New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 with Electronic Field Meter

The most unusual part of this New Orleans ghost tour is that it treats the French Quarter as an outdoor investigation, not a stage show. You walk through the streets after dark, hear stories tied to old buildings and burial grounds, and use an electronic field meter to look for changes in electromagnetic readings.

I like the low price, just $20, and the way the tour mixes ghost lore with New Orleans history. I also like that guides such as Cody, Coty, and Ashley have been praised for adding local tips and humor to the walk. The main catch is that you may not enter haunted buildings, and the EMF equipment may be shared rather than handed to every person.

Key points before you book

• A real EMF meter is part of the investigation: You may get a turn with the device, but equipment appears to be shared among the group.
• The French Quarter is explored after dark: The route may include haunted streets, bars, apartments, churches, cemeteries, balconies, and other sites viewed from public areas.
• Ghosts are not promised: The tour is presented as entertainment and investigation, with no guarantee of seeing or recording paranormal activity.
• The history goes beyond ghosts: Expect stories about New Orleans voodoo, vampires, mass burial grounds, and the people connected to local legends.
• Drinks may be bought along the way: You can stop at bars or purchase a drink to go, but alcohol is not included and indoor access is not guaranteed.
• Plan for a flexible ending: The advertised duration is about 1 to 2 hours, but waits at busy bars can make the walk longer.

What this $20 French Quarter walk actually offers

At $20 per person, this is one of the less expensive evening activities in New Orleans. The value comes from the combination of a guided walk, local stories, and a chance to handle paranormal equipment. You are not paying for admission to a famous haunted house or a reserved seat at a theatrical show. You are paying for a moving outdoor program through the French Quarter.

That distinction matters. The tour does not promise entry into haunted hotels, morgues, apartments, churches, or cemeteries. The guide discusses those places and may lead you near sites connected with them, but the route uses public property and does not include trespassing or private access.

I would treat the ticket as a budget-friendly way to see the Quarter at night while hearing stories that are not always part of a standard sightseeing walk. If you want special effects, actors, or a guaranteed ghost sighting, this is not the right product. If you enjoy folklore, old buildings, and a little uncertainty, the price is easy to justify.

Meeting beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

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

This is worth taking seriously. The guide leaves when the tour starts, and a late arrival may mean missing the group with no refund. If you expect traffic, parking trouble, or a slow dinner, allow extra time. Contact the operator before departure if you know you will be late, since a later departure might have space.

The start is in a busy part of Bourbon Street, so look for the guide at the courtyard gate rather than wandering into the bar. A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is sent at booking. The end point is in the French Quarter, not back at your hotel.

Walking through the French Quarter after dark

The first part of the experience is a moderate-paced walk through the French Quarter. The guide explains the background of haunted places, local legends, vampires, and New Orleans voodoo as the group moves from one location to another.

The Quarter gives this subject a useful setting. You are not sitting in a dark room listening to a general ghost story. You are standing among old streets, balconies, bars, churches, and buildings with layers of public lore attached to them. Even if you remain unconvinced by the paranormal claims, the setting gives the stories a stronger sense of place.

The walk can include haunted houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars, pubs, cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, sidewalks, and churches. That list should not be read as a promise that you will enter all of those places. The stated policy is clear: the tour stays on public property, and no entry into private locations is gained.

You also need to stay with the group. The guide cannot stop the route every time someone wants to wander off for a photo. The old streets and walkways can be uneven, and the company places responsibility for personal safety on participants. Wear comfortable shoes, pay attention to curbs and pavement, and do not block sidewalks or streets.

Using the electronic field meter

The EMF meter is the hands-on feature that separates this walk from a basic ghost-story stroll. The device is used to detect changes in electromagnetic fields, which the tour treats as possible evidence of paranormal activity.

You should keep your expectations in check. An EMF reading is not proof of a ghost, and ordinary electrical sources can affect readings. The guide may explain what the meter is doing, but the experience remains an entertainment activity rather than a scientific investigation.

The equipment is available for guest use, but it may not be one device per person. One account describes the guide giving the meter to a single participant, who was asked to alert the group when the reading passed a certain point. This means children or other members of your party may need to take turns.

The operator requires you to check out the equipment at the beginning and return it before leaving. You may need to provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference. Take care with the device. A fee of $250 is listed for lost, damaged, or missing equipment, and a $60 replacement charge is also mentioned for equipment taken by a guest. Since the terms are not perfectly consistent on that point, handle the equipment as if the higher charge could apply.

Photos are encouraged, but audio and video recording are not allowed. You cannot film the guide’s narration or record sections of the walk. If you like documenting your trips, bring a camera for still images only.

Stories about voodoo, vampires, and burial grounds

The subject matter goes well beyond haunted houses. The guide covers New Orleans voodoo, vampire lore, ghost stories, and the background of locations tied to paranormal reports. A mass burial ground is included as a point of interest, with stories of cold spots, apparitions, and orbs.

These subjects carry different kinds of cultural weight, so pay attention to how the guide presents them. Voodoo is not simply a spooky prop. It is part of New Orleans culture and should be treated with respect. The best part of the walk is likely to be the way the guide connects legends to the city’s past rather than simply listing scary claims.

The experience can also add context to the French Quarter you might miss during the day. Stories about a haunted balcony or old bar can make you notice architectural details, narrow lanes, and worn sidewalks that would otherwise pass without much thought.

Cody has been praised for explaining both hauntings and New Orleans history, while Coty has been described as interesting and engaging. Ashley has also received strong praise for making the walk fun. Guide quality will shape the evening, and the tone may differ depending on who leads your group.

Bar stops, to-go drinks, and the flexible schedule

The group may stop at bars along the route. You can buy a drink, including a beverage to go, and then continue with the investigation. Drinks are not included in the $20 ticket.

This option can make the tour feel more like a casual New Orleans night out, but it also creates the main timing problem. Busy bars may cause long waits, and the full walk can run beyond the advertised two hours. One account describes a delay of about an hour, which caused problems with dinner and a later show.

I would not schedule a tight restaurant reservation or performance immediately after this tour. If you have a fixed evening plan, either leave a generous gap or choose another activity. The walk may last only an hour, but bar traffic and group choices can stretch it.

Children must stay with an adult, and some bars do not admit children. To-go windows may be available for people who do not want to enter a bar. The operator can also refuse service to someone who is extremely intoxicated, and no refund is promised if intoxication causes a guest to lose access to the tour.

What the tour does not promise

The promotional language is dramatic, but the terms are unusually direct about expectations. You are not guaranteed to see a ghost, vampire, spirit, demon, angel, or other supernatural being. The guide cannot create an apparition for the group, and the walk may produce no paranormal event at all.

That honesty is useful. You should book this for the stories, setting, and activity, not because you expect a supernatural encounter. Some people have captured unusual photos during tours, but that possibility is not a guarantee.

The route can also change without notice. The guide may adjust stops, avoid a location, or move the group along because of traffic, crowds, weather, or other conditions. No specific building should be treated as guaranteed.

The tour may be canceled if too few people book. If that happens, you may be offered another date or a full refund. Weather rules need careful attention: the experience is generally described as rain or shine, but if the operator cancels because of poor weather, you may be offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations are non-refundable, and all sales are treated as final.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans ghost tour

I would recommend it most to:

• First-time visitors who want an inexpensive evening activity in the French Quarter
• People who enjoy folklore, local legends, and unusual city walks
• Families with older children who can manage a moderate-paced walk and bar-area stops
• Visitors who want a guide-led night out without paying for a large theatrical attraction
• Curious skeptics who enjoy testing an EMF meter without needing to believe every story

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, uneven pavement, shared equipment, or flexible schedules. I would also skip it if you need guaranteed indoor access, a quiet historical lecture, or a prompt finish before dinner.

The experience can work for families, but the bar stops make it less simple with young children. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the walking conditions still require care.

Tips for getting the most from the evening

Arrive early at the courtyard gate near Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Do not assume the guide will wait or that the meeting point is inside the bar.

Wear shoes suited to old, uneven sidewalks. New Orleans can be very hot, but it can also turn cold, so check the evening forecast and dress accordingly. The tour runs after dark, yet weather remains a major factor.

Bring a charged phone for your mobile ticket and for updates. The operator commonly sends delay or cancellation messages by text, so enter an accurate mobile number when booking.

If you want to use the EMF meter, ask for it at check-in. You may need to provide the requested identification details before borrowing it, and you should return it directly to staff at the end.

Leave space after the tour. A 1 to 2 hour walk can become longer if the group waits at busy bars. Do not combine it with a tightly timed dinner, concert, or show unless you are comfortable arriving late.

Should you book the $20 investigation?

Book it if you want a low-cost, entertaining walk through the French Quarter with stories about ghosts, voodoo, vampires, and unusual local sites. The strongest value is the mix of location, guide storytelling, and hands-on use of an EMF meter. Guides such as Cody, Coty, and Ashley have shown that personality can make a major difference.

Skip it if your main goal is entering haunted buildings or seeing a ghost. You remain on public property, the device may be shared, the route can change, and no supernatural encounter is promised.

For the best experience, think of this as a night walk with paranormal themes, not a guaranteed investigation breakthrough. At $20, that is a fair deal, especially if you leave room in your schedule and bring a healthy sense of humor.

FAQ

Where does the New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 tour meet?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Tours do not meet inside the bar.

How long does the tour last?

The walk usually lasts about 1 to 2 hours. It can run longer when the group waits at busy bars or makes several stops.

Is the electronic field meter included?

A real EMF meter is available for use during the investigation. The equipment may be shared, so it is not guaranteed that each person will have a separate meter.

Does the tour enter haunted buildings?

No. The route uses public property, and no entry into private locations is included. You may view or discuss places such as haunted houses, hotels, churches, cemeteries, and bars from the public route.

Can I buy a drink during the tour?

Yes. The group may stop at bars, and drinks can be purchased along the route. Drinks are not included in the ticket price, and some stops may offer to-go service.

Are children allowed?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Some bars do not allow children inside, but to-go windows may be available.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If the operator cancels because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you may be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you may be offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations are non-refundable.