New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour

REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour

  • 3.07 reviews
  • 2 hours
  • From $24
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Operated by Show Me New Orleans Tours | New Orleans Drunk History Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 3.0 (7)Duration2 hoursPrice from$24Operated byShow Me New Orleans Tours | New Orleans Drunk History ToursBook viaGetYourGuide

Cold spots start this hunt. You’ll explore the French Quarter on a guided investigation that pairs local lore with EMF readings at historic, spooky stops.

I love how interactive it is for a short tour. You get to play amateur ghost hunter with an EMF meter (and related detection tools), and guides like Cody can mix city context with a hands-on vibe where you’re encouraged to ask questions and even hold the handheld meter.

One key drawback to plan for: this is a 2-hour walking experience across more than 70 blocks, so it moves faster than some people expect. If you want slow, lab-style investigation time, you may end up wishing for more minutes at fewer spots.

Key things to know before you hunt ghosts in the French Quarter

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Key things to know before you hunt ghosts in the French Quarter

  • EMF meter and paranormal detector get used during the investigation, not just stories
  • You’ll cover dozens of blocks across the Vieux Carré, with about a dozen haunted locations planned
  • The tour starts at a mass burial ground tied to cold spots, apparitions, and orbs
  • The approach is guided and curious: you’ll follow a head investigator between stops and ask questions
  • The vibe can be family-friendly in practice, with groups spanning ages 12 to 50 in past tours

Meeting at Lafittes: start point matters more than you think

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Meeting at Lafittes: start point matters more than you think
Meet your guide on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar (941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116). The tour does not meet inside the bar, and the bartenders aren’t part of the tour operation, so don’t count on staff to direct you.

Because it’s a two-hour experience, being early really helps. Aim to arrive a bit ahead so you’re not trying to find the right gate while your group is lining up. Tickets are sold first come, first served, so plan to be on time even if you’re feeling relaxed.

If you’re traveling from elsewhere that morning, I’d still leave cushion time. One past booking had an issue with the guide not showing, and the practical takeaway is simple: keep your reservation info handy and be ready to reach out through the tour contact email if anything feels off.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New Orleans

Two hours, 78 blocks: what the French Quarter route feels like

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Two hours, 78 blocks: what the French Quarter route feels like
This tour is built around the idea that the French Quarter isn’t just one haunted address. It’s an old neighborhood—one of the oldest in the U.S.—where layers of time sit on top of layers of stories.

You’ll walk much of the Vieux Carre, described as covering 78 blocks, and you’ll visit top haunted spots (about ten “top” locations are mentioned), plus additional haunted stops as part of the route. In other words: you’re not standing in one place waiting for something dramatic to happen. You’re moving, listening, and checking your readings as you go.

Here’s the practical part: Bourbon and nearby streets can get loud and crowded, especially when you’re stopping outside between locations. That doesn’t ruin the experience, but it can affect how well you notice subtle cues. I’d treat this as a guided field exercise where you participate, not a guaranteed ghost encounter.

Also, the tour includes moments to purchase drinks. Some bars allow children, some don’t, so if you’re bringing anyone younger, you’ll want to listen for your guide’s cues and follow along with what each stop allows.

What you really do: the EMF meter and paranormal detector

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - What you really do: the EMF meter and paranormal detector
The headline tools here are an EMF (Electromagnetic Field) meter plus a paranormal detector used during the tour. That matters because you’re not only hearing about hauntings—you’re also encouraged to measure and compare readings as you walk.

You’ll carry the experience the way an amateur investigator would: watching for changes, asking questions about what your readings could mean, and learning the kinds of factors that can influence EMF results. Your guide helps turn what could be random numbers into an organized “what might be going on here?” conversation.

In past tours, participants reported that they were welcomed to hold and interact with the meter. That hands-on moment is a big part of why this kind of short ghost hunt can feel engaging instead of passive. If you like learning by doing, you’ll likely enjoy that format.

One caution: readings can fluctuate for many reasons in a modern city. So keep your expectations flexible. You’re looking for patterns and explanations, not courtroom-grade proof.

The cold-spot start: mass burial ground and its eerie reputation

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - The cold-spot start: mass burial ground and its eerie reputation
The investigation kicks off at a mass burial ground, described as a place known for cold spots, apparitions, and orbs that can be felt and seen on a regular basis. Starting with this location sets the tone: you’re primed for sensation, observation, and attention to detail right from step one.

Why that first stop works: it gives you an immediate baseline. If you’re going to check EMF readings, it’s useful to start at a location framed as significant for paranormal activity. Then, as you move, you can compare how the experience changes.

What to do during this segment is simple: slow down when you’re instructed to, watch for your guide’s prompts, and be ready to ask how they interpret what you’re seeing or measuring. Even if you’re not convinced by hauntings, you’ll still get a guided way to look for unusual cold, unusual light, and unusual sightings described by the local guide.

If you’re sensitive to spooky atmospheres, this is also the moment to mentally prepare. You’re in an older, historically charged setting, and the tour itself notes it should not be taken lightly.

Haunted houses, pubs, cemeteries, and streets: how the stop-by-stop approach works

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Haunted houses, pubs, cemeteries, and streets: how the stop-by-stop approach works
The tour’s route includes several types of locations—haunted houses, pubs, cemeteries, and streets. That variety is more than a marketing bullet. It changes what you can realistically notice.

  • Haunted houses: you’re often looking at structure, age, and the way older buildings can affect sound, shadows, and local legends.
  • Pubs and bars: you’re dealing with human energy, lighting, and crowds. Your guide’s stories and your readings may feel more intense in the moments when the environment shifts.
  • Cemeteries: the atmosphere tends to slow things down. Even people who don’t chase paranormal ideas often find cemeteries memorable because they’re quieter and more still.
  • Streets and alleys: you get the city itself as part of the “evidence.” Street-level movement can make you notice patterns like cold pockets near walls or changes in readings near certain structures.

At each stop, you follow the head investigator, then do a kind of mini-check: listen to the story, use the EMF tools, and ask questions. This structure is helpful because you don’t have to invent your own investigation plan. The guide gives you a framework.

One practical note: the tour covers a lot of ground across many blocks. That means you’re going to spend time moving between locations, not just standing in front of them. Comfortable shoes are a must.

Who the guide makes the difference: Cody-style fun and question time

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Who the guide makes the difference: Cody-style fun and question time
A good paranormal tour lives or dies on the person leading it. In the information you provided, there’s a recurring theme: the best experiences are when the guide is both entertaining and organized, with room for questions.

One named example is Cody, who was described as a lot of fun with plenty of city past context. Other participants also highlighted a polite, friendly guide who welcomed hands-on meter interaction and answered questions during the walk.

That’s a strong sign you’re not just paying for creepy ambiance—you’re paying for interpretation. A guide helps you separate what’s folklore, what’s personal testimony, and what could be environmental factors affecting readings.

Of course, not every date will match every guide’s style. If you’re the type who wants clear procedures and a calm, science-leaning approach, I’d still come prepared to be flexible. This is a guided paranormal investigation, not a controlled lab setting.

Price and value: is $24 for 2 hours actually a good deal?

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Price and value: is $24 for 2 hours actually a good deal?
At $24 per person for a 2-hour tour, you’re paying for three things: a local guide, an active investigation format, and a dense route through the French Quarter’s most story-heavy spots.

Compared to longer ghost tours, the value here is time efficiency. Instead of spending half a day chasing rumors, you get a concentrated experience across the Vieux Carre. Compared to “just a storytelling walk,” the value is the on-the-ground tools—especially the EMF meter and related detector work.

This is also why the short duration can be a plus. If you want to test the paranormal-tour format without committing to a full evening, this is a lower-risk way to see what you like.

The flip side is expectation management. Some people sign up specifically thinking they’ll spend the whole time performing deep investigations at each location. This tour is described as an investigation with tools, but it still includes lots of walking and guided narrative. If you want extended, hands-on time at only a couple sites, a longer tour might fit better.

Drinks, noise, and staying comfortable on Bourbon Street

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Drinks, noise, and staying comfortable on Bourbon Street
Your guide will allow stops along the way so you can purchase drinks. That’s useful if you’re doing this after a meal or during an evening out, but it also means the experience depends on bar policies.

Some bars allow children, some do not. If you’re bringing a mixed-age group, this tour can work well, but you’ll want to follow your guide’s instructions at each location.

Also, the operator reserves the right to refuse participants who are intoxicated or show signs of extreme intoxication. So if you’re planning to drink, pace yourself so you can still take part in the investigation portion without getting shut out.

Street conditions matter too. New Orleans sidewalks vary, and you’ll be moving around the French Quarter for most of the two hours. Bring comfortable shoes and dress for weather.

Should you book the 2-hour French Quarter paranormal investigation?

New Orleans: 2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour - Should you book the 2-hour French Quarter paranormal investigation?
If you want a hands-on, guide-led paranormal walk in one of the most story-saturated neighborhoods in the U.S., this is the right kind of tour to try. The combination of a local investigator mindset, the EMF meter, and a route that covers a large chunk of the French Quarter is exactly what makes this format fun for many people.

I’d especially consider booking if you:

  • like interactive experiences where you ask questions instead of only listening
  • enjoy history-adjacent storytelling tied to real locations
  • want a short outing that doesn’t swallow your entire evening

I’d think twice if you:

  • expect a slow, step-by-step investigation with lots of stationary time at each site
  • get easily frustrated by the reality that a walking tour includes noise and movement
  • want guarantees that anything paranormal will happen on cue

FAQ

FAQ

What is the price and duration of the New Orleans paranormal investigation tour?

The tour costs $24 per person and lasts about 2 hours.

Where do I meet the guide for the tour?

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

Is there a live guide, and what language is it in?

Yes, there is a live tour guide, and the tour is in English.

What equipment is used during the investigation?

An EMF meter and a ghost or paranormal detector are used during the tour.

How much of the French Quarter does the tour cover?

The tour description says it covers the 78 blocks of the Vieux Carre (French Quarter), visiting about a dozen haunted locations and focusing on top haunted spots.

Are drink stops included during the tour?

During the tour, you’ll be allowed to stop along the way to purchase drinks. Some bars allow children and some do not.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can the tour be booked as a private group?

Yes, private group options are available.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to not enough participants?

If there aren’t enough participants, you’ll be contacted by phone, text, or email in the hour before the tour is scheduled to depart. You’ll be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.

Are tickets first come, first served?

The information provided states that tickets are sold first come, first served.

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