New Orleans Spirits & Spells: Witchcraft, Voodoo, and Ghost Tour

New Orleans Spirits & Spells takes you beyond the usual French Quarter landmarks and into stories of witchcraft, Voodoo, and haunted houses. You walk from Hex to places tied to healers, covens, ghosts, ritual murders, and Madame Lalaurie, then return for a group spellcasting ritual in a real witches’ temple.

I like the mix of city history and theatrical storytelling. I also like the small-group cap of 26 people, which gives guides such as Jamie, Carrie, and Kerry room to answer questions and keep an eye on the group. The main caution is that much of the tour happens outside. You usually view haunted buildings from the street, and the balance leans more toward ghosts than detailed Voodoo or witchcraft history.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour ends with a spellcasting ritual: You return to Hex for a group ritual in a witches’ temple and hidden brick courtyard.
• Madame Lalaurie is a major stop: The tour covers the true story behind one of the French Quarter’s most infamous haunted houses.
• You walk through the French Quarter: Expect about two hours on foot, with comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
• The storytelling depends heavily on your guide: Jamie, Carrie, and Kerry have received especially warm praise for their humor, passion, and command of New Orleans history.
• Most sites are viewed from outside: You do not generally enter the haunted buildings, though the route includes access to Hex and, during the 4 p.m. tour, a Voodoo supply shop.
• The price is moderate for a specialized walking tour: At $29 per person, the value rests mainly in the guide, stories, and private ritual rather than in paid admission to attractions.

Starting at Hex on Decatur Street

The tour begins at Hex New Orleans, at 1219 Decatur Street, and ends at the same place. That simple out-and-back setup helps. You do not need to arrange a second ride across town, and the starting point is near public transportation.

Hex is more than a meeting point. It is the home base for the experience and the place where the final ritual takes place. The tour begins with the theme already in view, rather than easing you into it with a general city walk.

The group size can reach 26 people. That is not an intimate private tour, but it is still manageable for a walking route through the French Quarter. A good guide matters here. Jamie has been praised for making the history easy to follow and for keeping the mood lively. Carrie and Kerry have also been singled out for humor, warmth, and strong storytelling.

Guide assignments can vary, so do not book solely expecting one particular person. The useful thing to look for is a guide who can handle both sides of the tour: the factual background and the spooky performance.

Old Ursuline Convent and the work of women healers

The first major stop is the Old Ursuline Convent Museum. You do not receive a general museum visit as part of this tour, but the building provides a setting for stories about women working together, healing, and creating change in early New Orleans.

This is one of the more useful stops because it gives the tour a wider frame. Witchcraft stories can easily become a string of spooky anecdotes. The convent helps connect the subject to women’s work, religious institutions, medicine, and community life.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for a focused story, but not enough for a full examination of the convent or its collections. If you want to explore the museum itself, plan a separate visit.

Chartres Street and Mary Oneida Toups

On Chartres Street, the subject shifts to Mary Oneida Toups and her real coven of witches. Her story also connects with the coven portrayed in American Horror Story: Coven, giving television fans an extra point of interest.

This part of the walk works best if you want the line between New Orleans folklore and modern popular culture. The tour presents a local figure rather than relying only on anonymous ghost stories. You get a sense of how New Orleans continues to inspire stories about magic, ritual, and female power.

The stop is scheduled for roughly 10 minutes. Expect a street-side explanation, not a visit to a coven site. The route is designed to tell the story in place, while leaving the private spaces private.

Muriel’s Jackson Square ghost story

Muriel’s is one of the French Quarter’s best-known restaurants, and the tour explains how it pays nightly respect to a resident ghost. The restaurant provides a pleasant change of pace from stories about covens and violent spirits.

I like this stop because it shows how ghost lore operates in everyday New Orleans life. The supernatural is not confined to abandoned buildings or dark alleys. It can become part of a restaurant’s identity, dining ritual, and public story.

You should not expect to dine at Muriel’s or enter as part of the tour. The value is in hearing the story while standing near the restaurant and Jackson Square. If you want to eat there afterward, make that a separate plan.

Voodoo Authentica and the limits of the theme

Voodoo Authentica is the clearest Voodoo-focused stop on the route. Here, the guide explains the history of Voodoo in New Orleans and its place in the city’s spiritual life.

During the 4 p.m. tour, the group enters a real Voodoo supply shop. That detail matters. It gives the subject a physical setting and lets you see a working retail space rather than hearing every story on the sidewalk.

The timing also creates a possible mismatch for some people. If you specifically want the shop visit, check that you are choosing the 4 p.m. departure. The tour is called Spirits & Spells, but its focus is not evenly divided among ghosts, witchcraft, and Voodoo. The ghost material takes up a large share of the walk, and some people may want more time on Voodoo traditions and witch history.

Keep your expectations grounded. This is an educational and theatrical walking tour, not a formal religious service or a specialist academic course. The guide’s approach shapes how carefully the subjects are explained.

735 Ursulines Avenue and the darker stories

At 735 Ursulines Avenue, the tour turns toward the darker side of the French Quarter. The stories involve malevolent spirits, ritual murders, and the dangers of calling up something you cannot control.

This is likely to be one of the more intense parts of the evening. The material deals with violence and death, so it may not suit younger children or anyone looking for a gentle ghost walk. The age minimum is 13, and that feels sensible given the subject matter.

Again, you view the location from the outside. That is important when comparing this tour with one that advertises entry into haunted buildings. The guide uses the street, architecture, and spoken story to create the setting, but you should not expect to walk through the property.

Some feedback has raised concerns about sensationalized storytelling. That is a fair consideration. New Orleans ghost tours often sit between documented history and legend. A strong guide makes clear what is known, what is claimed, and what has grown through retelling. You may want to ask questions if a story sounds more dramatic than factual.

The Lalaurie Mansion and a notorious New Orleans story

The final major street stop is the Lalaurie Mansion, associated with Madame Delphine Lalaurie. The tour covers the true story of her cruelty and the mansion’s reputation as one of the world’s most infamous haunted houses. The guide also explains ways to repel negativity.

This is a powerful stop because the building links documented historical abuse with later ghost lore. It is not simply a haunted-house tale. The story has a disturbing human core, and a responsible guide needs to treat it with care rather than turning suffering into a cheap scare.

You see the mansion from the street. You do not enter it, and you should not expect a private tour inside. That limitation can disappoint people who book expecting access to haunted interiors, but it also reflects the practical reality of private property and local restrictions.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. Your guide has to give enough context to explain why the house matters, while keeping the group moving and making room for other pedestrians and tour groups.

Returning to Hex for the group spell

After the French Quarter walk, you return to Hex for the experience’s most distinctive feature: a spellcasting ritual in a real witches’ temple and a hidden brick courtyard with a magical fountain.

This is the part that separates the tour from a standard ghost walk. You are not only listening to stories. You take part in a shared ritual at the end. The group format matters here because the activity is designed as a collective spell, not a private consultation.

The ritual may be the highlight if you enjoy atmosphere, symbolism, and a bit of theatrical participation. It may feel less convincing if you want a strictly historical tour. I would treat it as a playful, atmospheric ending rather than as a substitute for studying witchcraft or religious practice.

One piece of practical advice: confirm the final ritual when you arrive. Most of the description centers on it, but at least one experience was described as ending without the promised courtyard or group ritual. Clear communication at the start can prevent a mismatch between expectation and reality.

How much walking and waiting to expect

The route lasts about two hours and includes seven stops. The walking is described as leisurely and suitable for most people, but it is still a city walking tour. You may spend time standing on sidewalks while the guide speaks, and the French Quarter can make it hard for everyone to hear.

Wear comfortable shoes. One person found the amount of walking notable, and that is useful advice even though the pace is not presented as strenuous. You should also plan for New Orleans weather. The tour requires good weather and may be canceled in poor conditions.

The guide may need to adjust the route or pause if someone becomes overheated. One guide was praised for quickly getting a person indoors, finding water, and changing the plan when the weather became too much. That kind of practical attention can make a real difference on a warm evening.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Parking fees are not included, so public transit or a ride service may be simpler than trying to park near Decatur Street.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $29 per person, this is a reasonably priced two-hour walking tour. You are not paying for entry to the Old Ursuline Convent, Muriel’s, 735 Ursulines Avenue, or the Lalaurie Mansion. The price covers the guide, the route, access to the Hex temple, and participation in the group ritual.

That means the value depends on what you want. If you judge a tour by museum admissions or indoor access, the price may feel less impressive. If you enjoy a focused guide, local stories, and an unusual finish, $29 is fair.

The group maximum of 26 is worth noting. It keeps the cost below that of a private tour, but it can also affect how easily you hear the guide. A guide who faces the group and projects clearly will make the experience much better. Stand where you can see and hear, rather than drifting to the back.

The tour is not suitable for children under 13. For older teenagers, the mix of history, suspense, and ritual can work well. One guide even drew a hesitant 17-year-old into the stories through humor and questions.

The guides make or break the evening

The strongest praise goes to the guides, especially Jamie, Carrie, and Kerry. Jamie has been described as friendly, funny, passionate about New Orleans, and able to keep a group involved for the full walk. Carrie and Kerry have also received praise for humor and clear explanations.

That matters because this tour is built around spoken storytelling. You are not entering a long series of attractions with built-in interpretation. The guide supplies the context, pace, atmosphere, and often the distinction between history and legend.

There is one practical warning. A guide who turns away from the group or speaks too softly can make the walk frustrating, especially on a busy street. If you cannot hear, move closer or politely ask the guide to repeat the point. The experience rises or falls on communication.

The overall rating is high, at 4.8 out of 5 from 329 reviews, with 93 percent recommending it. That is a strong sign, but it does not erase the recurring concerns about outdoor-only viewing, sensational stories, and the tour’s heavy ghost emphasis.

Who should book New Orleans Spirits & Spells

I would choose this tour if you want a story-led evening walk with a theatrical edge. It suits adults, older teenagers, fans of ghost lore, and anyone who wants to connect French Quarter buildings with tales of witches, healers, spirits, and violence.

It is also a good fit if you have already seen the standard New Orleans landmarks and want a different way to read the streets. You may notice architectural details, old security features, and local stories that you would miss on a daytime stroll.

I would skip it if your main goal is a serious study of Voodoo, extensive access to historic interiors, or a quiet museum experience. You should also choose another activity if graphic stories about abuse, murder, and restless spirits are not your idea of a pleasant evening.

Book at least a little ahead if your schedule is fixed. This experience is booked an average of 17 days in advance, and weather or minimum-group requirements can affect departures. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or too few participants, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book it for the guide, the French Quarter storytelling, and the unusual return to Hex for a group spell. Jamie, Carrie, and Kerry have shown how much a warm, lively guide can add to the evening.

Do not book it expecting to enter every haunted site or receive equal time on ghosts, witchcraft, and Voodoo. At $29, it offers good value for an atmospheric walking tour, but its success depends on your comfort with outdoor storytelling, legend, and ritual theater.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Hex New Orleans, 1219 Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the Hex meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $29 per person.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is not suitable for children under 13 years of age.

Do I enter the haunted buildings?

Generally, no. Most locations are viewed from outside. The tour does include access to the Hex temple, and the 4 p.m. tour enters a Voodoo supply shop.

Is the group spell included?

Yes. The experience includes access to a witches’ temple and participation in a group spellcasting ritual.

Is parking included?

No. Parking fees are not included.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.