Spooky stories in New Orleans always hit different. This 90-minute family ghost hunt uses kid-focused ghost hunting gear and keeps the pace friendly, so parents can enjoy the history while kids stay excited. I also like how the experience leans into real guidance and storytelling, with guides like Jill known for being patient, attentive, and great at making everyone feel included.

One thing to plan around: the tour requires good weather, and it’s outdoors for part of the walking, so a rainy afternoon can change your plans.

Key highlights at a glance

• French Quarter back-street route that feels like a scavenger hunt, not a lecture
• St. Louis Cathedral area stop at a major historic Catholic site
• Jackson Square visit where street culture makes the mood extra fun
• Snacks for kids (a sweet treat may show up)
• Small groups up to 20 for easier kid control and better guide attention

A Ghost Hunt That Starts at LaLaurie Mansion

You meet at the LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street (1140 Royal St). It’s a strong opening point because it immediately sets a spooky tone without needing any spooky costume prep. From the start, the setup is family-friendly: the tour is designed for kids to participate instead of just watching.

The tour begins at 2:00 pm and ends at St. Louis Cathedral (615 Pere Antoine Alley). That end point matters because it leaves you right where most visitors want to be anyway, so you can easily continue exploring after the hunt.

The format is also built for real family logistics. It’s capped at 20 people per booking, which usually helps keep things from feeling chaotic with multiple kids all needing answers at once. And children must be accompanied by an adult, so it stays in the zone where grown-ups are actively involved.

The French Quarter Walk: Where Kids Use Ghost Equipment

The heart of the experience happens in the French Quarter, with a focus on the back streets and smaller lanes that many visitors miss. The tour’s total time is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and this is where most of that time gets spent moving, spotting, and responding to the hunt elements.

Here’s what makes it work for kids: children use ghost hunting equipment during the walk. The goal is simple—get them moving and thinking like part of the story. Instead of a passive sightseeing style, kids get to do something, which usually helps with attention spans.

For parents, that interactivity is the payoff. You’re not stuck carrying bored kids through a long monologue. You’re walking with them through an area that’s already atmospheric, while the guide ties the spooky vibe to what you’re seeing.

A nice detail from the guide feedback: Jill was described as both attentive and patient, and she made sure kids were comfortable throughout. That kind of care matters, because family tours often rise or fall on how the guide handles slower moments, questions, or an off day.

Stop for St. Louis Cathedral: Historic New Orleans With a Spooky Twist

Next up is the St. Louis Cathedral stop. This is the oldest Catholic church site in America, and it’s the kind of landmark that automatically adds weight to the walk. Even if you’re there for the ghost hunt, this stop grounds the experience in a real place with a long timeline.

The tour includes a cathedral admission ticket that’s free. That’s a practical benefit: you don’t have to plan extra ticket steps or pay more once you’re already on the scheduled route.

What you’ll likely notice is the contrast between mood and meaning. The ghost hunt side is all about fun and suspense, but the cathedral side gives you a sense of how deep New Orleans goes. For kids, that balance can be easier than “pure history” because the guide can explain the seriousness of the place without killing the spooky vibe.

Jackson Square: Street Energy, Artists, and Night-Ready Atmosphere

Then you’re at Jackson Square, the old center of town, surrounded by the kind of street scene that feels like it belongs in a movie. Artists, palm readers, and brass bands are part of the environment, and that matters because it creates an instant “story setting.”

Jackson Square also works well for families because it’s visually interesting without being complicated. Kids can look around while adults take in landmarks. If your group is mixed—some kids are fully into the hunt while others just want to roam—this stop gives everyone something to latch onto.

The tour notes Jackson Square as a free admission stop, so you’re getting a major downtown experience without added costs. It’s a smart pairing with the cathedral stop: you get both the formal landmark and the more playful, street-facing side of the city.

Snacks, Tickets, and What Your $26.67 Buys

At $26.67 per person, this is priced for a family who wants a guided activity without paying for a long, complicated day plan. What you’re paying for isn’t just walking—you’re paying for structure, kid participation, and access that avoids extra ticket friction.

Here’s what’s clearly included:

• Admission ticket included as part of the French Quarter experience
• St. Louis Cathedral access is free (included as part of the tour plan)
• Kids use ghost hunting equipment
• Snacks, with the note that kids may discover a sweet treat just for them

What’s not included:

• Drinks

That last point is worth highlighting for families. New Orleans afternoons can be warm, and a one-and-a-half-hour tour adds up fast. Bring your own water if you want to keep kids comfortable and avoid any scramble mid-walk.

Value-wise, the big win is this: you get a guided “do something” activity tied to two major New Orleans destinations, without needing extra tickets for the cathedral or paying for entertainment separately. For families, that’s often the difference between a fun day and a budget-stress day.

How Long It Takes, and Why Timing Matters

This is an approximately 1 hour 30 minutes experience, and the start time is 2:00 pm. That timing can be great because it hits a sweet spot: you’re not trying to entertain kids at the very start of the day, and you’re still likely to be out before the night becomes too late for school-age attention spans.

The “where you stand” matters too. Since it ends near St. Louis Cathedral, it’s easy to keep going afterward—whether you want to browse, walk, or find another nearby family-friendly stop.

It also helps that the group size stays small (up to 20). In a ghost-hunt style activity, a smaller group usually means kids get attention and the guide can keep the energy from spilling into chaos.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This experience is clearly aimed at families with kids, especially those who want to participate instead of just “be taken places.” Kids will use the ghost hunting equipment, and the tour is designed around kid engagement.

It also helps if your group benefits from a guide who can balance spooky fun with comfort. The guide feedback specifically highlights Jill as attentive and patient, with thoughtful care for kids during moments like feeling unwell (like offering an ice pack and keeping a kind eye on the kids).

That said, it’s also not a slow, stroller-only stroll. You should have a moderate physical fitness level, since it involves walking through the French Quarter back streets. If your group has mobility limits, you’ll want to consider whether that walking pace and street layout will feel manageable.

And if you’re traveling with older teens only, they may enjoy the stories, but the main draw is the kid-focused scavenger hunt style and equipment use.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Ghost Hunt

Even with a kid-friendly setup, a few small choices can make the tour feel smoother.

Bring water for everyone. Drinks aren’t included, and having bottles ready helps you keep kids comfortable during the walk.

Arrive ready to follow the pace. This isn’t a long museum day. It’s an active, guided hunt for about 90 minutes, so plan for kids to stay engaged with the prompts.

Let kids lead the question path. The whole point is that kids are using equipment and participating. When they get curious, those moments are usually where the guide can turn the history and stories into something memorable.

Have a weather plan in your head. The tour requires good weather, so keep flexibility if the forecast looks shaky. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, the plan includes options like a different date or a refund.

Should You Book This Family Ghost Hunt in New Orleans?

If you want a New Orleans activity that feels fun for kids but doesn’t ignore adults, I think this is a smart pick. It combines the French Quarter’s eerie back-street vibe with two major landmarks—St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square—while giving kids hands-on ghost hunting gear. The guide attention also sounds like a standout strength, with Jill specifically recognized for being patient and caring.

I’d skip it only if your group can’t handle moderate walking, or if your kids don’t enjoy interactive activities. Also, bring your own drinks, because that’s one easy gap.

For most families, especially first-time visitors who want something spooky, short, and genuinely engaging, this $26.67 experience is the kind of plan that helps New Orleans feel like a story you can actually take part in.

FAQ

How much does the New Orleans Spooky Kid-Friendly Ghost Hunt cost?

It costs $26.67 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the LaLaurie Mansion, 1140 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, and ends at St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What do kids do during the ghost hunt?

Children use ghost hunting equipment during the tour, and there are snacks included that may include a sweet treat for kids.

Are tickets included for the stops?

An admission ticket is included for the French Quarter portion, and the St. Louis Cathedral stop includes free admission. Jackson Square is listed as free as well.

Do you get drinks during the tour?

No, drinks are not included.

How big are the groups?

There’s a maximum of 20 travelers per booking, and a minimum of 2 people per booking is required.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.