New Orleans gets weird on purpose. This 2-hour evening walk blends witchcraft, voodoo, and ghost lore with an actual ritual at a real temple.

I especially like how the stories connect you to real local characters and places, not just generic spooky vibes. I also like that the tour moves at a relaxed walking pace and keeps you engaged with humor and real history. One possible drawback: if you want more voodoo over ghosts, this experience can feel a bit ghost-heavy.

You’ll meet at Hex New Orleans on Decatur Street and end right back there, which makes the whole thing easy to plan. With a price of $29 and a small group size (up to 26), it’s a good value for anyone who wants an active, story-led night on the French Quarter edges—without committing to a marathon.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Real ritual moment at a witches’ temple, including a group spell you participate in
• Tight, 2-hour format that still hits multiple story stops in the French Quarter
• Local figures you’ll recognize (including Mary Oneida Toups and the Delphine Lalaurie story)
• Voodoo context plus a possible shop stop at 4pm (when offered)
• Small-group feel (maximum 26) with guides who work to keep the group together

A $29, two-hour night for witches, voodoo, and ghosts

At $29, this tour is priced like a classic walking experience—but it includes something that many tours only talk about: a temple ritual and group spellcasting. For me, that turns the night from listening-only into something more memorable, even if you’re new to this kind of storytelling.

The format is simple: you start at Hex New Orleans (1219 Decatur St) and return there. The walk is leisurely enough for most people, and it’s designed as a “2 hours and you’re done” evening plan. With up to 26 people, you’re not stuck in a huge crowd, but it’s also not a private tour—so you’ll want to be comfortable walking around, standing at corners, and hearing your guide over street noise.

If you’re picky about balance, this matters. Some people come for witch and voodoo history, while others want the full ghost mood. You’ll get both, but the ghost angle can take center stage—so set your expectations before you go.

Starting at Hex New Orleans: ritual energy in a real witches’ space

The tour begins at Hex New Orleans, which sets the tone fast. You’ll spend time at the start location, then the big included moment happens at the witches’ temple setting—complete with a spellcasting ritual and a group spell.

What I like about this part is that it’s not just theater. You’re in a real space associated with witchcraft, and the ritual portion is structured so the group participates together. One stop description also calls out a magical fountain in a hidden brick courtyard, which adds to the sense that this isn’t just a street-corner lecture.

Practical note: this is still a walking tour, and the night involves standing and listening. Plan to dress for outdoor conditions, and treat the ritual portion as the main “hands-on” highlight of the evening. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys group activities—even low-key ones—you’ll probably love this.

The Ursuline Convent Museum stop: miracles, healers, and women’s power

You’ll move to the Old Ursuline Convent Museum area for a story that’s more uplifting than most people expect on a spooky tour. The focus here is on the miracles connected to women working together and the power of women healers—more than just scary legends.

This stop is valuable because it gives the tour historical weight. New Orleans has plenty of haunting myths, sure, but the city’s real power often lives in the human stories: community, care, and determination. If you’ve ever felt like ghost tours skip the “real people part,” this adds a necessary counterbalance.

Timing-wise, you’ll be there briefly—long enough for the context, not long enough to turn the tour into a museum visit. So think of it as a story window. You’ll leave with names and themes you can follow up on later, if you want.

Chartres Street and Mary Oneida Toups: witch legends with a pop-culture trail

On Chartres Street, the tour ties a real witchcraft figure to modern pop culture. You’ll hear about Mary Oneida Toups and her Coven of Witches, and how that story became an inspiration for American Horror Story: Coven.

Even if you’ve watched that show, this part works because it reframes “witchcraft in fiction” as something rooted in local legend and identity. It’s also a great stop for curious minds. You’re not just hearing what’s scary—you’re learning how stories get remembered and reshaped.

The best way to enjoy this section is to listen for the names and connections. Write them down (your phone notes app works fine), because you’ll likely want to look up Toups later. This is one of those moments where the tour gives you a thread you can tug on after the walk ends.

Jackson Square area and Muriel’s ghost: the city’s comedy of fear

Next up is the Muriel’s Jackson Square area, where you’ll hear how one of New Orleans’ popular restaurants pays nightly homage to its resident ghost. This isn’t all dread; it’s more like New Orleans doing New Orleans—making the macabre part of daily life.

I like this stop because it keeps the tone light while still moving the story forward. It also helps you understand a key New Orleans reality: the city doesn’t keep its legends trapped in the past. It turns them into rituals of its own—sometimes through food, sometimes through atmosphere, sometimes through storytelling that tourists and locals share.

If you want a tour that feels like the city itself, this moment helps you feel that. You’ll get a ghost story, but the vibe is playful enough to keep the night from becoming too heavy.

Voodoo Authentica: voodoo history, plus a shop stop when offered at 4pm

The tour then shifts to Voodoo Authentica, where you’ll learn the storied history of voodoo in New Orleans. During the 4pm tour, you may also enter a real voodoo supply shop, which changes the experience from “watch and hear” to a more sensory stop.

This is a smart add-on because it grounds voodoo history in real objects and real commerce, not only legend. Even if you’re skeptical, seeing the shop context helps you understand how spiritual practice exists in everyday life.

One caution: the shop entry depends on the tour time. If you’re choosing a time slot and this part matters to you, pick the 4pm option when offered. If you can’t, still go. You’ll still get the historical framing, just without that extra in-shop window.

735 Ursulines Ave: when the stories turn brutal

At 735 Ursulines Ave, the tour goes darker. You’ll hear about the dark side of the French Quarter, including stories of malevolent spirits crossing into the world and brutal ritual murders repeating themselves.

This is the part where the tour leans hardest into horror mood. The details are meant to unsettle, and the purpose feels like setting a boundary: don’t treat these stories like a fun party trick. The tour even frames it as a reminder not to call up what you can’t put down.

If you’re sensitive to graphic or intense themes, consider whether that tone fits your night. The upside is that the story is placed among other stops, so the horror isn’t the only note you hear. You get context first, then the turn, then a final “what do you do with this negativity?” ending.

Lalaurie Mansion: a notorious story—and a practical mindset shift

The final major stop is the Lalaurie Mansion area, where you’ll learn about the true story of Madame Delphine Lalaurie. You’ll also learn how to repel negativity—an ending note that’s more about your attitude than about the supernatural.

I like this ending structure. It doesn’t leave you only with the scary stuff. It gives you a final takeaway: how to handle fear stories without letting them run your headspace. Whether you believe the lore or not, that’s a useful mental lesson for a night like this.

The Lalaurie story is infamous for a reason, and this stop works best when you treat it as “history with a chill” rather than a pure horror spectacle. If you want the spooky version of New Orleans with a little moral direction, this is a good landing point.

How to plan for the walk: shoes, hearing, and night timing

This experience is designed for an evening walk, with multiple short stops rather than one long site visit. That means comfortable shoes matter more than you’d think. The “2 hours” can still feel like more because you’re constantly shifting positions: standing, listening, then moving again.

Sound can also be a factor. A few people note that the guide was hard to hear at times, so keep your spot close when you can. If you’re in the back, don’t be shy about stepping inward when your guide is talking. It’s a small-group tour, so you don’t need to cling to the very last place.

Also, go in with the right “type” of expectation for haunted sites. The included access is the witches’ temple ritual, while many other locations are part of the storytelling landscape. You should expect mostly outdoor viewing rather than going inside every famous creepy building. That makes the tour flow better, but it can disappoint if you’re hoping for lots of private interior access.

Is it worth it? Value and who it’s best for

For $29, you’re paying for three things: an hour-and-a-bit walking story arc, historical context tied to New Orleans landmarks, and the included ritual + group spell moment. If that ritual component is what you want, the price feels fair.

The tour also seems to attract people who like a mix of history and theater. Names like Carrie, Kerry/Carie, and Jamie show up repeatedly for being engaging, funny, and good at keeping groups attentive. Even when people disagreed on the balance, they often still praised the guide’s passion and ability to connect details to the city.

Who should book:

• Adults and older teens who like spooky storytelling with history
• People who want an interactive moment, not just a lecture
• Anyone curious about how witchcraft and voodoo stories intersect with New Orleans culture

Who should think twice:

• Anyone who wants strictly voodoo history with minimal ghost focus
• Anyone expecting lots of indoor access to haunted sites
• Families with kids under 13, since this isn’t suitable for children under 13

One more tip: this tour is commonly booked about 17 days in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

Should you book this New Orleans Spirits & Spells tour?

I’d book it if you want a fun, story-led evening where the spookiness comes with real names, real places, and an actual ritual at a witches’ temple. The included spellcasting moment is the difference-maker for the value, and the mix of themes keeps it from becoming one-note horror.

I would not book it if you’re chasing a voodoo-only deep dive or if you specifically want to enter famous haunted interiors. In that case, pick a more narrowly focused tour and save your time.

If you do book, go with good shoes, plan for some street noise, and treat the ritual as the big payoff of the night. That mindset makes the whole experience land better—whether you came for witches, voodoo, or the ghosts.

FAQ

What is the duration of the New Orleans Spirits & Spells tour?

It runs for about 2 hours, including multiple walking stops and the included ritual/spellcasting portion.

How much does it cost?

The price is $29.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Hex New Orleans, 1219 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a walking tour?

Yes. It’s described as a leisurely walking tour with several stops along the way.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get exclusive access to a witch coven’s temple and you participate in a ritual and cast a powerful group spell.

Are there extra costs like parking?

Parking fees are not included.

Is the voodoo supply shop visit guaranteed?

It’s listed as happening during the 4pm tour option. For other times, you still learn voodoo history, but the shop entry detail is specifically tied to 4pm.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 13.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 26 travelers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.