Vampire antics in New Orleans

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.