New Orleans Ghost Adventure

New Orleans is a city where history and ghost stories share the same streets. This walking tour turns the French Quarter into an evening investigation, with a local guide, stories of reported hauntings, and an EMF meter to use along the way. I like that it adds a hands-on element to a classic neighborhood walk.

I also like the route’s clear start and finish: you meet near Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and end at Jackson Square, with several French Quarter locations in between. The main caution is that seeing paranormal activity is not promised, and the tour’s cancellation terms deserve a close read before you book.

• Meet at the courtyard gate: The group gathers on the sidewalk at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.
• Bring curiosity, not expectations: An EMF meter is available, but unusual readings or sightings are not guaranteed.
• Expect a walking tour: The route covers old, uneven streets and takes about one to two hours.
• Photos are welcome: Audio and video recording are not allowed, and the tour asks you to stay with the group.
• Check the terms before paying: The booking platform and operator describe cancellation rules differently.

A ghost hunt built around French Quarter stories

This is part neighborhood history walk, part ghost hunt. Your guide leads you to locations associated with reported paranormal activity and explains the stories behind them, including tales of ghosts, vampires, and voodoo. The aim is not to promise a supernatural encounter. It is to give you a way to explore the French Quarter while listening for the stories that cling to its past.

The tour’s appeal depends heavily on the guide. A good storyteller can keep the group interested as you move between stops, connecting a place’s history to the sightings associated with it. One especially praised element of the experience is a guide who held the group’s attention throughout the walk. That matters here: the locations are viewed from public spaces, so the narration, not access to private buildings, is the main event.

You also get a paranormal detector, specifically an EMF meter, and may have the chance to use other equipment. That gives you something to do beyond listening, though it should be treated as entertainment and investigation, not proof. The operator says some people have found unusual details in their photos, but also makes clear that no apparition, ghost, or other paranormal activity can be guaranteed.

From Lafitte’s courtyard gate into the Quarter

The meeting point is the sidewalk by the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, at 941 Bourbon Street. You do not meet inside the bar, and the tour is not affiliated with the bar. Arrive a few minutes early, check in with the guide, and be ready to leave at the scheduled time.

That instruction is more important than it may sound. The tour starts on time, and the guide may not be able to answer a phone once the group has set off. If you think you will be late, contact the operator before departure. The company says it may try to help you join a later tour, but a late arrival is not automatically refunded.

The first stop is brief, about five minutes, and centers on Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and the old neighborhood around it. The point is less to spend time inside the bar than to set the scene: you are beginning in one of the oldest parts of the country, with a guide who lives and works in New Orleans. The stories begin here, where history and legend are part of the local conversation.

The French Quarter, where the stories gather

Most of the walk takes place in the French Quarter. The planned stop is about an hour, though the full tour lasts roughly one to two hours once walking and any delays are included. You visit several locations linked to reported sightings, hear the history associated with each place, and learn why some people believe the dead remain close to the living.

The tour’s subjects are broad. Ghost stories sit alongside accounts of vampires and voodoo, giving the route a distinctly New Orleans mix. The guide’s job is to explain the local tales without asking you to accept them as fact. If you enjoy folklore, local history, and a little theatrical atmosphere, this blend should suit you. If you want a strictly documented history walk, the supernatural focus may feel less satisfying.

The EMF meter gives the group a practical activity at some stops. You can request paranormal equipment at check-in, but you must provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference to borrow it. Equipment must be returned to a staff member at the end. The operator warns that lost or damaged equipment carries a $250 fee, so handle it carefully and ask how to use it before setting off.

Photos are allowed and encouraged. Audio and video recording devices are not allowed, and the group is expected to keep moving together rather than split off for individual pictures. That rule helps the guide keep the walk on schedule, but it does mean you should be ready to take photos from the group’s route rather than linger at a spot.

The most useful mindset is to regard the equipment as part of the fun, not a promise of evidence. An EMF reading can give a stop a more interactive feel, but it cannot guarantee that you will see or detect anything paranormal. The operator explicitly says the tour is for entertainment and offers no refund or compensation because you did not encounter a ghost.

Jackson Square brings the walk to a close

The route ends at Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. The stop is listed at about ten minutes, and the guide points out stories connected with a supposedly predictable ghost, a major mass murder in New Orleans history, and a house considered among the city’s most haunted. The tour concludes here, so you finish in a central place rather than needing to return to the starting point.

That start-to-finish route is convenient if you are already exploring Bourbon Street and the Quarter. It also makes the walk easy to pair with other plans nearby. Just remember that you are responsible for your own transport and that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What $35 buys you

At $35 per person, you are paying for a guided, roughly two-hour walk, local narration, and the chance to use paranormal equipment. The price is reasonable if you value an entertaining guide and a themed stroll through the Quarter. It is less compelling if you expect entry to historic buildings, a long list of included attractions, or a guaranteed supernatural encounter.

The stops are viewed from public property, and the tour does not enter private locations. That keeps the experience focused on streets, stories, and outdoor investigation rather than access to interiors. Drinks are not included, though they are available to buy along the route. Gratuities are also not included, and the operator recommends them.

The value is strongest for visitors who want a structured way to hear local ghost lore while walking through the Quarter. You are not paying for specialized equipment alone; the guide’s storytelling and the route give the devices context. If you already know the neighborhood well or prefer to explore at your own pace, you may get more from an independent walk.

Pace, weather, and a few rules to know

The walk is described as moderate-paced. Expect old, uneven streets and walkways, and wear shoes that can handle them. The operator says most people can participate, but it does not accept responsibility for injuries caused by the condition of the streets, so watch your footing and keep your attention on the path as well as the stories.

Tours run rain or shine according to the operator’s terms. New Orleans weather can be hot or cold, so dress for the forecast and bring what you need for the conditions. At the same time, the booking platform says a tour canceled for poor weather may be rescheduled or refunded. The operator’s own terms say it may cancel or reschedule for bad weather and that prepaid tickets may receive credit for a future tour. These descriptions do not fully match, so confirm the policy that applies to your booking before purchase.

There is another difference worth checking: the platform offers a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, while the operator’s terms say sales are final and cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. The platform also says a cancellation for too few participants may bring an alternative or full refund. Since the policies are not worded identically, save your booking details and contact the seller if the rules are unclear.

The operator may cancel if minimum numbers are not met, sometimes as late as an hour before departure. It says it will contact you by phone, text, or email, so provide a working mobile number and check your messages on the day. If the tour itself is canceled, the platform describes an alternative date or experience, or a full refund, while the operator’s terms also mention rescheduling or credit in some circumstances.

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Not every bar allows children inside, although to-go windows are available along the route for people who do not want to enter a bar. Alcohol is permitted, but the operator may refuse service to someone who is extremely intoxicated. Respect private homes along the route: do not trespass or ring doorbells, and stay with the group.

Who should book this ghost walk

This tour is a good fit if you enjoy ghost stories, want a guide to make the Quarter’s history feel immediate, and like the idea of using an EMF meter as part of the walk. It can also work well as a change of pace from daytime sightseeing, especially if you want a route that ends at Jackson Square.

It is a weaker match if you need a tightly fixed finish time, want guaranteed access to buildings, or expect paranormal activity on demand. The tour’s duration can stretch toward two hours, and possible bar delays may lengthen it. The operator also says the route can change without notice.

Should you book?

Book if you are happy to pay $35 for local storytelling, a moderate walk, and a playful ghost-hunting element, with no promise of a supernatural encounter. Arrive early, wear sturdy shoes, and treat the EMF meter as a conversation starter rather than a verdict from beyond.

Before paying, read the cancellation terms shown at checkout and confirm which rules apply if the tour is canceled or the weather turns. That small check matters more here because the platform and operator describe refunds and weather cancellations differently.

FAQ

How much does the New Orleans Ghost Adventure cost?

The listed price is $35 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The walk lasts approximately one to two hours. Its duration can vary, including when there are delays at bars.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

It concludes at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The tour includes a local professional guide.

Is paranormal equipment included?

The tour includes use of a real EMF meter. Other paranormal equipment may be available to check out at the start; ask the guide at check-in and return any borrowed equipment to a staff member.

Will I see a ghost?

There is no guarantee of paranormal activity or a sighting. The tour is described as entertainment, and sightings are not promised.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Not all bars allow children inside, though to-go windows are offered along the route.

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

The operator says tours run rain or shine but may cancel or reschedule for weather, other events, or too few participants. The booking platform describes an alternative date or experience, or a refund, in some cancellation situations. Check the terms that apply to your booking before purchase.