Night Walk Through the French Quarter: Tracing Storyville’s Madams and Streetwalkers

NEW ORLEANS WALKING TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Night Walk Through the French Quarter: Tracing Storyville’s Madams and Streetwalkers

An evening walking tour that traces the history of prostitution in New Orleans from the port city’s founding through Storyville to the present.

Night Walk Through the French Quarter: Tracing Storyville’s Madams and Streetwalkers.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
New Orleans
Operator
Two Chicks Walking Tours
Category
Walking Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

“Love for Sale” is the organizing lens of this nighttime walking tour through the French Quarter; using the quarter’s landmarks as a backdrop, the guide traces the documented presence of streetwalkers, madams and the rise and fall of Storyville while situating the subject in the city’s port‑city past and present.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

Storyville and the origins of a red‑light district
THE HISTORY

Storyville and the origins of a red‑light district

The tour examines Storyville—the legendary red‑light district—and the economic and social conditions that produced its rise and eventual fall, placing those chapters in the larger history of New Orleans.

French Quarter landmarks as narrative stage
THE ROUTE

French Quarter landmarks as narrative stage

Nighttime streets and Quarter landmarks provide the setting for stories of madams and streetwalkers; the tour uses those sites to connect documented anecdotes to the city’s urban fabric.

From past practice to present legality
THE CONTEXT

From past practice to present legality

The guide frames historical accounts against the contemporary legal reality—prostitution is currently illegal in New Orleans—and clarifies that the evening is interpretive history, not observation of illicit activity.

What the day feels like

What the evening feels like

Over roughly two hours the walk moves through French Quarter streets at night while a guide narrates the documented lives of women and men who worked the oldest profession in New Orleans, recounting how Storyville formed and why it disappeared—this is an interpretive, historical evening focused on storytelling rather than on contemporary street activity.

Storyville and the origins of a red‑light district

THE HISTORY

Storyville and the origins of a red‑light district

The tour examines Storyville—the legendary red‑light district—and the economic and social conditions that produced its rise and eventual fall, placing those chapters in the larger history of New Orleans.

French Quarter landmarks as narrative stage

THE ROUTE

French Quarter landmarks as narrative stage

Nighttime streets and Quarter landmarks provide the setting for stories of madams and streetwalkers; the tour uses those sites to connect documented anecdotes to the city’s urban fabric.

From past practice to present legality

THE CONTEXT

From past practice to present legality

The guide frames historical accounts against the contemporary legal reality—prostitution is currently illegal in New Orleans—and clarifies that the evening is interpretive history, not observation of illicit activity.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this tour suits—and who should look elsewhere.

1
History BuffsIdeal for visitors interested in the social history of New Orleans and Storyville’s documented past; the tour emphasizes historical context over spectacle.
2
Nighttime ExplorersA good match for travelers comfortable with an evening walk through the French Quarter who want guided narratives of the district after dark.
3
Curiosity‑Seekers Expecting Live ActivityNot a match for anyone expecting to witness prostitution in action—the operator explicitly notes prostitution is currently illegal in New Orleans and the tour will not include observation of illegal activity.
4
Those Seeking Salacious EntertainmentThis tour frames the subject historically and legally rather than staging sensational encounters; travelers looking only for lurid spectacle should be aware of that focus.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

The operator lists the tour length as approximately 2 hours.

What to Bring

No specific gear requirements are listed in the provided description.

Logistics & Cost

This is an evening walking tour offered by the operator; the listed price is $37.00 per person.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the tour?

The tour is approximately 2 hours long.

Will we see prostitution taking place?

No—prostitution is currently illegal in New Orleans and the tour will not include witnessing any such activity.

What topics does the tour cover?

The tour traces the history of prostitution in New Orleans, discusses streetwalkers and madams, and covers Storyville along with the conditions behind its rise and fall.

Who operates the tour?

The tour is operated by Two Chicks Walking Tours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $37.00 per person.

When does the tour run?

The available description presents this as a nighttime walking tour.