New Orleans Voodoo, Mystery, and Paranormal Tour

The tour’s appeal lies in the way French Quarter history and supernatural stories share the same streets. You start near the legendary Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, then walk past places tied to Marie Laveau, vampire lore, and unsolved deaths. It is a neighborhood walk with a spooky thread, not a staged haunted-house show.

I like two things in particular: a local guide gives the stories a sense of place, and the route ends in the French Quarter, where you can carry on exploring at your own pace. Cody is singled out for his clear, engaging history and fun manner, so a good guide can make this an especially enjoyable introduction to New Orleans.

The main caveat is that the name promises more voodoo and paranormal content than every tour may deliver. Some people found the walk more like general French Quarter history or a pub stop than a focused supernatural tour, and no ghost sighting is promised.

What to know before you go

• Meet at the courtyard gate: The group gathers at 941 Bourbon Street, beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. It does not meet inside the bar or at a street corner.
• Walk the French Quarter: Expect a moderate-paced route on foot, with stops that can make the outing last from one to two hours.
• Hear stories tied to real places: The route includes St. Anthony’s Garden behind St. Louis Cathedral, plus locations associated with unsolved murders and suicides.
• Voodoo and ghosts are stories, not guarantees: Marie Laveau and vampire lore are part of the subject matter, but paranormal activity is not promised.
• Bring a little flexibility: Stops may take longer if bars are busy, and the route can change. The advertised group maximum is 28.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Your starting point is a courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. The meeting instructions matter here: you do not check in inside the bar, and the guide does not wait at a nearby street corner. Look for the gate and arrive a few minutes early to find the group and check in.

This is a useful place to begin a French Quarter walk. Bourbon Street is a well-known part of the neighborhood, and the bar itself gives the tour an atmospheric opening before the stories turn to darker subjects. Still, the walk is not a bar tour by definition. Drinks are not included, and the group’s pace and schedule take priority over lingering.

The tour departs at its scheduled time. If you arrive late, the guide may already be leading the group and may not be able to answer a phone while narrating. Contact the operator before departure if you are running behind, rather than assuming the group can wait.

Walking through the French Quarter

The main portion of the tour is a walk through the French Quarter, with the guide connecting local history to ghost stories, voodoo, and mystery. That mix can be a good fit if you want an accessible introduction to the neighborhood without committing to a long museum visit. The value comes from having someone point out places and tell the stories attached to them as you move through the streets.

The experience is moderate-paced, not a leisurely wander where you can peel off whenever something catches your eye. The group is expected to stay together, and the guide needs to keep to the route. If you like taking frequent photos, you can take them during the walk, but the terms ask participants not to leave the group to do so.

Allow up to two hours rather than counting on a one-hour finish. The stated duration is about one to two hours, and waits at stops, including bars, can extend the outing. That flexibility matters if you have dinner plans or another timed activity afterward.

The group may include as many as 28 people. At that size, you may not have much time for individual questions, and your ability to hear the guide can depend on where you are walking. The guide is the key to the experience: Cody has been praised for making the history clear and enjoyable, but the tour’s quality may depend on the person leading your departure.

St. Anthony’s Garden and St. Louis Cathedral

A notable stop is St. Anthony’s Garden behind St. Louis Cathedral. The cathedral is described as the oldest operating church in the United States, and the garden offers a quieter setting for stories about events that took place around this part of the Quarter. The contrast between a peaceful garden and the grim tales attached to the area is part of the tour’s appeal.

Here, the guide discusses Marie Laveau and voodoo, along with vampire stories that place New Orleans in a world of old fears and local legend. The account includes a priest’s attempt to keep vampires from escaping at night and threatening residents. These stories are best approached as folklore and historical storytelling, not as proof of supernatural events.

There is an important expectation to set: the tour’s title puts voodoo front and center, but some visitors felt the actual discussion of voodoo was brief or missing. If learning about the practice and its cultural context is your main reason for booking, ask the operator what the current route covers. This is a sensible question, especially because the route and tour details can change.

Murders, suicides, and paranormal equipment

The route also passes multiple locations associated with unsolved murders and suicides. These accounts give the walk a darker edge, but the supplied information does not promise a detailed case-by-case investigation. You are more likely to get stories attached to particular locations than a formal crime-history lecture.

Paranormal equipment may be available to use during the tour. You must request it at check-in, provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference, then return the equipment to a staff member before leaving. It is tracked, and a $250 fee applies to equipment that is lost, damaged, or missing.

Some accounts of the tour describe an EM meter being handed to one person without much explanation. So if the equipment interests you, ask how it works and whether the guide will discuss it before you take it. Treat it as an optional prop for the walk, not a reason to expect a supernatural encounter.

The operator is clear that no paranormal activity is guaranteed. You might hear stories, use equipment, or take photos, but the tour cannot make a ghost, vampire, or other supernatural being appear. That frankness is useful: book for the walk and the storytelling, not a promised encounter with the other side.

What the $35 price gets you

At $35 per person, the tour includes a professional local guide, a walking route, and taxes and fees. Food, drinks, hotel pickup, and drop-off are not included. The price is reasonable if you want a guided introduction to French Quarter lore and prefer stories tied to places over a lecture indoors.

The value depends on what you hope to learn. If your priority is a lively guide, local history, and spooky tales in the Quarter, the price can make sense. If you are expecting a deep study of voodoo, a detailed paranormal investigation, or guaranteed access inside bars, you may find the experience does not match your expectations. Reports of a general history walk and limited voodoo content make it worth checking the tour’s current emphasis before you book.

At an average booking lead time of about 11 days, it is sensible to reserve ahead if the date matters to you. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants and can be canceled if that number is not met. The stated maximum is 28 people.

Practical details for a smoother walk

Wear shoes you can walk in. The route uses old, uneven streets and walkways, and the operator warns about trip hazards. New Orleans weather can be hot or cold, so dress for the conditions and be ready for rain. The tour is described as rain or shine in its terms, but the cancellation information also says a poor-weather cancellation can bring a different date or full refund. Since the weather language is not consistent, confirm the policy with the operator before booking.

You can bring photos, but audio and video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. Alcoholic drinks are permitted, though the operator can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated. That is a sensible boundary on a walking tour where everyone needs to stay with the group.

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a tour guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars may not admit children, though to-go windows are offered along the route for people who do not want to enter. The tour takes place on public property and does not enter private homes or other private locations. Respect residents: do not ring doorbells or trespass while following a story.

The meeting instructions and cancellation terms deserve a quick read before you leave for the tour. The experience is listed as non-refundable if you cancel or request a change, while the operator’s terms describe possible rescheduling or credit in certain circumstances. If the operator cancels because minimum numbers are not met, the stated policy offers an alternative or full refund. Keep your phone number current, since updates may come by text or email.

Who should book this French Quarter walk?

I would consider this tour if you are already curious about the Quarter and want a short, guided evening walk that mixes local history with spooky tales. It can also work well early in a New Orleans visit, when a guide’s pointers may help you decide what parts of the neighborhood you want to revisit.

It is less suited to anyone who needs a tightly timed outing, wants an in-depth treatment of voodoo, or expects a ghost-hunting session with a guaranteed result. The route, duration, and balance of history and paranormal material can vary. Book for the streets, the stories, and the chance of an engaging guide, not for a supernatural spectacle.

At $35, I see it as a modestly priced introduction rather than a definitive tour of New Orleans voodoo or paranormal history. If that distinction matches your expectations, it may be a fun way to spend an hour or two in the French Quarter. If voodoo is your main interest, ask what the current tour specifically covers before paying.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. The group does not meet inside the bar or at a street corner.

Where does the tour end?

The walk ends in the heart of the French Quarter.

How long does the tour last?

Expect about one to two hours. The duration can vary with wait times at stops along the route.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $35 per person. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour a walking tour?

Yes. It is a moderate-paced walking tour through the French Quarter.

Which stories are included?

The tour covers Marie Laveau and voodoo, vampire lore, tragic events near St. Louis Cathedral, and locations associated with unsolved murders and suicides.

Will I see a ghost or other paranormal activity?

No. The operator does not guarantee paranormal activity or a supernatural sighting.

Is paranormal equipment available?

Equipment may be used during the tour. Request it at check-in, provide the required contact and booking information, and return it to a staff member. A $250 fee applies to equipment that is lost, damaged, or missing.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless authorized by a tour guide. Some bars may not allow children inside.

Are food, drinks, or hotel transfers included?

No. Food, drinks, hotel pickup, and drop-off are not included.