French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour

The hook here is a French Quarter walk that mixes haunted history with a casual pub crawl. You’ll hear about vampire lore, tragic love stories, old burial customs, and reported hauntings while carrying a drink if you choose. The guide also brings out a real EMF meter, a paranormal detector used to register electromagnetic fields.

I like two things in particular: the route gives you a lively introduction to French Quarter streets and architecture, and the guide’s mix of local history, humor, and spooky tales can make the walk feel more personal than a scripted scare show. Guides named Coty and Cody have earned warm praise for their storytelling and recommendations.

The caution is operational reliability. Some departures have reportedly been canceled late or missed, and refund handling has been disputed. Policies on weather and refunds also appear to vary, so confirm the terms with your booking provider before you pay.

The short version

• A pub crawl with ghost stories: Buy drinks at stops along the way, or skip the alcohol and follow the walking route.
• An actual EMF meter: You can request paranormal equipment at check-in. It must be returned, and a $250 charge applies if it is lost or damaged.
• Stories with a historical frame: Expect tales of Julie, the Carter Brothers, French Quarter hauntings, local burial traditions, and vampire lore.
• An easy route to recognize: Meet by the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. The tour finishes at Jackson Square.
• A variable-length walk: Plan on one to two hours. Busy bars can add waiting time.
• A worthwhile guide makes the difference: Coty and Cody are named as guides, with praise for their humor, local knowledge, and ability to keep the stories lively.

Start at the gate beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

The meeting point is on the sidewalk at the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, 941 Bourbon Street. It is not inside the bar, and the tour is not affiliated with the bar. That distinction matters on a busy street: head for the gate, not the bar’s entrance or a nearby street corner.

Arrive a few minutes early and check in with the guide. The tour leaves at its scheduled time, and late arrivals may be left behind. The operator says guides cannot answer calls once the walk has started, so contact them before departure if you are delayed or unsure where to meet.

The group can include as many as 50 people. That is a fairly large party for a storytelling walk, though some departures may be smaller. If a lively group suits you, the crowd can add to the pub-crawl mood. If you prefer a quiet, intimate tour, a smaller group would be better. The operator also requires participants to stay with the group rather than walking off for photos.

Follow French Quarter tales from Bourbon Street to Jackson Square

The route begins near Lafitte’s, then works through the French Quarter and ends at Jackson Square. The stop descriptions name the bar and the square, but the heart of the experience is the hour-long walk between them. Expect the guide to point out buildings and street details while telling stories tied to the area.

The French Quarter’s architecture is part of the appeal. Rather than treating it as a backdrop for ghost stories alone, a good guide can connect the old buildings, local customs, and neighborhood history to the tales. The stories range from hauntings and Voodoo to vampires and traditional burial practices. There are also accounts of love stories ending in tragedy, which give the tour a darker and more human tone than a string of jump scares.

The tour stays on public property. You will not go inside private homes or restricted locations, and the stories do not come with a guarantee of supernatural proof. That is a useful expectation to set: this is entertainment and local storytelling, not a ghost hunt with promised results.

Hear Julie’s story and the Carter Brothers’ grim history

Near Jackson Square, the guide tells the story of Julie, described as a predictable ghost and the subject of a tragic New Orleans love story. The route also brings up the Carter Brothers, who were tried, convicted, and executed, yet are still said to be seen by some people.

Another stop concerns the site of what is described as the largest mass murder in New Orleans history, an unsolved crime associated with reports of ghosts. These stories give the tour some weight beyond atmospheric folklore. They also call for a little discernment: reported hauntings and ghost sightings are part of the tales, not established evidence that you will encounter a spirit.

That balance is important if you are choosing between this and a pure history walk. The tour combines local history with supernatural stories, but it does not promise an academic account of every event. The guide’s delivery matters. Coty and Cody have been praised for being funny and personable while still sharing historical details, and for answering questions. One person may find that blend just right; another may want less personal banter and more formal history.

Try the EMF meter without expecting a ghost to appear

A real electromagnetic field meter is used during the walk. You can request paranormal equipment at check-in, and the operator asks for your name, phone number, address, and booking reference before lending it. Equipment must be checked out and returned to a staff member. The stated replacement charge for lost or damaged equipment is $250, so handle it with care.

The detector gives the group a hands-on activity and a reason to pause and speculate. But an EMF reading does not prove that a ghost is present. The tour itself makes no promise of paranormal activity, and you should not book solely in the hope of seeing a ghost, vampire, or other supernatural being.

Photos are allowed and encouraged, but audio and video recording devices are not. You must also stay with the group while taking pictures. That makes the experience more about listening and sharing the investigation than setting off on your own to photograph every doorway.

Buy a drink if you want, but budget separately

Drinks are not included in the $19.25 ticket price. You can stop at local bars and buy drinks to go along the route, or simply continue with the group without ordering. That flexibility suits a mixed party: the pub crawl can be part of the fun without making alcohol compulsory.

The number and length of bar stops may depend on conditions. The tour description promises opportunities to stop, but does not guarantee a set number of bars. Busy venues can slow the group down, which is one reason the walk can take anywhere from about one hour to two. A drink stop is part of the experience, but it may also make the timing less predictable.

The price is modest for a guided walking tour in the French Quarter, especially if you want a guide to connect several stories and locations in one outing. It is less of a bargain if you expect drinks, admission to private sites, or a polished paranormal investigation to be included. Bring extra money if you plan to order, and do not assume every bar will be quiet or quick.

The guide can turn a basic route into a good evening

The strongest part of this experience is the guide’s storytelling. Coty and Cody are the names most often associated with positive experiences, with praise for humor, local context, and useful recommendations for bars and food. Some people have particularly enjoyed hearing lesser-known details about the city, rather than getting only familiar ghost-tour stories.

That approach may also explain why the tour can feel different from one departure to another. A personable guide can make the group laugh, answer questions, and bring a story to life. If you want a strict lecture with a tightly fixed itinerary, this may feel too informal. The tour’s appeal is its blend of narration, neighborhood walk, drinks, and spooky subject matter.

The experience is also a good early-evening orientation to the French Quarter. You move through a compact part of the neighborhood, hear stories linked to specific places, and finish at Jackson Square. If you take it early in your stay, the guide’s food and bar suggestions may help you plan the rest of your visit.

Allow for uneven streets, weather, and schedule changes

This is a moderate-paced walking tour over old streets and walkways. Wear comfortable shoes and watch your footing. The operator warns that some surfaces are uneven or in poor condition, and the group needs to keep moving to stay on schedule.

New Orleans weather deserves planning. It can be very hot and humid, but it can also be cold. Bring water and dress for the forecast. The operator says tours generally run rain or shine, but also reserves the right to cancel or reschedule for severe weather or other safety concerns. A recent heat advisory led to a later departure being offered, which is a reminder that weather-related changes can affect your evening.

There is a more serious concern than weather: some people have reported a late cancellation or a guide not appearing. This does not mean every departure will have a problem, but it does make the tour less dependable than its straightforward route and low price might suggest. Keep an eye on your text messages and email on tour day, and consider having a backup plan if the walk is central to your evening.

The stated booking terms need a close read. The booking policy says you can cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund and that a tour canceled for poor weather or low numbers should lead to another date or a full refund. The operator’s terms also say tours are rain-or-shine, describe future credit for some cancellations, and state that refunds are not issued for weather-related cancellations. Since those statements do not fully align, check the current terms with the seller before booking and save the answer in writing.

Who will enjoy this French Quarter walk?

I would choose this tour if you like spooky stories but also want a relaxed introduction to the French Quarter. It suits adults and groups of friends who enjoy a drink, a bit of dark history, and a guide who can mix facts with humor. It can also work for couples or families, though children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise, and not all bars admit children. To-go drink windows are an option for people who do not want to enter a bar.

I would look elsewhere if you want a guaranteed supernatural encounter, a quiet small-group tour, or a fully scripted history lecture. Also think twice if schedule certainty is essential. The advertised maximum of 50 people, variable bar waits, and reports of missed or canceled departures are all worth weighing against the affordable price.

Should you book it?

Book the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour if the combination of local stories, a casual walking route, and optional drinks sounds like a good evening to you. The best version of the tour depends heavily on the guide, and the names Coty and Cody are associated with engaging, funny storytelling. Treat the EMF meter as a playful tool, not proof of ghosts, and bring money for drinks.

Before paying, confirm the cancellation terms and how the operator will contact you if the departure changes. If you are comfortable with that uncertainty, the $19.25 ticket offers a low-cost way to see part of the French Quarter through its darker stories. If you need a dependable fixed plan, choose a tour with clearer operating assurances.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $19.25 per person. Alcoholic drinks are not included and are available to purchase along the route.

How long does the tour last?

Plan for about one to two hours. The length can vary, in part because busy bars may cause delays.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The walk ends at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Is a drink included?

No. You can buy drinks at stops along the route, but they are at your own expense.

Does the tour use a paranormal detector?

Yes. The guide uses a real EMF meter, and participants can request paranormal equipment at check-in. It must be returned to a staff member before leaving the tour.

Can children join?

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

What happens if the tour is canceled or the weather is poor?

The stated booking policy says a tour canceled for poor weather or not meeting its minimum number should lead to another date or a full refund. The operator’s own terms also describe weather-related rescheduling and future credit, so check the terms with your booking provider before you book.