother would tell him "don't go too far," but that never stopped him from swimming several miles out to sea and returning to an earful from Mom! But Omar says it was worth it for the sense of freedom that the open water brings. Omar highly recommends taking in the views of both the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain to visitors, but don't leave without a great historical walking tour of the French Quarter!

Robin was born and raised in the heart of New Orleans Jazz Alley best known for Second Lines (traditional brass band parades) and Mardi Gras Indians. At an early age her family moved to Algiers, the second oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. Robin graduated from the University of New Orleans, with a degree in Cultural Studies. Soon after finishing her studies at the University of New Orleans, she served as a docent for the Louis Armstrong Foundation Inc., New Orleans, LA.

As a docent for the Louis Armstrong Foundations, Inc. Robin assisted the foundation with the research and preservation of the history, culture, traditions, music, and dance of the Black Creole's of Louisiana. Robin has had the privilege and honor to study with some of the most profound Historians in Louisiana. Her passion for history landed her an opportunity as an oral historian on Evergreen Plantation, Edgard, LA. One of the largest and most intact plantation complexes in the South. Robin is one of the leading contributors to the preservation of Louisiana history, in addition to serving as a Cultural Ambassador for the city of New Orleans.

While focusing on preservation and research Robin obtained her Professional Tour Guide License. When Robin is not preserving history, she is enjoying all things fitness. Robin is also a Health & Wellness Consultant that designs work site wellness programs for employers.

Jane Varnado (French spelling Jeanne Varnedeau) has been a Licensed Tour Guide for the city of New Orleans and a member of the Tour Guides Association of Greater New Orleans since 2019. A 2022 graduate of the University of New Orleans and the esteemed Friends of the Cabildo French Quarter Tour Guide class, Jane's dedication to learning has contributed to her success as a tour guide. Writing, acting, entertaining, and storytelling are part of Jane's DNA. Drawing from her experience and skills as an actor, Jane enjoys sharing the history of New Orleans in an engaging and entertaining manner.

People often ask Jane if she is a native New Orleanian. While Jane did not grow up in New Orleans, she is a native Louisianian having grown up in an area of southwest Louisiana that many call Acadiana. The people that live there are called Cajuns, which is a corruption of the French word Acadian pronounced Ahcajan. Her family history dates back to 16th century Normandy, France whose ancestors after being sent to New France (Canada) were deported from Acadia, current-day Nova Scotia to southwest Louisiana in the mid 1750s.

Jane moved to the Big Easy at the ripe old age of 21, fell in love with the city and a native New Orleanian, and gave birth to three native New Orleanians. She briefly lived in Nashville but the city called her back home and she has never considered living anywhere else. Jane may welcome you by opening her tour with a cheerful greeting in French and English: Bienvenue a la Nouvelle-Orleans. Welcome to New Orleans!

Born in Austin, TX (6th generation Texan), Jason moved to California and Kansas before he was even done with school. After high school, he returned to Texas and attended the world's best jazz university (UNT) only to get... a business degree! After lasting a good decade in corporate life behind a desk before escaping to Europe, Jason partook in walking tours in all the cities he visited. Having enjoyed those tours so much, he began to wonder if he, too, could be a tour guide.

Putting further thought into it, the next question was where would he want to be a tour guide? New Orleans called upon him after his return to the States in 2017, and he's been a guide here ever since then, conducting cocktail, music, and French Quarter tours. He enjoys history, odd facts, walking, reading, and traveling. Oh, and beer, of course; he does enjoy a good beer!

Dane Rhodes brings a unique perspective to his tours. Whether you take his Ghost, Garden District, French Quarter or Cocktail tour, you are going to be entertained and enlightened by his 30 years as an actor and storyteller.

Acting out a lot of the New Orleans history, Dane's tours are always energetic and connected to his over 200 film, tv and stage experiences, as well as his geeky fascination with this wonderful city's history.

A Louisiana native with French Creole roots; Anna Bernard Teixeira was exposed to the music, culture and wonderful cuisine of South Louisiana. During High school she performed in the Mardi Gras marching bands, a quintessential New Orleans experience. "After marching in a parade you're exhausted, but the adrenalin rush goes on for hours," she explains.

In 2010 Anna returned home to Louisiana after living in Europe, Florida and Tennessee. She studied History at The University of New Orleans and Tour Guiding at Delgado College New Orleans.

Anna's historic interests include Creole culture, New Orleans Music, architecture, cemeteries and culinary tours of New Orleans. Anna is also a Jazz singer that performs popular jazz songs as well as historic Creole jazz tunes in French and Creole. Her tours include French Quarter, Garden District, Music Tours, Culinary History Tours, City Tours, Cocktail Tours, Plantation tours, Cajun Country and Historic Cemeteries.

"What makes a great tour? It starts with an experienced, enthusiastic guide who is just as curious about New Orleans as you are. Combine that with some amazing tales about the conflicts and triumphs of the many kinds of people who settled here so long ago, and you have an unforgettable journey through history. That's how I have tried to design my tour."

Peter Malik is one of our newest and most well-versed guides. His story-telling experience comes from productive careers in both the corporate and academic arenas. A New Orleans resident for more than two decades, Peter infuses his own experiences about living in the Crescent City into every tour he hosts. "I am proud to be a part of the New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours team," he says. "I want guests to come away from my tour with a new appreciation for the City that Care Forgot."

Carl Patrick is a professional musician and bonafide history nerd originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. He studied at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley where he focused his research on New Orleans music and cultural history. He has played in brass bands all over the world, visited New Orleans while on tour during Mardi Gras in 2019, and never left. He would be delighted to talk to you about the rich and unique musical and parading traditions of our beautiful city.

Truly loves the City of New Orleans. There is something about it that is like no other place you can find in this world. She moved here from Denver and jumped right into all the city has to offer. She loves history and being a storyteller. Telling ghost tours while giving a bit of history is a dream come true. Giving lagniappe (a New Orleans way of saying "a little something extra"), is something to expect in all her tours. When not giving tours, she likes going to art festivals and listening to great music.
Favorite drink: Old Fashioned made with Peychaud's bitters
Favorite restaurant: Vampire Cafe
Favorite jazz band: Jumbo Shrimp

Born and raised in Ohio, Henry and his wife have lived in New Orleans since 1978. Henry has traveled to many countries around the world and appreciates the multilayered culture that's found in New Orleans. After many years of doing impromptu, mini tours for New Orleans visitors as a rideshare driver, Henry decided to get his tour guide license in 2023. As an avid historian and public speaker for almost fifty years, Henry is able to present the dramatic and fascinating stories of New Orleans in a compelling way.

Displaced at age 5 due to Hurricane Katrina, AJ returned to New Orleans and immediately entered the tourism community. With both French Quarter and ghost knowledge, as well as local insight, his tours comprise humor, history, and insider information that are sure to entertain.