A French Quarter ghost hunt feels one part theater, one part street history. This tour mixes haunting tales with a hands-on Electronic Field Meter (EMF meter), all after dark. I like that it doesn’t push you into complicated logistics, and instead gets you outside quickly in the heart of New Orleans.

Two things I really like: you get the story (voodoo, vampires, and local legends) while also using real measuring gear, and the pacing stays manageable for most people since it’s a walking tour with time to grab to-go drinks. The one drawback to weigh is simple: there’s no guarantee you’ll detect anything paranormal, because it’s entertainment and you stay on public streets without entering buildings.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• A real EMF meter is used during the investigation, and the equipment is checked out and tracked.
• French Quarter after dark focus: top haunted spots, street-level cold spots, apparitions, and orb stories.
• No building entry: you’re not going inside locations, so your experience is made of outdoor stops and narratives.
• Bar stops can slow things down depending on crowds and wait times.
• Photos allowed, video not allowed, so bring a plan for good snapshots without recording narration.
• Old streets mean real footing: uneven, dilapidated sidewalks and walkways are part of the deal.

Ghost Hunters 101 With an EMF Meter: What You’re Actually Buying

For $20, you’re not paying for a luxury attraction. You’re paying for a guide-led night walk through the French Quarter with a specific angle: ghost stories paired with an EMF meter so you can actively participate instead of just listening.

The “Electronic Field Meter” part matters because it changes the tone. If you’ve done other haunted tours that are basically a script with spooky sound effects, this one aims to give you a tool and a reason to react in the moment. You’ll be guided where they say cold spots and other paranormal activity show up, and the meter becomes a focal point for the group.

Just keep expectations steady. The operator is upfront that it’s for entertainment only and there’s no promise of seeing ghosts or supernatural beings. In practical terms, that means you should go for the atmosphere, the stories, and the fun of trying to measure something while you wander historic streets.

Where the Tour Starts on Bourbon Street (and Why It’s Easy to Miss)

The meeting point is at 941 Bourbon St, outside the courtyard gate attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar. The key detail is that tours do not meet inside Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar—you meet on the sidewalk by the courtyard gate.

Two small habits make this go smoothly:

• Arrive a few minutes early and check in with the tour guide right away.
• Be ready for departure on time. Late arrivals don’t get the refund, and the guide won’t wait around after the scheduled start.

This matters more on a ghost tour than a daytime one. Once you’re standing in the French Quarter after dark, it’s easy to get turned around quickly—especially if you’re bouncing between bars, menus, and side streets. I’d rather you start the night feeling organized than stressed.

The 1–2 Hour Walk: Pace, Group Size, and What Delays Look Like

The tour runs about 1 to 2 hours, and the exact timing can stretch if the group waits at bars along the route. The operator also notes the duration may last longer depending on bar wait times, and some bars can be busy.

Group size is capped at 99, which usually means you’re not stuck with a tiny crowd, but you also shouldn’t feel swallowed by an enormous mob. Still, in narrow French Quarter streets, crowd flow can tighten the space. That’s one reason the tour emphasizes not obstructing sidewalks or streets.

The pace is described as moderate. You’ll move often, stop often, and keep walking. If you’re the type who hates standing in one spot too long, you’ll probably like this style—short stops, then back on the route.

French Quarter Stop: Haunted Locations, Voodoo Stories, and the Meter Moment

The heart of the experience happens in the French Quarter on an investigation-style route. The tour frames it as an in-depth look at paranormal activity in America’s most haunted city—plus a history layer that’s meant to ground the storytelling in places you can actually point at.

Here’s what you should expect at the story stops:

• A guided walk through top haunted locations and the surrounding legends.
• History behind locations, including background on New Orleans vampires and New Orleans voodoo.
• A focus on places linked to cold spots, apparitions, and orb sightings (described as things felt and seen on a regular basis).

The tour also calls out a visit to a mass burial ground known for cold spots and visuals like apparitions and orbs. Whether you believe every claim or not, this is part of the fun: you’re being led to sites tied to local lore and asked to interpret what happens in that exact spot.

The “Haunted Places” Theme—What It Looks Like in Practice

The route is described in a big list, and you’ll see bits of it through different stops along the night:

• Haunted houses and apartments
• Haunted morgues and bathrooms
• Haunted bars and pubs
• Haunted cemeteries and churches
• Haunted hotels, galleries, balconies
• Haunted streets and sidewalks

One practical takeaway: this is street-level haunting. You’re not being escorted into sealed rooms or back hallways. The tour is built for public property and outdoor encounters, so the spooky parts come from narration, timing, and the EMF meter activity during stops—not from secret doorways.

The EMF Meter Use (and the Rules Around It)

You’ll use a real EMF meter during the tour. That’s the advertised hook, and it’s backed up with strict equipment rules:

• Paranormal equipment must be checked out at the beginning of the tour.
• Equipment is marked and tracked via GPS.
• If you lose or damage it, the fee is steep ($250 is stated), and you must return it before you leave the tour.

Also note the limits: you’re allowed to use paranormal equipment during the tour, but you’re not allowed to video any portion of the tour. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed. Photos are allowed and encouraged.

So if you want to document the meter moment, plan for photos only. No recording narration, no filming, and don’t try to “sneak it” on a phone. The operator is very clear about the no-video rule.

Bar Stops and Getting a To-Go Drink Without Losing the Group

You’ll be allowed to stop in bars along the route to grab a to-go drink, then the group keeps moving to the next location. Drinks are not included in the ticket price, but the tour gives you a chance to participate in the nightlife without turning the night into a free-for-all.

This is where most timing hiccups can happen. Some bars are busy. If the group has to wait to order or if lines form, that delay can push the tour longer than expected.

Two tips to keep the night smooth:

• Decide early if you’ll actually go into a bar or use a to-go option. If you hate lines, you’ll prefer the faster path.
• Don’t treat this like a pub crawl where you linger. The schedule matters, and the tour guide has to stay on pace.

Alcohol rules also exist: participants are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the tour, but the operator can refuse service to people who are extremely intoxicated.

Old Streets, Real Safety: What to Watch For on Uneven Sidewalks

New Orleans is gorgeous at night, but it’s also rough on ankles. The tour explicitly warns you that streets and walkways are old, uneven, and dilapidated. That’s not a minor note—it’s a major reason to wear good shoes.

The operator isn’t responsible for injuries tied to the walking route. It also asks you not to obstruct sidewalks or streets during the tour. Translation: be aware of foot traffic, don’t block doorways, and don’t stop in a way that forces people around you.

If you’re bringing kids, you’ll want extra care. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and some bars do not allow kids inside. The tour is still advertised for most travelers, but the real-world constraint is French Quarter bar policies and the route’s public nature.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. That’s helpful if you don’t want to fight for parking after dark.

What You’ll Likely Enjoy Most (Based on the Pattern of Feedback)

The standout theme is that the tour works best when you lean into both halves: the storytelling and the measuring.

People especially like:

• Guides who connect hauntings to the wider New Orleans context, not just jump-scares.
• The interactive feel of handing people the EMF meter and letting the moment play out.
• The overall sense that you’re getting both a history walk and a haunted “investigation” night.

You’ll also see a pattern in how different guide energy can change the experience. When the guide keeps the tone lively, the tour feels fun and fast-moving. When energy dips, the meter moment can feel less interesting—especially if you were hoping for more consistent paranormal activity. The best move is to show up ready to enjoy a story-driven street investigation, not a guaranteed ghost sighting machine.

Price and Value: Is $20 Fair for This Kind of Night Walk?

At $20 per person, the value is mostly about what’s included:

• A local guide
• A 1–2 hour guided French Quarter route at night
• Use of a real EMF meter during the tour

Nothing else is bundled in the ticket price. Drinks cost extra, and you’re paying for the experience of the route plus the guided storytelling and investigation vibe.

So I’d call it good value if you:

• Like local legends and want the history context (voodoo, vampires, city lore).
• Enjoy interactive gimmicks that give you something to do with your hands.
• Want a structured night activity that ends naturally after an hour or two.

It’s less of a slam dunk if you:

• Need guaranteed paranormal results.
• Hate any walking on uneven sidewalks.
• Want to film everything. The no-video rule limits how you’ll capture the experience.

Given the price point, you’re also taking on the reality that bar lines and crowd flow can affect how the night feels—this is a public-street event in a busy neighborhood.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a strong fit if you’re a Halloween-at-heart type who likes history woven into stories, and you enjoy the idea of comparing readings with group reactions.

You’ll probably be happiest if you:

• Are okay doing a walking tour after dark
• Want a guided French Quarter experience that’s different from standard “stroll and listen”
• Like the idea of public street investigation with an EMF meter

You might want to skip (or pick something else) if you:

• Are mainly there for a sure-fire ghost encounter
• Are sensitive to noise and crowds around popular bars
• Need minimal alcohol-related risk or hate nightlife environments
• Expect to enter buildings (this tour is built for public property stops only)

Should You Book Ghost Hunters 101 With an EMF Meter?

If your goal is a fun, after-dark French Quarter night with real participation—meter readings, guided haunted storytelling, and a route built around famous locations—then yes, I think it’s worth booking.

If your goal is a guaranteed paranormal event or you’re hoping for lots of indoor access, I’d pass. This is street haunting with entertainment framing and strict equipment/video rules. The “wow” factor comes from your attitude: go curious, wear solid shoes, and treat the EMF meter as part science experiment, part theater.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. Tours do not meet inside Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar.

How long is Ghost Hunters 101?

The tour is about 1 to 2 hours, and it may run longer depending on wait time inside bars along the route.

Do we go inside haunted buildings during the tour?

No entry is gained inside locations. The tour stays on public property and follows a route through the French Quarter.

Is the EMF meter included, and can I use it?

The tour uses a real Electronic Field Meter during the investigation. Paranormal equipment is checked out at the start of the tour and must be returned to staff before you leave.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route. The tour includes to-go drink stops in bars, but the ticket price does not include alcohol.

Can I record video or audio during the tour?

Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. Photos can be taken and are encouraged.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour is described as entertainment only, and there is no guarantee you will encounter paranormal activity.

What if the tour is canceled?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered an alternative or full refund.