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Top things to do in New Orleans

Steamboat Natchez Tours
Steamboat Natchez Tours

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.

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

Pirates Alley in the French Quarter, New Orleans, featuring historic architecture and vibrant street life.

✔️Authentic haunted & historical locations

Guided tour group exploring haunted sites in New Orleans, featuring ghost, voodoo, and vampire stories.

✔️Masterful storytelling & theatrical guides

French Quarter New Orleans street scene at night with illuminated historic buildings and lively atmosphere.

✔️Blend of multiple themes in one tour

Guided tour group exploring New Orleans haunted sites, featuring ghost, voodoo, and vampire stories.

✔️Intimate group sizes for a personal experience

Things to know before booking a ghost tour

  1. New Orleans has a reputation for being the most haunted city in the US, and the only way to verify it is by booking a guided tour to explore its dark history.
  2. The French Quarter is shaped by legends of resident ghosts, vampires, and voodoo lore. An exclusive ghost-focused tour covers all the associated landmarks in the neighbourhood.
  3. Travelling without kids, and want a bit of grim to your tour? Choose an adults-only tour, which also includes a pub crawl.
  4. Elevate the spooky element with a nighttime ghost tour, which includes visiting a private cemetery.
  5. All guided tours are led by a local guide with a flair for storytelling and theatrical presentations of bone-chilling stories.

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.

Voodoo artefacts displayed in a New Orleans shop during a haunted ghost, voodoo, and vampire tour.

👻 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire City Tour

This walking tour is a 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.

  • Highlights: Walk past the LaLaurie Mansion, learn about Marie Laveau’s voodoo legacy, and explore the shadowy alleys of the French Quarter.
  • Perfect for: First-time visitors, history lovers, curious skeptics
  • Pro tip: Book an evening slot—gas lamps and nighttime ambience take it up a notch.
  • Upgrades: This tour is family-friendly, unless upgraded to an adults-only tour.
A bartender adds a cherry garnish to a cocktail in a glass

🍻 Haunted Pub Crawl

This is part ghost tour, part bar hop. Visit some of the French Quarter’s most haunted pubs while sipping local cocktails and hearing spine-chilling stories. Your guide keeps the energy high with eerie tales and drink recommendations at every stop.

  • Highlights: Stop at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, visit haunted taverns on Bourbon & Royal Streets, and ghost stories served with your drinks.
  • Perfect for: Adults, solo travelers, friend groups, bachelorette parties
  • Pro tip: Eat something beforehand.
  • Upgrades: Elevate your experience by choosing the True Crime Pub Crawl to learn more about real-life crime stories.
Black bird perched on a headstone in a historic cemetery, showcasing serene atmosphere.

🪦 Cemetery Bus Tour at Dark

Step aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned bus and head to the city’s eeriest cemeteries—after dark. You’ll visit Charity Hospital Cemetery (a yellow fever mass grave) and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial. With exclusive nighttime access and EMF readers provided, this is part ghost tour, part paranormal investigation—without the walking.

  • Highlights: Visit the Charity Hospital Cemetery, explore the Hurricane Katrina Memorial site, and learn to use EMF readers to detect paranormal activity.
  • Perfect for: Paranormal fans and history deep-divers
  • Pro tip: Wear dark clothing—photos pick up paranormal anomalies better that way.

Top haunted spots on our 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
St. Louis Cemetery tombs and pathways in New Orleans, showcasing historic above-ground graves.
People walking on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, surrounded by vibrant nightlife and historic architecture.

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.

Ghost tours: ​Across from the Pelican Club Restaurant.

Pub crawl tours: From ​Haunted History Tours

Cemetery bus tours: From ​Tour Orleans

Eggs Hussarde being served
  • Brennan's: Serves innovative Creole cuisine in an elegant setting.
    Must-try dish: Eggs Hussarde
    Budget for two: $90–$120
  • Muriel's Jackson Square: A restaurant known for its resident ghost, Pierre Jourdan, the building’s former owner. 
    Must-try dish: Turtle Soup + Paneed Veal
    Budget for two: $80–$100
  • Napoleon House: A casual dining experience in a 200-year-old building, intended as a refuge for Bonaparte after his exile.
    Must-try dish: Warm Muffuletta and Pimm's Cup
    Budget for two: $40–$60
  • Palm & Pine: An innovative fusion of Southern, Central American, and Caribbean flavors.
    Must-try dish: Smoked Catfish Dip or Cochon de Lait
    Budget for two: $70–$90
  • Tatlo: A mystical bar which combines Filipino culinary traditions with New Orleans' occult history.
    Must-try dish: Pork Belly Adobo
    Budget for two: $60–$80
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.
  • ​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. 
  • ​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.
  • ​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. 
  • ​Dauphine Orleans Hotel: This hotel offers a serene atmosphere with a beautiful courtyard and is just steps away from the lively Bourbon Street.
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 the atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions about New Orleans ghost tours

Why is New Orleans so paranormal?

Between fires, floods, duels, voodoo, pirates, and epidemics, New Orleans has centuries of drama baked into its streets. The past never quite left—and locals will tell you it doesn’t want to.

Are ghost tours scary?

They’re spooky, not scream-your-head-off scary. Think chilling stories, haunted landmarks, and atmospheric alleys—not actors jumping out in costumes.

Will I see a ghost?

That depends on how lucky you are. Some guests swear by odd lights or EMF spikes. Others just enjoy the goosebumps and ghost stories. Either way, it’s a good time.

Can I bring kids on the tour?

Yes, depending on the tour. While the ghost tours and cemetery bus tours are family-friendly, the pub crawl is strictly for adults only (21+). Remember to check the age guidelines when booking.

How different are the tours?

Each one’s got its vibe. Want stories of voodoo queens and vampires? Go for the ghost tour. Up for beer with your boos? Pick the pub crawl. Into EMF readers and nighttime cemeteries? The after-dark bus tour’s your ride.

Is alcohol included in the New Orleans pub crawl?

Yes, the first beverage is free on your pub crawl—but you’ll stop at several bars and have time to buy drinks at each.

Which is the best tour for a family of four, with young kids?

The Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire City Tour is ideal—it’s outdoors, educational, spooky-but-not-too-scary, and doesn’t involve late-night bars or cemetery strolls.

Should I book the tours in advance, or can I simply join a group on tour day?

Spots can fill up fast, especially on weekends. Booking in advance means you get the time slot and tour you want. Walk-ups are discouraged.

Can I take a New Orleans ghost tour on my own, without a guide?

You could, but you’d miss out on the stories, expert insights, and exclusive access some guided tours offer. Also, EMF readers are way more fun with a group.

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