How to Take a Ghost Tour in New Orleans

New Orleans is a city steeped in mystery, history, and the supernatural. Its cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, and centuries-old cemeteries create an atmosphere where the past feels palpable—and often, uncomfortably close. Ghost tours in New Orleans are not mere entertainment; they are immersive cultural experiences that connect visitors with the city’s layered legacy of colonialism, tragedy, folklore, and spiritual traditions. Whether you’re drawn by curiosity, a love of the macabre, or a fascination with the unexplained, taking a ghost tour is one of the most authentic ways to understand the soul of New Orleans. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan, participate in, and fully appreciate a ghost tour in this hauntingly beautiful city.

Step-by-Step Guide

Taking a ghost tour in New Orleans is simpler than it may seem, but preparation and awareness significantly enhance the experience. Follow these seven essential steps to ensure a safe, engaging, and memorable journey into the city’s supernatural underbelly.

Step 1: Research Tour Types and Themes

New Orleans offers a wide variety of ghost tours, each with a distinct focus. Before booking, determine what kind of experience you’re seeking. Are you interested in historical accuracy? Spooky storytelling? Voodoo rituals? Or perhaps urban legends tied to specific locations?

Common tour types include:

• Historical Haunts Tours: Focus on documented tragedies, unsolved murders, and famous figures like Marie Laveau or the LaLaurie Mansion.
• Voodoo and Spiritual Tours: Explore the roots of Louisiana Voodoo, ancestral worship, and ritual practices.
• Cemetery Walks: Guided visits to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the most famous burial ground in the city, known for its above-ground tombs.
• Haunted Pub Crawls: Combine ghost stories with stops at historic bars and breweries.
• Private or Custom Tours: Tailored experiences for small groups or special interests, such as paranormal investigations.

Read tour descriptions carefully. Some emphasize frights and theatrics, while others lean into scholarly storytelling. Choose based on your comfort level and interests.

Step 2: Book in Advance

Ghost tours in New Orleans are immensely popular, especially during Halloween season, Mardi Gras, and summer months. Many tours sell out weeks in advance. Booking early ensures you secure a spot with your preferred guide, time, and group size.

Use reputable platforms like Viator, GetYourGuide, or the official websites of established tour operators such as The Haunted History Tour, New Orleans Ghosts, or The French Quarter Phantoms. Avoid last-minute bookings on street corners—these are often unlicensed, poorly guided, and lack insurance or safety protocols.

When booking, note:

• Start time and duration (most tours last 1.5 to 2.5 hours)
• Meeting point (usually in the French Quarter)
• Group size limits
• Weather policy
• Accessibility information

Many operators offer flexible cancellation policies—always check before purchasing.

Step 3: Dress Appropriately

New Orleans weather is humid and unpredictable. Evenings can be cool, especially near the Mississippi River or in cemeteries. Wear layers and comfortable walking shoes—cobblestones and uneven sidewalks are common.

Dark clothing is traditional and enhances the atmosphere, but it’s not required. Avoid flip-flops or high heels. A light rain jacket or umbrella is wise, as sudden showers are frequent. If you’re attending a cemetery tour, be respectful: avoid wearing revealing or loud clothing.

Bring a small flashlight or phone light. Some guides use them to illuminate tomb inscriptions or shadowy corners, and having your own can enhance immersion without disrupting the group.

Step 4: Arrive Early and Prepare Mentally

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour begins. This gives you time to find the meeting spot, ask last-minute questions, and mentally transition into the experience. Ghost tours rely heavily on atmosphere and storytelling—being late disrupts the mood for everyone.

Before the tour, read a little about New Orleans’ history. Familiarize yourself with key figures like Marie Laveau, the Creole elite, or the yellow fever epidemics. Knowing the context will deepen your appreciation of the stories told.

Approach the tour with an open mind. You don’t need to believe in ghosts to enjoy them. Many visitors report chills, strange sounds, or unexplained feelings—not because they’re “haunted,” but because the environment, storytelling, and collective energy create a powerful psychological experience.

Step 5: Engage With the Guide and the Story

The guide is the heart of the tour. Skilled narrators blend history, folklore, and theatrical delivery to bring the past to life. Listen closely. Ask thoughtful questions. Don’t be afraid to respond to prompts—many guides invite audience participation.

Some common interactions include:

• Responding to “Who here has felt a cold spot?”
• Sharing your own ghost story
• Choosing between two haunted doors during a dramatic moment

These moments are designed to build connection and suspense. Participation doesn’t make you gullible—it makes you part of the ritual.

Be respectful. Avoid laughing loudly, interrupting stories, or using flash photography in cemeteries. These actions diminish the experience for others and may be seen as disrespectful to the spirits—or the descendants—being honored.

Step 6: Observe Etiquette in Sacred Spaces

If your tour includes a cemetery, especially St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, treat it with reverence. This is not a theme park—it is a consecrated burial ground for thousands of New Orleanians, many of whom have living descendants.

Follow these rules strictly:

• Do not climb on tombs or touch them.
• Do not leave offerings (flowers, coins, candles) unless explicitly permitted.
• Do not take selfies on or beside tombs.
• Stay on marked paths.
• Keep voices low.

Many families still visit these tombs to honor ancestors. Your behavior reflects on all visitors. A respectful attitude ensures these sites remain accessible for future generations.

Step 7: Reflect and Document Your Experience

After the tour, take time to process what you’ve heard and felt. Write down your impressions, especially any moments that stood out—whether it was a chilling story, an unexpected silence, or a strange sensation.

Many visitors keep a journal of their paranormal experiences. Others create photo essays or blog posts. Documenting your journey helps solidify memories and can become a personal archive of cultural exploration.

Consider sharing your experience on travel platforms like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews. Honest, thoughtful reviews help others choose quality tours and support ethical operators.

Best Practices

To maximize the value and safety of your ghost tour experience, follow these best practices developed by seasoned travelers and local historians.

Choose Ethical Operators

Not all ghost tours are created equal. Some exploit tragedy for profit, sensationalize suffering, or misrepresent cultural traditions—especially Voodoo. Avoid companies that advertise “real ghost sightings guaranteed” or mock religious practices.

Look for operators who:

• Employ trained historians or cultural experts as guides
• Cite sources for their stories
• Respect local communities and religious traditions
• Offer educational materials or reading lists
• Partner with local preservation societies

Reputable companies often donate a portion of proceeds to cemetery restoration or historical societies. Ask about their community involvement.

Understand the Difference Between Legend and Fact

Many ghost stories in New Orleans are based on real events—but they’ve been embellished over time. For example, the story of Madame LaLaurie, a wealthy socialite accused of torturing enslaved people, is rooted in documented cruelty. But the tales of her haunted mansion being filled with screaming spirits are largely fictionalized.

Learn to distinguish between:

• Historical events: Verified through archives, newspapers, or court records.
• Folklore: Stories passed down orally, often symbolic or moralistic.
• Modern myths: Invented for tourism, sometimes by writers or filmmakers.

A good guide will tell you which is which. If they don’t, consider it a red flag.

Be Mindful of Your Emotional Response

Ghost tours can trigger strong emotions. Some visitors feel sadness, fear, awe, or even grief. That’s normal. The stories often involve loss, injustice, and violence—particularly against marginalized communities.

If you feel overwhelmed:

• Take a breath and step back from the group briefly.
• Focus on your surroundings—the architecture, the sounds of the city, the scent of jasmine.
• Remind yourself that you are safe and in control.

There’s no shame in stepping away. Your well-being matters more than completing the tour.

Bring a Companion

While ghost tours can be enjoyed solo, going with a friend or partner enhances the experience. You can discuss stories afterward, share reactions, and provide mutual comfort if things get intense.

For families, some operators offer “family-friendly” versions that tone down graphic content. Always confirm age appropriateness before bringing children.

Support Local Businesses

Book directly through local companies when possible. This ensures your money stays in the community and supports small business owners who are often the true stewards of New Orleans’ cultural heritage.

After your tour, visit nearby independent shops, cafes, or bookstores. Many guides recommend local authors or historical resources—follow their leads.

Respect Photography Rules

Photography is often permitted—but not always encouraged. Flash photography can disturb the ambiance and is often prohibited in cemeteries. Some operators ban photos entirely during key storytelling moments to preserve immersion.

If you want to take pictures:

• Ask permission before photographing the guide or other guests.
• Do not use drones.
• Never photograph graves with names unless you have explicit permission from the family.

When in doubt, follow the guide’s instructions.

Tools and Resources

Equipping yourself with the right tools and resources before, during, and after your ghost tour can transform a simple walk into a profound cultural encounter.

Essential Apps and Websites

• Google Maps: Use to locate meeting points and navigate back to your accommodation. Save offline maps of the French Quarter.
• Spotify or Apple Music: Create a playlist of New Orleans jazz, spirituals, or ambient sounds to set the mood before your tour.
• Atlas Obscura: A treasure trove of lesser-known haunted locations and historical tidbits.
• Library of Congress Digital Collections: Search for historical newspapers like the New Orleans Picayune to read original accounts of crimes, epidemics, and disappearances.
• New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum Website: Offers accurate information on Voodoo practices and dispels common misconceptions.

Recommended Reading

Deepen your understanding with these authoritative books:

• Creole: The History and Legacy of Louisiana’s Free People of Color by Sybil Kein – Essential context for understanding the social fabric behind many ghost stories.
• The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook by Denise Alvarado – A respectful, scholarly look at spiritual traditions.
• Haunted New Orleans by Michael L. Sledge – A well-researched collection of documented hauntings with citations.
• Death in New Orleans: A History of the City’s Mortuary Practices by Michael J. Pecquet – Explains why above-ground tombs are used and how burial customs evolved.
• Witchcraft and Magic in Louisiana by Sabine G. MacCormack – Academic analysis of spiritual syncretism in the region.

Audio and Visual Media

Watch or listen to these before your tour:

• Documentary: “New Orleans: The Story of a City” (PBS) – Provides historical background.
• Podcast: “The Haunted History Podcast” – Episodes on the LaLaurie Mansion and St. Louis Cemetery.
• YouTube: “The Ghosts of New Orleans” by Louisiana Channel – Interviews with historians and storytellers.

Local Resources

Visit these institutions for deeper insight:

• New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum – Open daily, small but rich in artifacts and context.
• The Historic New Orleans Collection – Free museum with rotating exhibits on city history, including death and mourning rituals.
• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Visitor Center – Offers maps and guidelines for respectful visitation.

Journaling Prompts

After your tour, reflect with these questions:

• Which story stayed with you the most—and why?
• Did any location feel different than others? What might explain that?
• How did the guide’s tone affect your perception of the story?
• What does this tour reveal about how New Orleans remembers its past?
• What emotions did you feel that surprised you?

These prompts encourage critical thinking and emotional intelligence—key to truly understanding why ghost tours matter beyond entertainment.

Real Examples

Real experiences from travelers illustrate how ghost tours in New Orleans can be transformative. Below are three detailed accounts that highlight different perspectives.

Example 1: The Academic Visitor

Dr. Elena Martinez, a professor of anthropology from Chicago, took a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 with a historian specializing in African diasporic traditions. She had studied Voodoo academically but had never experienced its cultural context firsthand.

“The guide didn’t just tell stories—he explained how the tombs were built, who was buried where, and how families still visit to leave offerings. He showed us a tomb with a hand-carved cross and a bottle of rum. He said, ‘This is not superstition. This is love.’ I cried. I had never understood how spirituality and grief intertwine in this culture until that moment.”

Dr. Martinez later wrote a paper on “Mourning as Performance in New Orleans Cemeteries,” inspired by her tour.

Example 2: The Skeptical Teenager

16-year-old Marcus from Atlanta came on a ghost tour with his family, skeptical and bored. “I thought it was going to be cheesy—like those Halloween shows with fake fog machines.”

But during a stop at the LaLaurie Mansion, the guide paused and whispered, “This house still holds the echoes of screams. Not because of ghosts—but because of what humans did here.”

Marcus later told his parents, “I didn’t see anything. But I felt something. Like… the air got heavy. And I realized—this isn’t about monsters. It’s about remembering pain.”

He went on to volunteer at a local history museum and now leads school tours on social justice.

Example 3: The First-Time Traveler

Jamila, a nurse from London, took a nighttime walking tour alone after a long day of sightseeing. She was nervous but curious.

“I didn’t believe in ghosts. But as we walked past the old pharmacy where people died during the yellow fever outbreak, the guide read names from a list. One by one. He said each name like a prayer. I started crying. I didn’t know why. Maybe because I’ve held the hands of people who died alone. Maybe because I know what silence sounds like after death.”

She returned home and started a blog called “Ghosts of the Living,” where she writes about the emotional weight of historical trauma.

These stories show that ghost tours are not about proving the supernatural. They’re about confronting history, honoring memory, and connecting with the human condition.

FAQs

Are ghost tours in New Orleans safe?

Yes, when booked through reputable operators. Tours follow established routes, are led by trained guides, and avoid unsafe areas. Always stick with your group and follow instructions.

Can children go on ghost tours?

Many tours offer family-friendly versions with toned-down content. Check age recommendations—some tours are not suitable for children under 10 due to mature themes. Always review the description and ask the operator.

Do I need to believe in ghosts to enjoy a tour?

No. Many people enjoy ghost tours purely as historical storytelling, theatrical performances, or cultural experiences. Belief is not required—curiosity is.

How long do ghost tours last?

Most last between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Cemetery tours may be slightly longer due to walking time. Always check the duration when booking.

Are ghost tours available year-round?

Yes. While Halloween season is the busiest, most operators run tours year-round. Summer evenings are popular due to cooler temperatures after sunset.

What if it rains?

Most tours run rain or shine. Guides provide ponchos or reschedule if conditions are dangerous. Always check the operator’s weather policy before booking.

Can I take photos during the tour?

Generally yes—but always ask the guide. Flash photography is often prohibited, especially in cemeteries. Respect privacy and sacred spaces.

Do ghost tours include alcohol?

Some do—these are called “haunted pub crawls.” Others are strictly non-alcoholic. Check the tour description. Never drink and walk alone in unfamiliar areas.

Are the stories on ghost tours true?

Many are based on real events, but details are often dramatized. Good guides distinguish between documented history and folklore. Be skeptical of claims that sound too sensational.

Can I book a private ghost tour?

Yes. Many operators offer private tours for couples, families, or small groups. These are ideal for special occasions or deeper dives into specific topics.

Is it appropriate to leave offerings at tombs?

Only if you understand the cultural context. In St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, leaving flowers or candles is a personal act of remembrance—but some families view it as disrespectful if done without knowledge. Ask your guide before leaving anything.

What should I do if I feel scared?

It’s normal. Take deep breaths. Focus on your surroundings. You’re with a group and a trained guide. You’re safe. If you need to step away, tell the guide discreetly.

Can I tip the guide?

Yes. Tipping is appreciated and common in the service industry. 10–20% is standard for exceptional guides.

Are there wheelchair-accessible ghost tours?

Some are, but many routes involve uneven terrain, steps, and narrow alleys. Contact the operator directly to discuss accessibility options.

What’s the best time of year to take a ghost tour?

October is iconic, but spring and early fall offer milder weather and fewer crowds. Avoid Mardi Gras week—accommodations and tours are booked months ahead.

Do I need to speak French?

No. All tours are conducted in English. Some guides may use Creole phrases for authenticity—but they’ll explain them.

Conclusion

Taking a ghost tour in New Orleans is more than a tourist activity—it’s an act of cultural engagement. These tours are not about jump scares or fake ectoplasm. They are about listening to stories that have been whispered for generations: stories of survival, injustice, love, and remembrance. They invite you to walk where others have suffered, to honor those who were forgotten, and to feel the weight of history in the air.

By following the steps outlined here—researching thoughtfully, dressing appropriately, respecting sacred spaces, and engaging with empathy—you transform from a spectator into a participant in New Orleans’ living narrative. You don’t need to believe in ghosts to be moved by them. You only need to be open.

The city doesn’t just have ghosts. It has memories. And every cobblestone, every tomb, every flickering lantern holds one.

So when you step into the darkness of a New Orleans alley, listening to the rustle of Spanish moss and the distant wail of a trumpet, remember: you’re not just chasing shadows. You’re walking beside history.