Ghost stories meet real street-level measuring.

In New Orleans, this is a French Quarter evening walk where you hear chilling local lore and use an Electronic Field Meter during the investigation. I like that it’s built around safety and staying on public streets, not random wandering.

My favorite part is the way the guide blends scare stories with plain history: NOLA vampire lore and voodoo themes come up as part of the setting, not as a separate lecture. Guides like Coty and Ashley are credited with keeping the mood fun and making the facts easy to follow, even if you’re not a paranormal person.

One thing to consider: this isn’t a guaranteed-ghost show. You might not get long, hands-on time with the meter, and there’s always a chance the vibe is impacted by crowd flow, bar lines, or even a less energetic guide moment.

Key things you should know before you go

• EMF meter use is part of the investigation, so this feels more hands-on than a pure storytelling tour.
• It stays in the French Quarter zone after dark, built for a fun end to a sightseeing day.
• No entry into buildings and no trespassing—public property only, with lots of “look, measure, and listen.”
• Bars are mostly stop-and-grab (to-go drinks), which can slow things if lines are long.
• Photography is encouraged, but video/audio recording is not allowed during the tour.
• Expect sharing: equipment and attention are managed by the head investigator and the group’s pace.

An EMF Meter Turns Street Stories Into a Real Investigation

If you’re tired of ghost tours that are just theater, this one gives you something physical to do. You’ll use a real Electronic Field Meter during the walk, treating the French Quarter like a live investigation instead of a slide show.

That doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed spooky results. The tour is very clear that this is entertainment and there’s no promise you’ll see a ghost or any specific supernatural event. Still, the meter changes your mindset: you’re not just listening, you’re watching for patterns, checking moments, and reacting with the group.

I also like the tone they set. They’re serious about safety—uneven old streets, keep to the group, don’t block walkways—yet they don’t suck all the fun out of it. If you want your New Orleans at night to include a mix of laughs, local legends, and a little legitimate “what if,” this fits well.

Where You Meet on Bourbon Street (And Why It Matters)

Your tour starts at 941 Bourbon St, outside the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not enter the bar for the tour itself, so go straight to the gate area and check in with the guide.

This matters because the tour departs on schedule. The operator notes that if you’re late, the guide may no longer be at the meeting point since they start at the scheduled time. They also note they can’t be on their phones once the tour is moving, which is why you should plan to arrive a few minutes early and stay connected through text updates if anything shifts.

One more practical note: the tour is limited in size (maximum 99), and it’s a walking format. That means you’ll want comfortable shoes and a “stand and listen” attitude in crowded areas.

Walking the French Quarter Like a Paranormal Team

This isn’t a bus tour. It’s a moderate-paced walking route built around the best-known haunted spots in the French Quarter area. The head investigator leads, and the group moves from one location theme to the next—history, lore, then the “investigation moment” with the EMF meter.

The tour description emphasizes places people rarely think of in a standard sightseeing loop. You’ll hear about cold spots associated with mass burial ground history, plus stories of apparitions and orbs that are described as being felt or seen regularly. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, it’s still a great way to learn the real human geography of the Quarter: who lived here, what got built, and what stories survived.

You’re also told what not to do, and that’s part of the value. The operator stresses that the walk happens on public property only, and you should respect residents. That includes not trespassing and not ringing doorbells along the route, even if the story says something spooky happened behind those walls.

Stop-by-Stop: The Haunted Tour Flow (Without Going Inside)

The route is structured around major “best of” story stops, then moves into an investigation style sequence. Even when the narration gets specific—haunted houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars, cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, streets, sidewalks, and even churches themes—the tour keeps you on public space and outside viewing areas.

Here’s what that means for your expectations:

• You’ll get stories and context tied to each themed stop, but you won’t be entering buildings.
• You’ll spend time stopping as the head investigator explains, then you’ll use the meter during investigation moments.
• The tour is described as taking you through the French Quarter in an in-depth look at paranormal activity, while also covering vampire lore and voodoo themes.

A good sign here is the balance: you’re not forced to hunt for “scary corners” blindly. The guide is the organizer. You follow, listen, measure, then move on.

Potential drawback: because it’s outside and public, your experience can be affected by crowd density. If it’s busy, the meter moments and narration can be shorter than you’d prefer, and you’ll feel it in your feet.

The Bars Factor: To-Go Drinks, Not a Party Script

This tour has a “New Orleans at night” vibe that blends stories with a practical nightlife rhythm. Along the route, the group can stop at bars for to-go drinks, then head out to the next investigation location.

What’s not part of the deal: you shouldn’t plan on a sit-down bar crawl. The tour description notes no entry is gained inside locations, and the bar stops are meant to keep you moving while still letting you experience the Quarter’s social energy.

From a value perspective, this is smart. You get atmosphere without spending your whole evening inside a single place. Still, bar lines can slow the group. The operator warns that tour time can stretch if bars are busy or if there are waits, and departures can shift due to traffic conditions.

Also, alcohol is allowed, but the operator reserves the right to refuse service to someone who’s extremely intoxicated. If you’re bringing a group, keep an eye on how everyone’s pacing. This tour is short, so one person tipping the wrong way can throw off the vibe.

Price and Timing: Is $20 Worth It?

At $20 per person, you’re paying for a guided after-dark French Quarter walk plus a local guide and access to the EMF meter experience during the investigation. You’re not paying for transportation (no hotel pickup/drop-off), and drinks aren’t included in the ticket price.

So where does the value land? For me, it comes down to two things: guidance and structure. Many people can wander Bourbon Street. Fewer people get a planned route that mixes haunted lore, local context, and meter-based investigation moments while still keeping the group safe and on schedule.

Time-wise, you should think 1 to 2 hours, with the real possibility of running longer. That extra time usually comes from crowd timing and bar waits rather than from slow pacing.

If you’re doing New Orleans for the first time, this tour is a solid end-of-day activity. You’re already in the Quarter, you’re already dressed for walking, and you get a night-focused story layer that sightseeing by day can’t replace.

The Meter Moment: Hands-On, But Expect Sharing

This is where the tour earns its name as more than a story walk. The head investigator uses the Electronic Field Meter, and the tour description says paranormal equipment is allowed during the tour with check-out and check-in.

A couple practical points you should plan around:

• The equipment must be checked out at the start and returned before the guest leaves the tour.
• If something is lost or damaged, there’s a steep $250 fee tied to the equipment.
• There are strict rules on recording: no video is allowed for any portion of the tour, and no audio/video recording devices are allowed during the tour.

In other words: treat the meter like shared gear, not your personal toy. If you’re hoping for continuous hands-on time, I’d adjust your mindset. The guide leads the investigation, and the meter use is coordinated by the head investigator.

On the fun side, the tour is set up so people can participate, and you may even get a short moment to hold the meter depending on how the guide manages the group. In past experiences, people also noted that guides like Cody and Coty were happy to include family members in small ways, which adds to the energy.

Who Should Book This Tour (And Who Might Not Love It)

This is a good fit if you want an after-dark activity that’s short, walk-based, and story-driven without being reckless. It’s especially good for:

• First-timers who want French Quarter lore beyond the typical postcard facts
• People who like interactive activities (meter use) more than pure storytelling
• Anyone building an evening that starts with dinner or sightseeing and ends with a guided “what’s really going on here?” walk

It might not be ideal if you want:

• A guaranteed paranormal sighting (the operator explicitly does not promise that)
• A tour where you enter buildings and hunt independently
• A scenario where you can record video (you can’t)
• A calm, quiet walk—this is a social, narrated experience in a busy tourist neighborhood

One more reality check: performance can vary. If a guide’s energy drops on a particular night, the tour can feel flatter. You’re still getting the structure, the route, and the meter, but the “wow” factor is tied to how the investigator runs the moment-to-moment story delivery.

Should You Book New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101?

If you’re looking for a fun, structured night in the French Quarter that adds something more than storytelling—this is worth booking. For $20, the EMF meter component and the planned haunted-stop flow make it feel like an actual investigation, not just a spooky walk.

Book it if you’re the type who enjoys history-like context tied to legends, and if you’re okay with the reality that you might not see anything supernatural. Go in prepared for sharing the spotlight, walking on uneven streets, and respecting the no-trespassing, public-property approach.

Skip it if you’re mainly chasing a guaranteed ghost encounter or you need lots of inside stops. This tour is about the streets, the stories, the meter moments, and the French Quarter after dark.

FAQ

Where do I meet for New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. The tour departs from that meeting area, and the meeting happens at the gate outside the bar.

How long is the ghost hunter tour?

Plan on 1 to 2 hours. It’s a walking tour and may last longer depending on bar wait times if the group stops for to-go drinks.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, and to-go options may be offered at bar stops during the walk.

Do we use the EMF meter, and can we record video?

The tour uses a real Electronic Field Meter, and paranormal equipment is checked out at the beginning and returned before you leave the tour. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed, and no video of the guide’s narration is permitted.

Is this tour okay for kids and service animals?

Service animals are allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour notes that some bars may not allow kids inside.

Is there a refund if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and can’t be changed for any reason once booked. If the operator cancels due to poor weather or minimum traveler numbers not being met, you’re offered an alternative date or a full refund per the stated policy.