REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS GHOST TOURS

Ghost Hunt Experience

5.0 · 505 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $64 Operated by New Orleans Paranormal Society · Bookable on Viator
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New Orleans is famous for ghost stories, but this hands-on ghost hunt asks you to do more than listen to one. After a short introduction to the equipment, you may use spirit boxes, SLS cameras, and other paranormal tools at two locations after dark. The guides, including Chris, Jen, Robert, and Cathy, bring different personalities to the night, but the format stays personal and practical.

I like the chance to test the equipment yourself, and I like that the group visits two sites rather than planting you in one room all evening. The main drawback is also part of the deal: paranormal activity cannot be promised. One outing may feel lively, while another may involve long stretches of static, waiting, or standing outdoors with mosquitoes.

  • Two locations in about three hours: The exact sites can change, but each outing includes two places for investigation.
  • Real equipment in your hands: You may work with spirit boxes, SLS cameras, and other detection devices instead of watching a guide do everything.
  • Small group format: The maximum is 13 people, which gives you a better chance to participate.
  • French Quarter setting: The meeting area and several possible sites place the experience in one of New Orleans’ most atmospheric neighborhoods.
  • Guides with different strengths: Chris is often praised for teaching and crowd involvement, while Jen, Robert, and Cathy also lead engaging sessions.
  • Best for curious adults and older children: The experience is not recommended for children under 8, and anyone with mobility concerns should call before booking.

What this New Orleans ghost hunt actually feels like

Ghost Hunt Experience - What this New Orleans ghost hunt actually feels like

This is not a standard walking tour with a guide reciting haunted tales from a sidewalk. It is closer to a beginner’s paranormal investigation, with a guide explaining the tools and then giving you time to use them.

The evening usually begins with a safety and equipment briefing. You learn what each device is supposed to detect and how to handle false positives. That part matters. A good guide will not treat every flicker, beep, or radio fragment as proof of a spirit.

The most praised guides are active teachers. Chris is often singled out for making sure each person gets a turn, while Jen is noted for patience and for separating odd readings from ordinary causes. Robert has a friendly, inclusive style, and Cathy brings a lighter tone that works well for families.

The rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 505 ratings, with 94 percent of customers recommending the experience. That is a strong result, though you should read it in context. The best evenings depend on the guide, the group, the locations available, and how much activity you happen to encounter.

Meeting at Hotel Provincial and getting oriented

Ghost Hunt Experience - Meeting at Hotel Provincial and getting oriented

Your listed meeting point is Hotel Provincial at 1024 Chartres Street in the French Quarter. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure, since check-in takes place at the Ice House Bar of the Provincial Hotel.

The meeting area is near public transportation, but you should still allow time to find the correct entrance and settle in. One past participant found the meeting location unclear, even though the confirmation and reminder information identify it. Arriving early is the simplest fix.

The Ice House is also one of the possible short rest stops. Alcohol is available nearby for purchase, and the bar is one option for a 15-minute break. This is a 21-and-over bar, cash only, with an ATM on site. If you are under 21, plan to use the other available break option instead.

Bring water if you prefer not to buy it during the evening. Bottled water is not included, and the tour does not provide mobility equipment.

French Quarter locations and the first investigation

Ghost Hunt Experience - French Quarter locations and the first investigation

One possible first stop is Hands of Fate NOLA at 521 St. Phillip Street. The French Quarter itself gives the evening much of its mood, with old buildings, narrow streets, and courtyards that feel different after dark.

The location is not simply a backdrop. You may hear a short account of the building’s past, then learn how to use the devices before taking part. The first investigation lasts about an hour when this location is included.

The company lists four possible locations in all, with each outing visiting two. That variation is useful if you return to New Orleans and book the experience again, since repeat customers have reported visiting different sites on a second outing.

Do not expect a fixed sightseeing route. The night is shaped by which sites are available and where the guide finds the best conditions for the group. A particularly active room may receive more time than a quiet one, which explains why the two stops may not receive equal attention.

Hotels, private rooms, and changing locations

Ghost Hunt Experience - Hotels, private rooms, and changing locations

Some outings have included the Andrew Jackson Hotel and the Claudia Williams house. These are not guaranteed stops, so treat them as examples of the kind of places that may be used rather than promises.

At the Andrew Jackson Hotel, one reported format involved small groups entering a storage room with SLS cameras and other equipment. The SLS camera is designed to show human-shaped forms on its display. You may also get a turn with a spirit box, a device that scans radio frequencies and produces bursts of static and sound.

At the Claudia Williams house, the guide reportedly set up the equipment and allowed the group to ask questions in the room. This more hands-off approach gives you space to form your own impression, but it can also feel slow if nothing happens.

That contrast is important. This is not a theatrical haunted house with guaranteed scares. You might see a shape on a screen, hear apparent words through static, or get no clear result at all. The guide’s job is to explain what happened without forcing a conclusion.

Why the equipment matters

Ghost Hunt Experience - Why the equipment matters

The strongest reason to book this experience is the chance to use the tools yourself. You are not merely standing behind a guide while they hold the interesting gear.

The equipment mentioned in the experience includes spirit boxes and SLS cameras, along with other paranormal detection devices. The exact selection may vary, but the format is consistent: the guide explains the purpose of each device, then invites you to take part.

Spirit boxes can be intense for some people because of the constant static and broken sounds. One person found the noise unpleasant enough to cause a headache. If you are sensitive to sound, ask the guide about taking a break or skipping that device.

SLS cameras can also produce readings that are open to interpretation. A responsible guide will point out possible false positives instead of presenting every shape as a confirmed spirit. That skeptical approach makes the activity more useful for believers and doubters alike.

Some groups have used the equipment to ask questions, test responses, and watch how readings change as people enter or leave a room. The more willing you are to participate, the more involved the evening will feel.

Same streets after dark, a different sort of fright:

The break at Harry’s Corner Bar

Ghost Hunt Experience - The break at Harry’s Corner Bar

Harry’s Corner Bar is one of two possible break and restroom locations. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, giving you a chance to sit down, use the restroom, and reset before the second investigation.

It is a local bar rather than a formal part of the paranormal work. Alcohol is available for purchase, but the bar is cash only, with an ATM onsite, and it is limited to people age 21 and older.

This short pause is practical. Three hours of late-night investigation can feel longer than expected, especially if you have been standing or concentrating on static and device readings. If you do not drink, you can simply use the stop as a restroom break.

How much history and storytelling to expect

Ghost Hunt Experience - How much history and storytelling to expect

The experience includes stories about the buildings and the spirits associated with them. It is not presented as a full New Orleans history tour, so you should not book it as your main cultural introduction to the city.

The history works best as a frame for the investigation. Knowing who lived in a building, what happened there, or why a room has a reputation gives the equipment work a sense of place.

Chris is frequently praised for blending storytelling with instruction. He has also been credited with making room for both believers and skeptics. Jen is noted for explaining the tools and correcting mistaken readings, while Robert has been praised for involving the whole group.

Your guide is a major part of the experience. The provider uses several guides, so the tone may be serious, playful, or somewhere in between. The names most often associated with the experience are Chris, Jen, Robert, and Cathy.

Group size, pace, and participation

Ghost Hunt Experience - Group size, pace, and participation

The maximum group size is 13. That qualifies as small for an evening activity, though it may still feel crowded in a hotel room or private space.

One person preferred an even smaller group, while another described a large group in which the guide still gave everyone time to participate. Your experience will depend partly on how many people book your departure and how cooperative the group is.

You may be asked to sit quietly, hold a device, ask questions, enter a room, or wait while others have their turn. This is not ideal if you want constant movement. It suits you better if you enjoy observing and are willing to let the activity unfold at its own pace.

A bachelor party group once felt overlooked by its guide, and the company said it had addressed that concern. If you are part of a large personal group, make a point of introducing yourselves and asking how everyone will get a turn.

Is $64 a fair price?

Ghost Hunt Experience - Is $64 a fair price?

At $64 per person, this costs more than a basic ghost-story walk but includes something those walks usually do not: access to paranormal equipment and guided participation at two locations.

I consider the price reasonable if you want an activity rather than a performance. You are paying for about three hours, a small-group format, the guide’s instruction, and the chance to use the devices. The value drops if you mainly want fast-paced storytelling or guaranteed scares.

The price also reflects the uncertainty of the format. There is no promise of a clear response, a dramatic sighting, or a particular building. You are paying for the investigation, not a guaranteed result.

If you are a firm skeptic, the experience can still be worthwhile if you enjoy testing claims and learning how the equipment works. If you already believe strongly in ghosts, you will likely appreciate the chance to take part rather than simply hear old stories.

Weather, age, and mobility concerns

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Because parts of the evening may take place outdoors, wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the forecast. The provided information does not promise mobility equipment, and you should call before booking if you have mobility issues.

Most people can participate, but the experience is not recommended for children under 8. Older children and teenagers may enjoy it, especially if they like horror and can handle late-night quiet periods. One family used the activity with a 15-year-old, who found it spooky and engaging.

Cancellation and booking timing

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The experience is often booked about 25 days ahead, so I would reserve early if your New Orleans dates are fixed. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The mobile ticket makes the booking easy to carry, and the experience is offered in English. It ends back at the meeting point, which helps with planning a late evening in the French Quarter.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this ghost hunt if you enjoy horror, true crime, unusual history, or hands-on activities. It is especially suitable for couples, families with older children, and friends who want to compare their impressions after the investigation.

You should also book it if you are curious but not certain you believe in paranormal claims. The best part is not proving anything. It is learning how the devices work, hearing the building stories, and deciding what you think about the readings.

I would skip it if you need a tightly timed walking route, dislike static sounds, or want a guaranteed scare. You may spend time waiting in a courtyard, sitting in a room, or listening carefully while nothing obvious happens.

Should you book the Ghost Hunt Experience?

Book it if you want an interactive night in New Orleans and are comfortable with uncertainty. The strongest features are the hands-on equipment, two possible investigation sites, and guides such as Chris, Jen, Robert, and Cathy who make an effort to involve the group.

Go in expecting a paranormal experiment, not a haunted-house show. Some evenings produce memorable readings, while others may feel quiet or even repetitive. At $64, it is a fair choice for curious people who value participation, local stories, and a little spooky tension more than a guaranteed result.

FAQ

Where does the Ghost Hunt Experience meet?

Meet at Hotel Provincial, 1024 Chartres Street, New Orleans. Check-in takes place at the Ice House Bar of the Provincial Hotel 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the ghost hunt last?

The experience lasts about three hours.

How many locations will I visit?

Each experience visits two locations. There are four possible locations, so the exact stops can vary.

Is Hands of Fate NOLA always included?

No. Hands of Fate NOLA at 521 St. Phillip Street is one possible location, not a guaranteed stop.

Is the tour limited to a small group?

Yes. The maximum group size is 13 people.

Can I use the paranormal equipment?

Yes. You have the option to use ghost hunting equipment, including devices such as spirit boxes and SLS cameras.

Is the experience suitable for children?

It is not recommended for children under 8. Older children may participate if they are comfortable with the late-night format and spooky subject matter.

Is alcohol included?

No. Alcohol is available for purchase at nearby bars, but it is not included in the price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

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