Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans

REVIEW · TOURS

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans

5.0 · 141 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $30 Operated by Hollywood South Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Film sets in the French Quarter sound fun, but this one has real street magic. You walk between landmarks tied to shows like The Originals and Interview with the Vampire, then layer in local lore and city history as you go. It is an easy, fan-friendly way to spot scenes you thought you knew, right where they were filmed.

I especially love the small-group pace and how it feels like a guided walk with photos, not a lecture. I also like that you hit both big-name iconic spots like Jackson Square and more niche stops built around supernatural themes. One drawback to plan for, the tour is still a walking tour, so it is not ideal if you cannot do a long stretch on foot.

Key Highlights I Found Most Worth Your Time

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - Key Highlights I Found Most Worth Your Time

  • Small group max 16, so you are not lost in a crowd.
  • Film-location focus, including recognizable scenes tied to The Originals and other popular titles.
  • Supernatural and folklore stops, with a framing that includes the real local context.
  • Jackson Square time for photos and breaks, plus chance to cool off in the square area.
  • A mix of stops with free sight time and a few paid entries, so you can budget.
  • Guide personality matters, and guides like Trevor McQueen are repeatedly praised for being engaging and fun.

Film Locations You Can Actually Stand On in the French Quarter

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - Film Locations You Can Actually Stand On in the French Quarter
New Orleans has been a movie magnet forever, but most tours just point and say, That was a set. This tour gives you more to work with, you walk the actual streets and squares, then connect those facades to what you have seen on screen.

What makes it satisfying is the rhythm. You are not stuck in one “this building, next building” loop. Instead, the walk builds little themes as you go, crime and gothic energy around the pharmacy stop, supernatural talk around the convent and occult shop, then a lighter wrap-up around Pirate’s Alley. It keeps the experience from feeling like a clipboard tour.

A few more ways to spend the day around New Orleans

Price and Time, Is $30 a Fair Deal?

At $30 per person for about 2 hours, this is priced like a value add to your day. You are paying for a guided route that saves you from piecing locations together yourself, and from guessing which details matter.

The best part is how much ground you cover without needing a vehicle. You get multiple stops with free sight time, plus a couple of locations where you may want to pay separate admission. That mix means you can keep your spend predictable if you plan ahead.

Getting Started at 400 Royal St, and Why the Route Works

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - Getting Started at 400 Royal St, and Why the Route Works
The tour starts at 400 Royal St and ends on Pirates Alley. That start point matters because it puts you right in the French Quarter zone where most film action happens, and it also keeps the walking route practical instead of zig-zagging across town.

It is also set up for good photo time. Many stops include quick exterior viewing, so you can take pictures, then keep moving. If you are a superfan, that helps, because you can keep mentally matching street angles and building shapes as you go.

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Crime, Circus, and Vampires Energy

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Crime, Circus, and Vampires Energy
Your first major stop centers on the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, described as the first licensed pharmacy in the United States. Even if you are not a museum person, this is a strong opener because it sets a darker tone and it gives you a real building with story weight.

The pacing here is about 15 minutes, and admission is not included. That means you can decide how deep you want to go. If you are hoping to learn the full context inside, budget extra. If you only want the outside and the tour guide’s framing, you can still get value in that short window.

This is also a great stop if you like the overlap between true crime and supernatural pop culture. The tour positions it as a place where you can connect different eras and vibes in just a couple of blocks.

Jackson Square for Big Scenes, Quick Photos, and a Reality Check

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - Jackson Square for Big Scenes, Quick Photos, and a Reality Check
Next you walk into Jackson Square, often the French Quarter stop people already know. Here it is treated as a filming magnet, with well over a dozen film projects tied to the area.

You get about 30 minutes, and admission is free. That longer block is useful because you can do what walking tours often rush: take photos, pause for water, and make sure you can actually see what the guide is pointing out. One nice touch from the experience style is that the guide tends to give you room to cool off, and the square area is where you can do it.

If you are the type who likes to learn, this is also where you realize why the square works on camera. It has a clear visual center, and the streets around it give filmmakers lots of angles.

Voodoo Authentica, Local Lore and a Guided Reality Lens

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - Voodoo Authentica, Local Lore and a Guided Reality Lens
After the square, you head to Voodoo Authentica for a 10-minute stop. It is presented as a place to learn the truth about Voodoo, and it is paired with more nearby film projects.

Admission is free for this stop, so it is mostly about listening and looking. This is also the section where your attitude matters. If you approach the topic with respect and curiosity, you will get more out of it than if you treat it like pure Halloween theater.

For fans of supernatural shows that use these themes, this stop helps you separate what is dramatized from what the community conversation is actually about, at least from the tour’s perspective.

Old Ursuline Convent Museum, Witches and Vampires in a Very Old Building

Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans - Old Ursuline Convent Museum, Witches and Vampires in a Very Old Building
Then the tour hits Old Ursuline Convent Museum for about 5 minutes. This is the pre-fire building left standing, and it is framed as the start of a “horror loop,” with talk of witches and vampires.

Admission is not included here. With only a short stop time, you are usually better off using this moment for exterior context and for the guide’s story thread. If you want to spend time inside, you may need to plan for additional admission and time on your own.

This is one of those stops that works even if you are not a die-hard supernatural fan. It is a real physical anchor for the gothic tone the tour is building.

Starling Magickal Occult Shop, Film Locations Plus Civil Rights Nearby

You get 15 minutes at Starling Magickal Occult Shop, another film-linked location with supernatural vibes. Admission is not included.

What I like here is that the stop does not stay stuck on spooky aesthetics. Across the street is Homer Plessy Community School, and the tour uses this as a springboard to learn about early civil rights in New Orleans. That is a meaningful contrast point. It reminds you the French Quarter is not only about gothic legends, it is also about real people and real history.

If you care about both pop culture and the city’s civic story, this stop is a win. Even if you do not buy anything, you come away with more context than just facades.

Madame John’s Legacy, A Second-Oldest Stop With Real Fire History

At Madame John’s Legacy, you get about 10 minutes. This is described as the second oldest building in the French Quarter and one that appeared in several film projects.

The tour notes that it burned during the Great Fire and was rebuilt in 1788. That detail changes how you look at the exterior. You stop thinking of the building as a backdrop and start thinking of it as something that survived major disruption.

Admission is not included for this stop, so plan for quick viewing plus guide context rather than assuming you will wander freely indoors.

Boutique du Vampyre, Vampire Focus With Local Story Angle

Next is Boutique du Vampyre, another 10-minute stop where the tour leans hard into vampire themes. Admission is not included.

This stop works best if you are the kind of fan who likes connections: the kind of person who wants to understand how a location gets repurposed into pop culture identity. The tour also frames it as having incredible histories, so the point is not just the theme name. It is that there is local storytelling built into the place.

If you love vampire shows and movies set in New Orleans style, this is the part that will feel tailor-made for you.

Pirate’s Alley Cafe Wrap-Up, Where the Walk Finishes

The final stop is Pirate’s Alley Cafe, about 10 minutes, and this part is free. It is the ending point of the tour, so you are coming out of the walk with your brain full of scenes and your feet full of Quarter cobblestones.

This is a smart finish because Pirate’s Alley is one of those narrow lanes where you can keep thinking about camera angles. It also gives you a natural landing spot to grab a drink or snack after the tour if you want to keep the day going.

How Walking Tours Like This Feel in Real Life (And Who Should Skip It)

This is described as a walking tour, and the guidance is clear: it is not recommended for travelers who cannot walk long distances. Even with a relaxed pace, you should expect to be on your feet for the full two hours.

It does look designed for most travelers who are comfortable walking in the French Quarter. It is also set as near public transportation, so if you are using transit to get to the start, you should be able to fit it into your plan without stress.

Small-Group Size and the Guide Factor: Why People Keep Calling It Out

The tour limits group size to a maximum of 16 travelers. That matters because it makes it easier for a guide to tailor their explanations to the crowd, and it makes it less chaotic when people want to ask which show was filmed where.

The guide experience is also a huge part of why people love the tour. Names like Trevor and Trevor McQueen show up repeatedly, with praise for being engaging, personable, and funny. One detail that comes up in the feedback is that the guide can share extra visuals, including photos and footage related to filming and locations, which helps you connect what you see on the street to what you saw on screen.

If you are the kind of person who likes to trade facts and favorite scenes, this format is made for you.

What You Should Bring, Based on How the Tour Plays

You do not need to bring anything special, but a few practical items will help you enjoy it more:

  • Comfortable walking shoes, since it is a full French Quarter walk.
  • Water, especially if you are visiting in hotter weather, since you are out for around two hours.
  • A charged phone or camera, so you can match what you see to scenes you love.

Also, the tour requires good weather. If conditions are rough, you may be offered a different date or a full refund, so keep that in mind if your itinerary is tight.

Should You Book This Movie and TV Show Tour in New Orleans?

I think you should book this tour if you are a film or TV fan and you want a guided way to see the French Quarter through that lens. The stops are concentrated, the group stays small, and the tone fits supernatural and drama fans who want to connect shows like The Originals and Interview with the Vampire to real locations.

Skip it, or at least reconsider, if you cannot handle a walking tour for about two hours, or if you prefer museums where you spend long periods inside. This route is built for quick stops, lots of street viewing, and guide storytelling, not for slow exploration.

If you want one smart activity that makes your French Quarter day feel more personal and more connected to what you watch at home, this is a solid pick.

FAQ

How long is the Movie and TV Show Tour of New Orleans?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

It costs $30.00 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 400 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 and ends at Pirates Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Are admission tickets included for all stops?

No. Some locations list admission ticket not included, while others are listed as admission ticket free.

Is this a walking tour?

Yes, it is a walking tour in the French Quarter. It is not recommended for travelers who cannot walk long distances.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 16 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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