Ghosts and daiquiris are a dangerous combo in New Orleans. This 1 hour 45 minute walking pub crawl pairs four bar stops with haunting, well-researched stories that connect the French Quarter’s landmarks to deaths, legends, and local culture. I especially like that it’s not just jump-scare spooky—it’s story-driven, and you’re walking through iconic spots like Jackson Square and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. One thing to consider: drinks are not included, so your final cost will depend on what (and how much) you choose to buy.

The tour also sticks to a steady rhythm: meet at Jackson Square about 15 minutes early, get a guide-led route, and end right back where you started. If you want a fun, social way to see New Orleans after dark—without figuring out the creepy sites on your own—this hits the mark. If you’re expecting long stays in each bar or a guaranteed paranormal moment, you may find the pacing a bit brisk.

Key points at a glance

• Jackson Square start sets the mood fast, with the park described as especially haunted
• Four bar stops are built into the walk, including Ice House Bar and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
• Story quality matters here: the guide work is repeatedly praised for history and local tips
• Voodoo culture is part of the route, tied to how the practice affects living (not just ghosts)
• Drinks cost extra since they’re not included, so plan your budget accordingly
• Group size max 50 keeps it social without feeling like a full-on crowd

Why this haunted pub crawl fits New Orleans

New Orleans has two speeds: day tours with bright history, and night walks with darker stories. This experience leans into that second speed, using the city’s best-known corners as a stage for ghost lore. You’re not stuck in one room. You’re moving through places where people have lived, partied, feared, and told stories for generations.

I like that the tour treats the spooky side as part of the city’s identity, not as a cheap gimmick. You’ll get death-related tales tied to real landmarks and old buildings—then you’ll pause at bars that people actually still use today.

If you’re new to the Quarter, this kind of guided route also helps you keep your bearings. Jackson Square to the bar corridor is an easy way to learn the shape of the neighborhood after dark, while hearing the stories that gave the area its reputation.

Price and value: what $36 really buys

At $36 per person for about 1 hour 45 minutes, you’re paying mainly for the guided storytelling and access to the themed stops. The tour includes a knowledgeable guide and thoroughly researched history, and you’ll hear multiple haunting narratives across the route.

What’s smart about the pricing is what’s not bundled. Drinks are not included, so you can choose your level of participation—one round, two rounds, or just a drink and keep moving. That also means the tour won’t force you into a fixed drink price to feel like you got your money’s worth.

There’s one optional add-on: EMF detector rental or purchase is available for $6, but it’s not part of the base price. If you want to play along with the paranormal vibe, it’s there. If not, you can enjoy the stories without dragging extra gear.

Meeting at Jackson Square: where the story gets set

The tour meets at Jackson Square and asks you to arrive 15 minutes early before the start time. That early arrival matters because it’s how you get in place before the guide starts leading the group.

Jackson Square isn’t just a pretty landmark—it’s the kind of place people associate with lingering spirits. Before you even hit the first official stop, you’ll be in the exact setting the tour uses to establish its mood.

Even if you don’t believe in ghosts (or you do), the atmosphere works. You’re in a high-profile public square, surrounded by historic architecture, and you’re about to hear stories tied to the same walls you can see with your own eyes.

Omni Royal Orleans: elegant hotel vibes with a darker twist

The next major stop is the Omni Royal Orleans. You’ll get to see the hotel that inspired an iconic Lez Zeppelin song—a fun cultural hook that connects pop music to a specific building.

Then the tone shifts. This is one of those stops where the tour leans into the contrast: an elegant hotel on the surface, but with haunting stories attached underneath. Short stop, big payoff. You get a name-brand landmark plus a story thread that ties into the city’s reputation for spirits and strange occurrences.

For many people, this is where the tour clicks. It’s not only about the spooky sites—it’s about why those sites became part of New Orleans lore in the first place.

The route’s hidden chapter: an 1834 bookstore and a voodoo shop

After the Omni Royal Orleans stop, you’ll pass through two more story-heavy themed locations.

First is a building dating back to 1834, described as tied to numerous ghosts with an attachment to the structure. The guide focuses on first-hand accounts from patrons of a book store, including unexplained happenings people have reported inside the shop.

Next comes a stop that adds cultural context: voodoo is presented as alive and well in New Orleans. The shop on this route opened in 1996 and is described as one of the more reputable places to buy voodoo-oriented goods. The guide’s role here is to explain the culture and what it’s said to mean for both living and the dead.

I appreciate this part because it keeps the tour from becoming only murder-and-madness. You still get the eerie tone, but you’re also learning how belief and tradition affect what people think about, and how they move through, the city.

Pirate’s Alley Cafe: pirates, drinking, and a darker past

Pirate’s Alley Cafe is where the tour leans into the playful side of New Orleans history. This stop is built around the pirate past—tales you hear while having a round or two.

On paper, that sounds light. On the ground, it’s a reminder that “fun” neighborhoods often sit on top of darker stories. The café has a friendly feel, but the tour highlights a darker history that’s waiting to be told.

If you like your ghost stories with a sense of character—pirates, alleyways, bar lore—this is a good moment to settle in. The stop functions like a pause button between heavier locations.

Ice House Bar at the Provincial Hotel: where activity is said to spike

The tour’s more intense bar stop is the Ice House Bar of the Provincial Hotel. The property has a checkered past, and the tour frames it as one of the most active places in the city, especially after hours.

Here, you’ll hear about paranormal activity reported by bar tenders and also by guests. That matters because it adds a “local pattern” angle: it’s not only one person’s story. It’s a recurring claim connected to the people who work there and the experiences people say they had while drinking there.

This stop also gives you time to decide your own comfort level. Want to stay fully in story mode? Great. Want to tone it down with a drink and people-watching? That works too.

LaLaurie Mansion and the 1829 ax-murder linked house

The tour hits you with the most famous names and the most brutal themes next.

First is LaLaurie Mansion. It’s described as beautiful, with an ugly past marked by turmoil, struggle, heartbreak, and revenge. The tour presents it as an iconic home you should understand in its historical context, not just photograph.

After that comes another stop tied to a hotel dating back to 1829, described as haunted and connected to an ax murderer and serial killer. The guide brings forward memories of victims who are said to still be trapped in the house.

This part is where the tour’s Halloween tone can feel heavier. If you’re sensitive to violent history, I’d brace for it here. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes the real story behind the creepiness, this is the portion you’ll remember.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: pirates and daiquiris to close the loop

The final bar stop is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. It’s described as one of the oldest bars in America and a must-see in New Orleans. The tour also ties it back to pirates—an old-school hangout vibe that matches the Quarter’s legend-making energy.

In this last segment, the guide talks pirates and spirits and recommends the iconic daiquiris. This is a smart ending: you wrap the scary history with a classic New Orleans drink culture moment.

And since the tour ends back at the meeting point, you’re not left wandering after the group breaks apart. You finish where you started, with a better sense of the neighborhood and the story threads that connect these places.

The guide factor: getting the best night out of the route

Your experience hinges on the guide’s pacing and storytelling. In the positive writeups, one name that pops up is Royale—praised for being amazing, mixing history about the area with lots of fun, and delivering local tips that help you enjoy more than just the “scary parts.”

On the other hand, there’s also a cautionary note from an unhappy experience: when a guide is hard to find at the start and doesn’t follow the planned flow, the tour can feel scattered and less fulfilling. That’s not something you can control—but you can protect yourself by being early at Jackson Square, watching for your guide and group, and staying alert at the handoffs between stops.

If you want the best chance of a smooth tour, plan to arrive early, keep your group together, and use the time between stops to ask quick questions about what you’re seeing.

What to expect as a walking tour (and how to plan for it)

This is a walking pub crawl, so comfort matters. You’ll be outside for the full route, and you’ll also be stopping in short blocks at major points. That means your shoes and your pacing choice matter more than you might expect.

Here’s what I’d plan around:

• Bring your patience for crowds and foot traffic in the Quarter.
• Decide in advance how many drinks you want since drinks aren’t included.
• If you’re interested in EMF play, the detector option is $6, but only if you want it.

Also note the tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. That’s helpful because you’re not fumbling with printed confirmations while you’re trying to find the group.

Finally, the tour is capped at 50 travelers, which usually keeps the experience from turning into a loud scramble.

Should you book this haunted pub crawl?

I’d book it if you want a fun first look at haunted New Orleans without building your own route. The $36 price works best if you see this as a guided walking-and-stories experience, with bars as part of the ride—not as a free-drinks party.

I’d think twice if you’re expecting long bar hangs or guaranteed paranormal results. The route is story-focused and paced, and since drinks cost extra, your satisfaction will depend on how you manage your budget and drink choices.

If you’re excited by the blend of French Quarter landmarks, pirate lore, voodoo cultural context, and the heavier historical stops like LaLaurie Mansion, this is a strong fit for a night out.

FAQ

How much does the New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl cost?

It costs $36.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA, and ends back at the meeting point.

How many stops are there?

The tour includes multiple story stops and four bar stops, plus additional haunted locations along the route.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, so you can choose what you want to buy.

Is an EMF detector available?

An EMF detector rental or purchase is available for $6, but it is not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour/activity has a maximum of 50 travelers.