New Orleans gets a little tipsy. This 1–2 hour walk through the French Quarter mixes street legends with real landmarks like Jackson Square, and you keep a cup going with to-go drink refills. You’ll learn about voodoo, vampires, and local ghost lore while moving at a moderate pace through the Vieux Carré.

I like that the tour brings in a real EMF meter (ghost/paranormal detector) and lets you use paranormal equipment during the walk. I also like the guide energy: when they’re on, storytellers like Cody and Emily can keep the whole thing funny and fast, not just creepy-for-creepiness’ sake.

One thing to consider: the tone depends a lot on the guide, and English accents or a more low-key style can make the experience feel less animated. Also, because the meeting point is specific, you’ll want to be on time at the courtyard gate on Bourbon Street (not at the corner).

Key things that make this tour different

• To-go drink refills keep the pace fun without the guide doing bar-hopping inside
• Louisiana Purchase, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral show up as real stops, not just backdrop
• Vampire sightings + “the most haunted house” + “most predictable ghost” are part of the route
• Marie Laveau and voodoo practice get covered with stories tied to locations
• A real EMF meter is part of the paranormal angle, but it’s for entertainment, not proof
• Small rule set matters: no audio/video recording, don’t obstruct sidewalks, and stay with the group

Entertaining New Orleans lore in the Vieux Carré

If you’re the kind of person who likes New Orleans best when it’s a little strange, this tour fits. It’s not a quiet history stroll. It’s a walking “drunk history” style show, with a drink-in-hand vibe and a route packed with stories tied to recognizable spots in the Vieux Carré.

The big hook is simple: you get landmarks and legends in the same loop. You’ll walk past the kind of places that make the French Quarter feel like a movie set—narrow streets, old facades, and endless bar doors. While the guide keeps you moving and talking, you’re allowed to refill a to-go cup along the way. It’s a fun way to see how the Quarter actually works day-to-night: people mingle, drink, and talk, and the streets stay lively.

This is also where the tour becomes very New Orleans: the stories don’t just stay “supernatural.” You’re guided through voodoo practice (including the legend of Marie Laveau), vampire sightings, ghost lore, and haunted-location chatter—then you finish back in the middle of the Quarter where the restaurants and nightlife are waiting.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $35

At $35 per person, you’re buying a guide-led, themed route plus the structure that makes a self-guided night walk feel organized. The tour includes an approximately two-hour experience, a local guide, and a set sequence of stops. That value is mostly about time and storytelling—someone is handing you a narrative thread while you move through the Quarter.

Alcohol is where you should plan smart. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, and the to-go refills are offered as a courtesy. But you’re not paying one flat price that magically covers cocktails. If you want to keep costs predictable, treat the included experience like the guide, the route, and the vibe. Your drink budget is still yours.

There’s also a “paranormal equipment” angle that can add cost risk. If you choose to use the EMF meter or other paranormal equipment, it has to be checked out and returned before you leave the tour—and there’s a $250 fee for lost, damaged, or missing equipment. If you want that part, be ready to handle it carefully.

Where the walk starts: Bourbon Street and the Lafitte’s courtyard gate

Your tour life starts at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar. Important detail: tours do not meet inside the bar, and they do not meet at the corner of the streets. You’re meeting at that courtyard gate, so plan to arrive early and orient yourself before the start time.

The tour operator also takes time-stamped photos at the meeting location at the start of each tour. That means showing up and checking in on time matters. The tour also starts on schedule, and late arrivals aren’t refunded—if you miss the departure window, the guide may not be there when you finally arrive.

Once you’re in the group, the tour keeps you together. The rules are firm about not wandering off to take photos. This is one reason the tour can move at a moderate pace without losing the story thread.

Stop 1: Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar as your opening scene

The first stop sets the tone. Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar is where the tour kicks off, and it works as a kind of anchor point for what’s coming next: history, dark history, legends, comedy, and drinks.

This stop is mostly about getting everyone oriented and into the storytelling rhythm. You’ll start hearing your first stories about the French Quarter right away, which helps if you’ve only got a short time in town. Instead of spending your first hour figuring out what to look at, you get a guided narrative immediately.

If you’re hoping the guide will lead you into Lafittes or any bar, don’t count on that. The guide does not go inside bars. The drink experience is built around to-go refills.

Stop 2: Louisiana Purchase, Jackson Square sights, and the legend route

After Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar, the walking route moves through the streets of the Vieux Carré. This is where the tour turns landmark-heavy.

You’ll visit the exact location tied to the Louisiana Purchase signing in 1803. Seeing that kind of site while you’re still in the Quarter’s bar-and-ballet-of-bourbon energy is part of the contrast. It reminds you this neighborhood is not only about nightlife; it’s also about turning points.

Next up: St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. This stop gives you a big, recognizable visual moment. It’s also where your stories keep shifting gears—one minute you’re learning about ghost lore, the next minute you’re focused on a real civic landmark.

The ghost and vampire storyline (the route’s “creep” engine)

This tour isn’t shy about the supernatural angle, and it’s organized so you can keep track of what’s supposed to be scary. Along the way, you’ll learn where to find the most predictable ghost in New Orleans and visit the most haunted house in the city.

You’ll also visit multiple locations where vampires have been sighted, and the tour says police have documented these sightings on a regular basis. You don’t need to treat it like a scientific claim. Instead, think of it as local mythology filtered through specific places. You’re walking a map of legends, not chasing random spooky corners.

Voodoo in New Orleans: Marie Laveau plus modern paranormal activity

The voodoo segment is built around names and places. You’ll get the inside scoop on the practice of Voodoo in New Orleans, starting with Marie Laveau, often described as the Voodoo Queen.

The tour also includes property that was given to Laveau in payment for magic, plus locations where Voodoo ceremonies were held. It even mentions modern day paranormal activity as part of how the story is presented today.

What’s useful here is that you’re not just hearing one spooky story. You’re getting a structured path: origin explanation, a key historical figure, and the locations connected to ceremonies and legend.

Stop 3: Jackson Square, to-go drink refills, and the bar rhythm

Near the end, the tour finishes close to where the action is—right in the heart of the French Quarter, near restaurants, bars, and nightlife. But before you get there, you loop through Jackson Square area again as part of the walking and drink rhythm.

Here’s the practical part: the French Quarter has over 200 bars, and this route passes many of them. You’ll likely walk past a dozen bars or more without stopping for long. Many offer cocktails to go, which is why this tour’s format works.

You’re welcome to stop and refill your to-go cup as often as you’d like. The guide is not going inside bars, so you’re responsible for your own bar choices at the stop points. This keeps the guide free to keep telling stories without pausing for long waits inside crowded places.

The EMF meter experience: the paranormal part without false promises

A standout feature is the use of a real EMF meter, described as a ghost/paranormal detector. If you’re into gadgets, this is the moment where the tour gives you something hands-on.

That said, be realistic about what this is. The tour is for entertainment, and there’s no guarantee you’ll encounter anything paranormal during the walk. The guide is also clear that they can’t create ghost or supernatural sightings on command.

In practical terms, treat it like a “try the tool” experience during the story. It can make the mood stronger, especially if you’re the type who enjoys wondering. But you’re not signing up for proof. You’re signing up for a themed outing that mixes a real handheld device with local legend stops.

Also consider the equipment rules. Paranormal equipment has to be checked out at the beginning of the tour and returned before you leave. There’s a $250 fee if it’s lost, damaged, or missing—so only request it if you can confidently manage the gear and keep track of it.

Drink strategy: fun in your cup, control in your body

This tour basically runs on two fuels: walking and stories. The drink element is there, but it’s designed around to-go cups and refills, not long sits at bars.

That said, New Orleans drinks can sneak up fast. One of the practical cautions you’ll want to take seriously is advice about heavy-hitter cocktails—like a Hand Grenade—because it can mess with you. Keep pace with water, and don’t turn the to-go refills into a full-speed drinking contest.

If you do want to try something strong, consider going small on your first drink, then keep your second choice lighter. The tour keeps you moving through older streets and uneven sidewalks, so being even a little too drunk is the last thing you want.

The operator also reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are extremely intoxicated. In other words, don’t play chicken with safety.

Guide energy matters: when Cody or Emily changes the vibe

The quality of this tour depends heavily on the storyteller. In the better experiences, guides bring energy, humor, and a fast flow that keeps the stories from feeling like a lecture.

Cody and Emily are names that show up with consistently strong descriptions. Emily, in particular, is described as friendly and engaging, with a mix of humor and history flavor. Cody is praised when the pacing stays interesting and the storytelling stays lively.

But the flip side is real too: there are mentions of a more low-energy guide. There are also comments about strong accents that can be hard to follow if you need very clear English. And there was even a no-show situation tied to one guide not appearing at the meeting point.

So your best move is simple: be early, have your phone charged, and double-check that you’re meeting at the courtyard gate. If you can do that, you massively reduce the odds of a frustrating start.

Practical on-the-street rules that affect your experience

A few guidelines can make or break comfort on this kind of walk.

• Audio and video recording devices are not allowed during the tour.
• Photos are encouraged, but you’re not supposed to block sidewalks or wander off for solo photo missions.
• You’ll be walking on old, uneven, and sometimes dilapidated streets and walkways, so wear shoes with real grip.
• The tour is moderate paced, but it can be delayed if bars are busy since the route timing still has to work.
• Service animals are allowed.

If you’re traveling with kids, keep this in mind: children under 18 are not admitted without a parent or guardian unless authorized by one of the tour guides. And not all bars allow children inside, which matters if a stop overlaps with places that have age rules.

If you’re sensitive to chaos, remember the French Quarter can be crowded. This is a walking show in a working nightlife district.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour is best for you if you want New Orleans to feel like a story. You like walking and you like a guide who mixes landmarks with legend. You enjoy the idea of a to-go drink route, and you don’t mind that the paranormal gear is part experiment, part entertainment.

It’s also a good fit if you have a short schedule. In roughly 1–2 hours, you hit big visual anchors like Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, plus you’re given a themed narrative that makes the French Quarter feel less like random streets and more like a map of legends.

You might want to skip it if you mainly want quiet, museum-style history. This tour is built around dark tales, comedy, and nightlife energy. It also may not work well if you strongly dislike bar-adjacent walking and to-go drinking culture.

And if you’re someone who needs highly animated performance every minute, choose your timing wisely and arrive early so you don’t get stuck waiting on a sluggish start.

Should you book Drunken Telling of New Orleans Tales?

If you’re chasing atmosphere and story, yes, it’s an easy “try it” in the French Quarter. For $35, you’re not paying for cocktails—you’re paying for a guided, themed loop that includes real landmarks, voodoo and vampire lore tied to places, and an optional EMF meter experience.

But do it with clear expectations. The paranormal angle is entertainment, not a guarantee. The drinking is yours to manage, and the guide’s energy can vary by day. If you want the most fun, show up early at the courtyard gate, keep your drink choices smart, and let the storyteller steer you through the Vieux Carré’s strange side.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the pace and any waiting time inside bars.

Where exactly do I meet the guide?

Meet at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar. Tours do not meet inside the bar and do not meet at the corner of the streets.

Are drinks included in the price?

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, and you can refill your to-go cup as part of the experience.

Does the guide go into the bars?

No. You can stop for drink refills, but the tour guide does not go inside the bars.

What paranormal equipment is used?

The tour uses a real EMF meter (ghost/paranormal detector). Paranormal equipment is available to use during the tour, with checkout and return rules.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour is realistic entertainment, and there is no guarantee you’ll encounter anything paranormal.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

What if the tour is canceled due to weather or low demand?

It’s rain-or-shine. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered an alternative or a full refund.