Murder, myths, and an EMF meter on Bourbon. This 2-hour New Orleans walking tour blends true crime history, voodoo and ghost stories, and a hands-on paranormal moment into one spooky-drinking vibe. It’s the kind of night where the city’s darker chapters feel like part of the street soundtrack.

I like two things most. First, you’re not stuck with dry facts; you get lively, professional storytelling that keeps the group moving and listening. Second, the tour has a track record of strong guide energy, with names like Cody and Coty getting called out for being friendly and dynamic.

One possible drawback: the topic mix can feel heavy on murder-and-haunting stops, so if you’re hoping for a deep, sustained voodoo lesson or lots of building entry, you might want to adjust expectations.

Key highlights I’d mark on your mental map

• EMF meter paranormal detector used during the walk for an extra layer of fun
• True crime route built around major French Quarter landmarks and infamous cases
• Voodoo, Cajun superstition, and folklore woven into past-and-present storytelling
• Bourbon Street energy with a cocktail-in-hand style, even though drinks aren’t included
• Pro guide storytelling with performers like Cody and Coty noted for keeping it engaging

Price and timing: what $23 gets you (and what it doesn’t)

At $23 per person for about two hours, you’re paying for a guided experience with a clear theme: New Orleans true crime plus paranormal “what if” energy. The math is pretty simple—this isn’t a big-ticket attraction, so value comes from the quality of the storyteller and how well the route works in a short window.

The big catch: drinks aren’t included. The tour’s descriptions lean into the cocktail-and-history vibe, but you’ll want to plan your own libation start before or during the walk. If you’re hoping the tour price covers alcohol, it won’t.

Also note the content tone. You’re heading to places tied to crimes, deaths, and haunting legends. That’s not a casual stroll, so it’s best treated like an evening show you walk through—comfortable shoes and a steady stomach help.

Where you meet: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop sidewalk, not inside

You’ll meet at the sidewalk in front of Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. Key detail: the tour does not meet inside the bar.

Instead, you should look for your guide on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to the bar. The operator also notes they’re not affiliated with the bar staff, and bartenders won’t have tour info—so don’t waste time asking a bartender to point you.

Arrive a few minutes early. With New Orleans’ old streets and curbside logistics, showing up late can mess with your whole evening.

The French Quarter route: from Jackson Square landmarks to notorious houses

This tour centers on the French Quarter’s past and present, but it moves quickly between “iconic postcard” stops and “wait, what happened here?” stops. The effect is that New Orleans stops being just pretty architecture and becomes a place with motive, money, secrets, and consequences.

Here are the standout location types you can expect to see as part of the route:

Jackson Square and the signature church complex

You’ll pass by Jackson Square, including the St. Louis Cathedral, plus the Cabildo and Presbytere area. These are the kinds of locations you’ve likely seen in photos. The tour’s job is to connect that scenery to people who lived there—politics, power, and the messy human side of a historic district.

Practical angle: this is a good early stop because it helps you get your bearings fast. Even if the stories turn dark quickly, the landmarks anchor the setting.

St. Anthony’s Garden

You’ll see St. Anthony’s Garden during the walk. On a normal sightseeing trip, this kind of spot can feel like a quiet pause. In this tour, it helps set contrast: calm spaces surrounded by the city’s harder edges.

If you want your evening to feel paced, this sort of stop can be a breath between heavier stops.

Ursuline Convent: tradition next to tragedy

The route includes the Ursuline Convent, which gives the tour a slightly different flavor than just murder-and-myth. Convents and long-standing institutions often carry layers of rumor and memory—and in New Orleans, those stories have a way of sticking to the walls.

If you’re into how legends grow over time, this stop helps show how the past keeps its grip on the present.

Stopping point for the haunted-house conversation: LaLaurie Mansion

One of the most talked-about stops is the LaLaurie Mansion, described as the most haunted house in New Orleans. Expect the conversation to turn to notorious cruelty and the kind of horror that turns history into legend.

Important for your expectations: haunted-house talk here is part of a broader true crime theme. It’s not just spooky ambiance. It’s tragedy with a guided narrative—so go in knowing it can be intense.

The Sultan’s Palace and a mass murder that remains unsolved

The tour also mentions a stop connected to the Sultans Palace, described as a gorgeous mansion tied to the largest mass murder in New Orleans, with the case still unsolved. This is the kind of topic that can be unsettling even if you’re comfortable with true crime.

On a good guide-led night, this stop lands because you can see how a gorgeous building can carry a brutal story. It’s one of the reasons the French Quarter is so haunting in the first place.

The 2006 murder-suicide story: Zach and Addie

Another specific case on the route is the tragic 2006 murder suicide in the French Quarter, involving the story of Zach and Addie. Having a relatively modern case in the mix helps the tour avoid turning into only distant history.

If you like true crime that isn’t just centuries-old, this is one of the moments that can make the tour feel painfully real.

Seeing Hollywood homes and filming locations (as you walk past)

As you move through the neighborhood, you’ll also pass by places connected to Hollywood stars calling the French Quarter home and locations used in movies. The goal isn’t to turn the tour into a celebrity scavenger hunt—it’s more like a reminder that New Orleans’ stories keep drawing attention, including from filmmakers.

This section is a nice “light” break from the darker case details, as long as you’re listening for how the guide connects pop culture to place.

EMF readings: the ghost detector moment, and how to enjoy it

This tour includes a real EMF Meter—a ghost/paranormal detector—used during the walk. That means at some point you’ll get a short paranormal “experiment” vibe: you’ll hear instructions, watch the meter, and get a guided explanation of what the reading might mean in the context of the stories you just heard.

A practical way to enjoy this: treat it like a fun tool for conversation, not like a science lab. EMF readings can be affected by lots of normal city factors—old wiring, street electronics, and general urban noise. Your real “win” is the added tension and the way the meter makes the haunting legends feel like an active part of the night rather than just narration.

If you’re a dark-history fan who also likes the paranormal theater angle, this is a strong inclusion.

Voodoo, vampires, and Cajun superstition: where the lore fits

The tour is designed to cover stories of voodoo, ghosts, and vampires, plus Cajun superstitions and Louisiana folklore myths and legends that have been told for centuries.

Here’s the key value: lore in New Orleans isn’t random. It’s tied to fear, survival, and community memory. A good storyteller uses folklore to explain how people in the past tried to make sense of illness, death, and bad luck—then connects that to what you still see in the city today.

One heads-up from the tour’s overall theme: the balance between voodoo folklore and straight-up true crime may vary by guide pacing. If voodoo is your top priority, you’ll still likely hear it, but the evening may lean more toward murders and haunted locations than toward ritual detail.

The storytelling style: why it feels more like a show than a lecture

This experience leans on professional storytellers and licensed guiding, with guides hosting for years. That matters because the tour is short, and the content is intense. You need structure: where the guide slows down for the emotional weight, where they speed up for momentum, and where they give you just enough context to follow the story without drowning in names.

Also, the rules are clear: no video recording or audio recording. That shifts the atmosphere. People talk less, phones don’t dominate, and you’re more likely to stay present. It also helps the guide keep control of where the group is standing, especially on tight sidewalks.

Bring your curiosity. If you listen like you’re watching a stage performance, you’ll get more out of it than if you treat it like a history lecture.

Guide quality: how names like Cody and Coty signal the tone

The strongest recurring theme tied to guide performance is energy. Guides such as Cody were described as very informative and friendly, while Coty was praised for making the tour dynamic and keeping information flowing in an engaging way.

That doesn’t mean every guide hits the exact same rhythm, but it gives you a useful filter when choosing your night. If you can pick a time slot with a guide who has that kind of reputation, you’re more likely to enjoy the tour’s pacing and storytelling approach.

It also helps to know what to watch for: if you want voodoo-heavy storytelling, don’t assume every guide will allocate equal time to every theme. If you want lots of stops, understand the route is built around a curated set of notable locations rather than endless hopscotch.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This experience is best for you if you:

• like true crime more than generic “haunted history”
• enjoy folklore, voodoo-themed myths, and paranormal entertainment
• want a short, walkable way to learn the French Quarter’s darker angles
• can handle stories involving violence and death without needing a gentler tone

You might want to skip it if you:

• prefer light, family-friendly sightseeing
• don’t want to hear about crimes and tragic real cases
• expect a long list of building interiors or lots of time off the sidewalk

One more practical note: old, uneven streets are part of the deal. Wear shoes that can handle Bourbon Street’s real walking conditions.

Should you book New Orleans Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal?

If your ideal New Orleans night includes true crime storytelling, voodoo-and-ghost lore, and an EMF meter moment, this is a solid pick for a $23 evening. It’s built for people who like their history with bite and their legends with context.

I’d book it when you want: a short walking experience with landmark recognition, a clear thematic focus, and a guide-driven show vibe. I’d pass if you’re looking for a calmer cultural tour or if you only want voodoo content with no crime-and-haunting emphasis.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $23 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet on the sidewalk in front of Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. Tours do not meet inside the bar—meet at the gate of the courtyard attached to the bar.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. It’s a live tour guide in English.

Will there be any paranormal equipment used?

Yes. The tour uses a real EMF Meter (ghost/paranormal detector) during the experience.

Can I record video or audio during the tour?

No. Video recording and audio recording are not allowed.

What locations might we see during the walk?

The tour route can include spots such as Jackson Square (St. Louis Cathedral, Cabildo, Presbytere), St Anthony’s Garden, the Ursuline Convent, and the LaLaurie Mansion, plus other French Quarter sites mentioned in the tour description.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel or it’s affected by weather?

The cancellation policy is non-refundable. The supplier may reschedule due to inclement weather, and there can be cases where the tour is cancelled after confirmation for insufficient participants—in that situation, a full refund is issued.