Royal Carriages
4.8(9.1K)google
4.4(464)yelp
HistoryTransit HeritageGuided TourRomanticDate SpotOutdoorMust-See
Overview
Royal Carriages is America's oldest continuously operating carriage tour company, providing authentic, mule-drawn historic journeys through the French Quarter since 1941. Stationed alongside Jackson Square, these beautifully maintained, vintage open-air carriages are pulled by well-cared-for mules. The certified drivers serve as passionate historians, narrating the city's rich Spanish and French colonial past, architectural evolution, and legendary ghost lore, offering an old-world, romantic way to sightsee without walking.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration45-60 minutes
Best TimeHighly recommended to book an evening tour between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, especially their history or ghost-themed rides. Sitting in a traditional mule-drawn carriage at night while a seasoned guide shares centuries of French Quarter secrets under flickering gas lamps offers an unbeatable, atmospheric experience.
Getting ThereThe primary boarding location is right along Decatur St in front of Jackson Square, directly facing St. Louis Cathedral. Ride the Riverfront Streetcar to the Jackson Square station, and you will see the iconic line of carriages parked right outside the exit, less than a 1-minute walk away.
Travel Tips
- This is a historic mule-drawn carriage tour with the primary staging area at Jackson Square. While walk-up seating is available, weekends and peak holiday slots are often fully booked by large groups; reserving your carriage online early is highly advised.
- Only book directly through official uniformed staff or their stand; never hand cash to unlicensed hustlers loitering on the sidewalk claiming to offer cheap private rides. Hang onto cameras tightly as the ride gets bumpy over historic cobblestones.
- Strict passenger capacity and animal welfare restrictions apply; over-occupying a carriage will lead to forced boarding denial. Tours are instantly suspended without notice during extreme summer heat or severe thunderstorms to protect the mules.
Reviews
Positive
- Riding an elegant, vintage mule-drawn carriage through the historic French Quarter streets is charming, offering an incredible sightseeing experience.
- The carriage drivers double as exceptional historians, delivering local plantation lore and ghost tales with great wit and deep engagement.
- Operating since 1941, this established agency provides highly professional service, smooth online bookings, and organized boarding lines.
- They show admirable care for their mules' well-being, and the carriages are equipped with nice canopies to shield guests from afternoon heat.
Heads up
- The ticket prices are quite steep relative to the brief 30-to-45-minute tour durations, making it a heavy expense for families on a budget.
- The tours shared active city streets; being wedged in bumper-to-bumper car traffic and honking horns completely breaks the historical illusion.
- Due to the nature of animal transport, strong and pungent livestock odors can occasionally waft back into the carriage, upsetting sensitive noses.
- The drivers can be overly aggressive when soliciting high cash tips at the end of the ride, adding an uncomfortable layer of pressured spending.