New Orleans Drunken Voodoo, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural and History Tour

New Orleans has plenty of ghost stories, but this tour adds a useful twist: you walk through the French Quarter with a drink in hand and an EMF meter ready for possible paranormal activity. Along the way, the guide covers Marie Laveau, vampire sightings, haunted buildings, and the spot where the Louisiana Purchase was signed.

I like the mix of local history and spooky folklore, and I like that the walk ends at Jackson Square, where you can continue exploring on your own. Guides named Cody and Coty have drawn especially warm praise for their storytelling, patience, and city tips. The main concern is reliability: strict departure rules and several serious complaints about missed or canceled tours mean you should confirm the details before setting out.

Key points to know before you book

• The EMF meter is real equipment: You can request a paranormal detector at check-in, but you are responsible for returning it undamaged.
• The route covers major French Quarter stories: Expect Marie Laveau, voodoo ceremonies, vampire sightings, haunted buildings, Jackson Square, and the Louisiana Purchase site.
• The atmosphere is social and alcohol-friendly: Drinks are available for purchase, but the $35 price does not include them.
• Cody and Coty receive the strongest praise: Their humor, patience, historical detail, and recommendations are central to the best experiences.
• The meeting point is precise: Meet on the sidewalk at the courtyard gate beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, not inside the bar and not at a street corner.
• The tour can last longer than advertised: The stated duration is about one to two hours, with bar waits sometimes adding time.

Why this French Quarter walk works

The appeal here is not a single haunted house or theatrical show. It is the combination of a moving history lesson, a casual drinking walk, and a ghost tour that uses the streets of the Vieux Carré as its setting.

You pass landmarks that help explain how New Orleans grew into its unusual mix of French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, Catholic, and Creole traditions. Then the guide shifts into stories of voodoo, murder, spirits, and vampires. That change in tone suits New Orleans, where grand architecture and grim tales often share the same block.

The tour costs $35 per person, which is fair if you want a short introduction to the French Quarter and plan to buy only one or two drinks. It is less of a bargain if you expect several included admissions, a formal museum visit, or a guaranteed supernatural encounter. The admission itself is free at the stops, and the guide and group walk are included. Drinks, tips, and the possible cost of replacing damaged equipment are not.

I would treat this as a lively orientation walk, not a serious investigation of the paranormal. The operator is clear that no ghost, vampire, spirit, or other non-human presence is guaranteed. That honesty matters. The stories are part of the entertainment, while the history gives the walk a firmer foundation.

Meeting at 941 Bourbon Street

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

This detail matters because Bourbon Street is noisy, crowded, and full of groups. Arrive several minutes early, stand by the courtyard gate, and look for the guide rather than asking inside the bar. The tour leaves at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, the guide may already be leading the group away, and a refund is not promised.

The exact meeting point is one of the most practical issues with this experience. Save the address before leaving your hotel, keep your phone available for texts, and do not assume that a large sign or staffed desk will mark the spot. The operator says departure times can change because of traffic or other local conditions, with text messages and email used for updates.

The group may include as many as 99 people, though the actual feel can vary. A small group gives you a better chance to ask questions and hear the guide clearly. A large group will feel more like a moving Bourbon Street party. The guide may ask you to remain with the group, so this is not a good choice if you want to wander off for photographs.

The Vieux Carré, Marie Laveau, and the city’s darker tales

The opening portion moves through the historic French Quarter, covering landmarks and addresses linked to New Orleans history. One especially important stop is the place where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803. That event changed the future of the United States, and seeing the exact location gives the political story a physical anchor.

The guide also points out St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square and other sites connected with the city’s past. The value here is the way the buildings become part of the explanation. You are not simply hearing dates while standing in a random plaza. You are moving through the neighborhood and seeing the streets where the stories took place.

Then the subject turns to voodoo. The guide explains how the practice came to New Orleans and introduces Marie Laveau, the city’s best-known Voodoo Queen. You visit property said to have been given to her as payment for her magical work, along with places connected to voodoo ceremonies.

This section requires a little care. Voodoo is a living religion and cultural tradition, not just a collection of curses and spooky props. A good guide can separate religious practice, local history, legend, and popular myth. The strongest comments about Cody and Coty point to guides who provide context instead of simply shouting out ghost stories. If that distinction matters to you, listen for how the guide handles the subject.

The tour also visits the city’s most haunted house, according to the operator, and locations associated with regular vampire sightings and police reports. These stories are presented for entertainment. You should enjoy them as part of New Orleans folklore, not as verified proof that supernatural beings are waiting around the next corner.

Using the EMF meter without expecting a ghost

The EMF meter is one of the tour’s more unusual features. You can request paranormal equipment at check-in, and the guide allows participants to use it during the walk. You must provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference number before checking out the device.

The equipment is tracked and marked, and the stated charge for a lost, missing, or damaged piece is $250. That is a serious financial risk for a casual activity, so handle the meter carefully. Keep it in your hand, do not pass it around carelessly, and return it to a staff member before leaving the group.

An EMF meter detects electromagnetic fields. It does not prove the presence of a ghost, vampire, demon, or spirit. Streetlights, wiring, phones, vehicles, and other ordinary sources can affect readings. The fun comes from testing a place and discussing what the device shows, not from treating every beep as scientific evidence.

The operator makes no promise that you will see or record paranormal activity. Some participants have captured unusual photos, but that possibility is not part of a guarantee or refund policy. I appreciate the clear warning because it sets the right expectation: you are buying stories, atmosphere, and a playful investigation, not a scheduled ghost appearance.

French Quarter bars and the drinking pace

The second part moves through a neighborhood said to contain more than 200 bars. The route passes many of them, and the guide may bring the group into some of the more historic or friendly spots along the way.

Drinks are not included in the $35 fee. You pay for your own purchases, and some bars may be crowded. Waiting to enter or order can stretch the tour beyond the advertised one-hour estimate. The full experience is generally about one to two hours, but delays inside bars can make the timing less exact.

You are allowed to drink while walking with the group, subject to local rules and the guide’s instructions. The operator can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated. If your conduct causes the tour to end for you, no refund is promised.

That policy is sensible, but it also tells you what kind of night this is. Pace yourself. A hot New Orleans evening, uneven pavement, alcohol, and a moving group can be a poor mix. Water, comfortable shoes, and a light approach to drinking will help you enjoy the stories instead of struggling to keep up.

The drinking angle is best for adults who want a social evening rather than a quiet lecture. It can also work for a group of friends starting a weekend in New Orleans. If you do not drink, you can still join the walk, and to-go bars or windows are available along the route for people who do not want to enter a bar.

Ending at Jackson Square

The tour concludes in Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter. This is a useful ending point because you are left near major sights, restaurants, bars, and streets worth exploring on foot.

The square also ties together the tour’s themes. St. Louis Cathedral, historic buildings, street performers, and the surrounding French Quarter provide a visual finish after the stories of voodoo, haunted homes, and vampire sightings. You can stay in the area afterward instead of arranging a ride back to the starting point.

The final 20 minutes are described as a continuation of the same history and folklore discussion rather than a separate attraction. You may hear more about famous events and haunted locations, with room for the guide to answer questions if the group size allows.

Because the tour finishes in the middle of the French Quarter, plan your next stop before you arrive. The operator does not provide transportation back to your hotel. That is not a problem for most people staying nearby, but it matters if you are unfamiliar with New Orleans or booking this late at night.

The guides can make or break the evening

The most praised part of this experience is the guide. Cody, also called Coty in some feedback, receives repeated credit for being engaging, patient, and well informed about the city. He has been praised for helping a group that was delayed by an incorrect rideshare drop-off and for offering practical suggestions about shops and places to visit.

That tells you something useful. This is not simply a script delivered at a set of addresses. The best version of the tour depends on a guide who can adjust to the group, answer odd questions, and make the history easy to follow while people are drinking.

Cody has also been praised for explaining buildings, murder scenes, local culture, movie connections, and haunted locations. Other strong comments describe guides who are enthusiastic and laid-back. If you are lucky enough to have a small group, that personality can turn a standard walking tour into a friendly evening with useful local advice.

Still, the experience has a serious operational weakness. Several bookings have involved a guide who did not appear, a tour that was canceled shortly before departure, or unclear communication at the meeting point. The operator’s strict policy says the guide cannot wait for late arrivals, and missed departures are not refunded.

That does not mean every departure fails, but it does mean you should protect yourself. Confirm the meeting address, watch for text updates, arrive early, and contact the operator before departure if anything goes wrong. Do not wait until after the scheduled start if you cannot find the group.

Weather, cancellations, and the fine print

The tour runs in rain or shine unless the operator cancels. New Orleans can be very hot, but the operator also warns that cold weather occurs. Wear shoes suited to old, uneven streets and bring clothing for the forecast.

The booking terms shown for this experience allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted. If poor weather or low numbers force a cancellation, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

The operator’s own conditions also say that all sales are final and that no refunds are offered for many situations. Because these statements do not read exactly the same, I would check the cancellation terms shown at the time of booking and save your confirmation. If a refund matters to your plans, do not assume that every cancellation situation is treated alike.

The tour can also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached. That decision may come close to departure, so have a backup plan for the evening. This is especially important if you are visiting New Orleans for only one night.

Who should book this $35 tour?

I would choose this experience if you want:

• A casual introduction to the French Quarter
• Stories about Marie Laveau, voodoo, vampires, and haunted buildings
• A social walk with optional drinks
• A short evening activity for friends or couples
• A guide who can add restaurant, shop, and sightseeing suggestions
• A playful chance to use an EMF meter

I would choose something else if you want a quiet historical tour, a guaranteed indoor attraction, included drinks, or a serious paranormal investigation. Families should also check the age rules carefully. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise, and not every bar permits children inside.

Most people can take part in the moderate-paced walk, and service animals are allowed. The route stays on public property, but old sidewalks and uneven streets require attention. Audio and video recording are not allowed, though photographs are encouraged.

Should you book the New Orleans Drunken Voodoo Tour?

Book it if you like your history with a side of folklore and do not mind a loose, social format. The price is reasonable for a guided French Quarter orientation, especially when Cody or Coty is leading and the group stays small. The combination of the Louisiana Purchase site, St. Louis Cathedral, Marie Laveau stories, haunted addresses, bars, and an EMF meter gives the evening a lot of variety.

I would not book it as the only fixed plan of a short New Orleans visit. The late cancellations and missed meeting experiences make a backup wise. Arrive early, monitor your phone, confirm the courtyard gate at 941 Bourbon Street, and keep your drinking moderate.

For the right group, this can be a fun first-night walk that helps you understand the French Quarter before exploring it on your own. Just buy the stories and atmosphere, not a promise of proof from the spirit world.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about one to two hours. The walk itself is moderate paced, but waits inside busy bars can make the experience last longer.

What is included in the $35 price?

The price includes a local guide and the group walking tour. Drinks, gratuities, and any lost or damaged paranormal equipment are not included.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116. The tour does not meet inside the bar or at a street corner.

Where does the tour end?

The walk ends in Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. Transportation back to your hotel is not included.

Can I use the EMF meter?

Yes. You can request paranormal equipment at check-in and must provide the required personal and booking details before checking it out. You must return it to a staff member, and a $250 charge applies to lost, missing, or damaged equipment.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, but you pay for them separately.

What happens if I cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund under the stated booking policy. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refundable. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you may be offered another date or a full refund.