REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS
2-Hour French Quarter Ghost Walking Tour in New Orleans
Book on Viator →Operated by American Ghost Walks - Louisiana · Bookable on Viator
Follow the footsteps of New Orleans ghosts.
This French Quarter night walk turns famous landmarks into story stops, with true-crime and haunting tales tied to places like the Lalaurie Mansion and Old Ursuline Convent. I like how the pacing stays tight, so you get a real mini-city tour instead of just standing in one spooky spot.
I also like that you’re not paying extra at each landmark. The route is built around several stops where the descriptions include no admission ticket cost, plus you get an expert licensed guide and a group vibe that makes it easier to meet fellow night owls.
One thing to consider: this is still a walking experience, and it depends on good weather. Wear comfy shoes, because you’ll be on your feet for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours at an 8:00 pm start time.
In This Review
- Key things I’d plan around
- A two-hour French Quarter ghost walk that actually moves
- Price and logistics: what $39.99 buys you
- Your starting point: 710 St Louis St at 8:00 pm
- Omni Royal Orleans: true-crime with Hurricane Katrina gravity
- 900 Royal St: the cast-iron spikes and a late-1800s tragedy
- Lalaurie Mansion: Madame LaLaurie and the price of high society
- Old Ursuline Convent and the vampire-stalked legend
- BK House & Gardens: Caroline the cat and the quiet chill
- Bourbon Orleans Hotel: gallery-rod collapse and screams of terror
- Père Antoine Alley under St. Louis Cathedral
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: smuggling tales and reported paranormal nights
- Jackson Square: city energy, artists, and Place d’Armes Hotel lore
- Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)
- Guide energy is part of the experience
- After the tour: use the ending as your next move
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long is the French Quarter ghost walking tour?
- What does the tour cost?
- Where do I meet the tour, and where does it end?
- What time does the tour start?
- What is included with my ticket?
- Is alcohol included in the tour price?
- Are there admission tickets you need to pay for at the stops?
- What happens if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?
- Is this a small group tour?
Key things I’d plan around
- True-crime horror and folklore together, not just generic ghost legends
- Iconic French Quarter stops including Lalaurie Mansion and Jackson Square
- No separate admission cost at multiple stops, so your ticket price stays predictable
- A group capped at 30, which helps you hear the guide and feel social
- Mobile ticket for smooth check-in
- Night atmosphere from St. Louis Cathedral area to Iberville Street, ending right by Ghost Bar
A two-hour French Quarter ghost walk that actually moves

This tour is built for people who want New Orleans at night, but without wasting time. You’ll start in the French Quarter area, walk between major landmarks, and hear connected stories that use the city as the stage.
The time window is short enough to fit into a packed itinerary. Plan on about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, starting at 8:00 pm, with the tour ending outside Ghost Bar on Iberville Street. That makes it easier to roll right into dinner plans or a second stop after the tour wraps.
At $39.99 per person, it’s not the cheapest thing you can do in town—but it’s also not trying to sell you an all-day attraction. For me, the value comes from the structure: a licensed guide, multiple landmark stops, and a story theme that keeps you walking.
You can also read our reviews of more walking tours in New Orleans
Price and logistics: what $39.99 buys you

You’re paying for three main things: guided storytelling, time-saving logistics, and the comfort of not having to figure out where to go next.
Key points that help the price feel fair:
- The tour includes a haunted walking tour with an expert licensed guide.
- The itinerary includes several stops marked admission ticket free, so you’re not likely to run into surprise entry fees at the landmarks.
- The group size is capped at 30 travelers, which usually means less shuffle and clearer listening.
You’ll get a mobile ticket, and you don’t need to fuss with printed passes. If you book ahead, this tour averages about 16 days in advance, so snag your spot early if your trip is tight.
Your starting point: 710 St Louis St at 8:00 pm

The meeting location is 710 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130. Starting at 8:00 pm also means you’ll be walking as the French Quarter shifts into nighttime mode—street life, lights, and that late-evening energy.
The tour ends outside Ghost Bar at 606 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130. I like that ending detail because it gives you an easy next step. You’re not left stranded across town—you’re right where people naturally linger.
Omni Royal Orleans: true-crime with Hurricane Katrina gravity

The first stop sets the tone with a story described as harrowing true crime that shook New Orleans. It focuses on two young lovers, Zack and Addie, and how Hurricane Katrina pushed their lives toward tragedy.
Why this works at the beginning: it anchors the tour in real stakes. Ghost stories in New Orleans are fun, but they land harder when you remember the city’s recent history isn’t only charming postcards—it’s also loss, pressure, and change.
You’ll spend about 10 minutes here. That’s enough time for the narrative to click without turning the first stop into a long wait.
900 Royal St: the cast-iron spikes and a late-1800s tragedy

Next you’ll be at 900 Royal St, where the story centers on the bizarre true history behind cast iron spikes on balcony poles. The tour links that design to a grim chain of events involving the death of a young man in the late 19th century.
This stop stands out because it teaches you to look up. The French Quarter is full of architectural details, and this is one of those moments where you’re not just seeing the building—you’re understanding why it has that specific feature.
Expect about 15 minutes. It’s a good length for walking-time storytelling: you can listen, glance around, then keep moving.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New Orleans
Lalaurie Mansion: Madame LaLaurie and the price of high society

At the Lalaurie Mansion, the tour introduces Madame Delphine MacCarthy LaLaurie. She’s described as once a respected high-society figure, later remembered as one of the city’s most brutal killers.
This is where the ghost theme goes beyond folklore and into something darker. If you’re expecting lighthearted “spooky fun,” this stop may hit harder than you planned. On the other hand, if you like your New Orleans stories honest and uncomfortable, this is a major draw.
You’ll typically get about 15 minutes here, which keeps the atmosphere intense without dragging the walk to a crawl.
Old Ursuline Convent and the vampire-stalked legend
The Old Ursuline Convent Museum stop brings the supernatural image language that New Orleans is famous for. You’ll hear about vampires stalking the convent, mixed with the Ursuline nuns’ early settlement story and Catholic ties connected to hauntings from the first settlers.
This stop feels different from the earlier true-crime material. It’s less about a single documented tragedy and more about how belief, religion, and fear can fuse into local myth.
Plan on about 15 minutes. If you like a blend of spirituality and ghost lore, this is one you’ll want to pay attention to.
BK House & Gardens: Caroline the cat and the quiet chill

Right across the street you’ll reach the Historic BK House & Gardens, where you’ll hear a story about a resident cat named Caroline. She may nuzzle or lick a paw, but the bell on her neck won’t make a sound—then you find Caroline’s name engraved on a tombstone under the stairway courtyard.
The cool part here is the detail. It’s not just “there’s a ghost.” It’s a specific personality, a specific marker, and a specific kind of eerie realism.
This stop also works because it’s about watching closely while you’re still moving. You’ll usually spend about 15 minutes, so you can take it in without feeling rushed.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel: gallery-rod collapse and screams of terror
At the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, the tour tells a tragedy described as unfolding in 1854. Sometime when screams of terror rang out, iron rods supporting the upper gallery gave way, and half the building reportedly folded like a deck of cards.
This is one of those New Orleans stories where architecture becomes evidence. After hearing the description, you’ll likely start to notice how buildings are built to hold weight—and what it means when that support fails.
You’ll spend about 10 minutes. Short stops like this are helpful because they keep you from losing the thread as the walk continues.
Père Antoine Alley under St. Louis Cathedral
The next stop takes you to Père Antoine Alley, under the elegant presence of St. Louis Cathedral. You’ll hear about Père Antoine, described as an important Catholic figure and a priest who cared deeply for his congregation—so deeply that even after death, his spirit is said to make the walk between the alley and the cathedral.
This section feels like a mood shift. Instead of focusing on physical collapse or famous serial brutality, the story leans into devotion and lingering presence.
You’ll have about 15 minutes. It’s also a good moment to take a breath, look around the alley space, and reset your attention after the heavier landmark stories.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: smuggling tales and reported paranormal nights
At Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, the tour highlights the long-running reputation of smuggling, privateering, and hauntings circulating since the early 19th century. The building’s age is part of the storytelling, and the tour frames this stop as a highlight due to repeated paranormal activity reports.
This is where the ghost tour and actual French Quarter culture meet. Even if you’re not drinking during the tour (alcohol isn’t included), you’re standing in a place where people have gathered for a long time—so the atmosphere already feels story-ready.
Expect about 10 minutes here.
Jackson Square: city energy, artists, and Place d’Armes Hotel lore
You’ll finish near Jackson Square, looking out toward Saint Louis Cathedral while artists, street performers, and psychics entertain crowds. The tour also points you toward the Place d’Armes Hotel as one of the city’s most haunted hotel locations tied to what’s left of the old city.
This end stretch matters because it gives you a “here’s the living city” contrast. The earlier stops can feel like you’re walking through sealed-in eras. Jackson Square reminds you the French Quarter is still active—people create the atmosphere even while stories hover in the background.
You’ll typically spend about 10 minutes here, then wrap up outside Ghost Bar on Iberville Street.
Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)
This ghost walk is ideal if you want:
- A structured night walk that includes big landmark stops
- True-crime storytelling mixed with local hauntings
- A tour length that’s long enough to feel like an experience, but not so long it crushes your evening
It may be less ideal if you hate walking at night or want a lighter, purely playful style of ghost content. Also, because the tour requires good weather, you’ll want flexibility on your schedule.
Guide energy is part of the experience
The guide isn’t just reading a script. The tour’s value depends on storytelling tone, pacing, and how comfortably the group moves together.
I’m especially drawn to the fact that multiple guide names show up in high ratings. Lacey is praised for history plus a friendly feel. Kamille gets standout notes for knowledge and personality, including the ability to weave vivid details into the night. Diana and Deana are also mentioned for making people feel at home and for strong folklore vibes.
Even if guides differ by date, the consistent theme is clear: the tour works when you get a guide who can keep the room listening and the group moving.
After the tour: use the ending as your next move
You end outside Ghost Bar on Iberville Street, which is convenient. If you’re hungry, that ending spot gives you a strong starting point for picking the next place to eat or drink on your schedule.
And because the tour includes a lot of French Quarter walking, you’ll likely want a calm stretch after—sit down somewhere nearby, review the stories you just heard, and compare notes with whoever you walked with.
Should you book it?
I’d book this tour if you like your New Orleans at night and you enjoy a guided walk through specific landmark stories. The price makes more sense when you think about what you’re getting: licensed guide time, multiple stops with no admission-ticket cost noted, and a tight 1.5 to 2-hour format.
I’d think twice if you’re sensitive to walking in the dark or if you’re planning your night around weather uncertainty. Since the experience requires good weather, keep your schedule flexible or be ready for a date change if conditions don’t cooperate.
If you want to see the French Quarter in story form—street by street, building by building—this one fits.
FAQ
How long is the French Quarter ghost walking tour?
It runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
What does the tour cost?
The price is $39.99 per person.
Where do I meet the tour, and where does it end?
You meet at 710 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130. You end outside Ghost Bar at 606 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70130.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 8:00 pm.
What is included with my ticket?
Your ticket includes a haunted walking tour of the French Quarter with an expert licensed guide.
Is alcohol included in the tour price?
No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.
Are there admission tickets you need to pay for at the stops?
The stops listed include several marked as admission ticket free, so you should not expect separate admission fees at those landmarks based on the information provided.
What happens if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.
Is this a small group tour?
Yes. The tour has a maximum of 30 travelers, and you’ll use a mobile ticket.

































