New Orleans: Movie and TV Show Tour

New Orleans has played itself, pretended to be other cities, and served as the backdrop for vampires, detectives, courtroom dramas, and animated frogs. Within the opening part of this two-hour movie and TV walking tour, you can encounter locations tied to NCIS: New Orleans, The Originals, Your Honor, Runaway Jury, The Big Easy, and even The Simpsons.

I like the small-group format, which lets guide Trevor McQueen ask about your favorite shows and adjust the stops to match. I also like the mix of screen trivia with French Quarter architecture, local history, ghost stories, and practical tips for the rest of your visit. The main drawback is simple: this is a walking tour in weather and traffic, and some old walkways may be uneven. If you do not watch vampire shows, parts of the conversation may also feel less relevant.

Key points to know before you go

• Trevor McQueen tailors the route: Tell him your favorite films or series at the start, and he can point out locations that matter most to you.
• The walk begins at 400 Royal Street: Meet on the courthouse steps across from Brennan’s Restaurant, and arrive about 15 minutes early.
• The route stays in the French Quarter: You walk from Royal Street along Chartres Street, across Jackson Square, to the Old Ursuline Convent, then loop back to Royal Street.
• The film list is broad: Expect references to The Originals, Interview with the Vampire, Chef, Girls Trip, The Pelican Brief, JFK, Renfield, The Princess and the Frog, and many others.
• There is a halfway break: The pause includes a restroom opportunity, a useful touch on a two-hour city walk.
• Bring practical gear: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and prepare for rain, heat, traffic, and old walking surfaces.

Why this New Orleans film tour works

The best part of this experience is not simply checking off movie locations. It is seeing how the French Quarter’s courtyards, iron balconies, old brick walls, churches, and narrow streets can serve several different stories at once.

A single block can appear as modern New Orleans in one production, a historical setting in another, and a supernatural town in a television series. Trevor McQueen’s role is to connect those screen images with the real buildings around you. He also explains how production teams work in a busy historic district, where streets are active public spaces rather than closed studio sets.

That local setting gives the walk more substance than a list of filming addresses. You are also learning how New Orleans looks, sounds, and functions as a city. The film talk becomes a doorway into architecture, local customs, famous residents, and old stories.

The tour has earned a 4.7 rating from 103 bookings, with especially strong praise for Trevor’s warmth, research, humor, and ability to shape the walk around each group. Several bookings turned into private or nearly private outings because the group was so small. That is not guaranteed, but it is a useful sign for anyone who dislikes large, scripted groups.

Starting at the courthouse on Royal Street

Your meeting point is the steps of the Supreme Court Building at 400 Royal Street, across from Brennan’s Restaurant. This is a central French Quarter location, but allow extra time to arrive. French Quarter traffic can be unpredictable, and the directions specifically ask you to be there about 15 minutes early.

The opening conversation matters. Trevor asks about the films and shows you care about, then uses that information to shape the explanations ahead. If you are a fan of The Originals, NCIS: New Orleans, or the recent Interview with the Vampire series, say so at the beginning.

This is also a good moment to mention spoiler concerns. One visitor specifically appreciated being asked if the series had been completed before certain details were discussed. If you are still watching a show, tell the guide. A little planning can keep the tour fun rather than accidentally revealing a major plot point.

From the start, expect the discussion to move between productions. The opening section can bring up NCIS: New Orleans, The Originals, Your Honor, Runaway Jury, The Big Easy, and The Simpsons. The range is part of the appeal, especially if one person in your group likes television while another prefers older films.

Chartres Street and the French Quarter on screen

The walk continues down Chartres Street from the Napoleon House Restaurant. This route gives you the basic French Quarter setting that filmmakers repeatedly return to: old facades, narrow streets, distinctive balconies, and buildings with a strong sense of place.

You should not expect every stop to look exactly as it did on screen. Film productions may use a building’s exterior while changing interiors, adding temporary signs, or presenting one street as somewhere else. The guide can help separate what was truly filmed on location from what was altered for the production.

That distinction is valuable. It prevents the tour from becoming a simple this was in that movie exercise. You begin to notice the architectural clues that make a location recognizable, including the shape of a facade or the relationship between nearby buildings.

The route includes titles from several decades and genres. You may hear about older productions such as King Creole, Live and Let Die, The Cincinnati Kid, JFK, and The Pelican Brief alongside newer films and series. The list also includes Chef, Now You See Me, Girls Trip, Renfield, Haunted Mansion, and The First 48.

For film fans, this range gives the walk a good rhythm. For casual viewers, it means you do not need to know one particular franchise to enjoy the tour. The New Orleans setting remains the constant thread.

Jackson Square and the city beyond the screen

Crossing Jackson Square adds an important change of pace. This is not just another filming backdrop. It is one of the most recognizable public spaces in the French Quarter, and the walk uses it to connect screen images with the city’s culture and past.

The guide shares information about New Orleans along the route, including architecture and local stories. Several people found that the historical material made the experience worthwhile even when they did not know every film on the list.

That balance is important. A tour devoted only to production trivia can become narrow, especially if your favorite show is not represented. Here, the movie material is paired with facts about the city, ghost stories, celebrity homes, and the practical challenges of filming in the French Quarter.

You may also hear about the real people connected with New Orleans productions, rather than only fictional characters. The combination of actor homes, filming locations, and local history gives the walk a more personal feel.

The Old Ursuline Convent and the halfway pause

The route reaches the Old Ursuline Convent before looping back. This is one of the older architectural points on the walk, and it gives Trevor a chance to discuss the city beyond its film identity.

The halfway break is a small but useful feature. One group specifically appreciated having a restroom opportunity at this point. Two hours is not a long tour, but heat, humidity, and walking on older surfaces can make a planned pause welcome.

Use the break to adjust your shoes, drink water, and decide what you most want to hear during the second half. If your group has several interests, this is a good time to remind the guide. The tour works best when you treat it as a conversation rather than a lecture.

Keep in mind that the activity runs rain or shine. Comfortable shoes are essential, and comfortable clothing will help in changing weather. Some walkways may be old or unstable, and you need to watch traffic while moving through the French Quarter.

Royal Street, LaLaurie Mansion, and darker stories

After the convent, the walk loops back up Royal Street and reaches the LaLaurie Mansion, described as the city’s most haunted house. This section brings in the ghost-story side of New Orleans, which fits naturally with the city’s supernatural film connections.

The stop may be especially appealing if you like The Originals, Interview with the Vampire, or other vampire and ghost productions. Trevor’s film knowledge is paired with local lore, so the conversation can move between what appeared on screen and what gives the building its reputation.

There is one clear audience consideration here. A portion of the tour may focus on vampire or similar productions, and people who do not watch those shows may find that emphasis less engaging. If your interests lean toward courtroom films, crime dramas, classic cinema, or celebrity locations, tell Trevor early so he can give those subjects proper attention.

The walk finishes at St. Louis Cathedral in the middle of the French Quarter. Ending here keeps you near many restaurants, bars, shops, and other sights, so you can continue exploring without arranging a separate ride.

How much the $30 price gets you

At $30 per person, this is fairly priced for a two-hour guided walk in one of New Orleans’s most visited districts. You are paying for a live guide, route planning, location research, city context, and the chance to ask questions rather than simply following an audio recording.

The value improves if you have a favorite show. Fans of The Originals, for example, can ask for location details tied to the series. A person interested in NCIS: New Orleans or Interview with the Vampire can receive a more focused experience than a general French Quarter walk.

The price is less compelling if you expect sets, props, actor appearances, or access inside filming locations. This is a public-street walking tour. You see the buildings and streets from the outside, with explanations about their use in films and television.

I also would not book it solely for a visual comparison with movie stills. One person felt the tour would have been easier to follow with printed photos or images on a phone. Without a strong memory of a scene, it can be hard to match a real building to a few seconds on screen.

Group size and the Trevor McQueen difference

The strongest feature is the guide. Trevor McQueen is repeatedly praised for his humor, warmth, patience, research, and passion for New Orleans. He has also been praised for explaining production problems, identifying locations through architectural clues, and answering questions at a comfortable pace.

The company presents the tour as a small-group experience. Some bookings had only two people, and one was a solo tour. You should not assume every departure will be private, but the small-group design allows much more conversation than a large coach tour.

That flexibility matters. Trevor can ask what you have already seen, avoid spoilers, point out a favorite franchise, and give suggestions for the rest of your stay. People also appreciated his recommendations for other places to visit after the walk.

The tour is in English. One international visitor specifically found the guide easy to understand because he spoke slowly and explained the stories clearly. That may help if English is not your first language, though the activity is still delivered only in English.

Who should book this walk

I would recommend this tour to:

• Fans of The Originals, NCIS: New Orleans, Interview with the Vampire, or New Orleans-set films
• Visitors who want a French Quarter walk with a specific theme
• People who enjoy asking questions and shaping a tour around personal interests
• Film fans who like older titles as well as current productions
• First-time visitors who want local history, architecture, ghost stories, and restaurant or sightseeing suggestions in one outing

I would be more cautious if you dislike walking, hot or wet weather, uneven older paths, or supernatural material. The information says the tour is wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments and warns about old, unstable walkways. If access is a concern, contact the provider before booking and ask exactly how the route can be managed.

Booking details that matter

The tour lasts two hours and includes the guide, the walking experience, and a halfway break. It takes place in rain or shine, so check the weather and dress for the conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your New Orleans schedule is still changing.

Arrive early at the courthouse steps. The meeting point is across from Brennan’s Restaurant, but French Quarter traffic can slow you down. Wear shoes you can walk in for two hours, and carry water if the weather is warm.

Should you book the New Orleans Movie and TV Tour?

Book it if you want a personal, conversation-based walk through the French Quarter and already have a few favorite productions in mind. Trevor McQueen’s ability to adjust the discussion is the main reason this tour offers more than a standard list of movie addresses.

It is also a good choice if you want to pair screen locations with New Orleans architecture, ghost stories, celebrity homes, and local advice. At $30, the price is sensible for that combination.

Skip it if you want extensive visual aids, interior access, a bus ride, or a tour devoted only to one production. Also think twice if vampire stories are not your thing and you are unlikely to tell the guide which other films interest you.

For most film fans, television fans, and curious first-time visitors, this is a friendly way to see the French Quarter from a different angle. You leave with places to recognize, shows to add to your watch list, and a better sense of why New Orleans keeps appearing on screen.

FAQ

Where does the New Orleans Movie and TV 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 walk finishes at St. Louis Cathedral in the middle of the French Quarter.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What productions are included?

The tour can cover 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, The First 48, and more.

Who guides the tour?

The guide highlighted for this experience is Trevor McQueen.

Can the tour be adjusted to my favorite show or film?

Yes. At the beginning, the guide asks about your favorite New Orleans productions and can point out locations connected with your interests.

Is there a break during the walk?

Yes. The experience includes a halfway break, with a restroom opportunity noted during the route.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. You should also be prepared for changing weather and traffic.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The activity takes place rain or shine.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.