Discover the French Quarter's Hidden Secrets on a Yellow Fever Mystery Walk in New Orleans
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Step into the past with the New Orleans French Quarter Yellow Fever Mystery Walk. Set in August 1878, this self-guided adventure takes you through the historic streets of the French Quarter, where yellow fever has turned the city into a place of fear and mystery. As Louis Joseph Dufilho Jr., America's first licensed pharmacist, you'll decode secret messages and uncover hidden stories behind iconic landmarks.
Explore sites like the Old Ursuline Convent, the Cabildo, and St. Louis Cathedral, all while solving puzzles and experiencing augmented reality clues that bring history to life. This tour blends storytelling, history, and interactive challenges, making it perfect for explorers, couples, and families eager to discover the true stories behind New Orleans’ most famous sights.
With no guide or fixed schedule, you can start whenever you like, pause for photos, and go at your own pace. Just open your phone, follow the clues, and immerse yourself in a gothic conspiracy thriller set against the backdrop of a city fighting for survival. It’s a unique way to experience the French Quarter—full of surprises and rich history.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the tour last?
The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete.
What languages are available for the audio narration?
The tour offers audio commentary in 32 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew, and more.
Is this a group tour or private?
This experience is private, designed for up to 6 people, making it perfect for families or small groups.
What do I need to participate?
You just need your smartphone and headphones (bring your own). The tour works instantly in any mobile web browser—no app download required.
Are there any accessibility options?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants or small children can ride in a pram or stroller.
Can I start the tour anytime?
Absolutely! You can begin whenever it suits you, at your own pace, and pause whenever needed.
Free cancellation
Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled start for a full refund.
Reserve now
Check a date here, then finish booking with our partner. Payment options are confirmed at checkout.
Duration 2.5 hours
Check availability to see start times.
Guided experience
Norwegian, Hindi, German, Portuguese, Korean, CMN, Greek, English, Italian, French, Spanish, CS, Arabic, Japanese, Hebrew, Danish, Turkish, Dutch
Key facts
What's included
Included
- No app download required — works instantly in any smartphone web browser
- Interactive puzzles and ciphers to solve
- Augmented reality (AR) experiences at key landmarks
- Self-guided audio walking tour
- GPS-guided digital map
- Audio commentary in 32 languages
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food & drinks
- Smartphone and headphones (please bring your own)
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
Itinerary
Follow the trail from the French Market to Dufilho's apothecary, uncovering stories behind historic landmarks and solving puzzles along the way.
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Stop 1
Begin under the colonnade of the French Market, one of America's oldest public markets, dating back to the 1790s. Decode the first French word in Dufilho's coded letter, revealing secrets about remedies that kept the poor alive.
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Stop 2
Visit the Old Ursuline Convent, built in 1752—the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. Discover how the nuns turned their halls into a fever ward, offering care to the dying during the epidemic.
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Stop 3
See the raised mansion of General P.G.T. Beauregard, built in 1826. Learn how bravery was tested not by cannon fire but by the threat of contagion.
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Stop 4
Explore the wrought-iron balconies of Bourbon Street, the lively heart of the Quarter's nightlife, with stories hidden beneath their ornate designs.
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Stop 5
Visit the LaBranche House at Royal & St. Peter, built in the 1830s, known for its oak-leaf cast-iron balcony where families once hung mourning crepe.
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Stop 6
Stop at the Cabildo, built in 1799, the Spanish colonial seat of government and the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer.
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Stop 7
Stand beneath the three steeples of St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States.
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Stop 8
Visit the Presbytère, built in 1813, which now holds records of the city’s resilience and history.
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Stop 9
At Place d'Armes, see the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson, central to the historic square.
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Stop 10
Finish at Dufilho's original 1823 apothecary at 514 Chartres Street, where America's first licensed pharmacist practiced.
Meeting point & pickup
Meet at the north end of the French Market, near Esplanade Avenue.
This is a self-guided experience. Simply arrive at the starting point and begin your tour on your phone. No guide will meet you.
Open in Google MapsHow to get there
Just open your phone’s web browser, start the tour, and follow the clues at your own pace.
Cancellation & confirmation
Free cancellation
Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled start for a full refund.
- 100% refund if canceled at least 1 day before
- No refund if canceled within 24 hours of the start
Instant confirmation
Your booking is confirmed immediately after checkout.
From $15.00 per person
- Free cancellation
- Secure checkout with our booking partner
