New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour

REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS GHOST TOURS

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour

4.6 · 73 reviews 90 - 105 minutes From $24 Operated by Tour Orleans · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Book on GetYourGuide →

Ghost stories in New Orleans have real addresses. This 90 to 105 minute French Quarter stroll mixes Lalaurie Mansion fame with practical street-level history. I like that it’s guided by a licensed historian who explains what you’re seeing, and I also like that the pace is leisurely with frequent stops. The main drawback is the streets can be uneven, so even though wheelchairs are allowed, the ground may feel bumpy.

You’ll meet at the Red Door ticket booth at 620 Decatur St #600, then wander just under a mile with restroom breaks and an alcohol-friendly vibe. Expect a mix of pop-culture references and dark local lore, built around landmarks like May Bailey’s Brothel (noted from Ghost Adventures) and several key stops tied to the city’s supernatural reputation.

Key Points Before You Go

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - Key Points Before You Go

  • Licensed historian guides: the tour is led by someone with formal history credentials
  • Lalaurie Mansion stop: a landmark strongly linked to American Horror Story
  • Vampires in the Crescent City: you’ll learn about the first sighting, tied to local lore
  • Voodoo temples and classic Quarter sites: stops include places like Pirates Alley and Lafitte Blacksmith Shop
  • Leisurely pace: about 90 minutes, just under a mile, with frequent stops and restroom breaks

Meeting Your Guide Near Decatur Street’s Red Door

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - Meeting Your Guide Near Decatur Street’s Red Door
This tour starts in the French Quarter where it’s easy to find the group, at the Red Door ticket booth (620 Decatur St #600). You show up, match up with your guide, and then the evening turns into a guided walk focused on what’s in front of you. It’s not a bus tour, and that’s the point, you’ll be moving through the exact streets people associate with the city’s spookier stories.

The biggest quality signal here is the guide. You’re not just getting a performer with a mic. The tour is run by a licensed historian, and your guide could be a history teacher, a college professor, or a history student. In practice, that usually means you get structure to the storytelling, not just spooky vibes.

More New Orleans ghost tours after the lamps come on

A 90-Minute, Under-a-Mile Walk With Breaks That Actually Help

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - A 90-Minute, Under-a-Mile Walk With Breaks That Actually Help
The timing is a sweet spot. The tour is listed at 90 to 105 minutes, and the route is described as a leisurely stroll just under a mile long. You’re going at walking pace, but the guide makes frequent stops, which helps with both comfort and attention.

For me, that matters because ghost tours can turn into a forced march. Here, the rhythm is built for a night in the Quarter: stop often, look closely, ask questions, then keep going.

Also worth noting: it’s alcohol friendly. That doesn’t mean it turns into a party crawl. It just means you won’t feel out of place if you’re holding a drink while listening to the story at the next corner.

Lalaurie Mansion: The American Horror Story Connection, Without Losing the Plot

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - Lalaurie Mansion: The American Horror Story Connection, Without Losing the Plot
One stop you’ll probably recognize right away is the Lalaurie Mansion, described as the infamous site seen on American Horror Story: Coven. Even if you only know it from TV, the tour uses that familiarity as a doorway into the real reason the place keeps pulling people in.

What I like about this kind of stop is that it bridges two things at once. You get the pop-culture hook, then you get local context through a real historian’s lens. That helps the visit feel less like a theme-park set and more like learning why the story stuck around in New Orleans.

A practical note: this is the kind of stop where you’ll want to pay attention to the guide’s pacing. If you’re the type who takes lots of photos, it’s smart to step in and out, so you don’t miss the explanation while you’re trying to frame the building.

Old Ursuline Convent and the Quarter’s Built-In Theater

The tour also includes an easy-to-miss kind of stop: the Old Ursuline Convent. It’s the sort of location that rewards slowing down. The Quarter is packed with landmarks, and a good guide helps you spot what matters, not just what’s flashy.

From there, you’ll keep moving through the surrounding atmosphere, with stops described such as the Sultan’s Palace and Pirates Alley. In a city like New Orleans, these street names and building fronts are more than scenery. They’re shortcuts into stories about how the city layered cultures over time.

This part is valuable for two reasons:

  • It gives you a mental map of the Quarter’s geography, so you can find your way later on your own.
  • It makes the supernatural theme feel grounded in the actual places where the city’s myths and legends grew roots.

Vampire Lore and the First Sighting in the Crescent City

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - Vampire Lore and the First Sighting in the Crescent City
One highlight that sets this tour apart is the vampire angle. You’ll learn about the first sighting of vampires in the Crescent City, a specific detail that adds weight to the spooky theme. Instead of treating vampires as a generic Halloween costume idea, the guide frames them as part of a New Orleans story.

I like this approach because it keeps the tour from becoming repetitive. If you’ve ever done a ghost walk where every stop is basically the same pitch, you know how quickly it fades. Here, the vampire component gives the evening a clearer through-line.

If you’re a fan of lore, this is the moment you’ll probably enjoy most. Listen carefully to how the guide connects the story to the streets, because that connection is what makes the whole tour feel more real.

May Bailey’s Brothel and the Ghost-Story Style of the Night

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - May Bailey’s Brothel and the Ghost-Story Style of the Night
Another named stop is May Bailey’s Brothel, referenced through the Travel Channel show Ghost Adventures. Even if you’re not chasing TV connections, the value of including a stop like this is that it anchors the tone of the tour. The guide can pull you into the kind of stories New Orleans is famous for: dramatic, dark, and rooted in local memory.

This segment is where the tour often feels most like a true walking narrative. You’ll usually get the best listening if you let the guide set the pace, then ask questions right after they finish a point. The tour descriptions emphasize frequent stops, and that makes it easier to keep engaged without feeling like you’re waiting for a big Q&A at the end.

Also, the tour is designed as a night stroll, not a classroom lecture. You get facts and legends mixed in a way that feels like talking with someone who loves the city.

Voodoo Temples and Lafitte Blacksmith Shop Stops

You’ll also visit voodoo temples and the Lafitte Blacksmith Shop. These names are part of what gives New Orleans its distinct supernatural identity. The tour’s job is to show you the places while explaining how they fit into the broader “ghosts, voodoo, vampires” theme.

I recommend treating these stops as cultural wayfinding. Even if you don’t fully agree with every myth, you’ll still come away with a better understanding of how the city talks about spirits, belief, and legend. That kind of perspective makes your later self-guided wandering more interesting.

Because the tour is a walking experience, you’ll likely see both the architecture and the street layout up close. If you’re the type who likes to notice entrances, corners, and the way the Quarter funnels people, this is a good tour for that.

The Guides: Why Names Like Jenna, DJ, Gomez, Wesley, Jamie, and Orion Matter

New Orleans: Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour - The Guides: Why Names Like Jenna, DJ, Gomez, Wesley, Jamie, and Orion Matter
The tour’s reputation really seems to come down to guide quality. You’ll see names like Jenna, DJ, Gomez, Wesley, Jamie, and Orion showing up in feedback, and the common thread is storytelling that stays fun while still being organized.

A few specific strengths that stand out in the guide style:

  • Jenna gets praised for being fun and very knowledgeable in a way that doesn’t feel stiff
  • DJ is noted for great stories that keep the tour entertaining
  • Gomez is praised for tailoring the tour to the group’s interests and keeping things engaging
  • Wesley and Jamie are recognized for detailed, respectful explanations
  • Orion is described as a strong storyteller who keeps people involved and answers questions

That “involved” part matters. On this kind of tour, a good guide doesn’t just deliver lines. They invite conversation and adjust to what you care about, which can turn a standard route into something that feels personal.

One detail to be aware of: a few people mention a special two-line touch at the end. I’d plan for a brief closing moment that feels more festive than eerie, a nice release after all the lore.

Price and Value: Why $24 Can Be a Smart Night Plan

The price is listed at $24 per person, with a 90 to 105 minute walking format. For the French Quarter, that’s a reasonable spend when you factor in what you’re getting: a historian-led experience plus multiple major stops in a compact area.

Here’s how I think about the value:

  • You’re paying for interpretation. The Quarter is full of things to look at, but a guide helps you understand why those stops matter.
  • You’re buying convenience. Instead of trying to build a vampire-and-voodoo route yourself, you get a ready-made path at walking pace.
  • You’re getting time efficiency. About an hour and a half is long enough to feel like you did something meaningful, short enough to still keep the rest of your night open.

If you’re on a tight schedule, this is the kind of tour that can feel like a high-impact use of time. If you’re only craving broad, light entertainment, you might compare it to a more general ghost tour and decide based on how much you want the vampire and voodoo specifics.

Who This Tour Fits Best in New Orleans

This experience is a strong match if you want:

  • A street-level New Orleans night plan in the French Quarter
  • A historian-led approach to spooky themes, not just jump-scare storytelling
  • Stops tied to popular culture, like the Lalaurie Mansion and May Bailey’s Brothel references
  • A tour where you can ask questions and stay engaged as you walk

It can be less ideal if:

  • Your group needs very smooth pavement for comfort. The tour is wheelchair accessible with no steps that would block access, but the streets are far from even, and it may not feel comfortable.
  • You’re looking for a long, multi-hour experience. This one is intentionally short and focused.

Should You Book This Vampires, Voodoo, and Ghosts Tour?

If your goal is to understand New Orleans spooky lore through real places and a historian’s storytelling, I think this tour earns its place on your schedule. The licensed historian factor, the variety of stops, and the specific vampire focus (including the first sighting in the Crescent City) make it more structured than many “ghost walk” options.

Book it if you want a fun night that still feels grounded, with guides who are repeatedly praised for being engaging, respectful, and able to answer questions. Skip it only if you’re sensitive to uneven walking terrain or you prefer a purely comedic, low-detail experience over a story-rich one.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the Red Door ticket booth at 620 Decatur St #600.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 90 to 105 minutes.

Is the tour alcohol friendly?

Yes, the tour is described as alcohol friendly.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

It is wheelchair accessible with no steps that would prevent wheelchair access, but the streets are far from even and may be uncomfortable on uneven terrain.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.