New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour

New Orleans’ French Quarter becomes your investigation site on this two-hour ghost walk, with stops at old houses, pubs, cemeteries, streets, and a mass burial ground. You carry an EMF meter, watch for unexplained readings, and hear local stories as you cross much of the Vieux Carre.

I like the low $24 price and the chance to use the paranormal detector yourself rather than simply stand and listen. I also like the family-friendly tone described by one past participant, who found the guide willing to answer questions for a group ranging from age 12 to 50.

The main caution is consistency. One booking ended when the guide failed to appear, while another group was expecting hands-on investigating but received a story-focused walk instead. Confirm the departure details and the exact format before you set aside your evening.

Key points for your French Quarter ghost hunt

• A real EMF meter is part of the experience: You can handle the device, ask questions about it, and follow readings during the walk.
• The route covers a large part of the Vieux Carre: The description refers to both more than 70 blocks and all 78 blocks of the French Quarter.
• Stops range beyond haunted buildings: Expect streets, pubs, cemeteries, houses, and a mass burial ground.
• The tour begins at 941 Bourbon Street: Meet on the sidewalk at the courtyard gate beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, not inside the bar.
• Cody has led some departures: A past participant specifically praised Cody’s humor and command of New Orleans history, but a guide is not guaranteed by name.
• The booking terms need attention: The activity information says free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, while the meeting instructions say all sales are final.

Starting beside Lafitte’s on Bourbon Street

Your meeting point is easy to identify, but it is also easy to get wrong. Go to 941 Bourbon Street and wait on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.

Do not walk into the bar expecting to check in. The tour company says its guides meet outside, and the bar’s bartenders do not work for the tour or hold information about departures. Arrive with the company name and start time in hand, then wait at the courtyard gate.

The activity is run by Show Me New Orleans Tours, also associated with New Orleans Drunk History Tours. The supplied information does not give a fixed guide roster. Cody led at least some past walks, and his approach was described as funny, polite, and able to handle questions from a mixed-age group. Treat that as useful background, not a promise that Cody will lead your departure.

The meeting point sits in one of New Orleans’ busiest nightlife areas. That matters for timing. Bourbon Street can be noisy, crowded, and confusing, so give yourself enough time to find the gate without rushing. You will be on foot for the full two hours, with stops along the way.

A mass burial ground sets the mood

The walk begins at a mass burial ground associated with cold spots, apparitions, and orbs. This is a smart opening for a paranormal tour because it places you in a site tied to death and old New Orleans from the first few minutes.

The guide uses this stop to introduce the basic idea of paranormal investigation. You may be asked to pay attention to physical sensations, unusual sights, or changes recorded by the equipment. The point is less about proving anything and more about learning how the group will observe each location.

The EMF meter is a handheld electromagnetic field device. You can see it in use, hold it, and ask questions about what its readings might mean. It is worth keeping a level head here. A meter reading does not prove that a spirit is present, but it gives the group a shared tool and a reason to focus on the surroundings.

That hands-on element makes this more engaging than a standard storytelling walk. If you want a clear scientific test or guaranteed paranormal activity, though, you may find the experience too open-ended.

Following the detector through the Vieux Carre

The route then moves through the French Quarter, known locally as the Vieux Carre. The description refers to roughly 70 to 78 blocks, which is a substantial area for a two-hour walk. The route is therefore likely to involve many brief stops rather than long visits inside each site.

You follow the lead investigator through streets connected with old homes, pubs, cemeteries, and other locations. Some places are public streets or businesses viewed from outside. The information does not promise entry into every building, so you should not book this expecting access to private rooms or closed historic sites.

The wide route is one of the tour’s strongest features. You get a broad look at the French Quarter while moving between paranormal stories. For a first evening in New Orleans, this can help you understand how the district fits together. You are not confined to one building or a single short stretch of Bourbon Street.

The tradeoff is pace. A group covering much of the quarter in two hours will spend plenty of time walking. If you prefer a slow talk at one haunted house, this may feel spread out. If you like motion, changing settings, and frequent stops, the large route works in your favor.

Houses, pubs, cemeteries, and streets

The tour visits the top haunted locations in New Orleans, with the material describing both 10 principal locations and about a dozen stops. That difference is worth noting. The exact number may depend on the guide, the route, or how locations are counted.

At haunted houses, expect stories tied to the building and the people associated with it. At pubs, the setting is more social, and you may have the option to stop for a drink along the way. Some bars allow children, while others do not, so families should ask the guide before entering any business.

Cemeteries bring a different mood. Their presence connects the ghost stories to New Orleans burial customs and the age of the neighborhood, even though the supplied details do not specify which cemeteries you will visit. On streets and outside buildings, the guide can point out places that many visitors would pass without noticing.

You should think of the walk as part investigation, part local history, and part evening entertainment. The guide’s storytelling matters a great deal. One past participant said Cody answered questions readily and brought a handheld meter that everyone could examine. Another said the guide was entertaining and well-informed about the city’s past. Those details suggest the best version of this tour depends heavily on who leads it.

What the paranormal equipment adds

The EMF meter is the clearest feature separating this activity from a regular ghost-history walk. Instead of only hearing stories, you have a device in your hands and a simple task: watch for readings as the group pauses at different locations.

The tour also refers to a ghost or paranormal detector. No technical specifications are provided, so you should not expect a laboratory-style kit or a long explanation of electrical theory. The value is participatory. You get to ask what the device is showing and decide how seriously you want to take the result.

I would treat the detector as a conversation starter, not as proof. Normal electrical sources can affect readings, and the activity does not claim that every signal confirms a haunting. That balanced attitude will help you enjoy the suspense without expecting a scientific conclusion.

This part may suit older children and teenagers who like mystery. A past family group included people from 12 to 50 and found the experience suitable for them. Still, the French Quarter at night includes bars and adult nightlife, so parents should consider the child’s comfort with ghost stories and the route’s pub stops.

The $24 price and what you receive

At $24 per person, the tour is priced as an inexpensive evening activity. You receive a two-hour guided walk, paranormal equipment, and local interpretation. There is no separate admission listed for the stops, and transportation is not included because the experience takes place on foot.

The value is strongest if you want a lively introduction to the French Quarter rather than a formal historical tour. You see a large section of the district, hear stories, and get a chance to handle the equipment. The price also makes it easier to treat the walk as one part of a night out.

The value is weaker if you expect a tightly controlled investigation with confirmed access to haunted interiors. The published details do not promise private rooms, long observation periods, or a fixed set of 10 or 12 locations. Before booking, decide if you are paying for evidence, storytelling, or a mix of both. The activity is best understood as an interactive ghost walk.

A private group is available. That may suit a family or a group of friends who want to ask more questions and set their own tone. The price for a private group is not supplied, so you will need to check the cost before choosing that option.

Important reliability and cancellation concerns

The activity information contains conflicting booking terms. One section says you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, while the meeting instructions say all sales are final with a 100 percent cancellation penalty. I would confirm the current policy in writing before paying, especially if your plans may change.

There is also a small-group cancellation risk. The operator may cancel after confirmation if too few people book. The contact can come by phone, text, or email during the hour before departure, with an alternative tour or full refund offered if that happens.

One past booking reported that the guide did not show up. That is a serious concern, even though other departures were described as enjoyable and well run. If you are traveling on a tight schedule, save the operator’s email address, [email protected], and check your phone before leaving for the meeting point.

The tour operator can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated. No refund is issued if someone is removed for intoxication. You can stop to buy drinks during the walk, but this is not a good activity to treat as a bar crawl.

Who will enjoy this walk most

I would choose this tour if you like ghost stories but also want to walk through a large part of the French Quarter. The EMF meter gives you something to do, and the low price makes the experience a reasonable addition to a New Orleans evening.

It also suits families with older children, provided you are comfortable with the bar settings and supernatural themes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain the exact pavement conditions or route adjustments. If you use a wheelchair, contact the operator before booking to confirm the current path.

You may want a different experience if you need guaranteed guide attendance, a fixed itinerary, or a formal investigation at specific indoor sites. The mixed reports about the format make that especially important. Ask whether your departure will include active equipment use and paranormal stops rather than only spoken stories.

The tour is in English, and a private group can be arranged. The normal group size is not stated, so ask if group atmosphere is important to you.

Should you book the New Orleans paranormal investigation?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, interactive walk through the French Quarter, enjoy spooky stories, and can accept that the night is entertainment rather than proof of the supernatural. The EMF meter, large walking route, and local guide give it more to offer than a simple talk at one haunted building.

I would book only after confirming the meeting time, cancellation terms, and planned format. The past experience has been excellent for some people, especially when the guide was engaging and willing to explain the equipment. But the no-show report and the complaint about receiving a story walk instead of an investigation are too important to ignore.

For the best chance of enjoying it, meet outside the courtyard gate at 941 Bourbon Street, arrive early, keep your phone available for last-minute updates, and bring sensible expectations. You are buying a guided New Orleans night walk with paranormal flavor, not a guaranteed encounter with a ghost.

FAQ

How long does the paranormal investigation tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $24 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.

Do I meet inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar?

No. The tour meets outside at the courtyard gate. The bar’s staff do not work for the tour and do not have tour information.

What equipment is used?

An EMF meter and a ghost or paranormal detector are used during the walk. You may be able to hold the handheld meter and ask questions about it.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can children join the tour?

The supplied information does not give a minimum age. Some bars on the route allow children, while others do not. One past family group included people from age 12 to 50.

Can the tour be canceled for too few bookings?

Yes. The operator may cancel after confirmation if there are not enough participants. You may be contacted by phone, text, or email during the hour before departure, and the operator says it will offer an alternative tour or a full refund.