Walk with reverence.
A practical guide to making the most of the five stops — when to go, how to travel between them, and what to bring.
Hours at a glance
Ticketed museum — last admission at 2:30 PM. Self-guided and guided tours available. Mass at adjoining St. Mary's Church each Friday at 7:30 AM.
Last visitors admitted at 3:45 PM. Daily Mass Mon–Fri 12:05 PM; Vigil Saturday 5:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 AM. Hours may change for weddings and special events.
Hours can shift for Mass, holy days, and museum schedules — confirm before you go.
Full-day itinerary
Best for walking pilgrims. Timed around the narrow open hours at St. Stephen (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and the Seelos Shrine (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM).
- 9:00 Begin at Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Uptown).
- 9:30 Walk to the Basilica of St. Stephen — 2 miles, about 40 minutes.
- 10:15 Arrive at St. Stephen (opens 10:00 AM).
- 11:00 Walk to the Shrine of Blessed Seelos — 1.3 miles, about 25 minutes.
- 11:30 Arrive at the Seelos Shrine (closes 2:00 PM).
- 12:30 Lunch in the Lower Garden District / Magazine St.
- 14:00 Streetcar or rideshare to the French Quarter.
- 14:30 Old Ursuline Convent Museum.
- 15:45 Conclude at St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square.
Half-day itinerary
Two natural segments — choose either, or split across two visits.
Morning · Uptown
Prompt Succor → St. Stephen → Seelos
~3.5 hours, about 3.3 miles of walking (65 minutes on foot). Start by 9:00 to reach St. Stephen before 1:00 PM.
Afternoon · French Quarter
Ursuline Convent → St. Louis Cathedral
~1.5 hours, two blocks apart.
What to bring
- — Comfortable walking shoes (French Quarter sidewalks are uneven).
- — Water and a hat or umbrella.
- — A charged phone for the map and directions.
- — Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered in active churches.
- — Optional: a notebook for prayer intentions; a small offering for the shrines.
Accessibility
The walking route follows public sidewalks, which vary in condition — the French Quarter in particular has historic brick and stone. Several sites have step-free entries; contact each site directly for specific mobility access details.