New Orleans History and Hauntings Tour

New Orleans has a way of making the past feel close enough to touch, and this tour uses the French Quarter’s old streets, bars, legends, and movie locations to tell that story. You get history and hauntings together, rather than a ghost walk with only spooky tales.

I like the friendly storytelling, which has kept teens engaged as well as adults, and I like the useful local tips, including suggestions for places to eat and what to order. Guides such as Cody and Ashlii bring humor and personality to the walk. The main drawback is that the tour can feel loose at times, and the guide may be hard to hear when the French Quarter is noisy.

Key points to know before booking

• Start at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Meet outside at the courtyard gate on 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar.
• Expect a moderate walking pace: The route covers the French Quarter and may last one to two hours.
• History comes first: You’ll hear about local characters, old buildings, voodoo, hauntings, and supernatural stories.
• Bar stops can affect the timing: Drinks are extra, and busy bars may make the tour run longer.
• The ghost stories are not guaranteed sightings: The guide presents legends and reported experiences, but no paranormal event is promised.
• Arrive early: The group leaves at the scheduled time, and late arrivals may not receive a refund.

A lively introduction to the French Quarter’s darker side

At $35 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to get oriented in New Orleans. You are paying for a local guide, a walking route through the French Quarter, and a concentrated mix of history, folklore, and entertainment. The value is strongest if you are new to the city and want a quick first look before exploring on your own.

I would not book it expecting a carefully staged paranormal investigation. This is a public-street walking tour, with stories about ghosts, voodoo, legends, and supernatural happenings. You may hear about unusual photographs taken on past tours, but nobody can promise a full-body apparition or any other unexplained event.

The experience has an average rating of 4.1 from eight published ratings, with several strong comments about the guides’ storytelling and personality. One disappointing experience involved a tour that apparently did not take place as expected, while another participant found the route somewhat disorganized and difficult to hear. Those points matter, so I would arrive early, confirm the meeting place, and keep realistic expectations about the format.

Meeting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Your starting point is 941 Bourbon Street, at the sidewalk by the gate to the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not meet inside the bar, and the tour company is not affiliated with the establishment at that address.

This distinction is easy to miss in the noise of Bourbon Street. I suggest arriving several minutes early, finding the courtyard gate, and checking in with the guide before departure. The tour leaves at the scheduled time. If you arrive after the guide has gone, the operator says the guide cannot answer the phone while leading the group, and late arrivals may not be refunded.

Lafitte’s is an apt starting point. The building and its reputation immediately set the tone for old New Orleans, even before the first story begins. From here, the guide leads the group into the French Quarter rather than taking you by vehicle to scattered sites.

Walking through the French Quarter

The main portion of the experience is a moderate-paced walk through the French Quarter, also called the Vieux Carré. The route is designed to cover the most notable stories and locations in the area, though the exact path can change without notice.

You can expect a blend of subjects rather than a narrow focus. The guide may discuss New Orleans history, colorful local characters, voodoo traditions, hauntings, supernatural lore, and locations connected with films or television shows. That mix is one of the tour’s better qualities. If you want only architectural history, some of the ghost material may feel light. If you want only frightening stories, the historical sections may be more than you expected. For most first-time visitors, the balance gives a more useful picture of the quarter.

The walk lasts about one to two hours. The published route describes a roughly two-hour experience, but the actual duration depends on stops, restroom breaks, drink purchases, and how busy the bars are. One section may be listed as an hour, so you should treat the timing as flexible rather than exact.

The streets and walkways can be old, uneven, and crowded. Wear shoes that are comfortable for steady walking, and keep your attention on the pavement. The operator does not accept responsibility for injuries caused by the condition of the streets, so this is not the place for flimsy footwear or a rushed pace.

Stories that work for both adults and teens

A good guide is especially important on a tour like this, since much of the value comes from the telling. Cody received particularly strong praise for being engaging, funny, and easy to follow. Ashlii was also described as personable, enthusiastic, and well informed about the city and its legends.

The strongest part of the experience appears to be the way the guides connect major history with small local details. You may come away with ideas about local establishments, including specific things to try. That practical side makes the tour more useful than a string of ghost stories because it gives you ways to continue exploring after the walk ends.

The format can suit families with older children and teens, though the subject matter and bar stops may not fit every family. One group found the storytelling held the attention of five teenagers, which suggests the guides know how to keep the pace moving. Children under 18 must be with a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise, and some bars do not allow children inside.

If a bar is not suitable for your group, to-go windows are available along the route. That gives you a way to remain with the walk without entering every establishment, though drinks are not included in the ticket price.

How the bar stops affect the experience

The tour allows alcoholic drinks during the walk, and some stops may involve waiting inside or near a bar. This can add atmosphere, especially if you like the social side of New Orleans, but it also creates the biggest timing issue.

A busy bar may delay the group by a noticeable amount. The operator says the guide may need to wait at stops, which is why the tour can run longer than one hour. If you have a dinner reservation or evening show soon afterward, leave a generous buffer.

Drinks cost extra, and gratuities are not included. I would carry enough money for any drink you want and plan to tip the guide if the tour is useful. Since the group stays together, do not wander off to take photos or browse on your own. The guide must keep moving to complete the route.

Participants may drink during the tour, but the operator can refuse service to anyone who appears extremely intoxicated. If the tour is canceled because of intoxication, the stated terms do not provide a refund. That rule is sensible for a walking group, but it is worth keeping in mind if you plan to make this part of a longer night out.

Ghost stories without a promise of ghosts

The title may attract you, but the company is unusually clear about one point: no paranormal activity is guaranteed. You will hear stories about hauntings, spirits, vampires, demons, gods, and other supernatural subjects, but the guide cannot make anything appear on cue.

That honesty is useful. I would choose this tour for its atmosphere and storytelling, not as a guaranteed ghost sighting. The French Quarter itself supplies plenty of old buildings, narrow streets, candlelit bars, and local legends to make the subject entertaining without special effects.

Photos are allowed and encouraged. Audio and video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. Paranormal equipment may be available if you ask at check-in, but you must provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number. Equipment must be returned before you leave, and the stated charge for lost or damaged equipment is $250 per item. Unless that equipment is important to you, I would keep the experience simple and use your phone for occasional photos.

Do not ring doorbells, enter private property, or treat residential buildings as part of the show. The French Quarter is a real neighborhood, and the operator asks participants to respect residents. That is good advice for any walking tour in this historic district.

What the $35 price delivers

At $35, the tour sits in the affordable range for a guided New Orleans experience. You receive a professional guide and a walking tour lasting roughly one to two hours. There is no hotel pickup, transportation, or included drink.

I see the price as fair if you want a compact introduction to the French Quarter. A guide can help you understand why certain locations matter, point out film sites you might otherwise pass, and give you local food and nightlife suggestions. You also avoid spending half your first day trying to piece together the quarter’s stories from signs and guidebooks.

The value is less clear if you already know the French Quarter well or dislike group walks with flexible timing. The route is conducted on public property, and you do not enter private historic buildings as part of the standard experience. This is an outdoor storytelling walk, not a museum tour or a behind-the-scenes visit.

The maximum group size is listed as 999, which is a broad administrative limit rather than a promise about the size of your particular departure. Group size may affect how easy it is to hear the guide. If hearing every word is important to you, stay close to the guide and choose a quieter departure time if one is available.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The tour operates rain or shine, and New Orleans weather can be very hot or surprisingly cold. Wear clothing suited to the forecast, bring water, and prepare for the possibility of rain. The company can cancel or reschedule because of severe weather, local conditions, illness, or other circumstances.

The booking terms state that you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The operator’s longer terms also say that sales are final and that no refunds are offered for many situations, including weather, so read the exact conditions attached to your reservation before paying.

If the minimum number of participants is not met, the tour can be canceled as late as one hour before departure. You may then be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Keep a backup plan, especially if this is your only evening in the French Quarter.

Make sure the operator has a working mobile number. Updates about delays and cancellations are commonly sent by text, and the tour schedule can change because of traffic or other local conditions.

Who should book this walk

I would recommend this experience to a first-time visitor who wants a fast orientation to the French Quarter with plenty of stories along the way. It is also a good fit if you enjoy local legends but want historical context instead of a purely theatrical ghost show.

You will probably like it if you:

• Enjoy guides who tell stories with humor and personality
• Want a mix of history, voodoo, hauntings, and film locations
• Can walk at a moderate pace on uneven streets
• Are comfortable with an informal route and flexible timing
• Want suggestions for local places to eat and drink

I would hesitate if you need a tightly timed itinerary, dislike bar stops, or expect guaranteed paranormal activity. I would also think twice if you have limited mobility, since the walk is moderate and the old streets can be uneven. Service animals are allowed, the route is near public transportation, and most participants can take part, but the operator does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off.

My booking advice

Book this tour if you want an entertaining first look at New Orleans through the French Quarter’s stories, legends, and streets. The best reason to go is the guide-led storytelling, especially if Cody, Ashlii, or another strong local guide is leading your departure.

Do not book it as a controlled ghost hunt. Go for the history, the atmosphere, the local tips, and the chance to see the quarter through several different lenses. Arrive early at the courtyard gate, stay close enough to hear, wear sturdy shoes, and allow more than two hours afterward if you have plans.

FAQ

Where does the New Orleans History and Hauntings Tour begin?

It begins at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, at the sidewalk by the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not meet inside the bar.

How long does the tour last?

The walk lasts approximately one to two hours. Timing can vary because of bar wait times, drinks, restroom stops, traffic, or other local conditions.

Is a drink included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, but they are not included. Gratuities are also not included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars do not allow children inside, but to-go windows are available along the route.

Are ghosts or paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour presents stories about hauntings and supernatural subjects, but there is no guarantee that you will see or experience paranormal activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The stated cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Check the exact terms attached to your reservation because the operator also lists stricter conditions for certain situations.