New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 with Electronic Field Meter

New Orleans keeps its best ghost stories on the street, and this tour puts you right in the middle of them. You walk through the French Quarter after dark, hearing tales of haunted apartments, old burial grounds, vampires, Voodoo, and places with a reputation for strange activity. The real EMF meter gives the evening a playful investigation angle rather than making it only a storytelling walk.

I like the low $20 price and the chance to stop for a drink along the way. I also like that guides such as Cody, Coty, and Ashley add local history and food tips to the ghost material. The main drawback is that you do not go inside the haunted buildings, and the one shared meter may not satisfy anyone expecting personal equipment or constant paranormal action.

Key points to know before you book

• A French Quarter walking investigation: The route stays on public streets and sidewalks, with no entry into private buildings or historic sites.
• One real EMF meter: Equipment may be checked out for use, but it must be returned and can bring a large charge if lost or damaged.
• Ghost stories plus New Orleans culture: Expect material on hauntings, vampires, Voodoo, burial grounds, and the history of the Quarter.
• Drinks can be part of the evening: You may buy a to-go drink at bars along the route, but drinks are not included.
• Allow up to two hours: The walk is usually 1 to 2 hours, though bar stops and delays can stretch the schedule.
• No ghost sighting is promised: The tour is entertainment and storytelling, with no guarantee that the EMF meter will register anything meaningful.

What this $20 tour is really selling

For twenty dollars, you are not buying access to a haunted mansion or a private séance. You are buying a guided night walk through one of America’s most atmospheric neighborhoods, with ghost lore and a piece of paranormal equipment added to the mix.

That distinction matters. The tour takes place outdoors on public streets. You may look toward haunted houses, apartments, hotels, churches, cemeteries, balconies, bars, and sidewalks, but you do not enter these places as part of the experience. The value comes from the stories, the setting, and the guide’s ability to connect old New Orleans events with the locations around you.

I think the price is fair if you want an inexpensive evening activity after sightseeing. It is less appealing if your main goal is a dramatic ghost encounter or access to historic interiors. The tour itself is moderate-paced and lasts about 1 to 2 hours, although the timing can run longer if the group waits at busy bars.

The experience is also sometimes presented under the New Orleans Drunk History Tour name. That tells you something about the mood. This is not a solemn academic lecture. It is a social walk with spooky stories, local color, and the option to carry a drink between stops.

Meeting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop

The meeting point is on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, at 941 Bourbon Street. You do not check in inside the bar, and the tour company is not affiliated with the business at that address.

Arrive a few minutes early. This is important because the guide leaves at the scheduled departure time, and late arrivals may not receive a refund. The operator takes time-stamped photos of the meeting point at the start of each tour, so do not assume the group will wait while you search Bourbon Street.

You should have your phone available for updates. Departure times can change because of local traffic, and delays or cancellations may be sent by text, email, or phone. A working mobile number on your booking is especially useful.

The location is easy to reach by public transportation, but the tour does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off. You are responsible for getting to Bourbon Street and finding your own way back from the French Quarter finish point.

Walking through haunted New Orleans

The route takes you through the French Quarter after dark, where old buildings, narrow streets, balconies, courtyards, and uneven sidewalks provide a natural setting for ghost stories. The guide leads the group from one public location to the next, explaining what is associated with each place and why it has acquired a haunted reputation.

The advertised subjects are broad. You might hear about haunted houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars, cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, streets, sidewalks, and churches. That long list does not mean you will enter every type of site. It describes the range of places that may appear along the route or in the stories.

One especially unusual part of the walk is a mass burial ground known for reported cold spots, apparitions, and orbs. The exact route can change without notice, so you should treat this as a possible part of the investigation rather than a fixed promise of a particular stop.

The guide also covers New Orleans vampires and Voodoo. These subjects help place the ghost stories in the city’s wider folklore instead of treating every shadow as a random scare. You will get more from the tour if you enjoy hearing how local legends grow around real streets and old buildings.

Respect the neighborhood as you walk. The French Quarter is still a residential area, not a theme park. Do not ring doorbells, trespass, block sidewalks, or wander away from the group for photos.

The EMF meter and what to expect from the investigation

The electronic field meter is the tour’s main hands-on feature. It is used as a ghost or paranormal detector, and participants may be allowed to handle it during the walk. You need to request equipment at check-in and provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number before checking it out.

Do not expect every person in the group to receive a meter. The supplied information describes a real meter used during the tour, and one account specifically notes that a single participant held it while the rest of the group watched. If you want a turn, ask at check-in rather than assuming the guide will pass it around.

This arrangement can work well for families and first-time ghost hunters. One person gets a small job, while the rest of the group listens and watches the reading. It can also feel underwhelming if you expect each person to carry equipment or if you want a carefully controlled scientific test.

An EMF reading is not proof of a ghost. Streets, wiring, phones, and other sources can affect electronic equipment. The tour operator is clear that no paranormal encounter is guaranteed. You may see an unusual reading, hear a story that sends a chill up your back, or simply enjoy the atmosphere and the guide’s narration.

Handle the equipment carefully. A fee of $250 may be charged for a lost, damaged, or missing piece of paranormal equipment. The equipment must be returned to a staff member before you leave.

Guides who add more than ghost stories

The guide can make or break a walking tour, and the names attached to this experience include Cody, Coty, and Ashley. Their styles may differ, but the strongest accounts describe guides who add New Orleans background and humor instead of reading only from a ghost script.

Cody, for example, has been praised for mixing hauntings with general French Quarter history. He also offered a useful gumbo tip during one walk, which shows how the evening can drift into food and local culture. That sort of extra advice is valuable if you are still deciding where to eat or what to see next.

Coty has led an interesting version of the tour, but timing can be less predictable. One outing started an hour late, causing problems with a dinner reservation and a show. If you have firm evening plans, leave a generous buffer after the walk.

Ashley’s approach has been described as friendly and fun, with an emphasis on exploring the Quarter and meeting other people interested in ghost lore. Since guides lead the narration and route, the exact tone will depend on who is working that night.

The operator does not permit audio or video recording of the tour or the guide’s narration. Photos are allowed and encouraged, but you must stay with the group. This rule may disappoint anyone hoping to make a video diary, though it does keep phones from taking over the walk.

Drinks, bars, and the unpredictable timing

You may stop at bars or bar windows along the route to buy a to-go drink. This is optional, and the cost is not included in the $20 ticket. Some stops may be quick, while busy bars can add a surprising amount of time.

The drink option fits the tour’s social side, but it creates a scheduling tradeoff. The operator says the tour can last longer when the group waits at busy bars or makes several stops. I would not book a dinner reservation or show immediately after the stated two-hour maximum.

Children may participate with a parent or guardian, but some bars do not allow children inside. To-go windows are available along the route for anyone who cannot or does not want to enter a bar. Alcohol is allowed during the walk, but the operator can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated. A canceled tour for that reason does not bring a refund.

You should also remember that this is a walking investigation, not a pub crawl. Drinks are an optional part of the route, and the central activity remains the guide’s stories and the public locations.

What you will not get on this tour

The most important limitation is the lack of indoor access. You will not walk through haunted hotels, apartments, morgues, churches, or private homes. You hear about these places and view what can be seen from public areas.

That is not necessarily a weakness. Outdoor walking lets you cover several parts of the Quarter without dealing with restricted access or long indoor waits. It also keeps the price low. Still, if you want a candlelit cemetery visit, a private investigation, or an overnight stay in a reputedly haunted building, this is not that kind of experience.

You should also lower your expectations about paranormal proof. The tour promises stories and equipment, not a ghost appearance. A full moon, Friday the 13th, or another special date does not change that. The operator specifically states that the tour cannot guarantee ghosts, vampires, demons, angels, gods, spirits, or any other supernatural sighting.

That honest warning is useful. You can enjoy the show without feeling promised something the guide cannot deliver. The evening works best when you treat the meter as a fun tool and the stories as folklore, local history, and entertainment.

Price, group size, and practical value

At $20 per person, this is one of the easier New Orleans activities to fit into a busy itinerary. You get a local guide and a walking route through the French Quarter, with no separate admission charges for the public streets and storytelling.

The maximum group size is listed as 99 people, so the actual feel can vary. A small group may make the meter and questions easier to manage. A large group can feel more like a moving crowd, especially on narrow sidewalks and in busy parts of Bourbon Street.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The streets and walkways can be old, uneven, and worn, so wear practical shoes and keep your attention on the ground. The tour is outdoors in changing weather. New Orleans can be very hot, but it can also become cold, so dress for the forecast and carry water when needed.

The weather policy deserves careful attention. The experience is described as rain or shine, while the operator also reserves the right to cancel or reschedule because of poor weather or other events. If the operator cancels because of weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you may be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Your booking is otherwise non-refundable, and a personal cancellation does not qualify for a refund.

Minimum numbers matter. A tour can be canceled close to departure if not enough people book, so keep a backup plan for the evening. This is particularly wise if you have a restaurant booking or show ticket that depends on a fixed schedule.

Who will enjoy this French Quarter walk

I would choose this tour if you want a budget-friendly night activity, enjoy local legends, or like combining a neighborhood walk with a light paranormal theme. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want a social outing rather than a serious investigation.

It is also a good fit if you have already spent the day visiting museums and landmarks and want something different after sunset. The route gives you another reason to pay attention to the Quarter’s buildings and side streets.

I would hesitate if you dislike walking, need a tightly timed evening, or expect entry into haunted locations. I would also choose another activity if your main goal is a quiet, small-group investigation with personal equipment for everyone.

Should you book New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101?

Book it if you see the $20 ticket as a guided folklore walk with a paranormal prop, not as a guaranteed ghost hunt. The combination of French Quarter streets, vampire and Voodoo stories, a shared EMF meter, and optional drink stops makes a lively evening for the right audience.

Before booking, keep your schedule flexible, arrive early at 941 Bourbon Street, and ask about using the meter at check-in. Wear comfortable shoes, expect outdoor walking, and do not plan a dinner or show too close to the end time.

Skip it if indoor access, scientific testing, or a promised supernatural sighting is essential. For everyone else, this is a reasonably priced way to see a different side of New Orleans after dark, with enough local detail to make the walk worthwhile even if the meter stays quiet.

FAQ

How long does New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours. It may run longer if the group waits at busy bars or makes several drink stops.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Tours do not meet inside the bar.

Does the tour enter haunted buildings?

No. The tour takes place on public property, and no entry into private locations is provided. You hear stories and visit locations from public streets and sidewalks.

Is the electronic field meter included?

A real EMF meter is used during the tour, and participants may request paranormal equipment at check-in. Equipment must be returned before you leave, and lost or damaged equipment can result in a $250 charge.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. You may buy drinks at bars or windows along the route, but you pay for them separately.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Some bars do not allow children inside, although to-go windows are available along the route.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of travelers is not reached, you may be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable, and route or departure times may change.