Haunted History, Guided Walk

New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour runs through Haunted History Tours. Rated 4.5 across 2,293 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $30.

Overview

This two hour walk sticks to the French Quarter and focuses on its dark side. A local guide leads the group past Bourbon Street and a string of bars and shops, pausing at spots tied to famous hauntings. The listing promises a view of the Vieux Carré in a different, more ominous light by the end.

The route takes in Rev. Zombie's Voodoo Shop, the Lalaurie Mansion, and Jackson Square, with Pirate's Alley and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar passed along the way. One reviewer mentioned a bar stop partway through as a fun bonus, and another who took the 6:00 p.m. tour found it enjoyable but not very spooky. The tone is storytelling first: reviewers frequently praised how much they learned about the city's history and hauntings.

It suits travellers who want history with their hauntings and an easy, walkable pace rather than an intense paranormal investigation. Groups run up to 28 people, the tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and it starts and ends at the Vampire Apothecary Restaurant and Bar on St. Peter Street. One repeat visitor to New Orleans said they still heard stories that were new to them.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Vampire ApothecaryThe tour gathers at the Vampire Apothecary Restaurant and Bar, 725 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter, and ends back at the same spot.
2. French Quarter walkThe guide leads the group through the French Quarter for 2 hours, passing Bourbon Street and Finnegan's Easy along the way. Admission is free.
3. Rev. Zombie's Voodoo ShopA 15 minute stop at the voodoo shop, with free admission.
4. Lalaurie MansionA 12 minute stop at the mansion, passing Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar nearby. Admission is free.
5. Jackson SquareThe final stop lasts 3 minutes, with admission included, passing Pirate's Alley and Pirate's Alley Cafe.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this tour goes, drawn from the listing and from what travellers report.

• Wear good shoes. The route is an easy, walkable loop, and the listing says most travellers can participate.
• Pick your time. One reviewer who took the 6:00 p.m. slot found it enjoyable but not very spooky, and suggested a later start for a more eerie feel. Another traveller specifically recommended the 8 p.m. tour.
• Hearing the guide. Two reviewers said it was hard to hear the guide in busy, noisy stretches, especially on a Saturday night, and suggested guides use a microphone. Stay close to the front of the group if you want every word.
• Bring water and cash. Food and drinks are not included, and gratuities are not included either. One reviewer mentioned a bar stop partway through the tour, so bring a card or cash if you want a drink.
• Manage the heat. One reviewer had to cut their tour short because of the heat, and wished they had taken the nighttime version instead. Heat is worth factoring in when choosing a departure time.
• Bring a camera. One reviewer reported catching what they described as a ghost orb in a photo.

Common issues. One reviewer described the tour as viewing buildings from the outside rather than going inside, and was disappointed as a result. Another felt there was more walking and less substance than expected, and one more reported long stretches standing in one spot, with their group leaving an hour early. Hearing the guide can be difficult on busy nights when there is a lot of background noise. The tour requires good weather, and if the operator cancels for poor conditions you are offered a different date or a full refund; one reviewer also described a tour that never ran after a driver was in an accident.

Before You Book Anything