New Orleans Ghost Tours: 100 FAQs and Answers

New Orleans Ghost Tours: FAQs at a Glance

These FAQs about New Orleans ghost tours answer the 100 questions guests ask most about our six French Quarter tours. Find prices, meeting points, parking tips, age rules, cancellation policies and what to expect after dark. Use these answers about New Orleans ghost tours to plan your night, then pick a tour from our home page.

Booking and Tickets

1. How do I book a New Orleans ghost tour?

Pick your tour on this site and click Book Now. The secure booking page shows live dates, times and prices for all New Orleans ghost tours, and your confirmation arrives by email right after checkout.

2. Do I need reservations for New Orleans ghost tours?

Yes. New Orleans limits how many guests each licensed guide can lead, so walk-ups never get a guaranteed spot. Reserve New Orleans ghost tours in advance to lock in your time.

3. How far in advance can I book a French Quarter ghost tour?

You can book up to one year ahead. Weekend nights, holidays and the month of October sell out first, so book your French Quarter ghost tour as soon as your travel dates are set.

4. Can I book a New Orleans ghost tour for tonight?

Often, yes. Check the booking calendar for same-day openings. Popular evening departures fill early, so book online rather than walking up.

5. How much do New Orleans ghost tours cost?

Adult tickets run from $32 for the COMBO Tour to $44.99 for the VIP Small Group Ghost Tour. Seniors, military, students and children pay less on most tours, and prices can change by date and time.

6. What is included in the ticket price?

Every ticket includes a narrated walking tour with a licensed New Orleans tour guide. Most tours also include a curated guide to local restaurants, shops and activities. Food, drinks and building admission are not included.

7. Do seniors get a discount on haunted tours?

Yes. Guests 60 and older pay a senior rate, usually $5 less than the adult ticket. For example, seniors pay $32.99 on the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries Walking Tour.

8. Do military members and students get a discount?

Yes. Military members and students with a valid ID pay the discounted rate on the Voodoo, Ghost Mysteries, Adults Only, Bar Crawl and VIP tours.

9. Do kids need tickets for New Orleans ghost tours?

Children 5 and under ride free on all-ages tours. Children 6 and up need a ticket, and child tickets cost $20 on the Voodoo tour and the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries tour, and $22 on the COMBO Tour.

10. Will I get a confirmation email after I book?

Yes. Your confirmation arrives by email right after checkout. If you do not see it, check your spam folder, then email info@neworleanslive.com.

11. Can I book a private haunted tour in New Orleans?

Yes. Private tours work well for groups over 10, birthdays, bachelorette parties and corporate outings. Email info@neworleanslive.com to set up a private New Orleans haunted tour.

12. How many people can I book at once?

Each booking holds up to 10 guests. Groups larger than 10 may get split into two groups, so ask about a private tour if you want everyone together.

13. Is there an app to manage my booking?

Yes. Guests on Witches Brew tours get a link to a free app to manage reservations and chat with staff.

Meeting Point, Parking and Arrival

14. Where do New Orleans ghost tours meet?

Five of our six New Orleans ghost tours meet at the Witches Brew Gallery, 311 Exchange Place, in the heart of the French Quarter. The COMBO Tour meets at 620 Decatur St, Unit 1B.

15. Where does the COMBO Tour meet?

The COMBO Tour: Voodoo, Vampire & Ghost Tour meets at 620 Decatur St, Unit 1B, New Orleans, LA 70130, near Jackson Square.

16. How early should I arrive for my haunted tour?

Arrive 30 minutes before your departure time. Check-in opens 30 minutes early, and every haunted tour leaves right on time.

17. Should my whole group check in together?

Yes. Wait until everyone in your party arrives before you join the check-in line, then check in together.

18. What happens if I arrive late for my tour?

Tours depart on time, and late guests may not join the group once it leaves. Late arrivals and no-shows do not qualify for a refund.

19. Is there parking near the French Quarter ghost tour meeting point?

The French Quarter has no free parking and limited paid parking. Download the Premium Parking app and use Lot 402, the closest lot to 311 Exchange Place.

20. Should I take Uber or Lyft to my ghost tour?

Yes. A rideshare saves you from expensive French Quarter parking and slow traffic. Leave plenty of time either way.

21. Can I walk to the tour from my hotel?

Yes. Every French Quarter hotel sits within walking distance of the Witches Brew Gallery meeting point.

22. Can I shop before my tour at the Witches Brew Gallery?

Yes. The Witches Brew Gallery gift shop and art gallery opens daily from 10 AM to 8 PM. Arrive early to shop before check-in.

23. What is the Papa Legba offering at the meeting point?

Guests may leave an offering to Papa Legba, the Voodoo spirit known as the road opener, before the tour. Ask a shop assistant at the gallery if you have questions.

Tour Basics

24. How long are New Orleans ghost tours?

Most tours last 1.5 to 2 hours. The Haunted Bar Crawl runs about 2 hours, and the COMBO Tour runs 90 minutes.

25. Is this a bus tour or a walking tour?

All New Orleans ghost tours are walking tours. Buses cannot fit on the narrow French Quarter streets, and walking gives you the best view of the neighborhood.

26. Do New Orleans ghost tours go inside haunted buildings?

No. Every tour stays outdoors, and most stops are private residences. The Adults Only tour and the Bar Crawl include bar stops.

27. Who leads the haunted tours?

Licensed, professional guides lead all New Orleans ghost tours. The guides double as master storytellers and local historians.

28. Are the tour guides licensed in New Orleans?

Yes. Every tour leader holds a New Orleans tour guide license.

29. How many people join New Orleans ghost tours?

Standard tours cap at 28 guests. The VIP Small Group Ghost Tour caps at 15, and the Small Group Haunted Bar Crawl caps at 18.

30. Do all tours follow the same route?

No. Each guide builds a unique route and story set, so no two tours match exactly. Parades, second lines and festivals can also change the route.

31. Is there a restroom break on the tour?

The Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour includes one break halfway through for refreshments and restrooms. On other tours, use the restroom before departure.

32. Can I bring a drink on New Orleans ghost tours?

Yes. Witches Brew tours are BYOB. Bring alcoholic drinks in plastic containers only, never glass.

33. Can I take photos and video on New Orleans ghost tours?

Yes. Bring a charged phone and take all the photos and video you want. Many guests catch orbs and odd shadows outside haunted French Quarter buildings.

34. What should I bring on New Orleans ghost tours?

Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and a charged phone. Add an umbrella or poncho if rain looks likely.

35. What if I cannot hear my tour guide?

Speak up. City rules bar guides from using voice amplifiers, so your guide will raise their voice or move the group closer.

Haunted New Orleans and Ghost Stories

36. Is New Orleans the most haunted city in America?

Many travelers and paranormal researchers call New Orleans the most haunted city in America. Three centuries of plagues, fires, floods and crimes left the French Quarter full of ghost stories.

37. Why is New Orleans so haunted?

Yellow fever epidemics, two great fires in the 1700s, hurricanes, duels and violent crimes caused huge loss of life. Locals believe that history left restless spirits across the French Quarter.

38. What haunted places do New Orleans ghost tours visit?

Stops often include the LaLaurie Mansion, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, Muriel’s Restaurant, Voodoo Authentica, the Ursuline Convent and the home of Jacques St. Germain.

39. What is the LaLaurie Mansion?

The LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street once belonged to Madame Delphine LaLaurie, whose crimes against enslaved people shocked the city in 1834. Many call it the most haunted house in New Orleans.

40. Why is the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum on haunted tours?

The building housed one of America’s first licensed pharmacies, and dark legends grew around a later doctor who worked there. Staff and visitors still report strange activity.

41. Is Muriel’s Restaurant really haunted?

Muriel’s Jackson Square keeps a table set every night for the ghost of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, a former owner. Ghost tours stop outside to share the story.

42. What is Pirate’s Alley known for?

Pirate’s Alley runs beside St. Louis Cathedral and carries legends of pirates, duels and smugglers. Guides share how pirate history shaped early New Orleans.

43. Will I see a ghost on New Orleans ghost tours?

No guide can promise a sighting. Guests often report cold spots, odd sounds and unexplained shapes in photos, so keep your camera ready.

44. Are New Orleans ghost tours scary?

The stories run dark and spooky, but the walk itself stays fun and social. Expect chills, history and plenty of laughs rather than jump scares.

Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour

45. What is the New Orleans Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour?

This 1.5 to 2 hour walking tour explores Marie Laveau, the Voodoo religion, Storyville and Congo Square. A master storyteller separates real Voodoo practice from Hollywood myths.

46. How much is the New Orleans Voodoo tour?

Adult tickets cost $37.99. Seniors 60+, military and students pay $32.99, children 6 to 12 pay $20, and kids 5 and under go free.

47. Is the Voodoo tour good for kids?

Yes. The Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour welcomes all ages. Children under 18 must come with a parent or guardian.

48. Is New Orleans Voodoo real?

Yes. Louisiana Voodoo began with West African spiritual traditions that blended with Catholic and Caribbean influences. Practitioners still serve their communities in New Orleans today.

49. Who was Marie Laveau?

Marie Laveau was the most famous Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. A free woman of color, she worked as a hairdresser, healed the sick and led ceremonies that drew huge crowds in the 1800s.

50. Does the Voodoo tour visit Marie Laveau’s house?

Yes. The tour stops at the site of Marie Laveau’s house. Each guide may adjust the route.

51. Does the Voodoo tour visit Congo Square?

Yes. The tour visits Armstrong Park and Congo Square, where enslaved and free Black residents gathered on Sundays for music, dance and ritual. Historians credit those gatherings with planting the roots of jazz.

52. What is Voodoo Authentica?

Voodoo Authentica is a French Quarter Voodoo shop and cultural center. Voodoo and ghost tours stop there to discuss altars, gris-gris and modern practice.

53. Does the Voodoo tour cover Storyville?

Yes. The tour visits the former Storyville district and covers its place in New Orleans music and culture.

Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries Walking Tour

54. What is the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries Walking Tour?

This 1.5 to 2 hour French Quarter walking tour covers ghosts, Voodoo, vampires and the city’s most notorious figures. Guides share era-spanning tales of spooky and macabre New Orleans.

55. How much is the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries tour?

Adult tickets cost $37.99. Seniors 60+, military and students pay $32.99, children pay $20, and kids 5 and under go free.

56. Can children join the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries tour?

Yes. All ages may join. Children under 18 must come with a parent or guardian, and parents should expect stories about murder and dark history.

57. Who was Jacques St. Germain?

Jacques St. Germain was a mysterious Frenchman who lived in the French Quarter in the early 1900s. Locals accused him of drinking human blood, and New Orleans vampire tours stop at his former home.

58. What are the Casket Girls of New Orleans?

The Casket Girls were young French women sent to New Orleans in the 1700s with small chests called caskets. Legend says vampires hid in those boxes, which rest sealed in the Ursuline Convent attic.

59. Why is the Ursuline Convent part of vampire tours?

The Ursuline Convent ranks among the oldest buildings in the Mississippi River Valley. Its shuttered attic and the Casket Girls legend make it a favorite vampire tour stop.

60. Why is New Orleans linked to vampires?

Novels, films and TV shows set vampire stories in New Orleans, but local legends like Jacques St. Germain and the Casket Girls came first. The city’s late nights and old secrets fit vampire lore perfectly.

Adults Only Haunted Ghost Tour (21+)

61. What is the Adults Only Haunted Ghost Tour?

The Adults Only Haunted Ghost Tour is an uncensored 21+ walk through the French Quarter. It reveals the raw stories too dark for traditional New Orleans ghost tours.

62. How much is the Adults Only Haunted Ghost Tour?

Adult tickets cost $39.99. Seniors 60+, military and students with ID pay $34.99.

63. How old do you have to be for the adults only ghost tour?

Every guest must be 21 or older. Bring a valid photo ID.

64. Does the adults only tour stop at a bar?

Yes. The tour takes a bar break halfway through at a bar of the guide’s choice. Drinks cost extra.

65. What stops does the 21+ ghost tour visit?

Stops include the Pharmacy Museum, Zack and Addie, Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, Muriel’s, Voodoo Authentica, the LaLaurie Mansion and the home of Jacques St. Germain.

66. Can I request a story on the adults only tour?

Yes. Tell your guide what you want to hear, and they will work it into the tour when they can.

67. Who was the Axeman of New Orleans?

The Axeman was a serial killer who attacked New Orleans residents in 1918 and 1919 and was never caught. He famously claimed he would spare any home playing jazz.

68. Is the adults only ghost tour good for bachelorette parties?

Yes. The 21+ ghost tour ranks among the most popular bachelor and bachelorette party activities in New Orleans. Book a private tour for groups over 10.

Small Group Haunted Bar Crawl

69. What is the New Orleans Small Group Haunted Bar Crawl?

The Haunted Bar Crawl combines a French Quarter ghost tour with stops at atmospheric bars. You hear stories about vampires, pirates, gangsters and more with a drink in hand.

70. How much is the New Orleans haunted bar crawl?

Adult tickets cost $42.99. Seniors 60+, military and students with ID pay $37.99.

71. How old do you have to be for the haunted bar crawl?

The haunted bar crawl is 21+ only. Bring a valid photo ID.

72. How many people join the haunted bar crawl?

The Small Group Haunted Bar Crawl caps at 18 guests.

73. Which bars does the New Orleans haunted bar crawl visit?

The route usually includes the Chart Room, Harry’s Corner and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Your guide may change the route.

74. Are drinks included in the haunted bar crawl?

No. The ticket price does not include drinks. You buy your own at each bar.

75. Is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop haunted?

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop dates to the 1700s and ranks among the oldest bars in America. Legend ties it to pirate Jean Lafitte, and staff report ghostly sightings.

76. Any tips for drinking on the haunted bar crawl?

Yes. New Orleans bartenders pour heavy, so pace yourself, eat beforehand and drink water between stops.

VIP Small Group Ghost Tour

77. What is the VIP Small Group Ghost Tour?

The VIP tour covers ghosts, Voodoo and vampire lore on a 1.5 to 2 hour French Quarter walk with just 15 guests. You get a personal experience you won’t find on larger tours.

78. How much is the VIP Small Group Ghost Tour?

Adult tickets cost $44.99. Seniors 60+, military and students with ID pay $39.99.

79. Is the VIP ghost tour 21 and over?

Yes. The VIP Small Group Ghost Tour is 21+.

80. How many people join the VIP small group ghost tour?

The VIP tour caps at 15 guests, compared with up to 28 on a standard ghost tour.

81. Is the VIP ghost tour worth it?

Guests who want a quieter, more personal night choose the VIP tour. Couples, special occasions and photographers love the smaller group and extra time with the guide.

COMBO Tour: Voodoo, Vampire & Ghost Tour

82. What is the COMBO Tour: Voodoo, Vampire & Ghost Tour?

The COMBO Tour gives you a little bit of everything: ghosts, pirates, Voodoo, witches, murder and vampires. It suits guests who want a sampler of New Orleans haunted history.

83. How much is the COMBO Tour?

Tickets cost $32 for guests 18 and older and $22 for children 6 to 17.

84. How long is the COMBO Tour?

The COMBO Tour lasts 90 minutes with a licensed guide and up to 28 guests.

85. What does the COMBO Tour visit?

Stops include Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, the LaLaurie Mansion and Pirate’s Alley. You also hear about pirate Jean Lafitte, Voodoo and vampires.

86. Does the COMBO Tour run in bad weather?

The COMBO Tour runs in all safe weather conditions. Parades, second lines, festivals and construction may change the route.

87. Can I add trip protection to the COMBO Tour?

Yes. Trip protection lets you cancel or change your tour time up to 30 minutes before departure.

Kids, Accessibility and Safety

88. Are New Orleans ghost tours kid-friendly?

Kids may join the Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour, the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries tour and the COMBO Tour. The Adults Only tour, the Bar Crawl and the VIP tour are 21+.

89. What is the best haunted tour for families?

Families love the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries Walking Tour and the Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour. Both welcome all ages, and kids 5 and under go free.

90. Are New Orleans walking tours wheelchair accessible?

No. French Quarter streets run uneven and storm-damaged, so tours do not suit wheelchairs or guests with mobility issues.

91. How hot do summer New Orleans ghost tours get?

New Orleans summers bring high heat and humidity, and heat exhaustion happens often. Bring water, wear sunscreen and pace yourself.

92. Are New Orleans ghost tours safe at night?

Yes. Tours follow busy French Quarter streets with a licensed guide. Watch your step, stay aware of your surroundings and follow your guide’s instructions.

Cancellations, Weather and Contact

93. What is the cancellation policy for New Orleans ghost tours?

Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund on every tour.

94. Do you refund late arrivals or no-shows?

No. Late arrivals and no-shows do not qualify for refunds.

95. Do New Orleans ghost tours run in the rain?

Yes. Tours run rain or shine. Bring an umbrella or poncho.

96. Do parades or festivals affect the tour?

Sometimes. Parades, second lines and festivals happen often in the French Quarter, and your guide may adjust the route or volume to keep the tour on track.

97. How do I contact you about my booking?

Email info@neworleanslive.com with your name, tour and date. We reply as soon as possible.

98. What is the best time of year for New Orleans ghost tours?

October brings the most haunted atmosphere, with Halloween crowds and cooler nights. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable walking weather.

99. Are New Orleans ghost tours busy on Halloween?

Yes. Halloween week ranks as the busiest time of year for New Orleans ghost tours. Book weeks ahead to secure your date.

100. Which New Orleans ghost tour should I book first?

First-timers love the Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Mysteries Walking Tour. Adults who want uncensored stories should book the 21+ ghost tour, and history lovers should start with the Voodoo & French Quarter Cultural Walking Tour.

Ready to explore? Browse all New Orleans ghost tours and book your night in the French Quarter.