New Orleans Spirits & Spells: Witchcraft, Voodoo, and Ghost Tour

At the end of this French Quarter walk, you’re meant to gather in a real witches’ temple for a group spell, with a hidden brick courtyard and magical fountain as the setting. Along the way, stories of ghosts, witchcraft, Voodoo, and notorious local figures put a darker frame around familiar streets.

I like two things in particular: the tour links its spooky stories to actual French Quarter sites, and a strong guide can make the walk both lively and informative. Jamie, Jaime, and Carrie are among the guides whose names come up in accounts of especially engaging tours. One consideration: this is more ghost-focused than some people expect, and the planned courtyard ritual has not happened on every outing.

At a glance

• The finale is a group spell: The tour starts and ends at Hex, where an included ritual is planned inside a witches’ temple.
• Seven stops cover a lot of ground: The route includes the Ursuline Convent, Chartres Street, Muriel’s, a Voodoo shop, and the LaLaurie Mansion.
• Ghost stories lead the way: Witchcraft and Voodoo are part of the theme, but the overall experience leans toward haunted New Orleans tales.
• Guides shape the experience: Jamie, Jaime, and Carrie are praised for storytelling, humor, and connecting the stories to the city.
• Plan on walking: The tour lasts about two hours. Wear comfortable shoes, and expect to see some sites from outside.
• Know the age limit: The tour is not suitable for children under 13, and the group can include up to 26 people.

A spellbinding idea, with a ghost-tour balance

New Orleans has no shortage of ghost walks, but this one gives its supernatural stories a specific mix: witches, Voodoo, haunted buildings, and a closing spellcasting ritual. That range is appealing if you want an evening of history with a theatrical edge, rather than a standard parade of haunted-house tales.

The balance matters. The tour visits places tied to witchcraft and Voodoo, yet the ghost stories often take center stage. If you are primarily interested in the history and practices of Voodoo, or in a detailed account of witchcraft, you may find the subject matter lighter than you hoped. If you enjoy spooky storytelling with local history woven in, the combination is a better fit.

Starting at Hex and finishing with a ritual

The meeting point is Hex, at 1219 Decatur Street. The tour begins and ends there, so you do not have to arrange a separate ride back from the French Quarter at the end. Hex is also central to the experience: the planned finale takes place in a witches’ temple, with a group spellcasting ritual in the shop’s brick courtyard.

That ending is a key part of what you are paying for, not a small extra. The ritual gives the walk a participatory close, and it sets the experience apart from tours where you only listen to stories. Still, plans and execution can differ. Some people have found the ritual and private garden did not happen on their outing, so if the finale is your main reason for booking, check with the operator beforehand to confirm what is currently included.

The Ursuline Convent and women healers

The first historical stop is the Old Ursuline Convent Museum. The guide speaks about women working together, miracles, and the power of women healers. That gives the evening a useful counterpoint to the darker stories: not every tale is about a haunting or a crime.

You should not assume that the walk includes entry to the museum. The stop is scheduled for about 15 minutes, and the experience is primarily a walking tour. In general, many sites are viewed from outside because of local rules and respect for private property. If you want time inside historic buildings, this tour may not be the right way to get it.

Mary Oneida Toups and the witches of Chartres Street

On Chartres Street, the guide introduces Mary Oneida Toups and her coven of witches. The group is associated with the inspiration for American Horror Story: Coven, giving this stop a pop-culture link as well as a local story.

This is one of the clearest places where the tour’s witchcraft theme comes forward. The stop is brief, about 10 minutes, so expect a focused story rather than a long account of the subject. I would treat it as one chapter in a broader evening, not as a full lesson in witchcraft.

Muriel’s ghost and the French Quarter’s haunted reputation

At Muriel’s Jackson Square, the guide tells how the restaurant pays nightly homage to its resident ghost. The stop connects a familiar French Quarter dining spot with the city’s supernatural lore, making the past feel close to everyday life rather than shut away in a museum.

You spend about 15 minutes here, but the tour does not promise a meal or a visit inside the restaurant. The value is in hearing the story in its setting and seeing how ghost traditions remain part of the Quarter’s present-day identity.

Voodoo history and a shop visit

Voodoo Authentica is the stop devoted to the history of Voodoo in New Orleans. On the 4 p.m. tour, you may enter a real Voodoo supply shop. That added access can make this stop more tangible than a story delivered from the sidewalk, though it is specific to that tour time.

If Voodoo is your main interest, pay attention to the tour’s overall emphasis. The route includes a dedicated Voodoo stop, but ghost stories occupy much of the experience. Some people have wanted more time on Voodoo and witch history, so this is best approached as a mixed-theme tour, not a specialist introduction to either subject.

A darker turn at 735 Ursulines Avenue

At 735 Ursulines Avenue, the focus shifts to malevolent spirits, ritual murder, and stories of supernatural forces crossing into the human world. It is one of the tour’s darker stops, and the guide’s storytelling style will shape how intense it feels.

The subject matter is not light entertainment for every mood. The tour is not suitable for children under 13, a sensible limit given the darker tales. If you are traveling with younger children, choose another activity rather than hoping this walk will soften its material for them.

The LaLaurie Mansion: stories outside the infamous house

The stop at the LaLaurie Mansion brings the tour to one of the French Quarter’s most notorious haunted addresses. The guide tells the story of Madame Delphine LaLaurie and offers advice on repelling negativity. The stop is planned for about 15 minutes.

Expect to learn from outside, not to tour the house. The mansion is a private property, and the operator notes that local rules and respect for private sites limit entry at many haunted locations. That can disappoint anyone picturing a walk through haunted rooms, but hearing the story at the actual address gives the account a strong sense of place.

The guide can make or break the evening

The strongest accounts of this tour describe guides who bring energy, humor, and a clear interest in New Orleans history. Jamie and Jaime are praised for keeping people engaged and making the walk feel personal; Carrie and Kerry are also named as lively, informative guides. The exact guide depends on the date, so do not book expecting one particular person.

Good storytelling is especially important here. Several stops are short, and many stories are told outdoors, where street noise and passing groups can make it harder to hear. One person found a guide difficult to hear while facing away from the group. Stay close, and if you cannot hear, ask the guide to repeat the details. That is a fair request on a walking tour built around spoken stories.

The tour has a maximum group size of 26, which is manageable but not intimate. A smaller group may form a more conversational experience, while a full group can make it harder to hear at busy corners. One guide has been praised for keeping the group safe, making room for other tours, and adapting when someone became overheated. That kind of practical care can matter as much as a well-told ghost story.

Two hours on foot, mostly outdoors

The walk lasts about two hours and is described as leisurely and suitable for most people. Still, it covers multiple French Quarter stops, and comfortable shoes are a smart choice. The route has enough walking that poor footwear can turn a fun night into a test of patience.

You will spend much of the time outdoors, and the tour requires good weather. Bring what you need to stay comfortable for an evening walk. The tour is near public transportation, and parking fees are not included. Since the tour returns to Hex, you finish where you started.

The 4 p.m. tour has a specific advantage: it includes entry to Voodoo Authentica. Other outings may not include that shop visit, so confirm the time if going inside the store matters to you. The rest of the route includes scheduled stops of roughly 10 to 15 minutes each, leaving room for the walk between them.

Is $29 good value?

At $29 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour guided walk with seven named stops and a planned ritual at the end. You are paying for a guide’s stories and local context, not admission to a series of historic interiors. The stops are described as having no admission charge, and parking is extra.

The best value comes if you enjoy having a guide connect the places to stories you might otherwise miss. The walk covers witches, Voodoo, ghosts, and local crimes, with enough variety to keep the evening moving. The value drops if you expect extensive access inside buildings, a long Voodoo-focused discussion, or a ritual guaranteed to happen exactly as described. Those expectations are worth sorting out before you pay.

The tour is often booked around 17 days in advance on average. That is a useful planning clue, particularly if you have a specific date or want the 4 p.m. outing for the shop visit. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

Who should book this walk?

I would choose this tour if you want a lively French Quarter walk that mixes ghost tales with witchcraft, Voodoo, and local history. It suits adults and families with teenagers who enjoy spooky stories, especially when a guide such as Jamie, Jaime, or Carrie is leading. The group spell can be a memorable finish if it takes place as planned.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is to enter haunted buildings, study Voodoo in depth, or hear a carefully academic account of witchcraft. The experience is best understood as a story-led evening walk, with a supernatural mood and historical stops, rather than a specialist history seminar. Before booking, confirm the ritual details and the 4 p.m. shop access if either is central to your plans.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Hex New Orleans, 1219 Decatur Street, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $29 per person.

Is a spellcasting ritual included?

The tour includes a group spellcasting ritual at a witches’ temple in Hex’s brick courtyard. Some outings have not included the advertised ritual or garden visit, so confirm the current plan with the operator if this is important to you.

Can I go inside Voodoo Authentica?

The 4 p.m. tour includes entry to a Voodoo supply shop at Voodoo Authentica. The information provided does not promise that access on other tour times.

Do you go inside the haunted buildings?

Many haunted sites are viewed from outside because of local regulations and respect for private property. The tour does not promise entry to the LaLaurie Mansion or other haunted buildings.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 13.

How large can the group be?

The maximum group size is 26 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may lead to a rescheduled date or a full refund.