New Orleans goes spooky fast. In about two hours, you’ll walk key parts of the French Quarter and beyond, doing a casual-but-serious ghost-hunter style investigation with a real EMF meter. It’s one of the easiest ways to mix New Orleans sightseeing with paranormal curiosity without needing a hunting kit or insider connections.

What I like most is the human side: the experience runs with a friendly, professional local guide, and the tone is more I’ll explain things than I’ll just scare you. I also love how this route helps you get your bearings quickly in the Vieux Carre, moving between famous spots like the French Quarter and Jackson Square, plus lesser-noticed corners that fit the city’s eerie reputation.

One thing to consider up front: this is for entertainment and there’s no guarantee you’ll see or measure anything paranormal. Also, you’ll be on old, uneven streets for the full walk, and you’re responsible for keeping your group together and safe.

Key things to know before you go

• Real EMF meter used during the investigation, so you’re not just doing spooky theater.
• First-timer friendly route that doubles as a French Quarter orientation.
• Dozens of investigation stops across the Vieux Carre area, not one single haunted house.
• Optional to-go cocktails can slow you down a bit, since bar timing matters.
• Group size capped at 28, which keeps it from feeling like total chaos.
• Public property only, so you’re not expecting private trespass or behind-the-scenes access.

Starting on Bourbon Street: where you check in and what to expect

The tour begins at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. Important practical detail: the tour does not meet inside the bar, so don’t get distracted by the door, the music, or the crowd. Walk up to the courtyard gate, find the tour group area, and check in a few minutes early.

You’ll get a mobile ticket, and the experience runs in English. Expect a moderate pace. That matters in New Orleans because you’re walking on old sidewalks and uneven streets. If you’re the kind of person who wants to stop constantly for photos, this tour has rules: you’re meant to stay with the group, and the guide can’t pause the walk while people drift off.

It also helps to understand how timing works here. Tours depart at the scheduled time, and late arrivals won’t be refunded. If your group can’t find each other because one person is texting while others wait, the whole vibe changes fast. If you’re even slightly unsure, arrive early and let the guide handle where to stand and when to begin.

The French Quarter kickoff: mass burial ground, cold spots, and EMF readings

Stop 1 sets the tone right away. You’ll start in the French Quarter and move to a mass burial ground site known for reports of cold spots, plus stories of apparitions and orbs. This is the kind of location that feels loaded the second you arrive, not because you were promised a jump scare, but because the setting is heavy with history and local lore.

What makes this stop more grounded than some paranormal tours is the use of a real EMF meter, treated as a ghost/paranormal detector during the walk. The goal isn’t to pretend science can prove a haunting. The goal is to give you an instrument and a process while the guide talks you through what people claim to experience in that space.

And here’s what you should do while you’re there: watch what your guide does with the meter, then follow along with the team behavior. If the tour group is holding steady positions or moving in a structured way, it’s because that’s the only fair way to compare readings. Wandering around randomly makes the whole thing feel like guessing.

You’ll also see how the tour balances “story” and “activity.” The guide points you toward what to pay attention to, then you get a moment to experience it for yourself, not just hear it.

Jackson Square and the Vieux Carre sweep: dozens of locations, old-city atmosphere

After the first stop, the tour shifts into a wider investigation route. You’ll cover over a dozen locations across the 78-block French Quarter area, with a walk that’s meant to feel like an investigation rather than a quick photo tour.

At Jackson Square, the experience leans into the idea that New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., and the tour uses that reputation to justify why you’re going to places many people don’t bother looking at. You’re not only focused on famous street corners. You’re also pointed toward places that fit the theme: haunted houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars and pubs, haunted cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, streets and sidewalks, and even haunted churches.

This part is valuable if you want two things at once:

1) You want sightseeing that actually teaches you the layout and feel of the French Quarter.

2) You want a paranormal route with variety instead of repeating the same kind of stop.

There’s also a built-in reminder of context. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the U.S. That age shows in everything: architecture, street patterns, and the way sounds travel. Even if you don’t buy the paranormal claims, the route still helps you understand why the French Quarter generates so many ghost stories.

How the tour handles equipment, photos, and not getting weird

Paranormal equipment is allowed during the tour, but it’s not automatic. If you want to use the gear, you’ll need to check it out at the beginning. The equipment is marked and tracked via GPS, and there’s a $250 fee if something is lost, damaged, or missing.

Also, you can’t just walk up and borrow equipment at any point. You need to request it at check-in and provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number before you check it out. That’s for accountability, and it helps keep things from turning into a free-for-all.

Photos are encouraged, and the guide may take time-stamped photos at the meeting start. One important limit: audio or video recording devices aren’t allowed during the tour. That affects how you document the experience, so plan to take still photos and rely on your memory and your notes for the rest.

Another rule that shapes the experience: you stay with your group. No walking off to take photos. The guide has to keep moving on schedule, especially because the route involves bar stops and close-up storytelling along the way.

The guide experience: friendly, professional, and sometimes wildly entertaining

This tour can live or die by the guide. The best version of it feels like you’re walking with a local who actually enjoys the stories and can explain what you’re looking at while keeping things light.

One guide name you may hear is Ashli Fisher—she’s described as awesome, exuberant, and great at weaving tales of hauntings, vampires, murders, and more across the French Quarter. That kind of energy matters because you’re standing in the street listening to eerie stories. If your guide is stiff, the whole thing turns into a chore. When the guide is upbeat, the walk feels like a fun local performance with structure.

At the same time, I’d be honest about the rough edges you might encounter. There are reports of equipment issues when detectors weren’t working due to dropped gear, and there’s also a complaint about a tour not running at all when someone showed up late or potentially at the wrong time/location. Those are serious complaints, but they don’t erase the fact that many guides deliver a strong experience.

So here’s how you protect yourself:

• Arrive early, at the correct gate on Bourbon Street.
• Make sure your date and time match what you booked.
• Keep your phone accessible in case of updates.
• Ask what your guide needs you to do with equipment before you expect results.

If you show up prepared and follow instructions, you’ll get the intended experience: a guided paranormal walk with strong storytelling.

Value and timing for $35: what you’re really buying in two hours

At $35 per person for about two hours, you’re paying for a guided walking investigation with a local guide and an active component (the EMF meter). You’re not paying for hotel pickup, a private vehicle, or a guaranteed supernatural moment. And you aren’t paying entrance fees for attractions; the stops are presented as included in the walk rather than separate paid admissions.

What can add time is the optional social part. Between locations, you’ll have stops where you can purchase to-go cocktails, which is own expense. If a bar is busy, the schedule can stretch. That’s why the tour duration is described as roughly 1–2 hours and can run long depending on waiting.

Also note what’s not included: drinks aren’t part of the price. If you want alcohol, you’ll buy it along the route. The tour allows alcohol during the tour, but if someone gets extremely intoxicated, the operator reserves the right to refuse service for safety.

Here’s the value equation that works for most people: if you want a short, high-energy walk that teaches you the French Quarter while testing paranormal ideas with a real device, this price can feel fair. If you’re hunting for a full-on scripted investigation with guaranteed dramatic outcomes, you’ll likely feel let down—because the tour itself says there’s no guarantee you’ll encounter anything paranormal.

Who should book this paranormal investigation walk

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a first-time friendly introduction to the French Quarter layout and vibe.
• Like spooky storytelling but still want some structured activity with a meter.
• Prefer a small-group feel over big bus tours.
• Can handle walking and standing outdoors for about two hours.

It’s also workable for many people because most can participate, service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation. If you’re traveling with kids, the rule is clear: children under 18 aren’t admitted without a parent or guardian unless the guide authorizes it, and not all bars allow children.

If you’re sensitive to uneven sidewalks, tired quickly on long walks, or really hate not being able to wander off for extra photos, you might want to think twice.

Quick practical tips before you go

A few things will make your experience smoother:

• Wear shoes built for old sidewalks and tight turns.
• Bring a charged phone for updates and navigation, since delays can happen.
• Plan to take still photos, not record video/audio.
• If you want to use equipment, arrive ready to check it out before the group moves.
• Expect public-property stops only, so don’t look for private entrances or hidden rooms.

The tour is also clear that guide narratives and activity are for entertainment. Think of it like a guided mystery night you can walk through in daylight and evening streetlight, not a scientific experiment.

Should you book this New Orleans Paranormal Investigation?

If you’re visiting New Orleans for the first time and want one easy, structured way to combine sightseeing with paranormal fun, I’d say this is worth booking—especially for the $35 price. The real EMF meter, the organized walking route, and a strong guide approach can make it genuinely fun, even if you treat the paranormal claims as stories plus curiosity.

I’d skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed haunting, private-location entry, or a long, ticketed event with lots of waiting and amenities. You’ll be outside, you’ll walk, you’ll stay with the group, and you won’t be promised results.

Go in with curiosity, show up on time at the Bourbon Street gate, and let the city do what it does best: make every shadow feel like it has a story.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Paranormal Investigation?

The tour lasts about 2 hours on average, with durations listed as approximately 1–2 hours depending on the pace and waits at bars along the route.

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans. The tour concludes around Jackson Square.

Is the tour only on public property?

Yes. The tour is held on public property, and there is no entry into private property.

Will I definitely see or measure paranormal activity?

No. The tour is for entertainment purposes, and there’s no guarantee that you will encounter paranormal activity.

Can I use paranormal equipment during the tour?

You can use paranormal equipment, but you have to check it out at the beginning of the tour. Equipment is marked and tracked via GPS, and a $250 fee applies if equipment is lost or damaged.

What if it rains or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

Tours are rain-or-shine events, so you should be prepared for weather. If minimum numbers aren’t met, the tour may be cancelled and you’ll be contacted with options or a refund/credit, depending on the situation.