French Quarter ghost hunting can be oddly fun. This New Orleans ghost adventure is a 1 to 2 hour walking experience that mixes spooky stories with a hands-on investigation vibe, including a real EMF meter.

I like how the tour is built like a guided “case file,” not just a recital of legends. You start at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, spend the biggest chunk of time in the French Quarter where sightings are tied to specific locations, and end near Jackson Square so you can roll right into the rest of your evening.

One thing to keep your expectations straight: there’s no guarantee you’ll catch anything paranormal, and the tour is designed for entertainment even when the evidence feels exciting. If you’re going in only hoping for a guaranteed ghost sighting, you may be disappointed.

Key highlights at a glance

• EMF meter investigation during the main French Quarter portion
• Three timed stops: Lafitte’s location, French Quarter investigation block, then Jackson Square
• Photo-friendly format (with time-stamped pics taken at the start)
• Moderate pace walking route through uneven, historic streets
• Choice of departure times and a mobile ticket for easier planning
• Use of paranormal detectors as part of the activity, not just storytelling

What you’re really doing on a New Orleans ghost hunting walk

Think of this tour as a moving “investigation” built around atmosphere, local lore, and some real tools. You follow a licensed local guide through a short list of well-known spots while you’re encouraged to participate, not just listen.

The layout matters. The Lafitte’s stop gets you started with local context and the myth machinery. The French Quarter section is where you slow down your thinking and focus on the task side of the evening. Then Jackson Square gives you a final hit of story and a convenient finish point.

It’s also worth knowing the tone. This is sold as realistic, entertainment-led ghost hunting, and the operator explicitly says there’s no promise of a supernatural encounter. That’s not a dealbreaker, as long as you’re treating it like an interactive nighttime walk through one of America’s most story-saturated neighborhoods.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Stop: where the stories start

The tour begins at 941 Bourbon St, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. Important: the tour does not meet inside the bar, and it’s not at a street corner. Arrive a few minutes early and check in with the guide at the meeting gate so you’re not left standing around.

At this first stop, you get the legend-load and the setting. The guide leads you through one of the oldest neighborhood areas in the United States, and the atmosphere here is the kind that makes ghost talk feel normal. The tour format also signals what you’re in for: history, ghosts, vampires, and voodoo-style themes all get mentioned as part of the narrative mix.

Reality check: your time here is short (about 5 minutes), so this is mostly an opening beat. If you want long bar-hopping time, plan that separately. The tour is built to move, and the route schedule is what keeps it running.

French Quarter investigation hour with a real EMF meter

This is the heart of the experience. You’ll spend about an hour in the French Quarter visiting multiple locations where paranormal activity is said to be common and documented. Your guide shares the history behind each stop, then frames the ghost claims so you can see why they’re believed to be recurring.

You’re also more hands-on here. The tour uses a real EMF meter as a ghost/paranormal detector, and you’ll hear stories that set up what to look for at each location. That makes the walk feel like an activity with a goal, even when the results are subtle.

Here’s how I’d approach it as a participant: stay curious, but stay grounded. If you get chills, great. If you don’t, also fine. Part of the fun is seeing how the tool readings and your photo results might line up with the stories you’re hearing.

Photo expectations are part of the package. The operator takes time-stamped photos at the meeting location at the start of each tour, and photography is encouraged. Some people leave impressed when they review their images later, but nothing is guaranteed—so treat it like a fun experiment, not a courtroom.

Jackson Square: short stop, big folklore

You wrap up near Jackson Square, and the tour is designed to finish in the heart of the French Quarter. The final story stop is brief (about 10 minutes), but it’s strategically placed so you end somewhere you can immediately use.

Jackson Square is a strong finish point because it’s recognizable and central. After the tour, you’re already in the area where you can keep exploring without a forced change of plans.

The lore is heavy in the narration. The guide connects this spot to claims like the most predictable ghost in New Orleans and mentions major historical tragedy and haunted-house type stories. Whether you believe every detail or not, the value is that your guide translates the neighborhood’s mythology into a walkable route you can actually follow.

Price value at $35: what you get for the money

At $35 per person, the deal is mostly about interactive storytelling plus a real-world tool during the main section of the walk. You’re paying for:

• a professional guiding experience,
• a local guide with in-town knowledge,
• about 1 to 2 hours of guided walking,
• and detector-style participation, including a real EMF meter.

What you do not get is a long museum-style tour. It’s not hotel pickup. You’re on foot, and it’s moderate pace through older streets. Drinks are not included, though you can buy them along the route if you want.

Is it a bargain or a splurge? I’d call it good value for a $35 New Orleans night activity if you enjoy interactive ghost hunting and you’re comfortable mixing folklore with a “try it yourself” approach. If you’re only here for confirmed supernatural proof, no ticket price will solve that.

Timing, meeting point, and walking comfort in the French Quarter

This tour is built for the schedule. Times can shift due to local traffic conditions, and the operator says tours depart at the scheduled time. Late arrivals are not refunded, and the guide may not wait past the start window.

So plan like a local: arrive early, stand at the correct meeting spot (the gate courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar), and keep your group together. The tour format explicitly discourages walking off to take photos. The guide can’t stop the group to roam.

Comfort matters here. The route uses old, uneven streets and walkways, so wear shoes that don’t punish you by minute 30. The pace is moderate, but the French Quarter is not built for slow-motion footwork.

Also, it’s rain-or-shine. New Orleans weather can swing. Bring layers and be ready for heat or chill depending on the season.

Paranormal equipment rules and photo expectations

The tour includes use of paranormal detection tools, and there’s also an equipment checkout system if you want to use certain items. The EMF meter is part of the activity, and the operator also mentions paranormal equipment that may be checked out at the beginning of the tour with a tracking process.

Key rule: if you request equipment and you lose or damage it, there’s a stated $250 fee per piece. The equipment must be checked out and returned to staff before you leave.

Photo rules are also clear:

• audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour,
• photos are encouraged.

If you’re the type who loves to compare images after the fact, this is the right kind of event for that habit. Just remember that photos are still evidence only in a fun, interpretive sense. The tour doesn’t promise a specific outcome.

Alcohol, bar stops, and how to keep the night smooth

Drinks are available to purchase along the way. You’re allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the tour, but the operator can refuse service to anyone who appears extremely intoxicated.

There’s also a practical option for people who don’t want to go inside bars: to-go drinks/windows may be offered along the route. That helps if you’re staying focused on the walk or if you’re traveling with someone who prefers not to step into busy interiors.

The big practical takeaway: the bars can be busy, and waiting inside bars can affect the pacing. That’s normal for a French Quarter night, so leave a little slack in your plans for after the tour.

Who this ghost tour suits best

You’ll likely love this if you want a structured way to explore the French Quarter after dark, with a guide who talks history and legend and keeps you moving. The EMF meter and investigation framing make it better than a pure story-only ghost walk for people who want to participate.

It’s also a good fit if you enjoy taking photos for later comparison. The tour’s emphasis on photography and time-stamped images at the start makes the whole experience feel like an activity you can revisit later.

It may be less ideal if:

• you want private access, because the tour stays on public property,
• you want guaranteed supernatural results, because the tour explicitly says there’s no assurance of seeing anything paranormal,
• you don’t like moderate walking on uneven streets.

Service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate. Children under 18 aren’t admitted without a parent or guardian unless authorized by a tour guide, and the operator notes some bars may not allow children inside—so if you’re bringing kids, confirm what that means for your departure time.

A quick note about the operator

This tour is associated with New Orleans Drunk History Tours and Show Me New Orleans Tours, and the company is run by Dustin and Ashli Fisher. The operator has an explicitly entertainment-focused stance, including clear rules around recording devices, group behavior, and equipment handling.

It’s also why reading the details before you go matters. The structure is strict: stay with your group, keep to the schedule, and follow instructions so the guide can keep moving through the French Quarter.

Should you book this New Orleans Ghost Adventure?

I’d book it if your goal is a fun, interactive New Orleans night with a clear walking route, a guide-led story arc, and detector-style participation. At $35, you’re paying for a guided, photo-friendly activity that helps you experience the French Quarter beyond just wandering.

I’d skip it if you’re looking for a guaranteed supernatural encounter, or if you dislike group walking and fixed meeting times. The tour is short, so you don’t get deep downtime at any single spot, and the paranormal side is intentionally presented as not guaranteed.

If you do book, set yourself up for success: arrive early at the Lafitte’s courtyard gate on Bourbon Street, wear comfortable shoes, bring layers for New Orleans weather, and be ready to treat it like an evening experiment through famous streets.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the New Orleans ghost tour?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116. The tour does not meet inside the bar.

Where does the tour end?

The tour concludes in the heart of the French Quarter at Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116.

How long is the tour?

Tours last approximately 1 to 2 hours and are described as moderate paced walking tours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour include paranormal detection tools?

Yes. The tour includes use of paranormal activity and ghost detectors, including a real EMF meter during the French Quarter portion.

Are photos allowed?

Yes. Photos are encouraged, and audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour.

Are children allowed?

Children under 18 are not admitted without a parent or guardian unless authorized by a tour guide. The operator notes that some bars may not allow children inside.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

How are tickets delivered?

Tickets are delivered as mobile tickets.