New Orleans Paranormal Investigation

New Orleans folklore gets a practical twist on this two-hour walk: you follow a guide through the French Quarter with an EMF meter in hand, checking reported cold spots and other supposed signs of paranormal activity. The route begins near a mass burial ground and passes stories linked to homes, bars, hotels, churches, and more.

I like two things here: the walk covers a wide range of local legends, and the guide uses paranormal equipment rather than relying on stories alone. You can also stop for a to-go drink along the way, if you want one and are happy to pay for it.

The main caveat is that this is an outdoor, public-space tour, not a chance to enter private haunted buildings or a promise of supernatural proof. Equipment condition may vary, too, and the pace and finish time can shift if a bar stop is delayed.

At a glance

• The route starts at 941 Bourbon Street and ends near Jackson Square.
• Expect stories from more than a dozen locations across the French Quarter.
• An EMF meter is available to use, but check its condition before setting off.
• The walk is moderately paced and can last from about one to two hours.
• To-go cocktails are optional, available for purchase along the way.
• The group can include up to 28 people, so the experience may feel more social than intimate.

Starting near Bourbon Street, not inside the bar

Meet on the sidewalk by the gate to the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, at 941 Bourbon Street. The tour does not meet inside the bar, and the company is not affiliated with it. Arrive a few minutes early, find the guide, and check in before the group leaves.

This meeting point places you in the French Quarter from the outset, but it is worth treating the address as a precise instruction rather than a general landmark. The tour departs on schedule, and the guide may not be able to answer calls once the walk begins. If you are delayed, contact the operator before departure to ask whether you can still join or reschedule.

The walk ends around Jackson Square, so you finish in the Quarter rather than returning to Bourbon Street. That is useful if you plan to continue exploring nearby, but arrange your own way back to your hotel or starting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

A mass burial ground sets the tone

The first stop is described as a mass burial ground in the French Quarter, a place associated with cold spots, apparitions, and orbs. That gives the tour an immediate focus: the guide introduces the kinds of claims the group will be investigating, then uses an EMF meter as a tool for looking for changes in electromagnetic fields.

Keep your expectations in check. An EMF meter is a piece of equipment, not proof of a ghost, and no paranormal activity is guaranteed. The operator is clear that the walk is entertainment, and a successful outing does not depend on seeing an apparition. Think of the device as a way to take part in the investigation and discuss what it does, not a supernatural detector with a certain result.

Equipment may be available for participants to use, but its condition deserves a quick check. One account described two detectors that were not working after being dropped. That does not establish that the equipment will be faulty on your tour, but it is a sensible reason to ask the guide to demonstrate the meter before you take it. If you borrow a device, handle it carefully and return it before leaving. The operator states that lost or damaged equipment can incur a $250 charge.

Following the stories toward Jackson Square

The French Quarter portion is the heart of the experience. The guide covers more than a dozen locations drawn from the neighborhood’s 78-block Vieux Carré, with stories connected to houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars, pubs, cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, streets, sidewalks, and churches.

That variety is part of the appeal. Instead of hearing only about grand old buildings, you may be asked to consider ordinary corners and less obvious places as settings for strange events. The stories are based on research by the tour’s authors and guides, and the guide leads the group through public areas. The tour does not enter private properties, so expect to hear about locations from outside rather than explore their interiors.

Jackson Square is listed as a stop and the tour’s ending area. The exact route can change without notice, so do not count on a fixed sequence of addresses or on entering any particular business. The guide’s narration is the main thread holding the walk together, with the equipment and stops giving the group ways to engage with the stories.

One guest described a tour led by Ashli, who told stories about hauntings, vampires, and murders and kept the walk lively. Ashli is one of the owners, but you should not assume she will lead your departure. A different account found the stories interesting but felt the outing did not match expectations of a more hands-on investigation inside haunted sites. That distinction matters: this is a guided walking tour on public property, not an indoor investigation of private buildings.

What the EMF meter can and cannot add

The meter gives you something to do besides listen. Participants who want to use paranormal equipment should request it at check-in, when the operator collects contact and booking details. Equipment must be checked out and returned to staff; it is tracked, and the stated replacement charge is substantial.

The available information identifies a real EMF meter, but it does not promise that every participant will have a device or that each instrument will work perfectly. If using equipment is central to your decision, ask about availability and condition before the tour starts. You can still join for the stories and neighborhood walk if you decide not to borrow one.

Photos are allowed and encouraged, but audio and video recording devices are not. The rules also ask you to stay with the group rather than walk away for a photograph. That keeps the tour moving, though it means you should not expect long stops to compose pictures or investigate on your own.

Stories, cocktails, and the pace of the walk

The walk is described as moderate-paced and can last roughly one to two hours, with the overall experience commonly presented as about two hours. The actual finish may depend on waiting time at bars. To-go drinks are optional and cost extra, so you can skip them without missing the core ghost-story walk.

Alcohol is allowed, but the operator can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated. That is a fair boundary on a walking tour: the group needs to stay together and keep moving. If you want a drink, keep it modest and remember that the route continues along old, uneven streets and walkways.

Wear shoes that can handle imperfect sidewalks, and plan for New Orleans weather. The tour runs rain or shine unless the operator cancels or reschedules it. Hot or cold conditions can affect your comfort during a walk with limited opportunity to step away, so bring suitable clothing and water as appropriate. Do not expect the guide to pause the whole group while you leave to take photos.

Is $35 fair value?

At $35 per person, the price buys a local guide and a walking tour of the French Quarter, with the chance to use paranormal equipment. The value depends less on whether you believe in ghosts and more on how much you enjoy neighborhood stories, unusual claims, and a guided evening walk.

For a first-time visitor, the route can offer a useful orientation to the Quarter while adding a theme that is specific to New Orleans. You hear about a range of locations and legends in one outing, rather than spending the evening trying to piece together separate sites on your own. The guide’s storytelling is the core product, so the experience will be strongest if you enjoy tales of hauntings, crime, vampires, and local lore.

The price does not include drinks, tips, transport, or entry to private locations. Gratuities are recommended, but not included. If you expect a paranormal investigation with access to haunted interiors, the price may not feel worthwhile. If you want an engaging walk and are open to the stories without demanding proof, it is a more reasonable spend.

The maximum group size is 28. That is large enough for a lively group atmosphere, but it may limit how much individual attention you receive compared with a private walk. Group size can be smaller, and one account described having the guide to themselves, but that is not something you can count on.

Before you book

This is a non-refundable booking under the stated cancellation policy, so choose a departure time you can make. The operator may also cancel if minimum numbers are not met, sometimes as late as an hour before departure; in that case, an alternative or refund may be offered. Keep your phone number accurate and check messages for updates.

Children under 18 must be with a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Not every bar allows children inside, although to-go windows are available along the route. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but the uneven streets and moderate walking pace are worth bearing in mind.

Respect the neighborhood as you go. The route passes private homes, and participants are asked not to ring doorbells, trespass, or leave the group. These are residential streets as well as a visitor attraction, and the best ghost story is not worth bothering someone who lives there.

Should you book this French Quarter ghost walk?

Book it if you want a guided stroll with local stories, enjoy a bit of theatrical mystery, and can treat the EMF meter as an engaging prop rather than a guarantee of evidence. The range of locations and the guide-led storytelling are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you want access to private buildings, a rigorous scientific investigation, or a guaranteed paranormal encounter. For a first visit to New Orleans, it can be a fun way to see parts of the French Quarter after dark, but you will get the most from it by arriving on time, wearing comfortable shoes, and keeping your expectations grounded.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $35 per person. Drinks and gratuities are not included.

How long does the tour last?

Plan for about two hours, though the stated duration can range from one to two hours. Waiting at bars can make the walk longer.

Where does the tour start?

Meet on the sidewalk at 941 Bourbon Street, by the gate to the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. The tour does not meet inside the bar.

Where does the tour end?

It concludes in the Jackson Square area of the French Quarter.

Will I get to use a ghost detector?

A real EMF meter is used on the tour, and participants may request paranormal equipment at check-in. Equipment availability and condition are not guaranteed, so check with the guide before setting out.

Are drinks included?

No. To-go cocktails may be available to purchase along the route, but they are optional and at your own expense.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless authorized by a guide. Not all bars allow children inside, though to-go windows are available.

Is the tour guaranteed to see a ghost?

No. The tour is for entertainment, and the operator does not guarantee paranormal activity.