New Orleans gets spooky, but with real context. This 2-hour Spirits & Spells walk blends witchcraft, voodoo history, and ghost stories, then closes with a group spellcasting ritual at a real witches temple. I love the mix of storytelling and specific real locations like Chartres Street and the Lalaurie Mansion. One thing to consider, it leans heavily on “spooky tales,” and you should expect many sights to be viewed from the street, not fully explored inside.

If you want a guaranteed hands-on, inside-every-haunted-house experience, you might find the stop times a bit quick. The tour is built for a steady walk with brief visits and “look and learn” moments, so plan on comfortable shoes and staying attentive.

Key things to know before you go

• Real temple access and group spellcasting at Hex, not just creepy costume talk
• French Quarter pacing that works for most people, with a maximum group size of 26
• Ursuline and witchcraft stops that connect local stories to wider pop culture echoes
• Voodoo Authentica entry on the 4pm tour, if your time slot includes it
• A mix of light and heavy topics, including true-life horror tied to the Lalaurie name
• Strong guide energy matters, with praised guides including Carrie, Kerry, Jamie, and Jayme

Price and value at $29 for 2 hours

At $29 per person, you are paying less for a “sit and listen” show and more for time with a live guide plus a couple of special access moments. The big value pieces are the exclusive access to a witch coven temple and the chance to cast a group spell as part of the experience. Most of the other stops are short looks at historic sites around the French Quarter, and the tour includes notes so you know what you are seeing.

Also, the tour includes admission tickets for each featured stop listed on the route, which helps keep the budget predictable. Parking is not included, so if you plan to drive, factor in that extra cost and traffic time.

The walk itself, group size, and how to prepare

This is an evening, leisurely walking tour through central New Orleans. It runs about 2 hours and starts and ends at the same meeting point near public transportation: Hex New Orleans at 1219 Decatur St. The group can be up to 26 people, which is large enough that you will want to stay near the front if you care about hearing every word.

A practical note: the tour is not for kids under 13. It also depends on good weather, so if conditions look sketchy, expect the operator to reschedule or refund rather than push forward.

My best advice is simple: wear shoes you can walk in comfortably for the full stretch, and keep water handy. One of the strongest themes in guide feedback is how they stay on top of comfort and timing, including making adjustments when people needed a break.

Hex New Orleans: the witch temple, courtyard fountain, and your group spell

The tour kicks off at Hex New Orleans and loops right back there. The first stop is a hands-on start point: you get exclusive access to a real witches temple, plus the ritual and a spellcasting moment with your group.

What makes this opening work well is that it sets the tone without pretending everything is fantasy. You are not just hearing scary stories from a sidewalk. You are getting pulled into the idea of witchcraft as a practice, with a physical space that feels intentionally designed for ritual. The courtyard and magical fountain setting also gives you a memorable “before we hit the streets” scene.

If you are nervous about participating, don’t be. This is a group ritual that the guide leads. The whole point is to make you feel part of it, not like you are being tested.

Old Ursuline Convent Museum: women healers and the power of teamwork

Next up is the Old Ursuline Convent Museum stop. This is where the tour adds a historical angle that goes beyond “ghost, ghost, ghost.” You learn about women working together and the miracles tied to women healers, centered on the Ursuline story.

This stop is valuable for two reasons. First, it gives the tour more balance. Second, it reminds you that the darker themes in New Orleans did not grow in a vacuum. They came from real communities, real institutions, and real people trying to survive and help each other.

The downside? You should expect a relatively short visit here. It is more about orientation and story than long museum time.

Chartres Street: Mary Oneida Toups and the very real coven

On Chartres Street, the tour connects a name from local lore, Mary Oneida Toups, with a “very real Coven of Witches” that inspired American Horror Story: Coven. Even if you have seen the show, you will likely appreciate how the tour frames it as something rooted in history and neighborhood memory.

This stop is a good one if you like your spooky content with names and context. It is also a chance to separate pop-culture vibes from local legend, because the guide uses the TV connection as a bridge, not as the full story.

One practical caution: the stop is short. If you are the type who likes to take photos, you will want to do it quickly and keep listening, so the guide does not have to repeat details while the group shuffles.

Muriel’s Jackson Square: the resident ghost angle

At Muriel’s Jackson Square, you get a lighter, restaurant-linked ghost story. The tour focuses on how this popular spot pays nightly homage to its resident ghost.

Why this works is that you get a taste of how New Orleans turns supernatural talk into everyday culture. Instead of being trapped in a “haunted house” mindset, you see how the city folds ghost stories into daily life and public identity.

The tradeoff is that this is still part of a walking route. You will not be hanging out for long. Think of it as a short story stop that keeps the momentum.

Voodoo Authentica: history, and the real supply shop option at 4pm

One of the most interesting route pieces is Voodoo Authentica. The tour shares the storied history of voodoo in New Orleans. During the 4pm tour time, you may also enter a real Voodoo supply shop.

This matters because it is one thing to hear about beliefs, and another to see the world where those beliefs show up in everyday practice. If your goal is specifically voodoo history, time your booking so you get the 4pm option listed.

A fair warning based on what you can expect from the route overall: the tour can feel ghost-heavy to some people, even when voodoo and witch history are included. If voodoo-focused storytelling is your top priority, go in with that in mind and bring questions to the guide.

735 Ursulines Ave: the dark side of the French Quarter

Stop 6 takes you to 735 Ursulines Ave, described as a place where malevolent spirits crossed into our world and brutal ritual murders repeated themselves. This is where the mood turns heavier and the tour leans hard into the “spooky” side.

This part can be intense. If you are sensitive to violence or want gentler storytelling, you might want to mentally pace yourself during the walk here. Still, the stop does provide a historical framing for why certain French Quarter addresses carry so much lore.

From a practical standpoint, you will likely just view it from the outside. That is normal for street-level tours in New Orleans, especially for places tied to tragedy and private property.

Lalaurie Mansion: Madame Delphine Lalaurie and repelling negativity

The tour ends with the infamous Lalaurie Mansion stop. You hear the true story of the mad Madame Delphine Lalaurie, and you also get guidance on repelling negativity.

This is one of the most talked-about spooky stops in the city for a reason. It is infamous, and it feels like the kind of place where legend sticks because the underlying story is so disturbing. The guide’s job here is to keep you focused on history and meaning, not just shock value.

You might notice that the tour pairs this darker stop with something protective at the end. That contrast is intentional. It gives you a way to leave the experience with a sense of closure, even if you walked through uncomfortable material.

What the guide experience is really like (and why names like Carrie and Jamie matter)

A big reason this tour scores highly is the storytelling energy. Multiple guides are praised for humor, engagement, and passion for New Orleans history, with names that show up repeatedly in feedback including Carrie, Kerry, Jamie, and Jayme. People also note how fast the time goes, and how the guide keeps the group involved instead of dragging.

From a practical angle, one issue you can run into on any walking tour is sound. If you land in a spot where you have trouble hearing, you might want to move closer as soon as you feel lost. The best version of the tour is the one where you can catch every detail, especially during the more intense stops.

Another reason this tour tends to work is that guides seem willing to adjust. In at least one case, a guide helped manage heat and rerouted parts of the experience so the group could stay comfortable. That kind of flexibility is not guaranteed on every tour, but it is part of what keeps the vibe from turning sour.

Timing, weather, and what to pack so you enjoy every stop

Because this is an evening walk, dress for the street, not for comfort in a museum chair. If the forecast is warm, bring water and a small way to cool off. If it is cooler or breezy, bring a layer. Weather matters because the tour requires good conditions.

You will do a fair bit of walking, even though the pace is described as leisurely. Good shoes are the simplest quality upgrade you can make. If you plan to take photos, keep your phone ready, but don’t let filming slow you down in the stops where the guide is telling key points.

Finally, remember that several sights are viewed from the outside. That means your best “gear” is your attention span. I find tours like this work best when I stop trying to multitask and fully “listen with my feet.”

Who should book this tour, and who should think twice

Book this if you want:

• A two-hour French Quarter ghost and witchcraft tour with a real ritual component
• A guided route that connects witchcraft, voodoo, and local legend to actual places on the map
• A fun, story-driven night out with a group capped at 26 people

Think twice if you:

• Prefer mostly voodoo history with minimal ghost emphasis, since the tour can skew spooky
• Want to go inside many haunted sites, because the format is built around street views and respectful limits on private property
• Need a fully kid-friendly experience, since it is not suitable for children under 13

Should you book New Orleans Spirits and Spells?

For most adults, I think this is a strong value booking if you are open to a mix of witchcraft lore, voodoo context, and classic French Quarter ghost stories. The included temple access and group spellcasting ritual are the main reasons to go, and they are the sort of experience you cannot replicate on your own.

If you are the type who needs lots of interior site time, or you want voodoo to dominate the entire narrative, you may feel like parts of the route lean more toward ghosts than you expected. In that case, double-check your priorities before you commit.

If you do book, show up with comfortable shoes, a curious mindset, and the willingness to treat each address as a story rather than a checklist.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Spirits & Spells tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where do you meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Hex New Orleans, 1219 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this tour mostly walking?

Yes, it is described as a leisurely walking tour.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes exclusive access to a witch coven temple, plus participation in a ritual and casting a group spell.

Are admission tickets included for the stops?

Yes, the stops listed include admission tickets as free.

Is the tour appropriate for children?

No, it is not suitable for children under 13.

Can I enter the voodoo supply shop?

The info says that during the 4pm tour you can enter a real Voodoo supply shop.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.