REVIEW · PRIVATE
Private Tour and Seance at the House on Bourbon
Bourbon Street, then a candle-lit spirit reading. This only-in-New-Orleans experience pairs the haunted-house setting with Psychic Medium Marie’s tarot-based messages, and you also get wine and water to settle in. One thing to weigh, though: the label says séance, but the format can feel more like a guided reading than the classic movie-style spectacle, so plan with flexible expectations.
You start at NOLA Poboys at 908 Bourbon St, walk half a block to the house, and spend about 1 to 3 hours inside. If you like French Quarter oddities and you’re open to a spiritual, theatrical night, it can be a standout way to do the neighborhood after dark.
Key things to know before you go

- 826 Bourbon St is the whole mood: you enter a haunted-house location right on Bourbon Street, with an intro to the place and what to expect.
- Wine and water are included: it’s not a dry, clinical session, it’s meant to feel comfortable and celebratory.
- You can take part in a mojo bag lesson: you learn how to create a magical mojo bag to connect with ancestors.
- The reading format can include tarot: you might get tarot cards used as the communication tool in the spirit messages you receive.
- Past-life readings are offered as an option: you may be asked if you want to add that layer to your session.
- Private is mostly by booking, not always by exclusivity: your session is private per booking, but the fine print notes exclusivity may require a request.
826 Bourbon St: the haunted house that sets the tone

This experience is built around a single location: 826 Bourbon St in the French Quarter. That matters, because the setting is not just a backdrop. The house is part of the story, and you are guided through its background first, before the spirit work starts.
Inside, you can expect a theatrical atmosphere and a guided flow. You are there to hear historical context about the seance-house tradition on Bourbon Street, then to listen to spirit messages delivered through Psychic Medium Marie. The most consistent praise centers on the feeling that the messages connect to real themes in people’s lives, not generic lines.
That said, not everyone wants the same style. Some people come expecting the full classic séance look, with a dramatic, round-table performance. Others are happy with a structured, reading-style format that uses tarot as the communication method. If you are the first type, keep an open mind about how it will look and feel in practice.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in New Orleans
From NOLA Poboys to the front door: the short walk that helps
Your meeting point is NOLA Poboys, 908 Bourbon St. That’s practical, because it’s a real, easy-to-find anchor on a famous block. After you gather, you walk about half a block to the haunted house at 826 Bourbon St.
This little walk is more than logistics. It gives you a chance to get in the right headspace, and it keeps the evening simple. The experience also acknowledges that you may want a snack or a drink nearby before you go in, so if you arrive hungry, you can pick something up right around the meeting area.
The French Quarter around Bourbon Street is lively at night. You do not need to be alarmed, but use normal street-smarts. The venue is near public transportation, which helps if you want to avoid complicated parking plans.
Psychic Medium Marie: what the reading actually looks like

The provider is Psychic Medium Marie, and the experience description notes she is of African descent. Respect, comfort, and trust matter more for this kind of evening than for most tours, so it helps that many people describe her as warm and fun in the room.
Here’s what you can expect from the structure. You start with an intro to the house, then you hear real ghost stories connected to the seance-house tradition on Bourbon Street. You are also told that some of the spirit stories include references to dead celebrities whose spirits visited Marie.
Most importantly, the session includes spiritual readings. Your message delivery is described as spirit messages communicated through tarot, and the experience is not always presented as a single person at a time in a silent room. You may experience a group reading component, along with options for a more private format depending on what you choose during the session.
In the best-case scenario, people leave feeling that the details hit their personal life in a way that did not feel rehearsed. In the trickier scenarios, people feel the experience delivered something closer to a tarot reading than what they pictured as a séance. That mismatch is the biggest reason for the lower ratings, so treat the wording as a clue, not a promise of a specific “movie scene.”
Wine, water, and the mojo bag: the included touches that make it feel personal

The experience includes a bottle of wine and a bottle of water. That might sound like a small add-on, but it changes the vibe. You’re not just paying for words and atmosphere, you’re also paying for a smoother, more social entry into something intense. If you plan to enjoy a drink, make it part of your pacing so you can still think clearly through the reading.
Another signature element is the mojo bag component. The description says each guest has an option to experience a Private Seance Reading and learn to create a magical mojo bag to help you connect with your ancestors. That’s a hands-on moment, which is rare for this type of experience.
Why this matters for value: mojo work is not just novelty. It gives you something to do with what you hear, turning a conversation into a ritual you can take home. Even if you stay skeptical, it’s a memorable souvenir tied to the evening’s theme.
You may also have the option of a past-life reading. Some people described this as fun and interesting, while others said they wanted to know earlier how it would be handled during the flow of time. If past-life work is on your list, ask about it early once you arrive, so you know whether it will take more time from your main reading.
Seance expectations vs tarot reality: how to set yourself up right

This is the part I’d treat like pre-game prep.
On paper, the activity name and description point to a séance experience. In practice, the session uses spirit messages communicated via tarot, and at least part of the process can be group-based. That’s not a problem if you want a guided reading in a spooky, story-filled house.
It becomes a problem when you want a very specific kind of séance performance. Some lower ratings described missing a true séance moment, or that the experience felt more like a long, personal tarot session with little spirit drama.
If you want to avoid disappointment, go in with this simple stance: you are booking a medium-style reading in a theatrical haunted-house setting, not a TV reenactment. If you want the classic ouija-board energy or round-table spectacle, you might end up frustrated. If you want meaning, personal connections, and a spooky guided night, the format is more likely to land well.
Timing, privacy, and what you should confirm before you arrive

Duration is listed as approximately 1 to 3 hours. That range is wide, and it reflects that readings and choices can shift how long you stay. It also explains why timing complaints show up in the lower ratings.
The experience is described as private by each booking, which suggests you should only share the experience with your group. But there is also a note stating the private tour is not exclusive to person or group unless requested. That’s an important detail to clear up before you commit.
My practical advice: when you book, confirm whether your group will be the only group in the session window, and ask how the schedule works for private seance readings. If you are traveling with a tight dinner plan or another event that night, give yourself buffer time.
Also remember the location is on Bourbon Street. Expect it to be crowded and noisy outside. Inside, the show style can include music and an assistant role. One comment mentioned being surprised by a music change during the experience. If you are sensitive to sound or you want a calmer tone, you can mention that politely when you arrive.
Price check: is $175 per person good value?

At $175 per person, this is not a budget activity. So what are you really buying?
You’re paying for four things:
- A guided, medium-style spiritual reading delivered through Psychic Medium Marie
- Access to the haunted-house setting at 826 Bourbon St, with admission described as free
- Included drinks, wine and water
- Options inside the session such as a private seance reading, mojo bag creation, and possibly a past-life reading
So the value depends on your goal. If you want a basic tarot reading for cheap, you will likely feel this is overpriced. If you want a French Quarter night with atmosphere plus a ritualized reading and extras, the price can feel more justified.
The other reality is that expectation matching is everything. When someone feels they did not get the séance experience they expected, they leave unhappy even if the reading was done politely. On the flip side, many people praise the specificity of the messages and the entertaining, warm delivery, especially for first-timers.
Bottom line: treat it like a premium experience with spiritual theater attached. If you go in expecting a guided reading inside a haunted house, you’re more likely to feel the price lines up.
Who should book this, and who might skip it

This works best if you want:
- A French Quarter activity that leans spooky and personal, not just sightseeing
- A spiritual reading in English
- A group night that mixes storytelling, history, and ritual elements like mojo bag creation
- A medium with a warm, fun stage presence, where you can ask for a deeper layer like a past-life reading
You might want to think twice if:
- You need a strict private, one-on-one experience with no chance of shared time, and you did not confirm exclusivity
- You want a classic stage séance performance with a very specific format
- You are uncomfortable with emotional content from any kind of reading, including past-life themes or unsettling messages
The experience has a minimum age of 18, so it’s adult-only. Most travelers can participate, but if you are thinking of bringing someone who prefers a quieter, less theatrical tone, that preference matters.
My decision guide: should you book the House on Bourbon seance reading?
If you want a memorable, late-night French Quarter moment and you are open to a reading style that can include tarot and group elements, I think you’ll have a good shot at enjoying this. The strongest signal in the positive feedback is the personal hit people felt from the messages, plus the welcoming way Marie holds the room.
If you are booking mainly for the word séance, do a quick reality check first. Ask how the session will run, whether tarot is part of it, and what private means for your group. If you get those answers and you’re comfortable with the format, the wine, the haunted-house setting, the history, and the mojo bag ritual can make this worth the $175.
FAQ
Where is the tour meeting point?
It starts at NOLA Poboys, 908 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA.
How long does the experience last?
It runs for approximately 1 to 3 hours.
What is included with the spiritual reading?
The experience includes spiritual readings, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of water.
Do you learn how to make a mojo bag?
Yes. Each guest has an option to experience a Private Seance Reading and learn to create a magical Mojo bag to connect with ancestors.
Is there an option for a past-life reading?
There is mention of a past-life reading option during the experience, offered as part of the session flow.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it is offered in English.
What is the minimum age allowed?
The minimum age is 18.
Is the experience private to your group?
It is described as a private tour by each booking, but the details also note it is not exclusive to person or group unless requested.
What happens if weather is bad or you cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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