New Orleans: Voodoo, Mystery and Paranormal Tour

The most entertaining part of this tour is the mix of documented New Orleans history and supernatural legend. You walk through the French Quarter with an EMF meter or paranormal detector, stopping at places linked to violent deaths, ghost sightings, vampires, voodoo, and old burial customs.

I like the optional drink stops and the guides’ easygoing approach. Coty and Ashli are often singled out for lively storytelling, quick humor, and their willingness to answer questions. The main drawback is that the tour stays outdoors, and the old streets can be uneven. You also cannot record any part of it.

Key points at a glance

• More than 15 French Quarter locations: See Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, The Presbytere, and other historic sites.
• Paranormal equipment included: You receive an EMF meter or ghost detector, with a $250 fee for lost or damaged equipment.
• Stories go beyond ghosts: The tour covers voodoo, vampires, unsolved murders, suicides, hauntings, and New Orleans burial traditions.
• Guides drive the experience: Coty and Ashli have earned special praise for humor, local knowledge, and strong storytelling.
• Drinks are optional: You can stop to buy drinks to go, but the cost is not included and some bars do not admit children.
• Good value at $23: Two hours, a licensed guide, and a broad French Quarter introduction make this a low-cost evening activity.

A dark walk through the French Quarter

At $23 per person, this is one of the cheaper guided ways to get a handle on New Orleans’ famous supernatural side. The price includes a licensed guide, the walking tour, and the paranormal equipment, but not drinks.

I see the value in the combination. Some ghost walks focus almost entirely on theatrical tales. This one also brings in architecture, colonial government, famous buildings, burial practices, and the city’s often grim past. You get a basic orientation to the French Quarter while following stories designed to make you glance over your shoulder.

The tour lasts about two hours. That is long enough to cover many sites without turning the evening into a full-night commitment. Past groups have found the time moves quickly because the guide fills the walk with stories, side facts, and questions rather than simply marching from one stop to the next.

The format is best for people who want history with their ghost stories. If you are looking for serious paranormal investigation, complete with access inside haunted buildings, this may feel lighter and more theatrical. Most stops are viewed from public streets or outdoor areas.

Meeting Coty, Ashli, or another local guide

The guide has a large role here. Coty has been praised for his humor, local background, and ability to make each block feel like part of a story. Ashli, also known by the nickname TRashli, is described as a strong storyteller who keeps the mood loose and entertaining.

That matters in New Orleans. A guide who simply recites dates would make this walk feel flat. The best part of the format is the swing between fact and folklore: a building’s real history may lead into a ghost report, a famous resident, or a gruesome legend.

The guides also appear comfortable with questions. If you want to know more about voodoo, vampires, architecture, celebrities connected to local properties, or the darker side of New Orleans life, this is a tour where asking is encouraged.

The tone is generally lighthearted, but the subject matter can be harsh. Stories involve murder, suicide, abuse, death, and alleged supernatural activity. Families should consider the age and sensitivity of children before booking, even though one past group found the experience suitable for an eight-year-old.

Using an EMF meter on Bourbon Street

At the start, your guide provides an EMF meter or another ghost and paranormal detector. The equipment gives you something to do with your hands as you listen, and it adds a small investigation game to the walk.

I would treat the device as part of the entertainment, not scientific proof of spirits. Its real value is that it makes the tour more interactive. Instead of only listening to a story, you can watch the meter and see how the group reacts when it changes.

You are responsible for the equipment during the tour. The operator lists a $250 charge for lost or damaged devices, so keep track of yours carefully, especially during crowded sections of the French Quarter.

You are not allowed to make video or audio recordings. That rule may disappoint anyone hoping to capture a dramatic reading or a guide’s storytelling, but it also keeps the group focused on the walk and the guide.

St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and colonial New Orleans

Several early stops help place the ghost stories in their historic setting. St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square are among the best-known sights in the French Quarter, and the tour uses them as more than quick photo stops.

The square connects major parts of New Orleans’ public and religious past. From here, you can see St. Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytere, all clustered around one of the city’s most important historic spaces.

The Cabildo served as the colonial government seat. That gives the guide a useful opening for explaining how authority worked in old New Orleans before shifting back to tales of crime, death, or haunting.

The Presbytere is noted for its Spanish colonial architecture. Even if you care more about ghosts than buildings, the stop helps you read the French Quarter with more attention. Look up at the façades, notice the formal shapes, and let the guide connect the architecture to the city’s colonial past.

This portion is also a reminder that the tour is not only about fear. You are seeing National Historic Landmarks along the way, and the buildings give the supernatural stories a real setting.

St. Anthony’s Garden and the Old Ursuline Convent

St. Anthony’s Garden adds another historic setting to the route. The tour uses locations like this to explain the traditions and stories that developed around old New Orleans neighborhoods.

The Old Ursuline Convent brings another layer of the city’s past into view. You may hear stories tied to religion, death, daily life, and the legends that grew around historic buildings. The appeal is less about entering every site and more about understanding why certain corners became part of New Orleans’ supernatural map.

You should expect to remain outside at many locations. That is one of the tour’s limits, especially if you hoped to explore interiors. Still, the outdoor route lets you cover a wide section of the French Quarter and see how the sites relate to one another.

Because the tour is on foot, wear comfortable shoes. The old streets may be uneven, and the walk can be less comfortable in poor footwear or wet conditions.

Murder, suicide, and the Sultan’s Palace

The tour takes a darker turn at places associated with unsolved murders and suicides. These stories are presented alongside reports of ghosts and vampires, giving you a sense of how real events and folklore overlap in New Orleans.

The Sultan’s Palace is one of the most memorable stops. Local legend says a mass murder took place there. The site shows how a building can gather layers of rumor, fear, and storytelling over time.

This is also where the tour may feel less suitable for young children. The stories are not merely spooky tales about noises in an empty room. They can involve violent deaths and disturbing details.

I like that the tour includes the grim facts rather than pretending New Orleans’ dark past is all harmless fun. At the same time, you should not expect a scholarly investigation into every claim. Some accounts are documented, while others belong to local legend or paranormal tradition.

Voodoo, vampires, and old burial customs

New Orleans’ supernatural image is not limited to haunted houses. The tour also covers voodoo stories, vampire reports, and traditional burial practices.

The burial material is especially useful because it gives context to one of the city’s most recognizable customs. New Orleans is famous for above-ground tombs, and the tour explains how local burial traditions became part of the city’s identity and folklore.

The vampire stories add a theatrical edge. You learn where vampires supposedly held victims and hear about reports described as documented. Here, the guide’s presentation matters. A good storyteller can make the tale entertaining while still helping you separate historical record from legend.

The voodoo material is likely to appeal to anyone who wants more than a standard haunted pub crawl. You should still keep your expectations grounded. A two-hour walking tour can introduce major stories and beliefs, but it cannot provide a full treatment of New Orleans voodoo traditions.

LaLaurie Mansion and the Mistress of Death

LaLaurie Mansion is one of the key sights on the route. It is commonly presented as one of the most haunted houses in New Orleans, tied to the story of the so-called Mistress of Death.

This stop combines architecture, crime, and legend in a particularly direct way. The building is memorable on its own, but the history associated with it gives the façade a disturbing weight.

You will view the site as part of a walking route rather than take a full interior tour. That is worth knowing before you book. The attraction is the guide’s account and the atmosphere of standing outside the building, not access to every room connected with its past.

For many people, this will be the emotional high point of the walk. It is also one reason to take the tour after you have spent some time in the French Quarter, since you will recognize the neighborhood and understand how tightly these stories are tied to ordinary streets.

Optional drinks and the rhythm of the evening

The tour includes stops where you can buy drinks to go. The drinks cost extra, and buying one is optional, so you can enjoy the walk without turning it into a bar crawl.

This is a practical feature for adults who want a relaxed evening. It also changes the rhythm of the tour. Instead of two straight hours of walking and listening, you get chances to pause, use a restroom, and take in the neighborhood at a slower pace.

You should plan carefully if children are in your group. Some bars allow children and some do not, so the drink stops may not work the same way for every party. The activity provider also reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who appears intoxicated, with no refund if that person must leave.

The drink option is best seen as a convenience, not the main reason to book. The stronger reasons are the storytelling, the historic sites, and the unusual mix of ghost lore and local history.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to New Orleans’ darker stories without paying for a high-priced specialty experience. At $23, it offers a good amount of ground and covers several subjects in one evening.

It suits:

• First-time visitors who want a French Quarter orientation with a spooky theme.
• Couples and adult groups looking for an easy evening activity.
• Families with older children who can handle stories about death and violence.
• History fans who enjoy folklore, architecture, and local legends together.
• Anyone who likes interactive touches such as EMF meters.

I would hesitate if you dislike walking on uneven streets, need indoor access, or want a strictly factual history tour. I would also skip it if recording your experience is important, since audio and video recording are not allowed.

Wheelchair access is listed, but old, uneven streets may still affect comfort and ease. Ask the provider about your particular mobility needs before booking.

Timing, meeting point, and booking details

Tours meet on the sidewalk in front of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. You do not meet inside the bar. Look for the guide at the gate to the courtyard attached to the bar, and do not rely on the bartenders for tour information because they are not part of the tour company.

The tour is in English and a private group option is available. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now while paying later. Keep an eye on your phone on the day of the tour because the operator may cancel if the minimum group size is not reached, sometimes contacting you within an hour of departure. No refund is offered for weather cancellation or late arrival.

Should you book the Voodoo, Mystery and Paranormal Tour?

Book it if you want good-value storytelling with a New Orleans setting, especially if ghosts, voodoo, vampires, and dark history all sound appealing. The guide’s personality is central, and the strongest experiences appear to come from guides such as Coty and Ashli, who bring humor and local detail to the walk.

Do not book it expecting a serious paranormal investigation or access to the interiors of every haunted building. You will spend two hours outdoors, hear a mix of documented events and legend, carry borrowed equipment, and follow a route over old streets.

For $23, I think it is a sensible pick for a first evening in the French Quarter. It gives you landmarks, stories, optional drinks, and a useful sense of the city’s darker character without taking up an entire night.

FAQ

How long does the Voodoo, Mystery and Paranormal Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours. The duration can vary slightly.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Do not go inside the bar to check in.

What paranormal equipment is provided?

The guide provides an EMF meter or another ghost and paranormal detector for use during the tour. A $250 fee applies if equipment is lost or damaged.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

No. The tour makes optional stops where you can buy drinks to go, but you pay for those drinks yourself. Some bars allow children and some do not.

Can I record the tour?

No. Audio and video recording are not allowed during any part of the tour.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you may need to walk on old, uneven streets. Contact the provider if you need to confirm how the route fits your specific needs.