One of New Orleans’ spookiest shortcuts. This 2-hour walking paranormal investigation puts you on the streets of the French Quarter fast, with a guide who keeps things organized while chasing real-world evidence with an EMF meter. You’ll hit high-interest spots tied to mass burial stories and the heavy-haunted atmosphere around Jackson Square.

What I like most is the tone: friendly, professional, and focused on helping you follow what’s happening instead of just rattling off legends. I also really appreciated how one guide I heard from, Ashli, can turn the walk into a story you actually want to listen to—complete with that cool-head, science-y vibe when the EMF meter comes out.

One drawback to plan around: it’s still a walking tour, so expect uneven sidewalks and real schedule pressure. If you show up late, the tour starts without you, and there’s no guarantee you’ll spot anything supernatural on demand.

Key things to know before you go

• An EMF meter gets used as part of the investigation so you’re not just hearing ghost stories
• French Quarter focus with early stops tied to cold spots, apparitions, and orbs
• Over a dozen locations across the Vieux Carre area, including places most people won’t think to look
• To-go cocktail stops are optional and you buy anything alcoholic yourself
• Small group size (up to 28) keeps it easier to stay together and hear the guide
• Photos are encouraged, but audio and video recording aren’t allowed during the tour

French Quarter Ghost-Chasing Without the Guesswork

New Orleans is famous for two things: great nightlife and seriously old streets. This tour leans hard into the second one. You start in the French Quarter and spend about two hours walking a set route where the guide points out sites connected to hauntings—then layers in a more practical, investigation-style approach.

The best part for me is that it doesn’t feel like a lecture. You’re moving. The guide keeps the pace moderate, explains why certain places matter, and stops often enough that you can catch your breath and reset your brain before the next claim. Since the route covers a wide swath of the French Quarter area (the Vieux Carre), you get that sense of the neighborhood as a whole, not just one photo stop.

Also, you’re paying a pretty fair price for what’s usually missing from this kind of experience: structure. At $35 per person, you’re not buying a premium theater seat. You’re buying a guided walk with a real local host, a defined route, and investigation tools, including a ghost/paranormal detector (EMF meter).

The EMF Meter Moment: Fun, Not Guaranteed

This tour explicitly uses a real EMF meter early on, and it frames that tool as part of what you’re doing—testing, checking, and observing. For skeptics, that matters. For believers, it matters even more because it gives you something to do besides listen.

Here’s the honest reality: the tour is for entertainment, and the operator is clear that there’s no guarantee you’ll encounter paranormal activity. That doesn’t make it pointless. It just means you’ll get the experience of a guided investigation, not a promise of proof.

So think of the EMF meter as a game-with-rules. When the guide brings it out, pay attention to how they explain what the reading is supposed to mean. Then watch where you are—old buildings, narrow lanes, corners, and open areas can all change what you feel and what you notice. If you want to enjoy this tour fully, don’t go looking only for a ghost “show.” Go looking for patterns: the places the guide highlights, the way the team checks readings, and the moments when everyone’s attention tightens.

Stop 1 in the French Quarter: Burial-Ground Energy and Fast Momentum

Your first major stop centers on a mass burial ground area in the French Quarter. The tour description leans into the type of phenomena people associate with these locations: cold spots, apparitions, and orbs that are said to be felt or seen regularly.

Why that first stop works: it sets expectations quickly. You’re not spending an hour “warming up” with generic street lore. Instead, you start with a location that’s meant to make you pay attention. That helps first-timers, and it also helps people who don’t know much about local ghost stories—because the guide can explain what they’re doing and why that spot is part of the route.

Potential downside: because this is the opening segment with the most intense framing, you’ll want to be mentally ready. If you’re the type who needs time to settle, arrive a few minutes early. The tour leaves on schedule, and it doesn’t stop for late arrivals.

Jackson Square and the Wide Vieux Carre Hunt

After the French Quarter start, the tour shifts toward the Jackson Square area and spends time visiting more than a dozen locations across the neighborhood footprint known as the Vieux Carre (described as 78 blocks). That broad coverage is one of the reasons this tour is priced the way it is. You’re not just staying in one tiny pocket—you’re getting a tour of the area’s “ghost geography.”

The kinds of places the guide says you’ll look at are wide-ranging:

• haunted houses and apartments
• spots linked to morgues and bathrooms
• bars and pubs
• cemeteries and balconies
• galleries and hotels
• streets and sidewalks
• and even places described as haunted churches

Two practical notes here. First, the tour stays on public property, so you won’t be randomly wandering into private areas. Second, this spread means the route can include longer pauses, especially when stopping near bars. The tour notes that wait time inside bars can affect how long it takes overall.

If you go with a friend, this is where the experience can become a real conversation. You’ll likely notice how the guide ties each location to a particular theme—death, violence, secrecy, religion, or sudden fear—and then uses that to explain what you should watch for.

To-Go Cocktails and the Rhythm of a Night Walk

One fun detail in the route is the built-in chance to grab a to-go cocktail while you move between locations. It’s optional, and you pay for it yourself. That sounds casual, but it actually fits the tour well.

Why? Because this tour runs like a real night out: you’re walking, you’re stopping, you’re listening, and you’re taking breaks. A to-go drink gives you something light and normal to do while the guide moves the group to the next site. It’s also a way to soften the “spooky focus” if you’re not fully in the mood yet.

That said, there’s a safety angle. The terms explain that people allowed to drink may be refused service if someone becomes extremely intoxicated. If you’re planning to use the paranormal equipment too, keep your head clear. Concentration helps you follow the guide’s directions and notice what the group is checking.

What You Can and Can’t Do With Paranormal Equipment and Phones

This tour lets you use paranormal equipment during the walk, but it’s not a free-for-all. Equipment needs to be checked out at the beginning and returned before you leave. The operator also states a $250 fee if equipment is lost, damaged, or missing. They mark and track equipment via GPS.

If you want to use the gear, arrive with the details they require for checkout: your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number. That isn’t the kind of thing you want to scramble for when you’re standing on Bourbon Street at departure time.

On the recording side, the tour says audio and video recording devices aren’t allowed, while photos are encouraged. That means your phone stays useful, but your expectations should shift from filming to photographing. It’s a good fit if you prefer snapshots and quick evidence-style pics instead of trying to capture full videos.

Also, the tour notes that time-stamped photos are taken at the meeting location when the tour starts. That’s mainly about documenting the start point and helps explain why leaving late can cause problems.

Price Check: Why $35 Can Make Sense

Let’s do the real value math. At $35 per person, you’re getting:

• a professional local guide
• about two hours of walking (moderate pace)
• a route that covers major French Quarter area sites tied to hauntings
• an EMF meter used in the experience
• and optional chances to buy to-go alcohol

For the type of activity, that’s not an outrageous price. The biggest factor is that you’re not paying for admission into private locations. The tour stays on public property, so your money is mostly paying for the guide, storytelling, timing, and that investigation-style structure.

The catch is that you need to align expectations. If you believe this should instantly produce visible ghosts, you might walk away disappointed. The operator is blunt that it’s entertainment and there’s no guarantee of paranormal encounters. If you accept it as a guided “how investigators look at places” experience, the price feels more reasonable.

Group Size and the Listening Experience

The tour caps at 28 travelers. That’s small enough to keep the group together and reduce the chance you get left behind on tight streets, but big enough that you’ll still feel the energy of a shared spooky mission.

That size matters for the listening part. The guide needs time for narration and for directing attention to specific cues: cold spots, orbs, readings, and the types of places people usually pass without thinking. With a larger group, that gets harder. With a cap like this, you’re more likely to hear the key parts instead of only catching half.

And since the tour stops at multiple locations, small-group handling helps. You can look where they point, check your own observations, and still keep up when it’s time to move.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Prefer Another Style)

This tour is a great match if you’re a first-timer in New Orleans and you want a quick orientation to the French Quarter’s layout and mood. Starting near Bourbon Street and ending around Jackson Square means you’re also getting practical sightseeing value even if your goal is paranormal.

It’s also a good choice if you like structure. The guide doesn’t just say “spooky thing happened.” They guide you to sites and run an investigation format with the EMF meter.

Where it might not fit:

• If you hate walking on uneven sidewalks, you’ll feel that more here than on a bus tour.
• If you’re expecting guaranteed paranormal visuals, the tour explicitly does not promise that.
• If you’re sensitive to intense themes tied to death and burial-ground stories, be aware the first stop is framed that way.

Final Verdict: Should You Book the New Orleans Paranormal Investigation?

I’d book this if you want a two-hour guided paranormal walk that feels organized, uses an EMF meter, and gives you a focused way to experience the French Quarter’s legend-heavy streets. The guide quality is a big selling point, and I’ve seen real evidence of that through a guide name you may hear mentioned—Ashli—known for energetic storytelling and keeping everyone engaged without turning it into chaos.

Skip it if your idea of value is a guaranteed supernatural encounter or if you need a low-walking, low-pressure experience. This tour works best when you show up early, stay with the group, and treat the investigation as part science-adjacent entertainment.

If you want to do it right, plan to arrive a few minutes early at the meeting point near 941 Bourbon Street, be ready for a scheduled departure, and bring a phone for photos—not for recording audio/video. Do that, and you’ll get a fun, spooky New Orleans night with plenty to talk about after you reach Jackson Square.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Paranormal Investigation?

It runs about 2 hours (approximately). The walk is described as moderate-paced and can last longer depending on wait time inside bars.

How much does it cost?

The price is $35.00 per person.

Where do you meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116. The tour concludes around Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What does the tour include?

It includes a professional local guide.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included, but there are opportunities along the route to purchase drinks. To-go cocktails are mentioned as optional and are an own-expense purchase.

Do they use paranormal equipment?

Yes. The tour uses a ghost/paranormal detector (EMF meter), and you may also use paranormal equipment during the tour. Equipment must be checked out at the beginning and returned before you leave.

Can I record video or audio?

No. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. Photos are allowed and encouraged.

Is it guaranteed that you’ll see something paranormal?

No. The tour is for entertainment purposes only, and there is no guarantee you will encounter paranormal activity.

Is the tour refundable if I can’t make it?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.