Adults Only French Quarter History Tour: Raunchy New Orleans

The city's worst kept secrets are still written into its streets.

An adults-only walking tour through New Orleans' French Quarter that traces the city's history of vice, crime and scandal across two hours with a live English-speaking guide. You start with a buy-one-get-one Hurricane drink at the Voodoo Lounge, then walk past St. Louis Cathedral, former brothels tied to "House of the Rising Sun," and Gallatin Street, once home to pirates, gangs and a female serial killer. Minimum age 17. Those 21 and older can bring their own drinks along.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. St. Louis Cathedral12m
2. French Market12m

Adults only raunchy French Quarter tour

• Start at Voodoo Lounge ticket office
• Enjoy buy one get one free Hurricane drinks
• Visit St. Louis Cathedral prayer chapel
• See former brothel linked to House of the Rising Sun
• Explore Galliten Street's infamous history

The experience

The tour starts inside the Voodoo Lounge at 718 N Rampart Street, where you get a buy-one-get-one Hurricane in a souvenir cup before the walking begins. That drink is yours to carry through the French Quarter as the guide walks you through what actually happened in this neighborhood, not the sanitized version. New Orleans was built in a swamp, and the people who settled it drank, gambled and did things that would shock small-town America. This tour is what that looks like when you stop pretending.

You'll stand inside St. Louis Cathedral, where a prayer chapel honors Henriette Delille, who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family: the first female-led Black convent in the United States. Then the guide takes you to one of several buildings claiming to be the real inspiration for "House of the Rising Sun," the song about a brothel that became famous worldwide. The history is tangled and disputed, but the buildings themselves are real, and so are the stories attached to them. Gallatin Street, originally called Galliten, was one of the most infamous streets in the country: home to pirates, street gangs, sex workers, and Bricktop, a woman who became known as a serial killer. The guide walks you through what those names meant and why the street earned its reputation.

The pace is moderate and the route stays on foot through the Quarter for the full two hours. You're welcome to bring your own adult beverage if you're 21 or older, and the tour is built for adults 17 and up. This is not a family walk or a history-class version of New Orleans. The guide is a live person in English, and the whole thing is designed around the real story: what happens when you build a city in a place nobody wanted to live, and what people do when the rules loosen.

What’s included

• Professional live guide in English.
• buy-one-get-one Hurricane drink in a souvenir cup at the start.
• access to St. Louis Cathedral and the sites of former brothels and historic crime locations throughout the French Quarter.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:30

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Under 17: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Departure Point: Voodoo Lounge Address: 718 North Rampart Street New Orleans LA 70116”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by French Quarter Phantoms

Is this one for you?This tour walks the full two hours on foot through the Quarter, so come ready for steady movement. The content is built around vice, crime and scandal, not a family-friendly version of history, which is exactly why someone picks it over a standard tour.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is "House of the Rising Sun" and why does it matter to this tour?

"House of the Rising Sun" is a famous song about a brothel, and the tour takes you to one of several buildings in the French Quarter that claim to be the real inspiration for it. The history is disputed, but the guide explains the connection and what the song actually meant in New Orleans at the time.

Can I bring my own drinks on the tour?

Yes, if you're 21 or older you're welcome to bring your own adult beverage along. The tour starts with a buy-one-get-one Hurricane at the Voodoo Lounge, and you can carry it with you through the French Quarter.

Who was Bricktop and why is she part of this tour?

Bricktop was a woman known as a serial killer who operated on Gallatin Street, one of the most dangerous streets in American history. The guide covers her story as part of the real criminal and vice history of the French Quarter that shaped the neighborhood.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The tour is restricted to adults 17 and older. If you want to drink alcohol, you must be 21 or older.

How long does the tour take and how much walking is involved?

The tour runs two hours and stays on foot through the French Quarter. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The route is wheelchair accessible and all areas and surfaces are accessible.

What happens inside St. Louis Cathedral on this tour?

Inside the Cathedral you'll see a prayer chapel dedicated to Henriette Delille, who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family: the first female-led Black convent in the United States. The guide explains her significance to New Orleans' religious and social history.