Vampire antics in New Orleans

After arriving, we checked into a modern, spacious hotel with a view over the city. The trip was completely spontaneous, so we booked on the spot. If I had planned it ahead of time, I would have stayed in the French Quarter—ideally in a historic building with a balcony overlooking the street, just to fully lean into the New Orleans mood.

Once settled, we headed straight to the French Quarter, and it was pure magic. The atmosphere was exactly how I had imagined it: live jazz drifting through the streets, ornate iron balconies stacked one above another, narrow streets full of life, and horse-drawn carriages slowly passing by. Souvenir shops looked more like witchy apothecaries, filled with candles, charms, and mysterious trinkets. Every corner felt cinematic, as if the city was performing just for us.

We ended up at Jackson Square, home to the iconic St. Louis Cathedral—impossible to miss and instantly recognizable. Standing there, it felt surreal to see a place I had watched on screen so many times, including scenes from American Horror Story. Seeing it in real life made the city’s gothic charm feel even more real, and that was the perfect start to our New Orleans story.

Our second day began the same way it had to—another wander through the French Quarter. Somehow it feels different every time, like the city slightly rearranges itself overnight. We stopped at a vampire-themed café, and honestly, it was a whole performance. Drinks were served in blood-transfusion bags, and of course we had to try them. We also ordered their signature house specialty: rich, dark, blood-red cocktails and decadent bites designed to match the theme.

We showed up in completely normal clothes and instantly felt like fresh prey. Around us, guests were dressed as witches and vampires, fully committed to the aesthetic. The waitstaff had vampire fangs, the lighting was dim and theatrical, and the whole place felt delightfully unhinged in the best way. If you plan to visit—dress up. It’s that kind of place, and it makes the experience even better.

Later, we joined a guided tour of one of New Orleans’ famous historic cemeteries—St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. This is where the city’s dead rest above ground, thanks to the high water table, giving the cemetery its iconic, otherworldly look. Scenes from Interview with the Vampire were filmed here, and the cemetery’s eerie beauty has inspired countless gothic stories and shows, including American Horror Story: Coven. Walking between the centuries-old tombs, it felt like history and fiction were quietly sharing the same space.

After that, we strolled near our hotel and couldn’t ignore a massive, abandoned skyscraper looming nearby. It turned out to be the Plaza Tower, a former office building with 45 floors—often mistaken for an old hotel—and one of the tallest abandoned buildings in the South. It was closed decades ago due to asbestos and mold and has since gained a reputation for being haunted and off-limits. Once a symbol of modern ambition, it now stands as a silent, decaying giant—creepy, fascinating, and very on-brand for New Orleans.

By the end of the day, it felt like we had stepped through layers of time: cinematic fantasy, real history, and urban legends—all tangled together. New Orleans doesn’t just tell stories. It lives inside them.