New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 with Electronic Field Meter

Ghost stories hit differently after dark. This small-cost New Orleans walking experience takes you through the French Quarter with tales of hauntings, vampires, voodoo, and unusual activity, while letting you try a real electronic field meter. I like the mix of local history and spooky storytelling, and I like that the tour lets you buy a drink along the route if you want one. The main drawback is that you do not enter the haunted buildings, and the walking pace and timing can shift.

At $20 per person, this is a low-risk way to add a supernatural theme to your evening. Guide Cody earned praise for being funny and well informed, while Ashley helped make another group’s outing lively and enjoyable. Still, you should book this for stories, atmosphere, and a bit of playful investigation, not because you expect a ghost to appear on command.

Key points to know before you book

• The French Quarter is the investigation site: You walk past haunted homes, apartments, bars, hotels, cemeteries, churches, galleries, sidewalks, and other public places.
• One real EMF meter is used: The equipment may be passed to different people, so you should not expect every person to hold a detector.
• The tour lasts about one to two hours: Bar stops can lengthen the outing, especially when venues are crowded.
• No indoor haunted-site access is included: You remain on public property and do not enter private buildings or restricted locations.
• The tour mixes ghosts with New Orleans culture: Expect stories about vampires, voodoo, burial grounds, and French Quarter history.
• Weather and minimum numbers matter: The tour runs rain or shine when operating, but poor weather or low enrollment can lead to a cancellation or change.

What the $20 French Quarter tour really offers

The price is easy to understand. For $20, you get a local guide, a guided walk through the French Quarter, supernatural stories, and access to paranormal equipment during the investigation.

That is good value if you already plan to spend the evening in the Quarter. You are paying less for formal admission to a site and more for the guide’s storytelling, route planning, and interpretation of places you might otherwise pass without noticing. The tour adds a theme to an ordinary walk through one of New Orleans’ most famous neighborhoods.

The value drops if you expect a theatrical haunted-house attraction. This is not a staged show with actors, special effects, or guaranteed apparitions. It is also not a museum visit. The experience depends heavily on the guide, the group mood, the weather, and how much you enjoy stories that leave room for doubt.

I see the best comparison as an evening neighborhood walk with a paranormal angle. You get history and folklore along with the ghost talk. If Cody, Ashley, or another engaging guide leads your group, the experience can become a fun way to understand the Quarter from an unusual angle.

Meeting at 941 Bourbon Street

The meeting point is on the sidewalk by 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 bar at that address.

This detail matters because Bourbon Street can be confusing at night. Arrive a few minutes early, find the courtyard gate, and check in with the guide before departure. The group leaves at the scheduled time, and a late arrival may find that the guide has already moved on.

The tour operator takes time-stamped photos of the meeting spot at the start of each tour. That is one reason not to rely on arriving at the last second. If you think you will be late, contact the operator before the scheduled departure. Once the tour begins, the guide may not be able to answer a phone while leading the group.

The end point is in the French Quarter rather than back at the starting gate. That is convenient if you want to continue your evening nearby, but you should plan your dinner, show, or ride accordingly.

Walking the French Quarter after dark

The route is described as a moderate-paced walking tour. It may last one hour, but two hours is a more realistic planning figure, especially if the group pauses at bars along the way.

New Orleans streets and walkways can be old, uneven, and difficult underfoot. Wear shoes that give you steady footing, and pay attention rather than staring at your phone while the group moves. The operator also asks everyone to stay with the group, avoid blocking sidewalks, and respect the people who live in the French Quarter.

You can take photos, but you cannot wander away from the group to take them. The guide needs to keep the group moving and complete the route. This is a good fit for you if you enjoy walking and listening at the same time. It is less suitable if you want a slow photo walk with frequent stops.

The tour can include drink stops. You may buy an alcoholic drink at a bar or window and carry it along where permitted, but drinks are not included in the $20 price. Bar visits can also make the tour longer. A busy venue may delay the whole group, so do not schedule a tightly timed dinner reservation or show immediately afterward.

The stories behind the haunted locations

The heart of the experience is the guide’s account of places connected with supernatural activity. The route may point out haunted houses, apartments, morgues, bathrooms, bars, pubs, cemeteries, balconies, galleries, hotels, streets, sidewalks, and churches.

That broad list tells you what kind of tour this is. It is not limited to grand mansions or famous landmarks. The guide may direct your attention toward ordinary-looking corners and explain why a location has become part of New Orleans ghost lore. A bathroom or sidewalk can receive as much attention as a cemetery, which gives the walk a playful and unexpected quality.

One stop focuses on a mass burial ground associated with cold spots, apparitions, and orbs. You should treat that part as storytelling and investigation rather than proof of anything supernatural. The operator makes clear that paranormal activity is not guaranteed, and no one can promise that you will see a spirit, vampire, demon, angel, or other nonhuman entity.

That honesty is useful. You can enjoy the atmosphere without being sold a staged encounter. The tour works best when you are willing to listen, observe, and make up your own mind.

Using the electronic field meter

The electronic field meter is the most distinctive hands-on part of the tour. It is described as a real EMF meter, a device used to detect changes in electromagnetic fields that some paranormal investigators associate with unusual activity.

You will need to set your expectations correctly. One guest may hold the device at a time, rather than everyone receiving a detector. One person who joined with a niece expected wider access to the equipment, but the child still enjoyed holding the meter and felt like a genuine ghost hunter.

During one outing, the guide asked a participant to report when the meter passed a reading of 15. The meter did register a change, but the guide reportedly treated it as a familiar occurrence at that location instead of presenting it as dramatic proof. That tells you something important about the experience: the equipment adds participation, but it does not guarantee a big supernatural moment.

The meter is best viewed as a conversation starter. You can see how the guide handles a reading, listen to the explanation, and decide how convincing you find it. If you need scientific testing or carefully controlled conditions, this will not satisfy you. If you enjoy trying unusual equipment during a night walk, it gives the tour extra character.

New Orleans vampires, voodoo, and local context

The tour reaches beyond standard ghost stories. It includes background on New Orleans vampires and an introduction to voodoo, along with the history connected to the locations on the route.

This broader approach makes the walk more useful than a string of unrelated scares. New Orleans has a long tradition of mixing Catholic customs, African spiritual practices, Caribbean influences, folklore, death rituals, and dramatic personal stories. The tour presents some of that material through a supernatural lens.

You should still listen carefully and keep a respectful attitude. The French Quarter is a residential neighborhood, not a stage set. Do not ring doorbells, trespass, or treat private homes as attractions. The operator specifically asks participants to respect residents and remain on public property.

A good guide can make this part especially worthwhile. Cody was praised for sharing information about the French Quarter beyond the hauntings, and one person even left with a useful tip about gumbo. That kind of local conversation can make the experience feel less like a checklist of ghost legends and more like an informal introduction to New Orleans culture.

Guides make or break the evening

The guide has a large role because there are no indoor attractions or elaborate production elements to carry the tour. You are walking, listening, watching the meter, and deciding how much of each tale you believe.

Cody received strong praise for being friendly, funny, and well informed about both hauntings and New Orleans. His approach helped turn the walk into a history lesson as well as a ghost tour. Ashley was also praised for making the outing fun and encouraging a good group atmosphere.

The experience can vary. One person found the guide’s illness and repeated coughing distracting, and felt the energy of the tour suffered. That is a reminder that the quality of an evening can depend on circumstances outside the route itself.

The operator also uses the name New Orleans Drunk History Tour for this experience. Alcohol is allowed during the walk, but extreme intoxication can lead to refusal of service or cancellation without a refund. You can enjoy a drink, but this should not become a bar crawl that happens to include ghost stories.

Timing, group size, and practical planning

The advertised duration is approximately one to two hours. Plan for the full two hours, and allow extra time if the group enters several busy bars or waits for service.

The maximum group size is listed as 99 people. That is a large possible group, although the actual number on your date may be smaller. If you prefer quiet, personal interaction, ask about the expected group size before booking. A large crowd can make it harder to hear, hold the equipment, or stay close to the guide.

The route can change without notice. Departure times can also shift because of local traffic or other conditions. You should leave room in your evening schedule rather than placing this immediately before a reservation you cannot change.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children must be with an adult, and some bars do not permit children inside. To-go windows may offer an alternative, but you should not assume every stop will work for a child.

The tour is offered in English. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the French Quarter on your own and arrange your own way back.

Weather, cancellations, and the fine print

The experience is generally rain or shine, so bring clothing suited to the weather. New Orleans can be very hot, but it can also become cold, and a long outdoor walk feels different in each condition.

The operator may cancel or reschedule because of poor weather, other serious conditions, or insufficient enrollment. If a cancellation occurs, you may be offered another date or a full refund, depending on the reason and arrangement.

Your own ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. All sales are final, so check your schedule carefully before paying. If you miss the start, the operator does not promise a refund.

The paranormal equipment must be checked out and returned before you leave. The operator requires identifying details before loaning it and states that lost, damaged, or missing equipment can result in a $250 charge. Handle the meter carefully, and do not record the guide’s narration on audio or video. Photos are allowed and encouraged.

Who will enjoy this ghost tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy:

• Walking tours with a strong storytelling element
• New Orleans folklore, voodoo, vampire tales, and death-related history
• A relaxed evening activity after daytime sightseeing
• Participating with a piece of paranormal equipment
• Making your own judgment about supernatural claims
• A tour that may include a casual drink stop

I would think twice if you want guaranteed ghost sightings, entry into historic buildings, a polished theatrical production, or a tightly controlled start and finish.

Families can attend with an adult, but the bar stops may limit what children can do. The uneven streets also call for care. Couples, friends, and older children with an interest in spooky stories may find the subject more appealing than younger kids.

Should you book New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101?

Book it if you want an affordable, entertaining walk through the French Quarter with ghost stories, local lore, and a chance to use an EMF meter. At $20, the financial risk is modest, and the strongest part is the guide’s ability to connect supernatural tales with everyday New Orleans places.

Do not book it expecting to enter haunted buildings or see a ghost. The tour stays on public property, the equipment is shared, the route can change, and the experience may last longer than planned. Arrive early at the Bourbon Street meeting point, wear sturdy shoes, keep your schedule flexible, and approach the paranormal claims with curiosity rather than certainty.

For the right audience, it is a fun way to end a day in New Orleans. The real payoff is the combination of atmosphere, stories, and a slightly silly but enjoyable attempt to measure the unknown.

FAQ

How much does New Orleans Ghost Hunters 101 cost?

The price is $20 per person. Drinks, gratuities, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour takes approximately one to two hours. It may last longer if the group waits at busy bars or makes several drink stops.

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. Do not check in inside the bar.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends in the French Quarter. Hotel transportation is not provided.

Will I enter haunted buildings?

No. The tour takes place on public property, and no entry into private locations is provided.

Does everyone get an electronic field meter?

The tour includes use of a real EMF meter, but the equipment is shared. You should not expect every person in the group to receive a separate detector.

Are drinks included?

No. You may purchase drinks along the route, but you pay for them separately. Some bars may not allow children inside.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Since some stops are bars that do not permit children, the full route may not work for every child.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed for personal reasons. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient enrollment, you may be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund depending on the circumstances.