New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 with Electronic Field Meter

New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 turns the French Quarter into an evening investigation. You walk through old streets, hear tales of ghosts and vampires, learn about voodoo, and use an electronic field meter to look for unusual readings. The experience is part history lesson, part spooky stroll, and part good-natured theater.

I like the $20 price, which makes this an easy add-on after a day of sightseeing. I also like the mix of stories and equipment. Guides such as Coty, Cody, and Ashley bring humor and local context, and the meter gives children and curious adults something to do besides listen.

The main catch is that this is not an inside tour of haunted buildings. You remain on public streets, and the meter may be shared rather than handed to every person. Delays at bars, uneven pavement, weather changes, and occasional cancellations can also affect the evening.

Key points before you book

• The French Quarter is the investigation site: Expect an after-dark walk through public streets, sidewalks, and locations linked with ghost stories.
• The EMF meter is shared equipment: You can request paranormal equipment at check-in, but it is not guaranteed that every person gets a device.
• Stories cover more than ghosts: The route includes New Orleans voodoo, vampires, mass burial grounds, haunted hotels, bars, churches, and apartments.
• Drinks are optional and extra: You may stop at bars or windows for a to-go drink, but drinks are not included in the $20 ticket.
• The pace and length can change: The walk usually lasts one to two hours, though busy bars can make it longer.
• This is entertainment, not a ghost guarantee: The guides do not promise an apparition, spirit, or unusual encounter.

What this $20 French Quarter ghost walk actually offers

At $20 per person, this is one of the less expensive ways to add an evening activity in New Orleans. The value comes less from access to famous interiors and more from the guide’s storytelling, the route through the French Quarter, and the chance to handle a real EMF meter.

I would think of it as a walking history experience with a paranormal theme. You are not paying for a haunted-house attraction with actors, special effects, or guaranteed scares. The guide explains stories connected with public places, then leads the group onward through the Quarter.

That distinction matters. If you want to enter old buildings, morgues, apartments, cemeteries, or hotels, this outing may disappoint. Those places may be discussed from outside, but no entry into private locations is provided.

The low price works best for someone who already plans to spend the evening in the French Quarter. You can meet near Bourbon Street, take a walk, hear stories, and finish somewhere in the Quarter without arranging a separate ride back to a hotel.

Meeting near Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

The meeting point is on the sidewalk by the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop at 941 Bourbon Street. You do not check in inside the bar, and the tour company is not affiliated with that business.

Arrive a few minutes early. The group leaves at the scheduled time, and a late arrival may find the guide already gone. If you know you will be delayed, contact the operator before departure. The guide cannot normally answer calls after the walk begins.

This is a useful place to plan carefully because Bourbon Street can be crowded and noisy. Give yourself enough time to find the courtyard gate, identify the guide, and complete check-in. Do not assume the bar staff can direct you to the tour.

The route ends somewhere in the French Quarter rather than back at the starting point. That is convenient if you want dinner or another drink afterward, but you should not plan a tightly timed show immediately after the walk. A delay of about an hour has occurred, and the route can run longer when the group spends time at busy bars.

Walking through New Orleans after dark

The heart of the experience is a moderate-paced walk through the French Quarter. The guide points out places tied to hauntings and explains the stories behind them. The route can include haunted houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars, pubs, cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, sidewalks, and churches.

That list should be read as a range of subjects, not a promise that you will enter every type of location. The walk stays on public property, and no private building access is included. You may pause outside a location while the guide explains what is said to have happened there.

The Quarter’s old pavement is part of the setting, but it is also a practical concern. Streets and walkways can be uneven or worn. Wear shoes with a secure sole, watch your step, and keep your attention on the group rather than walking away to take photos.

The tour asks you not to block sidewalks or streets. That is sensible in a busy neighborhood, and it also means the group may need to keep moving while the guide talks. New Orleans residents live along this route, so do not ring doorbells, enter private property, or treat homes as part of the attraction.

Ghost stories, vampires, and voodoo

The stories go beyond a simple list of haunted addresses. The guide discusses New Orleans history, reported apparitions, cold spots, orbs, vampires, and voodoo. A mass burial ground is included among the locations associated with unusual sensations and sightings.

I like this broader approach. New Orleans ghost lore makes more sense when it is connected to the city’s customs, religious traditions, old buildings, and difficult past. You get a better evening if you listen for the difference between documented history, local legend, and personal belief.

The tone depends heavily on the guide. Coty has been praised for mixing French Quarter history with paranormal stories, while Cody has been described as friendly, funny, and helpful with local food advice. Ashley has also led this experience, with a style that puts energy into the walk. Guide assignments can change, so you should not book solely around a particular name.

The guide’s personality matters more here than on a simple sightseeing route. There is no museum display or building interior to carry the experience. A strong guide keeps the group together, explains the location clearly, and knows when to add humor without making every story feel like a joke.

How the electronic field meter fits in

The electronic field meter is the tour’s hands-on feature. It is presented as a device for measuring changes in electromagnetic fields, which paranormal investigators sometimes interpret as a possible sign of unusual activity.

At check-in, you can request to use the equipment. You must provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number before checking it out. The equipment is marked and tracked, and it must be returned to a staff member before you leave.

Do not expect a personal detector for every person in the group. One disappointing experience came from assuming the equipment would be distributed to everyone. In practice, a single participant may hold the meter and tell the rest of the group when the reading changes.

The guide may ask you to watch for a particular number or signal. Treat that as part of the investigation theme, not scientific proof of a ghost. A reading can have ordinary causes, and the tour does not promise that any device will record something unusual.

The equipment also comes with strict rules. Do not drop it, walk away with it, or leave before returning it. The stated charge for lost, damaged, or missing equipment is $250, and a $60 replacement fee may apply if equipment is taken and needs immediate replacement.

Photos are encouraged, but audio and video recording are not allowed. You cannot film the narration or record the tour. Keep your phone available for updates from the operator, but use it respectfully during the walk.

Bar stops and the optional drink break

This is also known as the New Orleans Drunk History Tour, and the route allows stops at bars or to-go windows. You can buy a drink and carry it along as the group moves to the next location.

Drinks cost extra. The bar element is optional in spirit, but it can shape the timing for everyone. A crowded bar, a long wait, or several drink stops may stretch the walk beyond the advertised one to two hours.

If you want a focused ghost walk, limit your bar stops. If you enjoy a loose evening with stories, drinks, and a group atmosphere, the stops may be part of the fun. The guide can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated, and the operator says no refund is due if intoxication causes the tour to be canceled for that person.

Children must be with an adult. Some bars do not allow children inside, though to-go windows may offer an alternative. Families should ask the guide about the route and be ready for some locations to be adults-only.

Timing, group size, and the risk of delays

The stated duration is about one to two hours, but it is not a firm finish time. The walk may last longer if the group waits at bars, and traffic conditions can affect departure times.

The maximum listed group size is 99 people. That is a large possible group for a walking investigation. The actual number can be smaller, but you should be prepared for a public-group format rather than a private guide at your side.

A large group can reduce the time each person gets with the EMF meter. It can also make it harder to hear every word on a busy Bourbon Street sidewalk. Stay close to the guide and avoid drifting to the back.

The operator may cancel if too few people book. Weather can also lead to a cancellation or rescheduling. You may receive a text, phone call, or email, so provide a working mobile number and check messages before leaving for the meeting point.

Personal cancellations are non-refundable, and changes are not normally allowed. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers, you may be offered another date, another experience, or a refund, depending on the situation. Keep a backup evening plan, especially if this is your only scheduled activity.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend it to someone who wants a low-cost evening walk and enjoys local legends more than polished attractions. It suits first-time visitors who want a different view of the French Quarter, families with older children who like spooky stories, and adults who want to combine history with a drink stop.

It is also a good choice if you like participating. Holding the meter, watching its readings, and deciding what you think about each location gives you a small role in the evening.

I would be more cautious if you need a firm end time, dislike uneven sidewalks, or expect to enter haunted buildings. It is not ideal for someone seeking a quiet small-group investigation, a guaranteed paranormal encounter, or a carefully staged theatrical scare.

Most people can take part, and the route is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed. Still, this remains a walking tour on old streets, so consider your comfort with standing and walking for up to two hours.

Practical tips for a better night

• Arrive early at the courtyard gate near 941 Bourbon Street, not inside Lafitte’s.
• Wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
• Bring weather protection. The walk operates in changing conditions unless the operator cancels.
• Keep your phone on and check texts for delays or route changes.
• Ask for the EMF equipment at check-in if you want to use it.
• Do not expect to use the meter for the entire group or entire tour.
• Budget separately for drinks and a tip for the guide.
• Do not schedule dinner or a show too tightly after the walk.
• Take photos, but do not record audio or video.
• Stay with the group and respect French Quarter residents.

Should you book New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101?

Book it if you see the $20 ticket as an entertaining French Quarter walk with ghost stories, local history, and a shared paranormal device. The strongest part is the guide-led storytelling, especially when the guide adds useful New Orleans context instead of simply repeating a scare tale.

Skip it if your main goal is guaranteed evidence, private building access, or a precise finish time. The experience makes no promise that you will see a ghost, and the route can change.

For the right person, this is an inexpensive way to give your evening a theme. Keep your expectations grounded, arrive on time, wear sensible shoes, and let the stories do most of the haunting.

FAQ

How much does New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 cost?

The tour costs $20 per person. Drinks, gratuities, and hotel transportation are not included.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Check in outside rather than inside the bar.

How long does the walking tour last?

The advertised duration is about one to two hours. It can last longer if the group waits at busy bars or makes several stops.

Will I go inside haunted buildings?

No. The tour takes place on public property, and no entry into private locations is provided. The guide discusses haunted houses, apartments, bars, hotels, cemeteries, churches, and other locations from the route.

Can I use the electronic field meter?

You may request paranormal equipment at check-in. Equipment must be checked out and returned to a staff member, and it may be shared rather than provided to every participant.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you may be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. Personal cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.