New Orleans History and Hauntings Tour

New Orleans does not separate its history from its ghost stories. On this walking tour, you move through the French Quarter while hearing about historic characters, haunted places, voodoo, supernatural legends, and film locations tied to the city. It is less a hunt for a guaranteed apparition than a lively introduction to the stories that give the old quarter its peculiar charge.

I like the strong local orientation and the way the tour mixes serious history with folklore. I also like the friendly storytelling reported from guides such as Cody and Ashli, who bring humor and local tips to a short route. The main caution is that the tour can feel loosely organized, and it may be hard to hear when the streets are noisy or the group is large.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet outside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: The meeting point is on the sidewalk by the gate to the attached courtyard at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar.
• Expect a flexible 1 to 2 hour walk: Bar crowds, restroom stops, and drink purchases can make the tour run longer.
• History comes first, ghosts second: You get researched stories about New Orleans, plus legends, voodoo, hauntings, and the supernatural.
• Guides add local color: Cody and Ashli have received special praise for storytelling, humor, and personal attention.
• Rain or shine: Bring clothing suited to the weather, since the tour runs outdoors unless the operator cancels.
• No ghost sighting is promised: You may take photos and use approved paranormal equipment, but the experience is entertainment, not proof of the supernatural.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Your tour begins at 941 Bourbon Street, outside the gate of the courtyard connected to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not check in inside the bar. Arrive several minutes early, find the guide on the sidewalk, and be ready to leave at the scheduled time.

This detail matters more than it sounds. Bourbon Street is noisy, crowded, and easy to misread when you are looking for a particular doorway. The meeting place is not presented as a private room or formal ticket office, so give yourself extra time to identify the courtyard gate.

Lafitte’s is a fitting starting point. The building is one of the better-known old structures on Bourbon Street, and its identity as a bar tied to local legends sets the mood before the walk begins. You can buy a drink along the route, but a drink is not included in the $35 price.

The operator takes a time-stamped photo of the meeting location at departure. That may sound like a small administrative detail, but it explains the strict late-arrival rule. If you miss the group, the guide may already be leading the tour and unable to answer the phone.

A walking lesson in the French Quarter

The main part of the experience takes place in the French Quarter, also called the Vieux Carré. The route uses public streets and sidewalks, with no entry into private property. You remain with the group while the guide moves between historic locations and story points.

The advertised walk is approximately two hours, though the actual time can range from one to two hours. One hour is listed for the French Quarter portion, while the full experience allows time for the opening and stops along the way. Bar crowds, restroom breaks, and drink purchases can affect the finish time.

That flexibility is useful if you want a compact introduction to New Orleans. In a short visit, the tour can help you get your bearings before you explore the quarter on your own. It also gives you names, characters, and stories to watch for when you return to the streets later.

The tradeoff is pace. This is described as a moderate walking tour, not a slow photography walk. The guide needs to keep the group moving, so you should not expect long pauses at every building. Photos are encouraged, but the guide cannot stop the entire group whenever someone wanders off for a better angle.

History, hauntings, and voodoo in one route

The subject mix is the tour’s main strength. You are not signing up only for ghost stories. The route combines New Orleans history with accounts of hauntings, voodoo, legends, and supernatural claims.

That blend works well in the French Quarter because the city’s past is often told through people and stories rather than dates alone. A good guide can explain the background, then show how later legends grew around particular buildings or characters. The best moments are likely to come when the guide separates public history from folklore without draining either one of its appeal.

You should keep your expectations grounded. The operator clearly states that no paranormal activity is guaranteed. You may hear accounts of ghosts, vampires, demons, spirits, or other supernatural figures, but the tour does not promise a sighting or a dramatic event.

One participant did capture what was described as a full-body apparition in a photograph. That is an intriguing possibility, especially if you enjoy taking pictures, but it should be treated as an unexpected extra rather than the purpose of the booking.

The tour’s honest approach is a plus. You get legends as stories and local culture, not a promise that the guide can summon something on command.

Film locations add a modern layer

The walk also points out locations used in movies and television shows. This gives the route another angle, especially if you enjoy seeing how the French Quarter appears on screen.

Film locations can be easy to miss when you explore alone. A guide who connects a street or building to a familiar production helps you look at the quarter in a different way. You get the old city as a real neighborhood, a historic setting, and a backdrop for popular culture.

The information provided does not name the specific films or shows on the route, so I would not book this expecting a fixed list of major production sites. Treat it as one part of a wider walk rather than a dedicated film tour.

Guides Cody and Ashli shape the experience

The guide makes a large difference on a storytelling walk. Cody has been singled out for strong delivery and an ability to combine city history with haunted facts. Ashli has also been described as personable, funny, enthusiastic, and willing to adapt when a previous tour had to be changed.

That matters because the route itself is free to enter. You are paying for the guide’s research, pacing, explanations, and ability to turn ordinary streets into a connected story.

The most positive accounts focus on three things: clear storytelling, humor, and useful local suggestions. One group used the guide’s advice to try local establishments and order particular items. That is exactly the kind of practical detail that can make a short orientation tour more valuable than a simple list of dates and buildings.

There are limits. At least one account found the tour difficult to hear at times and somewhat disorganized. That can happen on a busy Bourbon Street route, especially when groups are large or the guide is speaking outdoors. If hearing every word is important to you, stay close to the guide and choose a position near the front.

What the $35 price gets you

At $35 per person, the value depends on how you use the tour. You receive a professional guide and a moderate-paced walking route through one of the most visited parts of New Orleans. You do not pay for admission to attractions, hotel transportation, drinks, or a private experience.

For a first visit, that can be a fair price. You get a compact introduction to the French Quarter and a set of stories that can help you decide where to spend more time later. The history and local recommendations also give the walk value beyond the ghost theme.

The price is less compelling if you want a long, highly structured tour with guaranteed access to historic interiors. The route takes place on public property, and the operator does not promise entry into private locations. You are buying interpretation and atmosphere, not admission to a chain of attractions.

The maximum group size is listed as 999, which is a broad administrative limit rather than a useful picture of the typical group. Since the route can include bar stops and busy streets, ask yourself if you enjoy group storytelling in a lively setting. You may not receive the quiet, intimate feel of a small private walk.

Bars, drinks, and the practical tradeoffs

Drinks are available to buy along the route, and participants may carry alcoholic beverages during the tour. This fits the relaxed New Orleans setting, but it also creates a few practical points.

Some bars may be crowded, and waiting inside can lengthen the tour. Anyone who wants the shortest possible walk should avoid relying on a long drink stop. Children may not be allowed inside every bar, though to-go windows are available for people who do not want to enter.

The operator can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated. If a person’s condition causes the tour to be canceled for that person, no refund is offered. The sensible approach is to treat the drinks as optional and keep the group’s pace and safety in mind.

Audio and video recording devices are not allowed. Photos are encouraged, so you can document buildings and street scenes, but you should not plan to record the guide’s narration.

Walking conditions and what to bring

The French Quarter has old, uneven, and sometimes damaged streets and walkways. Wear shoes with good support and keep your attention on the pavement, especially while looking up at balconies or taking pictures.

The tour runs in changing weather and is generally rain or shine. New Orleans can be very hot, but it can also become cold, so check the forecast and dress accordingly. A small umbrella or rain layer may be useful, though the route remains an outdoor walk.

Service animals are allowed, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the moderate pace and uneven surfaces may not suit everyone. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Bourbon Street on your own.

The French Quarter is also a residential neighborhood. Do not ring doorbells, enter private property, or block sidewalks. The best way to enjoy this part of New Orleans is to remember that people live behind those ornate doors.

Timing, changes, and cancellation rules

The tour departs at the scheduled time unless the operator sends an update. Delays or changes may be communicated by text or email, with text messages used most often. Give the booking a working mobile number and check your messages before departure.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator may cancel and offer another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Weather cancellations are handled differently from ordinary bad weather. The tour normally operates in rain, heat, or cold, but the operator may cancel because of severe weather or another emergency. If that happens, prepaid participants receive credit for a future tour, according to the stated terms.

Because late arrivals are not refunded, this is not a booking to pair tightly with another activity. Build in time to find the exact courtyard gate and arrive early.

Who will enjoy this French Quarter walk?

I would recommend it to a first-time New Orleans visitor who wants a quick orientation with personality. It suits people who like history but also enjoy legends, spooky tales, voodoo lore, and movie connections.

It is also a good fit for families with older children and teens, provided you confirm the bar access rules and keep in mind that some stops may not admit children. The storytelling has been engaging enough to hold the attention of a group that included five teenagers.

You may want another option if you need a quiet, highly academic presentation, a fully accessible route, or guaranteed entry into historic buildings. You may also be disappointed if your main goal is to see a ghost. The operator is unusually direct on that point: paranormal activity is possible, not promised.

Should you book the New Orleans History and Hauntings Tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced introduction to the French Quarter that treats ghost stories as part of New Orleans culture rather than as a guaranteed stage show. The strongest reasons are the mix of history and folklore, the local advice, and guides such as Cody and Ashli, who bring humor and energy to the walk.

Skip it if you dislike group walks, need perfect sound quality, or want a carefully timed route with no bar delays. Arrive early, stay near the guide, wear practical shoes, and keep your expectations focused on stories and place rather than a supernatural sighting. With those limits in mind, the $35 price can buy a useful first look at the city’s most storied quarter.

FAQ

How long does the New Orleans History and Hauntings Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one to two hours. The exact length can change because of wait times at bars, restroom stops, drink purchases, and other delays along the route.

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, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.

Do I meet the guide inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar?

No. The tour meets outside on the sidewalk by the courtyard gate. The tour operator is not affiliated with the bar.

Where does the tour end?

The walk ends in the heart of the Vieux Carré, also known as the French Quarter. Hotel transportation is not included.

What does the $35 price include?

The price includes admission to the walking tour and a professional local guide. Drinks, gratuities, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Does the tour guarantee that I will see a ghost?

No. The operator does not guarantee paranormal activity or a supernatural sighting. You may hear ghost stories and can take photos, but any unusual image or encounter is unplanned.

Can I buy drinks during the tour?

Yes. Drinks are available for purchase along the route, and alcoholic drinks may be carried during the walk. The guide can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Most people can participate, but children under 18 must be with a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars on the route may not allow children inside, though to-go windows are available.

What happens if I arrive late?

Tours leave at the scheduled departure time. Late arrivals are not refunded, so arrive a few minutes early and contact the operator before departure if you expect a delay.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.