New Orleans: Haunted French Quarter Carriage Tour & LaLaurie Mansion

A mule-drawn carriage through the French Quarter's deadliest stories

You ride through New Orleans' French Quarter in a small mule-drawn carriage with a licensed guide who connects the city's documented tragedies (fires, epidemics, murders) to the spirits people claim still haunt the buildings. You'll see St. Louis Cathedral and the LaLaurie Mansion, the real story behind the American Horror Story house. The whole tour takes an hour, stays under eight passengers, and requires you to arrive 15 minutes early at 700 Decatur Street.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Jackson Square15m
2. Runyon Canyon Park1h
3. St. Louis Cathedralpass by
4. LaLaurie Mansionpass by

Haunted French Quarter carriage tour

• Meet at 700 Decatur Street
• Board mule-drawn carriage
• Depart from Jackson Square
• Hear stories of city founding
• Pass Saint Louis Cathedral
• View St. Louis Cathedral landmark
• See LaLaurie Murder Mansion
• Travel through French Quarter streets
• Learn haunted history and ghost stories

The experience

What if the spirits haunting New Orleans' oldest neighborhood could actually tell you why they're still here? That's the premise of this 1-hour carriage tour through the French Quarter, where you'll ride in a mule-drawn carriage with no more than eight other people instead of shuffling through the streets in a crowd. You board at 700 Decatur Street near Jackson Square, and from there the carriage winds through streets that have seen devastating fires, floods, epidemics, and worse: all documented in police records and history books, all tied to the buildings you're passing.

Your guide is a licensed professional from Royal Carriages, the company that won Louisiana Attraction of the Year in 2018, and they've been doing this for over 75 years as an outfit. The stories aren't just spooky for spooky's sake. They're grounded in what actually happened. You'll see St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S., and pass Napoleon House and other landmarks as the carriage moves through the French Quarter. Then there's the LaLaurie Mansion. If you've watched American Horror Story, you know the name. The true story is both stranger and more specific than the TV version, and your guide walks you through what really occurred inside that house of horrors. The carriage doesn't stop for long stretches. It keeps moving, which means you're comfortable and not standing in one spot for too long.

The tour runs rain or shine (dress for the weather), and it's built for all ages: infants can stay in a parent's lap, kids need an adult with them, and the carriage itself is wheelchair accessible if you let them know at booking. The one hard rule: arrive 15 minutes early to the boarding location, because late arrivals don't get a second chance or a refund. Weather like lightning or flooding will cancel the tour, but regular rain doesn't stop it. Each ticket covers one passenger. Kids under 4 ride free as long as they're on a parent's lap.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a licensed tour guide and a 1-hour mule-drawn carriage ride through the French Quarter.
• The carriage passes major landmarks including St.
• Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Napoleon House, and the LaLaurie Mansion, with your guide providing historical context and stories tied to each location.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 12:00, the last at 22:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meet at the Red Umbrella at Jackson Square”

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Royal Carriages

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main haunted history of the French Quarter without walking long distances or joining a large group: the mule-drawn carriage and 8-person limit are what make the stories feel personal instead of rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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 New Orleans haunted carriage tour?

The tour lasts 1 hour. You board at 700 Decatur Street near Jackson Square and travel through the French Quarter in a mule-drawn carriage.

How many people ride on the carriage?

Maximum 8 passengers per carriage, which keeps the experience more intimate than larger walking ghost tours.

What attractions does the tour include?

The carriage passes St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Napoleon House, and the LaLaurie Mansion. You see them from the carriage as your guide explains their history and hauntings.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the carriage is wheelchair accessible. Notify the company at booking if you need wheelchair assistance.

What happens if I arrive late?

All participants must arrive 15 minutes early. Late arrivals will not be allowed on the tour and no refund will be issued.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour operates in rain, but will be cancelled if there is lightning or flooding. Dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Who are the tour guides?

Guides are licensed professionals from Royal Carriages, the company awarded Louisiana Attraction of the Year in 2018. The company has been operating tours for over 75 years.