New Orleans: Ghost & Vampire Walking Tour French Quarter

Ghost Stories & Real Vampires in New Orleans' Oldest Neighborhood

You walk through the French Quarter at night with a guide who separates real history from legend, see the LaLaurie Mansion from outside while hearing the full story of Madame Lalaurie's crimes, and learn about New Orleans' actual vampire subculture, who they are, where they gather, how they live. The tour is historically grounded, not theatrical, and small enough that you can ask questions as you go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Runyon Canyon Park2h
2. LaLaurie Mansion12m

Ghost and Vampire Walking Tour

• Check in at meeting location
• Walk through historic New Orleans neighborhood
• Hear Madame Lalaurie ghost story outside mansion

The experience

The street is narrow and the buildings lean in. Your guide stops at the corner and points to the LaLaurie Mansion, the one from American Horror Story, and begins with Madame Lalaurie, a woman whose cruelty left the house itself marked. You hear the stories from the sidewalk. The mansion is private, so the history stays outside with you, in the dark, where it belongs. This isn't a gimmick tour. The guide knows the difference between folklore and what actually happened here, and they tell both.

After the mansion, the walking tour moves deeper into the French Quarter, and the conversation shifts. Your guide talks about the vampire culture that actually exists in New Orleans, not the fictional kind, but the people who live as self-proclaimed vampires in the city today. They show you where these people shop for fangs, explain their philosophy, answer the question that sounds absurd until you hear the answer: what does it really mean to be a vampire in 2024? It's the kind of thing that makes you rethink what you thought you knew about the city. The tour doesn't judge. It just opens the door and lets you look.

The French Quarter itself is old (possibly the most romantic neighborhood in the United States, according to locals), and walking it at night with someone who knows the stories changes how you see the streets. Narrow passages, wrought iron, the smell of the place. Your guide is a storyteller first, which means the pacing isn't rushed, and the details stick. The whole thing runs about two hours, and you're moving the whole time, so wear shoes that work for walking on old brick and uneven pavement.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a local guide who leads the group through the French Quarter at night, covering the history of the LaLaurie Mansion and Madame Lalaurie's crimes, the documented ghost stories of the neighborhood, and an introduction to New Orleans' real vampire subculture.
• Local taxes are included.
• You'll walk the entire route, so plan for about two hours on your feet over uneven historic streets.

Options for this experience

2 options

Late night departureGuide in English · 20:00

Early evening departureGuide in English · 18:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00 and 20:00

AgesAdult (8 to 62 years) · Senior (63 and older) · Child (under 8)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.Operator's directions: “Voodoo Lounge”

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by French Quarter Phantoms

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want New Orleans history that goes beyond the usual: ghost stories grounded in real events, plus a look at the city's actual vampire community. Expect to walk for two hours on old brick and pavement, which is what lets the guide show you the places and tell the stories without rushing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 8).

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.

How long is the ghost and vampire walking tour in New Orleans?

The tour runs approximately two hours through the French Quarter.

Do you actually enter the LaLaurie Mansion?

No. The mansion is a private residence. Your guide tells the story of Madame Lalaurie and the hauntings from the sidewalk outside.

Is this tour historically accurate or mostly for entertainment?

It's both. The guide covers real New Orleans history and documented ghost stories alongside the city's actual vampire subculture: real people who identify as vampires and live in the city.

What's included in the tour?

A local guide and local taxes. You'll need to walk to the departure point, which is a short walk from most downtown hotels.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Where does the tour start?

The departure point is in the French Quarter, a short walk from most downtown hotels. You're asked to walk to the meeting spot to help preserve the neighborhood from vehicular traffic.

What will I learn about New Orleans vampires?

The guide explains who the vampire community is, why they live as vampires, where they gather, and shows you the shop where they buy fangs. It's about real people, not folklore.