The French Quarter gets darker after dark. This 2-hour walking tour of New Orleans pairs French Quarter history with paranormal stories, from burial-vault traditions to reported vampires and ghosts, all while you’re moving past big-name landmarks and movie locations. I particularly like the hands-on tone, including time with an EMF meter and a ghost/paranormal detector, and the fact that guides bring research-backed storytelling (some guests even singled out a guide named Cory or Corey as especially fun).

That said, it is still a walking tour with spooky subject matter and strict rules, including no video during the tour and a very firm policy language around refunds. One booking complaint also notes a case where the tour did not happen and the refund timing wasn’t clear, so I’d double-check your confirmation details and be ready for schedule changes.

Key highlights at a glance

• Dark French Quarter history in a tight 2-hour loop that keeps you moving through the city center
• Hands-on tools: you get to try an EMF meter and a ghost/paranormal detector
• Above-ground burial vaults explained, including how New Orleans cemeteries reuse vaults again and again
• Landmark stops and recognizable buildings like St. Louis Cathedral, Cabildo, Presbytere, and the Old Ursuline Convent
• Movie locations plus unsolved stories tied to the Quarter, including reported sightings, murders, and suicides

Entering New Orleans After Midnight: What This 2-Hour Walk Really Feels Like

If you like your travel stories with candlelight energy and straight-faced history, this tour hits the sweet spot. You’re not stuck in a classroom. You’re out in the French Quarter, with the architecture close enough that you can actually see why people make these places into legends.

You’ll get a steady mix of three things: city history, paranormal reports, and local lore about who built New Orleans and how. The tour keeps returning to how the Quarter’s past shapes what people believe today, from founding-era characters like pirates and prostitutes to the darker chapters people still whisper about.

One practical thing I like: the pace is built for a 2-hour experience. That’s long enough to cover a meaningful chunk of the Quarter, but short enough that you can still enjoy your own evening afterward. It’s also offered day or night, so you can choose the mood—day for getting bearings and night for the full spooky vibe.

Price and What You Get for $24 (Including the “Value” Stuff)

At $24 per person, you’re paying for a guided, focused walk—not an all-day attraction pass. The value comes from packing a lot into limited time: the tour mentions seeing over 15 different attractions and stopping at multiple National Historic Landmarks, not just one or two photo spots.

You also get something you’d usually pay extra for on a more specialty experience: hands-on paranormal gear time. They provide the chance to use an EMF meter and a ghost/paranormal detector, which means you’re not just hearing spooky talk—you’re participating in a ritual-like moment the guide guides you through.

You’re also paying for a guide who does not treat it like a phone-to-mouth performance. Tour guides don’t use phones during the tour, which helps the experience feel more attentive and less distracted. That matters if you want details, not just general vibes.

The tradeoff is that the tour is walking-based and time-limited. If you hate walking, or if you want deep dives into just one slice of the Quarter (only architecture, only ghost lore, only film history), this may feel like it moves fast.

The French Quarter Stops You’ll Actually Remember (St. Louis Cathedral, Cabildo, Presbytere)

This tour is built around recognizable buildings, including major Quarter anchors. You’ll get to see stops tied to well-known landmarks such as St. Louis Cathedral, plus the reconstruction monuments of the Cabildo and Presbytere. Even if you’ve visited New Orleans before, these stops are the kinds of places that make the Quarter’s story feel physical.

I like that the guide doesn’t treat the buildings like a backdrop. You’ll hear how the Quarter’s culture and architecture shaped what happened here, and why certain areas became “story magnets” for both history and hauntings.

A quick heads-up on expectations: you’re not promised a museum-style, inside-the-building experience at every stop. The strength is in the walk and the narration. So if you want to linger in one building for 45 minutes, plan your extra time separately after the tour.

Old Ursuline Convent and the feel of institutional New Orleans

You’ll also pass the Old Ursuline Convent, which helps the tour balance out the more sensational ghost talk with places that represent education, religion, and community structure in the city. That contrast is smart. It keeps the tour from becoming purely spooky theater.

The Burial-Vault Lesson: Why Above-Ground Cemeteries Matter Here

One of the most interesting parts is the section on traditional New Orleans burial rituals—especially the explanation of why vaults are above ground. The tour also points out that above-ground cemeteries recycle their vaults again and again.

This is the kind of detail that changes how you interpret what you see. Once you understand the local approach to burial and space, the city’s ghost stories make more emotional sense. You’re not just hearing scary claims; you’re learning how the physical reality of the cemetery system can influence how people talk about death.

The tour frames this as part history lesson, part cultural explanation, and part setup for the paranormal content that follows. It’s one of the reasons this tour feels more grounded than some purely sensational ghost walks.

EMF Meter Time and Paranormal Detector Moments: Fun, Not a Lab Exam

You’ll have a chance to try an EMF meter and a ghost/paranormal detector. That’s a big part of the appeal because it turns the tour from passive listening into hands-on participation.

I’d treat it like a guided experiment for the experience, not like science you can verify. The tour also sets expectations that you might experience paranormal activity such as cold spots and seeing apparitions, and that some people report capturing orbs and apparitions in pictures.

What does that mean for you? It means you should come in with the right attitude. If you’re hoping for guaranteed proof, you may leave frustrated. If you want a carefully guided, story-driven evening where the fun comes from the mix of history and mystery, you’ll likely enjoy it.

A small plus for atmosphere: the guide researching the stories and explaining the local context helps keep the experience from feeling random. You’re not just being told ghost facts. You’re being walked through the culture that makes those stories persist.

Rain, Jackson Square, and Hollywood: The Quarter’s Storytelling Web

The tour also plays with the way the French Quarter lives in everyday patterns. One highlight in the description is the idea that locals walk down to Jackson Square when it rains. That’s the kind of detail that makes the Quarter feel lived-in, not just staged.

On top of that, you’ll visit filming locations of famous movies. It’s a nice break from doom-and-gloom because it shows how modern culture keeps using this same setting. When you recognize a street corner or a famous façade from a movie, the whole walking experience clicks into place faster.

The guide ties those movie stops back into the larger founding-and-fate themes too—people, crime, legend, and the way the city keeps reinventing itself while reusing the same spaces.

Unsoved Murders and Suicides: Why This Section Can Hit Hard

The tour includes stops connected to unsolved murders and suicides. That’s one of the clearest “dark side” signals in the experience.

I appreciate that the tour positions these stories as part of the Quarter’s historical record and local mystery culture, not just shock value. Still, you should know what you’re signing up for. This isn’t a light comedy stroll.

If you’re bringing kids, the tour says it’s suitable for all ages, but it also notes that during the walk you may stop along the way to purchase drinks, and bar rules vary—some allow children, some do not. So for families, plan on being flexible and choosing your breaks with care.

Drinks, Phones, and Video Rules: The Small Logistics That Affect Your Enjoyment

This tour doesn’t include food or drinks, but it allows stops along the way where you can purchase drinks. That’s useful if you want to stay comfortable during a 2-hour walk, especially at night.

Two rules are worth knowing because they affect how you capture memories:

• Guides do not use phones during the tour, which keeps the narration focused.
• Video is not allowed during the tour.

If you’re the type who likes recording everything, this may feel limiting. If you prefer being present and just taking a few notes, it helps you stay in the moment.

They also mention a $250 fee for lost or damaged paranormal equipment. So if the guide hands you anything to use, treat it carefully.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This is a great fit if:

• You want a guided French Quarter walk that blends history and the supernatural
• You like landmarks and street-level storytelling, not just cemetery visits
• You’re curious about the burial-vault angle and the local reasons behind it
• You enjoy hands-on silly-serious moments like trying an EMF meter

You might skip it if:

• You dislike paranormal themes or get anxious around dark stories
• You hate walking or want long stops inside buildings
• You need to capture lots of video during your trip

It’s also offered day or night, so you can choose the tone. Night makes the hauntings feel more natural. Day can be better if you want the architecture first and the spooky stories second.

And since at least one guest specifically praised a guide named Cory or Corey, it seems this tour can be genuinely entertaining when the guide clicks with the group.

Should You Book This New Orleans French Quarter History and Hauntings Tour?

Book it if you want a 2-hour way to see major French Quarter landmarks while getting a guided mix of history, film locations, and paranormal folklore—and especially if you’ll enjoy trying an EMF meter and detector. At $24, it’s priced like a solid evening activity: not cheap enough to feel disposable, not expensive enough to feel risky.

Consider a different option if you’re sensitive to dark subject matter, strongly dislike paranormal framing, or you’re counting on video. And before you go, make sure your confirmation is in order and your plans are flexible—one booking complaint in the available info described a case where the tour didn’t run, with refund confusion afterward.

If your goal is an atmospheric walking tour that teaches you why the Quarter tells ghost stories in the first place, this one is worth your time.

FAQ

How long is the French Quarter History and Hauntings Tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $24 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a walking tour and a live English-speaking guide.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though the tour says you may stop along the way to purchase drinks.

Does the tour include the paranormal tools?

Yes. You’re allowed to try an EMF meter and a ghost/paranormal detector.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is listed as suitable for all ages. Just note that some bars may not allow children, since stops for drinks can vary by location.

Is video allowed during the tour?

No. Guests are not allowed to video the tour.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The policy also states no refunds will be issued for any reason, so make sure you cancel within that window if you want the refund.