New Orleans: Voodoo, Mystery and Paranormal Tour

New Orleans has plenty of ghost stories, but this tour gives them a street address. Over two hours, you’ll walk past French Quarter landmarks tied to tales of hauntings, murder, vampires, and voodoo, while carrying a paranormal detector supplied by your guide.

I like two things here: the blend of history and spooky storytelling, and the relaxed format, which leaves room for questions and optional drink stops. One thing to weigh: you’ll see historic sites from the street, and old, uneven paving can make the walk less comfortable than the ghostly theme suggests.

Key points to know before you book

• The equipment is part of the fun: Your guide provides an EMF meter or paranormal detector, but you’re responsible for it. Lost or damaged equipment carries a $250 fee.
• The route covers more than 15 locations: Expect landmarks and story stops around the French Quarter, including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the LaLaurie Mansion.
• The guide shapes the experience: Guides have included Coty and Ashli, whose lively storytelling and local history are frequently praised.
• Drink stops are optional and self-paid: You can buy a to-go drink along the way, but drinks are not included.
• It’s a two-hour walking tour: The duration is approximate, and some streets have uneven surfaces.
• Recording is not allowed: Leave audio and video recording for another time, and arrive at the sidewalk meeting point rather than going inside the bar.

A French Quarter walk where every block has a story

This is a walking tour with a supernatural theme, not a staged haunted-house attraction. Your guide leads you through the French Quarter and nearby historic areas, using the neighborhood’s buildings and streets as backdrops for stories about deaths, reported hauntings, vampires, and voodoo.

The route includes more than 15 locations. That gives the tour a brisk rhythm: you move from one stop to the next, with the guide filling the walk with history and local lore. Past participants have praised guides such as Coty and Ashli for keeping the pace lively, making room for questions, and mixing useful New Orleans context with entertaining tales.

The paranormal equipment adds a hands-on element. At the start, you receive an EMF meter or similar detector to use during the walk. Treat it as a playful tool for exploring the tour’s ghost-hunting theme, rather than proof that a supernatural story is true. The experience is built around stories, settings, and atmosphere, not a promise of a paranormal encounter.

Historic landmarks give the ghost stories context

The tour’s appeal is not limited to tales of the dead. It also points out places that help explain the French Quarter’s layered past and architecture. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and the Cabildo are among the named stops. The Cabildo once served as the colonial government’s seat, while the nearby Presbytere is noted for its Spanish colonial design.

You’ll also pass St. Anthony’s Garden and the Old Ursuline Convent. These sites make the walk useful even if you’re more interested in New Orleans history than in ghosts. The guide connects the supernatural stories to real streets and buildings, giving you a better sense of how the city’s past is woven into its present-day quarter.

A key practical point: the tour visits these locations, but the information does not promise entry into buildings. Plan on seeing landmarks during the walk rather than booking this as an interiors tour. If you want to explore a museum or church inside, allow separate time for that.

The LaLaurie Mansion and the city’s darker legends

One of the tour’s most striking stops is the LaLaurie Mansion, associated with the so-called Mistress of Death. Your guide tells the story connected to the house and its reputation as one of New Orleans’ most haunted places. The subject matter is dark, so it may be unsettling for some people, especially younger children.

Other stories cover unsolved murders, suicides, reported vampires, and places linked to reputed hauntings. The tour also addresses traditional New Orleans burial practices, an important part of understanding how local customs differ from those in many other parts of the United States. These details give the ghost stories a more grounded setting: the city’s folklore is tied to real history, local traditions, and specific locations.

Some of the stories are legends or reported supernatural accounts, not established historical facts. A good guide should make that distinction clear. Go ready to hear a mix of documented events, local lore, and tales that have grown in the telling.

Jackson Square, the Sultan’s Palace, and stops along the way

Jackson Square and the surrounding landmarks provide familiar reference points as you move through the quarter. The Sultan’s Palace is another named stop, with a legend of mass murder attached to it. As with the other supernatural tales, it’s best heard as part of the city’s folklore rather than treated as a verified account.

The walk also includes opportunities to stop for a drink to go. You pay for your own drink, and buying one is optional. This can make the outing feel less like a formal lecture and more like an evening stroll, but it also means the group may pause while people place orders. If you’re visiting with children, keep in mind that some bars allow children inside and others do not.

Drink stops are not the main reason to book. They’re a convenient extra for adults who want to enjoy a beverage while walking, and they help set a casual tone. You can skip them and focus on the stories.

Why the guide matters more than the gadget

The EMF meter is a fun prop, but the storytelling is the heart of the tour. Guides named in connection with the experience include Coty and Ashli. Past guests have singled them out for humor, strong local knowledge, and the ability to keep a group engaged while moving between stops. One parent also described a shy eight-year-old warming up and joining in, a useful sign that a good guide can make the material accessible to a range of ages.

The best version of this tour is likely to be interactive. You’re encouraged to ask questions, and the walk’s short distances between locations give the guide plenty of chances to add context and side stories. The tour can cover voodoo, vampires, ghosts, celebrity connections, and everyday New Orleans history, depending on the stories shared.

That flexibility is a plus if you enjoy conversation. It may be less appealing if you prefer a tightly scripted tour with a fixed lecture at each stop. The tour’s personality comes from the guide, so the exact balance of comedy, history, and spooky material can vary.

Is $23 good value for two hours?

At $23 per person, the tour offers a relatively affordable way to combine a French Quarter walk with local history and supernatural storytelling. The price includes a licensed guide, the paranormal-themed walking tour, and use of the equipment during the experience. Drinks are extra, and the equipment must be returned in good condition.

The value is strongest if you want more than a basic ghost-story walk. You get a broad set of stops, historic landmarks, local traditions, and a guide who can make the route feel lively. A past participant who had taken other, pricier tours felt this one gave comparable value. That is a sensible way to think about it: you’re paying for the guide’s stories and the shape of the walk, not access to private buildings or a guaranteed ghost sighting.

The two-hour length also makes it easy to fit into a New Orleans visit. Still, the duration is approximate, and the walk covers old streets. Wear comfortable shoes, and don’t treat the quoted time as a guarantee that the tour will end at an exact minute.

Meeting point, walking conditions, and useful rules

The group meets on the sidewalk in front of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. Look for the gate to the attached courtyard. The tour does not meet inside the bar, and the bar’s staff are not connected with the tour, so ask your guide rather than the bartenders if you need help finding the group.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the route may include old, uneven streets. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, contact the provider before booking to confirm that the current route will work for you. The tour is in English, and a private group is available.

Audio and video recording are not permitted. Keep the paranormal equipment in your care: a $250 fee applies if it is lost or damaged. The provider may refuse service to anyone who is intoxicated or appears intoxicated, with no refund if that person is asked to leave.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now with payment later. There is also a chance the tour could be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not met. In that case, the provider will contact you and offer another tour or a full refund. No refund is offered for cancellation due to weather or for arriving late, so build in a little time to reach the Bourbon Street meeting point.

Who will enjoy this walk most?

This tour suits you if you like ghost stories but also want a dose of local history, architecture, and neighborhood lore. It’s a good choice for couples, groups of friends, and families with children who can manage a two-hour walk and are comfortable with tales of death and hauntings. The relaxed tone and question-friendly approach can also work well if you’re not keen on a solemn, scripted tour.

It’s less suited to anyone looking for a paranormal investigation with guaranteed activity, entry to historic buildings, or a quiet, purely academic history walk. The stories are the draw, and the dark material is part of the package. If you’d rather skip the drink stops, you can do so.

Should you book the New Orleans Voodoo, Mystery and Paranormal Tour?

Book it if you want an entertaining introduction to the French Quarter’s darker stories, with enough history to give the legends a sense of place. The strongest reasons to go are the personable guides, the range of stops, and the easygoing mix of stories and optional drink breaks.

Skip it if you need a smooth, even walking surface, want to go inside landmarks, or expect the paranormal equipment to deliver proof of ghosts. For $23, it’s a solid-value way to spend two hours, provided you arrive on time, wear comfortable shoes, and come for the storytelling as much as the supernatural theme.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about two hours. The duration is approximate.

Where does the tour meet?

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

Is paranormal equipment provided?

Yes. Your guide provides an EMF meter or paranormal detector for use during the tour.

What happens if I lose or damage the equipment?

A fee of $250 applies for lost or damaged paranormal equipment.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. There are optional stops where you can buy drinks to go, but you pay for them separately.

Can children join the tour?

The tour information does not set an age limit. Some bars on the route allow children inside and some do not, which matters if you plan to join a drink stop.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you may encounter old, uneven streets. Check with the provider if you need to confirm that the route will suit your access needs.

Can I record the tour?

No. Audio and video recording are not allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the tour is canceled because too few people booked, you’ll be offered an alternative tour or a full refund. No refunds are issued for weather cancellations or late arrival.