New Orleans: Movie and TV Show Tour

New Orleans has played itself, Los Angeles, a vampire kingdom, a courtroom, and even a setting in The Simpsons. Within the first fifteen minutes of this walking tour, you may connect places in the French Quarter with NCIS: New Orleans, The Originals, Your Honor, Runaway Jury, The Big Easy, and more.

I like the small-group format and the way guide Trevor McQueen adjusts the walk to your screen favorites. I also like that the tour is not only about movie trivia: you get local history, architecture, ghost stories, production challenges, and useful tips for the rest of your visit. The main drawback is simple: this is a full two-hour walk on old city paths, so heat, rain, traffic, and uneven surfaces can affect your comfort.

Key points to know before booking

• A French Quarter route with serious screen time: Walk from the courthouse on Royal Street to Jackson Square, the Old Ursuline Convent, LaLaurie Mansion, and St. Louis Cathedral.
• Trevor McQueen personalizes the tour: Tell him your favorite productions at the start, and he can point out locations tied to shows such as The Originals or Interview with the Vampire.
• The price is modest for a private-feeling experience: At $30 per person, the tour can feel especially good value when the group is small.
• It mixes film facts with New Orleans context: Expect stories about architecture, city history, celebrity homes, ghost lore, and the practical problems of filming in the French Quarter.
• A halfway break helps: The pause, including a restroom opportunity, breaks up the walking time.
• Wear real walking shoes: The tour operates rain or shine, and some walkways are old or unstable.

Why this movie tour works better than a simple filming-location checklist

A filming-location tour can be little more than a series of addresses. This one has more value because the locations sit inside one of New Orleans most historic areas, so the city itself remains part of the story.

You are not driven from one distant set to another. You walk through the French Quarter and see how productions use courtyards, iron balconies, old facades, squares, streets, and public buildings. A place that looks ordinary at first can become familiar once you know which production used it and how the camera framed it.

The strongest feature is the guide’s ability to match the walk to your interests. At the beginning, Trevor asks which shows or movies matter most to you. If you are a fan of The Originals, he can focus on related spots. If vampires are your thing, he can bring in Interview with the Vampire, Renfield, and other supernatural productions. If you prefer courtroom dramas or crime series, he can steer the conversation toward Your Honor, Runaway Jury, The Pelican Brief, JFK, or The First 48.

That personal touch matters because the list of productions is long. You will not receive equal detail on every title in two hours. Instead, the walk gives you a broad sample, then spends more time on the shows and films you already care about.

Starting at the Supreme Court Building on Royal Street

The meeting point is at 400 Royal Street, on the steps of the Supreme Court Building across from Brennan’s Restaurant. Arrive about 15 minutes early. French Quarter traffic can be unpredictable, and the start point is easier to find if you are not rushing through crowded streets.

Beginning here gives the tour a useful sense of place. Royal Street is one of the French Quarter’s main routes, and the courthouse provides an immediate connection to the legal and political side of New Orleans on screen. Productions such as Your Honor and Runaway Jury fit naturally into this part of the conversation.

Trevor’s approach, based on the way the tour is described, is conversational rather than lecture-heavy. You can ask questions as you walk, and the small group makes that much easier. Some departures may have only two or four people, and very quiet dates can feel close to a private tour.

That does not mean you should expect a private tour every time. Group size can vary. Still, the small-group design is important: it gives you room to tell the guide what you want to see and makes it easier to hear stories without a large crowd.

Chartres Street, Napoleon House, and the first wave of film locations

From the courthouse, the route heads down Chartres Street from the Napoleon House Restaurant. This is a good stretch for seeing how New Orleans can double for several different places without changing its basic character.

The tour brings in productions including The Big Easy, Chef, Now You See Me, King Creole, Live and Let Die, Girls Trip, and The Cincinnati Kid. Some are older films, some are modern, and some use the city in very different ways. That range is one of the tour’s strengths.

You will also hear about the difference between a building’s real history and its role on screen. A facade may be used as a stand-in for another location. A street may appear in a brief shot but require a large production effort to close, control, or work around. One useful part of the tour is learning about the practical problems of filming inside the French Quarter, where traffic, pedestrians, old buildings, and narrow streets can complicate a scene.

This section is also where the city-history side of the tour can save the experience for people who are not movie fans. If you have not seen every title on the list, you still get context about the streets and buildings in front of you.

Jackson Square and the Old Ursuline Convent

The route crosses Jackson Square before reaching the Old Ursuline Convent. This is one of the most recognizable parts of the French Quarter, and it gives the tour a change of pace from narrow streets and storefronts.

Jackson Square is useful on a film tour because you can think about the difference between a real public space and a controlled movie set. It is a famous New Orleans image, so productions can use it to signal the city quickly. At the same time, the square is part of the everyday French Quarter, not a preserved backlot.

The Old Ursuline Convent adds another layer. Its old architecture helps explain why New Orleans works so well for period pieces, supernatural stories, legal dramas, and films that need a strong sense of place. Here, Trevor can connect the visible architecture to screen appearances and to the wider story of the city.

You should expect to stop often enough for explanations and questions, but this is still a walking tour, not a series of long indoor visits. The focus is on exterior locations and the stories connected with them. If you want extended access inside historic buildings, this is not the right format.

LaLaurie Mansion and the supernatural side of New Orleans

The loop returns up Royal Street toward LaLaurie Mansion, described as the city’s most haunted house. This is a natural highlight for fans of The Originals, Interview with the Vampire, Renfield, and other vampire or supernatural productions.

The mansion also lets the tour move beyond film trivia. New Orleans has a strong tradition of ghost stories, and the building’s reputation gives Trevor a chance to connect local lore with the way television and movies portray the city. If you enjoy spooky material, this part may be one of your favorites.

If you do not watch vampire shows, the focus may feel less relevant. One visitor found that the tour leaned more toward vampire and similar productions than expected. That is worth considering before you book. The guide can tailor the route, but the supernatural side is a noticeable part of the experience.

Fans of The Originals should tell Trevor early. The tour can then highlight locations tied to that series rather than leaving you to recognize them by chance. He has also been praised for checking whether people have finished a show before discussing plot details, which is a thoughtful touch for anyone trying to avoid spoilers.

Finishing at St. Louis Cathedral

The walk ends at St. Louis Cathedral in the middle of the French Quarter. This is a convenient finish because you remain in the center of the district, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and other sightseeing options.

The ending also brings the tour back to New Orleans as a real city rather than a movie set. By this point, you have seen how the cathedral, square, streets, homes, and public buildings can be presented differently depending on the production. The final location gives the route a clear endpoint without sending you far from the area where it began.

You may want to plan a meal or another activity after the tour, but do not schedule something on the opposite side of town immediately afterward. The walk finishes in the French Quarter, and you may need a few minutes to orient yourself, especially if the weather is warm.

What Trevor McQueen adds to the experience

The guide is the heart of this tour. Trevor McQueen brings long-form preparation to the subject, including details about filming years, locations, architectural clues, and the way productions use New Orleans buildings.

His best role is not simply naming a movie. He can explain why a location fits a scene, what production teams had to manage, and how the real building differs from its on-screen version. That gives you something to look for after the tour when you watch the films at home.

He also brings local material into the walk. Expect information about New Orleans history and culture, architecture, celebrity homes, famous sightings, and ghost stories. Several parts of the experience can therefore appeal to someone in your group who is less interested in film.

A good guide also knows when to listen. The strongest version of this tour begins with your favorites and builds from there. Tell Trevor if you want The Originals, NCIS: New Orleans, classic films, courtroom stories, or celebrity homes. If you arrive with no particular favorite, he can still cover a broad mix of old and new productions.

One limitation is that the experience seems to rely mainly on spoken explanation and the real-world locations. One person wished for still images or a shared way to compare film frames with the buildings in front of you. If you do not have a strong visual memory, you may not always recognize the exact shot without watching the production later.

How much walking, and how hard is the route?

The tour lasts two hours and proceeds at a reasonable walking pace. It is not described as a strenuous hike, but you should still treat it as an active city walk.

Bring comfortable shoes and light, comfortable clothes. The tour runs rain or shine, so check the forecast and prepare for changing conditions. New Orleans weather can make two hours feel easy or tiring, especially when there is heat, rain, or high humidity.

Some walkways are old and unstable. Traffic is another concern, since the route crosses active French Quarter streets. Pay attention at crossings and expect the guide to pause or adjust the pace around city conditions.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Those notes point to a practical issue: access may be possible, yet the old surfaces, traffic, and amount of walking can still make the route difficult. If you have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking and ask about the current path.

A halfway break is included. This is useful for a restroom stop and a short reset, especially in hot weather. It also prevents the tour from feeling like one continuous two-hour lecture.

Is $30 per person good value?

At $30 per person, the tour is fairly priced if you want a guided walk through several production locations rather than a quick photo stop. The value improves when the group is small, since you get more chances to ask questions and have the route adjusted to your interests.

You are also paying for interpretation, not just access to streets you could visit on your own. You could walk through Royal Street, Jackson Square, and the cathedral without a guide. What you would miss is the connection between those places, the productions that used them, the architecture that gives them screen appeal, and the local stories layered onto them.

The tour is especially good value for The Originals fans and people who enjoy New Orleans movie history. It is less compelling if you have no interest in film or television and mainly want a general French Quarter history walk. In that case, a traditional city-history tour may suit you better.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. The tour is offered in English, and the guide’s clear, measured speaking style can help people who are not native English speakers.

Who should book this French Quarter walk?

I would choose this tour for:

• Fans of The Originals, Interview with the Vampire, NCIS: New Orleans, Your Honor, or The Big Easy
• Visitors who want a small-group experience instead of a large coach tour
• Movie fans who enjoy production details and location trivia
• First-time visitors who want film facts mixed with local history and architecture
• Couples or families with different interests, since the city stories give non-film fans something to follow
• Anyone who likes getting restaurant and sightseeing suggestions from a local guide

I would think twice if you dislike walking, struggle with uneven pavement, or want a tour built around only one film. You should also be aware that supernatural productions receive a fair amount of attention. The route can be adjusted, but not every title receives equal time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see the French Quarter through the eyes of a film fan, especially if The Originals, NCIS: New Orleans, or vampire productions are high on your list. The small groups, personal questions at the start, and Trevor McQueen’s local and production knowledge give the $30 price real value.

Before you go, arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and tell Trevor your favorite shows. If possible, watch a few New Orleans productions beforehand so the locations mean more when you see them. Skip it if you want indoor visits, a purely general history tour, or a short route with little walking.

FAQ

How long does the New Orleans Movie and TV Show Tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at 400 Royal Street, on the steps of the Supreme Court Building across from Brennan’s Restaurant.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at St. Louis Cathedral in the middle of the French Quarter.

Which movies and shows are covered?

The route can include NCIS: New Orleans, The Originals, Your Honor, Runaway Jury, The Big Easy, The Simpsons, Interview with the Vampire, Chef, Now You See Me, The Princess and the Frog, Live and Let Die, King Creole, Girls Trip, The Pelican Brief, JFK, Haunted Mansion, The Cincinnati Kid, Renfield, and The First 48, along with other productions.

Can the guide tailor the tour to my favorite show?

Yes. Trevor asks about your favorite movies and shows at the beginning and can point out locations connected with your interests.

Is there a break during the tour?

Yes. A halfway break is included, and it can provide an opportunity to use a restroom.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing. You should also be prepared for changing weather because the tour takes place rain or shine.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also noted as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Old or unstable walkways, traffic, and the two-hour walking route may affect comfort.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.