Voodoo tales meet a walking party.

This New Orleans tour blends drunk history with supernatural-style stops, then sweeps you through the French Quarter’s landmarks and nightlife—ending where the neighborhood energy is hardest to miss.

I love two things most: first, the walk + drink vibe (you’re not stuck in a bus, and you get to read the streets as you go). Second, the guide’s storytelling style, which keeps history moving instead of turning into a lecture.

One big consideration: the paranormal side is entertainment, not a guarantee. The tour uses an EMF meter, but you should still go with curiosity—not expectations of proof.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• EMF meter included in the experience: you’ll be able to use it during the tour’s paranormal moments.
• Marie Laveau and real landmark stops: the route is built around stories tied to major sites in the French Quarter.
• A social, party-leaning group pace: expect a fun crowd and time to chat while you walk.
• Bar scenes without needing to be a bar pro: you’ll pass a lot of bars, with time to choose whether you pop in or not.
• A short, easy-to-fit duration: plan on about 1 to 2 hours, depending on waits and bar stops.

What You’re Really Buying on Bourbon Street

You’re paying for a guided, adult-friendly French Quarter outing that mixes three ingredients: storytelling, history landmarks, and a paranormal device. The guide keeps you moving through the Vieux Carré streets, then uses the setting to connect legends to places—plus you get the casual, evening energy of a group tour.

At $35 per person for about 1 to 2 hours, it’s a value play if you want your first-night orientation. You’re not just “hearing spooky facts.” You’re getting a route that helps you understand how the French Quarter is laid out, what matters visually, and why certain stories cling to certain corners.

Drinks are not included, so budget for that. But the tour is built so you’re walking anyway—so even if you skip some bar time, you’ll still have the core experience: the walk, the stops, and the guide’s narration.

Stop One in the Vieux Carré: Voodoo, Ghosts, and the EMF Moment

The tour starts at the sidewalk gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar (941 Bourbon St). It’s important: the tour does not meet inside the bar, and the departure is at the scheduled time. If you show up right at the last second, you risk being left behind as the group departs.

From there, you head through the Vieux Carré streets with a guide who connects New Orleans history to the darker folklore. You’ll hit major landmark beats, including the area tied to the Louisiana Purchase signature in 1803, and the famous view around St Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

Then the “drunk voodoo” part kicks in with the personalities and sites people associate with the supernatural side of New Orleans. The tour specifically highlights Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, plus a stop tied to property described as being given to her as payment for her magic. You’ll also visit locations connected to voodoo ceremonies.

The paranormal pitch is also concrete rather than vague: the tour uses a real EMF meter—a “ghost/paranormal detector” style tool—during the walking portion. I’d treat this as part of the fun ritual: you’re not looking for lab-grade proof, you’re participating in a staged moment where the guide reads the meter and tells you how to interpret what you’re seeing.

You’ll also hear claims connected to a most haunted house in the city and places linked to vampire sightings, including the tour’s mention of police-documented stories. Take it the way New Orleans legends are best taken: as part folklore, part place-based storytelling, with the guide doing the work of making it feel connected to the streets.

Stop Two in the French Quarter: Bar Stops Without the Full Bar-Crawl Chaos

Next, you move through the French Quarter area that’s famous for having 200+ bars. The tour’s approach here is less about forcing you into one specific place and more about giving you a guided route of lively stops.

You’ll spend roughly 40 minutes in this stretch. The guide’s job is to keep the energy moving while showing you “friendly and historic” bar scenes. Since the route passes a lot of bars, you’ll notice how Bourbon-side nightlife changes block to block—how some streets feel like party land, while others feel quieter and more architectural.

Here’s a practical reason this stop works: it lets you decide your own level of participation. You can go inside some places, or you can use the offered “to-go” style options if you want the street-view experience without getting stuck in a crowded bar.

Also note the reality of timing in New Orleans. The tour is described as moderate paced walking, but it can run longer depending on waits inside bars. So if you have a night schedule, keep your next plan flexible.

Jackson Square Finale: Why Ending Here Feels Right

The tour concludes at Jackson Square, about 20 minutes into the final phase. That matters because Jackson Square is one of the best “wrap your head around it” locations in the Quarter: you get a clear visual center, it’s easy to regroup, and it’s a natural jumping-off point for whatever you want to do next.

This ending also ties the vibe together. If the earlier parts make you feel like you’re walking through myth, Jackson Square is where the myth meets the everyday scene—buskers, street life, and the kind of open space that makes the Quarter’s layout click.

And from a value standpoint, ending near Jackson Square helps you keep the rest of your evening efficient. You don’t have to retrace your steps to find food, drinks, or a later attraction.

The EMF Meter: Fun Props, No Guarantees

The tour includes access to a real EMF meter, and paranormal equipment may be checked out during the tour. But the operator is upfront: you should not expect a guaranteed haunting or a supernatural encounter on cue.

That “no guarantees” tone is actually a good guide for your expectations. If you go in thinking you’ll get a clear result like a movie scene, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in treating it like an interactive storytelling tool, you’ll probably enjoy it more.

One more safety-and-fairness detail: if you request to use paranormal equipment, you may need to provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number before checkout. Equipment is marked and tracked via GPS, and there’s a $250 fee for any piece lost, damaged, or missing. So handle it like it’s a camera you can’t afford to drop.

Also keep in mind the tour rules: audio or video recording devices aren’t allowed. Photos are encouraged, though—so bring your camera plan accordingly and don’t count on recording.

Price and Value: Is $35 a Smart First-Night Move?

For $35, you’re getting a guided walking experience in a high-demand neighborhood, plus the “interactive” paranormal angle. Drinks are extra, but that’s also what keeps the tour price reasonable. You’re not paying restaurant markup for a ticket that includes alcohol.

What makes the price feel fair is the structure:

• You get a clear route through multiple big-name areas.
• You get guide narration as you walk (which usually beats trying to piece legends together on your own).
• You get the EMF meter moment as part of the show.

The best way to think about value is this: if you’d spend $35 anyway on a first-night experience—this is the kind that also teaches you the map of the Quarter. That means later, you’ll pick streets faster, recognize landmarks, and know what’s worth revisiting.

Group Size, Pace, and How to Enjoy It

The maximum group size is up to 99 travelers. That doesn’t mean you’ll have that many on your exact day, but it does mean the tour is designed for a real crowd. Expect a moderate pace, and understand the guide has to keep everyone together.

A key rule: don’t walk off from the group to take photos. The guide can’t stop the tour group while you’re off searching for a better angle. If you want to stop and photograph, do it in ways that keep the group moving—or wait for the natural stop moments.

The tour is also described as moderate paced, but bar waits can affect timing. So if you’re the type who needs perfect schedule control, build in a buffer.

Drinks, Safety, and the Adult-Vibe Reality

The tour allows guests to drink alcoholic beverages during the walking experience. That said, the operator can refuse service if someone is extremely intoxicated. This is one of those “keep it fun for everyone” rules—so if you’re planning to drink, pace yourself.

If you’re not drinking, you’re still likely to enjoy it. The route is built around walking, storytelling, and landmark stops, and the tour offers to-go options for those who prefer not to go inside bars.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• a first-night orientation to the French Quarter
• spooky stories that are tied to places, not generic myths
• a social group outing with guide interaction
• an “interactive paranormal” element via the EMF meter

It’s not ideal if:

• you want a guaranteed supernatural sighting (there isn’t one)
• you strongly dislike bar scenes and evening noise
• you need a tightly timed itinerary that never changes

A Note on Guides and the Tone of the Experience

From what’s described across guide performances, some of the most praised tours share a few traits: they’re patient, they explain things clearly, and they sprinkle in practical suggestions about what to do next in New Orleans. Names that come up in the guidance style include Cody and Coty—both described as engaging storytellers.

You might not get the same guide every time, but the best versions of this tour sound like they mix entertainment with real pointers—like where to go next and how to look at the buildings and streets with fresh eyes.

Should You Book New Orleans Drunken Voodoo?

I’d book it if you want a fun, low-cost way to get your bearings in the French Quarter while leaning into the city’s spooky mythology. The $35 price makes sense for a 1 to 2 hour walking experience that includes major landmarks, Marie Laveau–style lore, and an EMF meter moment.

I’d skip it if you’re hoping for a guaranteed paranormal event or you hate any bar involvement at all. Also, show up early and be ready to start on time at the Lafittes courtyard gate—this tour runs on schedule.

If your goal is an evening with stories you can remember later, plus a route that makes the Quarter easier to explore on your own, this is a solid pick.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Drunken Voodoo tour?

The tour lasts about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the pace and any wait time inside bars.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at the sidewalk gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St. It ends in the French Quarter, concluding in Jackson Square.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route.

Does the tour include paranormal equipment like an EMF meter?

Yes. An EMF meter is used during the tour. Paranormal equipment may also be checked out, and there is a $250 fee for lost, damaged, or missing items.

Can I bring children?

Children under 18 are not admitted without a parent or guardian unless authorized by a tour guide. Some bars may not allow children inside.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

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