Top things to do in New Orleans

New Orleans is often called the most haunted city in America, and for good reason. Beneath its vibrant music and Creole charm lies a shadowy past of voodoo rituals, tragic epidemics, mysterious crimes, and restless spirits. New Orleans ghost tours are popular for a reason; few cities have a history as dark, layered, and well-documented as this one.

Ghost tours here don’t rely on gimmicks; they’re led by knowledgeable guides who know the difference between folklore and fact, and they take you to the real locations where it all happened. Whether you’re looking for chills, history, or something in between, a ghost tour is one of the most compelling ways to explore New Orleans, and this guide will help you pick just the right one.

Did you know?

One of Bourbon Street’s oldest bars, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, is said to be haunted by the ghost of the mysterious pirate Jean Lafitte, who built the bar between 1722 and 1732 to operate an illegal smuggling business. Visit this bar on a guided, adults-only tour and see/feel for yourself!

Inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, patrons at bar, New Orleans haunted pub crawl.

Why go on a New Orleans ghost tour

Bourbon Street balconies adorned with colorful flags in New Orleans.
Guided tour group exploring haunted streets of New Orleans, featuring ghost, voodoo, and vampire lore.
New Orleans Pharmacy vintage medications display on Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Tour.
St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square illuminated at night, New Orleans.
Bourbon Street, New Orleans with vibrant street scene in the background.
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Step inside real haunted history

These aren’t staged scares; you're standing where it actually happened. From the infamous LaLaurie Mansion to hidden alleyways, tours bring you face-to-face with New Orleans’ true crime scenes, voodoo lore, fires, and folklore. With 8–12 chilling stops per tour, you’ll leave entertained and oddly well-versed in local history.

Masterful storytelling and engaging narrations

More than just narrators, New Orleans ghost tour guides are trained performers, licensed locals who mix fact, flair, and the occasional prop for an unforgettable show. With humor, history, and personal ghost encounters woven in, no two tours feel the same. It's part improv, part theater, and all deeply entertaining.

One tour, many tales

Most tours don’t stick to one story; they package multiple themes in a single outing. One minute you’re at a haunted bar, the next you're hearing vampire lore at the Ursuline Convent; it’s the kind of variety only New Orleans can offer. It keeps things interesting from start to finish.

The French Quarter at night is a vibe

Explore the storied French Quarter after dark when gas lamps glow and crowds fade. An after-dark tour through Jackson Square or down a quiet Creole lane cannot be replicated during the daytime. Sip a Hurricane, stroll historic streets, and feel the city’s unique mix of spooky charm and lively nightlife.

Tour options for everyone

New Orleans boasts a competitive ghost tour scene, with decades of expertise, countless glowing reviews, and tours for all interests, from family-friendly walks to serious paranormal hunts and adults-only pub crawls.

All tours include

✔️Authentic haunted & historical locations

✔️Masterful storytelling & theatrical guides

✔️Blend of multiple themes in one tour

✔️Intimate group sizes for a personal experience

Things to know before booking a ghost tour

  1. Day vs. Night tours: Day tours are lighter in tone, focusing more on history and legends, while night tour dial up the eerie atmosphere, often with stops at cemeteries and haunted landmarks under moonlight.
  2. Family-friendly options: Traveling with kids? Choose the all-ages French Quarter ghost tour, which balances spooky stories with history. Other tours may have age restrictions (pub crawl are 21+, and some cemetery or late-night tours may require ages 13+).
  3. Haunted Pub Crawl: If you want a mix of fun and fright, the haunted pub crawl is ideal. Enjoy drinks at iconic haunted bars like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop while hearing chilling ghost stories along the way. (21+ only.)
  4. History & culture lovers: For those more interested in New Orleans’ rich history and legends, the Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire City Tour and the Cemetery Bus Tour are great choices. These focus on storytelling, voodoo traditions, and the city’s unique burial practices.
  5. Hands-on experiences: Looking for something immersive? Some tours include paranormal investigation elements, where you can try ghost-hunting equipment inside a cemetery after dark.
  6. All tours included: No matter which tour you choose, expect expert local guides with a flair for storytelling, weaving together ghostly legends, voodoo tales, and vampire lore that make New Orleans the most haunted city in the U.S.

Understanding your tour options

New Orleans ghost tours come in different flavors, whether you want to dive deep into haunted history, enjoy a spooky night out, or explore eerie cemeteries by bus. Here are the three standout tours, each with its unique twist to match your vibe.

👻 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire City Tour

Deep dive into New Orleans’ most infamous legends. You’ll explore the darker side of the French Quarter with stories of vampires, voodoo queens, and unexplained hauntings.

Walk past the LaLaurie Mansion, learn about Marie Laveau’s voodoo legacy, and explore the shadowy alleys of the French Quarter.

Upgrades: This tour is family-friendly, unless upgraded to an adults-only tour.

Recommended tour:
Group: Ghost, Voodoo, and Vampire Haunted City Tour

🍻 Haunted Pub Crawl

Bar hopping gets spooky! Visit haunted pubs in the French Quarter, enjoy local cocktails, and hear chilling stories. Your guide shares eerie tales and drink tips at each stop, including Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, Bourbon & Royal Street taverns, with ghost stories along the way.

Upgrades: Elevate your experience by choosing the True Crime Pub Crawl to learn more about real-life crime stories.

Recommended tour:
Haunted Pub Crawl

🪦 Cemetery Bus Tour at Dark

Visit Charity Hospital Cemetery (a yellow fever mass grave) and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial in an air-conditioned bus, then explore the city’s eeriest cemeteries after dark.
With exclusive nighttime access and EMF readers, this combines a ghost tour and paranormal investigation without walking. Learn to use EMF readers to detect activity.

Recommended tour:
Cemetery Bus Tour at Dark
Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Top haunted spots on your tour

Guided tour group exploring New Orleans haunted sites on a ghost, voodoo, and vampire tour.

LaLaurie Mansion

One of the most haunted houses in New Orleans, this mansion hides a gruesome past tied to Madame Delphine LaLaurie’s horrific legacy. You’ll hear chilling stories of what happened behind its now-iconic balcony.

Congo Square, New Orleans, Louisiana, showcasing vibrant local culture
Narrow cobblestone alley in Pirate's Alley, French Quarter, New Orleans.
Tombs and mausoleums in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, Louisiana.
St. Louis Cemetery tombs and pathways in New Orleans, showcasing historic above-ground graves.

Plan your ghost hunt

Guided tour group exploring haunted pub in New Orleans at night.
  • Ghost tours: Daily from 11am–8pm, with six tours throughout the day.
  • Pub crawl tours: Daily at two time slots–5:30pm and 8:15pm.
  • Cemetery bus tours: Daily at two time slots; 7pm and 9:30pm.
  • Walking tour: 9am to 6pm, with the last entry at 5pm.

All tours start at convenient French Quarter locations: Ghost Tours near the Pelican Club Restaurant, Pub Crawl Tours from Haunted History Tours, Cemetery Bus Tours from Tour Orleans, and Walking Tour from Basin St. Station Visitor Center.

Ghost Tours

  • Depart from across the Pelican Club Restaurant in the French Quarter | Find on Maps
  • How to get there: Take RTA bus lines like 51, 52, 57, 84, 91, or the Canal Streetcar (lines 47/48) to reach Pelican Club.
  • Parking: Limited paid lots available nearby.

Pub Crawl Tours

  • Begin at the Haunted History Tours office in the French Quarter | Find on Maps
  • How to get there: Use the Canal or St. Charles streetcar lines; or buses 11, 52, 57 to get close to Haunted History Tours.
  • Parking: Paid garages are within walking distance.

Cemetery Bus Tours

  • Depart from Tour Orleans | Find on Maps
  • How to get there: Ride the Canal Streetcar or catch bus lines 47, 48, 94, or bus 51/52 to the Tour Orleans departure point.
  • Parking: Nearby lots available.

Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

  • Starts at the Basin St. Station Visitor Center | Find on Maps
  • How to get there: Use the white Canal Streetcar line or buses 94 (Broad at Canal) or 49, 51, 52 to the Basin St. Station Visitor Center.
  • Parking: Ample paid parking on-site.
Eggs Hussarde being served

Brennan's | Find on Maps

Established in 1946, Brennan's is credited with the invention of the beloved Bananas Foster and offers elegantly presented dishes like Eggs Hussarde, all within a historic French Quarter mansion. A meal here is refined and memorable.
Must-try dish: Eggs Hussarde. Budget for two: $90–$120.

Muriel's Jackson Square | Find on Maps

Muriel’s Jackson Square is famous for its enchanting atmosphere, complete with a resident ghost, Pierre Jourdan, the building’s former owner, whose presence is celebrated by guests and staff.
Must-try dishes: Turtle Soup + Paneed Veal. Budget for two: $80–$100.

Napoleon House | Find on Maps

Originally intended as a refuge for Napoleon Bonaparte, the bar and cafe now serve signature Muffulettas and the historic Pimm’s Cup cocktail, making it a favorite spot for both tourists and locals seeking authentic, casual New Orleans fare.
Must-try dish: Warm Muffuletta and Pimm's Cup. Budget for two: $40–$60.

Guests enjoying a luxurious hotel stay with a stunning city view from the balcony
  • Hotel Monteleone: This historic hotel, known for its Carousel Bar & Lounge, offers luxury accommodations in the heart of the French Quarter. (Find on Maps)
  • Royal Sonesta New Orleans: Located on Bourbon Street, this AAA Four-Diamond hotel features elegant rooms, a lush courtyard with a heated pool, and classic wrought-iron balconies. (Find on Maps)
  • Bourbon Orleans Hotel: Offering a mix of historic charm and modern amenities, it is situated near Jackson Square and is reputed to be one of the most haunted hotels in the city. (Find on Maps)
  • Hotel le Marais: This chic boutique hotel is half a block from Bourbon Street. It provides a tranquil retreat with modern comforts and a convenient location.  (Find on Maps)
  • Dauphine Orleans Hotel: This hotel offers a serene atmosphere with a beautiful courtyard and is just steps away from the lively Bourbon Street. (Find on Maps)
Guided tour group exploring a haunted pub in New Orleans at night.
  • Halloween is one of the busiest seasons in the city; book at least one month in advance.
  • You can BYOB on the Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire City Tour
  • Tours often walk by private properties or courtyards, admire from a distance, and follow the guide’s instructions.
  • Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, ghost stories are part of the culture. Embrace the lore, legends, and atmosphere.
  • Bring bug spray; mosquitoes are common, particularly on evening tours.
  • Some tours are family-friendly, while pub crawls and certain cemetery tours have minimum age limits.
  • Haunted sites often include cemeteries and private properties; show courtesy to locals and the spaces visited.
Tour guide explaining tombs to guests in St. Louis Cemetery, New Orleans.
  • Guests must stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions at all times.
  • Respect private property; most haunted locations are viewed from the outside only.
  • Photography is generally allowed, but flash or video recording may be restricted at certain stops.
  • Alcohol is not permitted on standard ghost tours (except for designated pub crawls).
  • Children are welcome on family-friendly tours, but some stories may be intense; parental discretion is advised.
  • For pub crawls, participants must be 21+ and show a valid photo ID.
  • Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure for check-in.

Chilling stories from the shadows

🏨 Hotel Monteleone – Ghosts of the 14th Floor

At the grand Hotel Monteleone, guests often report seeing a boy named Maurice Begere wandering the 14th floor. Maurice died in the 1880s, but visitors claim to hear childish laughter, encounter cold spots, and watch as elevators mysteriously stop, evidence, many say, that Maurice still seeks playmates.

🏚️ LaLaurie Mansion – Horrors Behind the Facade

This French Quarter mansion hides one of the city’s darkest secrets. Madame Delphine LaLaurie, once a celebrated hostess, was exposed as a torturer after a fire revealed her attic’s grotesque horrors. Even today, tales persist of screams echoing from within and restless spirits haunting its elegant halls.

🪦 St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – Voodoo Queen’s Rest

Marie Laveau, the city’s legendary voodoo queen, is said to grant wishes if you leave the right offering at her crypt. Visitors frequently report chilling sensations and ghostly whispers at the famed cemetery, especially during full moons, when beliefs and supernatural tales come together in the night air.

🧛Ursuline Convent – Vampire Legends in the Attic

Built in 1752, the convent’s attic shutters were nailed shut, a mystery that inspired vampire rumors. Locals insist mysterious “casket girls” brought from France were hidden and changed here, and they claim the attic radiates an eerie silence at night that keeps even the brave from exploring above.

Frequently asked questions about New Orleans ghost tours

New Orleans is famous for ghost tours thanks to its haunted French Quarter, tragic history, voodoo legends, and eerie above-ground cemeteries.