New Orleans: Voodoo, Mystery and Paranormal Tour

New Orleans is famous for its lively jazz, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, but the city also has a shadowy side that draws curious visitors seeking spooky stories and supernatural tales. The Voodoo, Mystery, and Paranormal Tour offers a captivating journey through its haunted streets, legendary sites, and dark legends—all in just two hours. While it’s a short experience, it packs a punch, especially for those fascinated by ghost stories, voodoo lore, and the city’s eerie history.

What we love most about this tour is its interactive approach—guides bring along paranormal equipment, making the stories feel real and engaging. The stops include some of the most iconic haunted spots like the Lalaurie Mansion and Jackson Square, giving visitors a chance to see the city’s spooky past firsthand. Plus, the relaxed pace with optional drink breaks makes the experience feel laid-back and fun. The only potential downside is that the tour doesn’t go inside the buildings, which might leave some craving more in-depth exploration inside haunted sites.

This tour is perfect for history buffs, ghost enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a mix of education and entertainment. It’s also ideal if you prefer a guide who is personable, knowledgeable, and ready to share stories with humor and authenticity. If you’re after a fun, slightly creepy experience that won’t break the bank, this walking tour offers excellent value.

Key Points

• Affordable Price: At $34, this tour provides a lot of thrill and history without the hefty price tag.
• Interactive Experience: Use of paranormal equipment like EMF meters makes ghost hunts feel genuine.
• Rich Landmarks: Over 15 locations, including Jackson Square, The Cabildo, and the Lalaurie Mansion.
• Expert Guides: Guides are knowledgeable, personable, and skilled storytellers, often adding fun anecdotes.
• Flexible Stop Options: Plenty of opportunities to grab drinks and chat along the way.
• Balanced Mix: Combines history, legends, and supernatural tales for a well-rounded experience.

The Voodoo, Mystery, and Paranormal Tour is designed to be both educational and spooky, blending history with ghost stories and voodoo legends. It starts outside Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar on Bourbon Street, where your guide hands out paranormal tools like EMF meters or ghost detectors to each participant. From there, the journey begins into the heart of the French Quarter, a neighborhood steeped in tales of tragedy, ghost sightings, and mystical rituals.

Exploring Haunted Sites: Over the course of two hours, you’ll visit more than 15 locations. Notable stops include the St. Louis Cathedral, St. Anthony’s Garden, and The Cabildo—a historic building that once served as the colonial government seat. Guides will recount documented reports of supernatural sightings, unexplainable deaths, and even vampiric legends that have persisted through the ages.

Dark Legends and Morbid Histories: The tour delves into darker stories like unsolved murders, suicides, and the infamous Lalaurie Mansion, known for its gruesome past and ghostly activity. Guides often share stories of the “Mistress of Death” and the mansion’s chilling history, which many consider to be the most haunted house in New Orleans.

Vampires and Burial Practices: You’ll learn about the city’s traditional burial customs and how they tie into vampire legends. Guides explain how Victorian-era fears influenced local tales, with some locations supposedly serving as vampire hideouts or victim sites.

Interacting with the Paranormal: The real fun begins as guides activate paranormal equipment, encouraging guests to participate in “ghost-hunting.” Reviewers mention that this element makes the experience more immersive and memorable, with some even capturing what they believe to be ghostly images after the tour.

Cultural Landmarks: The tour also visits sites like The Presbytere, an excellent example of colonial Spanish architecture, and Jackson Square, where legends and history blend seamlessly. Stops are often accompanied by stories about the neighborhood’s dark mythology, making history fascinating rather than dry.

Optional Drink Breaks: Along the way, guests can choose to stop at local bars to buy drinks, adding a social and relaxed vibe to the tour. Reviewers appreciate this flexibility, noting guides often encourage questions and conversation, making it feel less like a tour and more like a local night out.

One of the highlights, as many reviews highlight, is the personality and knowledge of the guides. Guides like Coty, who is frequently mentioned, are praised for their storytelling skills and authentic local insights. Guests enjoy how guides blend humor, horror, and history, making the stories come alive.

For example, one reviewer said, “Coty was very knowledgeable and personable. He was able to get my shy 8-year-old talking and enjoying the tour in no time,” highlighting the approachable nature of the guides. Others mentioned that guides go beyond the script, sharing fun anecdotes like the story about Coty’s brother and a watermelon, adding a personal touch that enhances the experience.

Reviews also note that guides are native or very familiar with New Orleans, which adds to the authenticity. Their deep understanding of the city’s legends and history makes the stories feel credible and engaging.

While the tour is quick, each stop is carefully selected for its historical and paranormal significance:

• Lafittes Blacksmith Shop: The starting point, a famous Bourbon Street bar with a dark history. The tour begins here, setting the tone.
• St. Louis Cathedral: The oldest Catholic cathedral in North America, with stories of ghost sightings and spiritual activity.
• St. Anthony’s Garden: A peaceful spot that has witnessed its share of spooky tales and unexplainable phenomena.
• The Cabildo: Once the seat of colonial government, it’s rumored to be haunted by spirits of past officials.
• The Presbytere: Showcasing colonial Spanish architecture, it is part of the city’s historical fabric and paranormal lore.
• Old Ursuline Convent: One of the oldest buildings in New Orleans, said to be haunted by nuns and ghosts.
• Jackson Square: A lively historic park where ghostly apparitions and mysterious happenings are often reported.
• The Sultan’s Palace: Known for legends of a mass murder and ghostly activity, adding a sinister touch.
• The LaLaurie Mansion: The most infamous haunted house, with gruesome tales of its former mistress and alleged sightings.

Each location offers a story, a ghostly legend, or a historical fact that keeps the tour lively and fascinating.

The inclusion of paranormal tools like EMF meters and ghost detectors elevates the experience. Guests often feel like real ghost hunters, actively participating in “detecting” paranormal activity. This hands-on element is a standout, making the tour more than just listening to stories.

Reviewers highlight how this equipment makes the experience feel authentic: “The paranormal equipment was so fun it added fun and our tour group was the only group walking around with the paranormal devices.” It encourages curiosity and creates memorable moments, especially if you catch a strange reading or flicker of lights.

At $34 per person, this tour offers impressive value. It combines history, folklore, ghost stories, and fun paranormal activities in a compact, two-hour window. Compared to longer, more expensive tours, it hits a sweet spot for those short on time but eager for a spooky adventure. Guests repeatedly mention that they felt they received more than what they paid for, with some even stating it’s comparable to more expensive tours.

The flexibility of optional drink stops and the informal, lively atmosphere make it an accessible and enjoyable experience. Plus, the tour’s small-group feel, often private or semi-private, ensures personal attention and a more intimate storytelling experience.

This experience suits a broad range of travelers—history lovers, ghost hunters, or anyone curious about the darker side of New Orleans. It’s especially perfect if you want a memorable night out that balances entertainment with education. If you enjoy stories, humor, and a little mystery, you’ll find plenty to love.

It’s also ideal if you appreciate guides who are personable and knowledgeable, making the stories more believable and engaging. Families with older kids, couples, or friends looking for a relaxed yet thrilling outing will enjoy this tour. Just keep in mind, as some reviews point out, it’s a walking tour on uneven streets, so sturdy shoes are recommended.

This Voodoo, Mystery, and Paranormal Tour offers a smart mix of history, legend, and fun paranormal activities that make it stand out in New Orleans’ crowded ghost tour scene. For just $34, you’ll get to explore iconic haunted landmarks, learn about voodoo lore, and participate in ghost-hunting with real equipment—an experience that’s both entertaining and slightly chilling.

The guides excel at storytelling, often sharing insider anecdotes and local legends that breathe life into the sites. The flexible stops for drinks and the small-group format foster a casual, friendly vibe, making it feel more like a night out with friends than a formal tour.

If you love spooky stories, want to learn about New Orleans’ darker history, or simply want a fun and affordable activity, this tour is a fantastic choice. Its engaging guides, interesting locations, and interactive elements make it well worth the price, especially for those craving an authentic, slightly eerie adventure.

This tour is best suited for curious travelers, ghost enthusiasts, and history buffs who enjoy storytelling and humor. It’s also a great pick for groups looking for an affordable, fun night of supernatural fun in the French Quarter.

Is the tour suitable for children?
While many reviews mention the guide’s engaging stories, it’s best for older children due to the spooky themes and walking on uneven streets. Check with the provider if unsure.

How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, with some flexibility depending on stops and questions.

Can I buy drinks during the tour?
Yes, there are stops where you can purchase drinks to enjoy during the tour. Note that drinks are not included in the ticket price.

Are paranormal equipment provided?
Yes, guides will provide EMF meters or ghost detectors to participants. There is a fee of $250 for lost or damaged equipment.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, making it inclusive for most guests.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins in front of Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street and ends at the same location.

Can I cancel this tour?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour conducted in English?
Yes, the live guide speaks English.

Are group sizes private or public?
The tour can be booked as a private group, but generally, it is a small-group experience that encourages interaction.

Do I need to bring anything special?
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. No recording of any kind is permitted during the tour.

What if it rains?
The tour may be canceled if weather conditions are severe, but otherwise, it proceeds rain or shine. Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

This New Orleans ghostly adventure offers a fun, affordable, and authentic way to experience the city’s haunted reputation. With engaging guides, paranormal tools, and historic landmarks, it’s perfect for anyone curious about the city’s spooky secrets—minus the hefty price tag or long hours. Just bring your sense of adventure, a sturdy pair of shoes, and maybe a drink or two along the way.