REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS
Private Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Witches Brew Tours · Bookable on Viator
Vampires and voodoo feel close here. This private Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire walking tour threads through the French Quarter with spooky stories tied to real landmarks, plus a chance to browse local voodoo shops and talk one-on-one with your guide.
Two things I especially like: you get the comfort of a private group format, so the tour feels personal instead of rushed, and the route mixes classic “haunted New Orleans” stops with practical context you can actually picture in the streets. One consideration: there’s no food or drinks included, so plan to eat first (and bring water if you’re out on a warm day).
In my experience reading about the guide-led side, the standout name that comes up is Jodi—described as insightful and personable, with a storytelling style that keeps the mood fun without losing the thread of what you’re seeing. If you’d rather just wander independently, you might find the pacing a bit guided, but if you want meaning behind the scenes, this format delivers.
In This Review
- Key points worth knowing before you go
- A private ghost walk that stays focused on the street
- How the 2-hour flow feels in real time
- The best start: Omni Royal Orleans and a head start on the vibe
- Pharmacy Museum: when the past is physical, not just spooky
- Jackson Square: the landmark plus the witchy storyline thread
- Voodoo Authentica: a shopping stop with meaning, not a random detour
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: the haunted bar moment
- Lalaurie Mansion: where the stories lean darker
- Why the guide matters so much on this tour
- Price and value: what $800 per group buys you
- What you’ll walk away with (besides spooky vibes)
- Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)
- Quick tips to get the most out of your night
- Should you book the Private Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the Private Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Tour?
- Is this tour private?
- Where does the tour start?
- Is there admission included at every stop?
- Do I need to speak another language?
- Are mobile tickets used?
- Are service animals allowed?
- What if I need to cancel?
Key points worth knowing before you go

- Private group pacing: it’s built for just your party, not a packed bus-funnel style tour.
- French Quarter stops with names you’ll recognize: Jackson Square area, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and Lalaurie House.
- Shopping time for voodoo souvenirs: you’ll have a dedicated stop at Voodoo Authentica for handmade items.
- A true bar moment: the tour includes Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, giving you a natural place to slow down and chat.
- Some stops charge extra: pharmacy museum and the Lalaurie site are not included in admission.
A private ghost walk that stays focused on the street
New Orleans ghost tours can turn into either pure performance or pure lecture. This one aims for the middle: you walk, you stop, you listen, and you get to see how the stories connect to specific corners and buildings.
You’re in the French Quarter, which matters. These blocks were built for foot traffic, and the tour uses that. Instead of jumping all over town, you’re mostly staying in the same haunted geography, so the whole thing feels like one long scene—less “tourist highlights,” more “walking through the atmosphere.”
The tour runs about 2 hours. That’s long enough to hit multiple locations and still short enough that you’re not dragging your feet by the end. Expect a walking rhythm, with short stops that keep moving while letting your guide set the tone.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New Orleans.
How the 2-hour flow feels in real time

The pace is built around quick, purposeful stops—on the order of 15 minutes each at the main locations. That works well when you want story details without having to sit through long museum-style segments.
Here’s what you’ll do, in plain terms:
- Meet your guide near the start point
- Walk to the first couple of stops while hearing the “why this place matters” story
- Pause at named landmarks for brief, guided context
- Get a shopping window at a voodoo shop
- Finish near Royal Street after the final haunted stop
Because it’s private, you can also think of it as a conversation with a plan. Your guide isn’t just reciting at you; you should be able to ask questions and steer the pace a bit if your group is chatty.
The best start: Omni Royal Orleans and a head start on the vibe

You’ll start in front of the Omni Royal Orleans on St. Louis St, near Royal St. The timing note is important: you’re expected to arrive about 30 minutes early, which gives you time to meet up and settle before the walking part begins.
This first moment matters because haunted tours can stall if everyone is still gathering. Starting early helps you get moving with the group and lets the guide set expectations right away: what you’re going to hear, where you’re going, and how the stories connect to what you’re seeing.
You get the feeling this tour is designed to stay on track. That’s a big quality-of-life factor when you’re paying for a private experience.
Pharmacy Museum: when the past is physical, not just spooky

One of the stops is the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, tied to Louis Dufilho, described as America’s First Licensed Pharmacist, and connected to an 1816 apothecary setting. This is your break from pure legend into something more grounded—medicine, artifacts, and the way people once handled illness.
You’ll spend about 15 minutes here, which is ideal. It’s enough time to catch the highlights and make it feel like part of the night, not a random detour.
The only drawback: admission is not included. So mentally budget a little extra if you plan to go in rather than just pass by.
Jackson Square: the landmark plus the witchy storyline thread

After the museum, the tour brings you through the Jackson Square area. Your guide frames it using the “witches” theme, including the fact that the square is named after General Jackson, tied to the Battle of New Orleans.
This stop is mostly about orientation and atmosphere. Jackson Square is one of those places where it’s easy to see why legends stick. When a guide connects the spiritual / witchy thread to a specific landmark, the whole square stops feeling like a postcard and starts feeling like a stage.
Admission is noted as free here, so you’re not paying to stand in a public space. The value is in how your guide teaches you to look—statues, sightlines, and how the French Quarter layout shapes the story.
Voodoo Authentica: a shopping stop with meaning, not a random detour

Next up is Voodoo Authentica, a shop known for making handmade voodoo dolls, gris-gris bags, and related items from Dumaine Street in the French Quarter. You’re not just browsing; the stop is positioned as part of the tour’s broader “what people actually bought and carried” angle.
Admission is listed as free, and you’ll get time to shop without feeling like you’re being whisked through. If you like souvenirs, this is the one you’ll remember because the items connect directly to what the stories are talking about.
This is also where you can ask practical questions: what’s made there, how items are used or described, and what the shop considers its signature products. Even if you don’t plan to buy, you can learn a lot just by watching what catches other people’s interest.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: the haunted bar moment

The tour includes Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, described as the oldest bar in America and one of the most haunted spots in the city. It’s the kind of place where you can see why ghost stories thrive—old walls, deep history, and the fact that people still gather there today.
You’ll spend roughly 15 minutes at this stop. The bar setting also makes it natural to do what the tour promises: chat with your guide at a local bar, not just on a sidewalk.
Admission is listed as free. So the main cost here is your time and your group’s attention span—if you go in expecting a full sit-down meal, you might feel impatient. If you go in expecting conversation plus story context, it’s a win.
Lalaurie Mansion: where the stories lean darker

The final major stop is the Lalaurie Mansion (LaLaurie House), linked to horrifying tales involving enslaved people. This is where the tour leans darkest, with ghostly and gruesome characters tied to New Orleans’s past.
You’ll get about 15 minutes here, which is long enough for a guide to frame the story without turning it into a marathon. This stop also tends to be the one where you decide what kind of traveler you are. Some people want the spooky drama; others want the historical meaning. Either way, having a guide helps you keep the details straight.
Admission is not included, so you may need to decide on the spot if you’ll pay to enter or focus on the exterior and the guide’s explanation.
Why the guide matters so much on this tour
The tour is rated highly, and the reviews you’ll see point to one thing again and again: the guide is the product. In the name that stands out, Jodi is described as wonderful, insightful, and personable—exactly the combo you want for a walking tour where people will ask questions and the mood needs to stay fun.
Here’s why that matters for you: ghost and voodoo stories can go two ways. Either they’re delivered like a script, or they’re shaped into a chat you can follow while walking through real streets. A strong guide keeps the story coherent, hits the right emotional note, and helps you notice details you’d otherwise miss.
If you’re the type who likes asking why something became a legend, you’ll get more out of the tour than you might expect. The route works because the guide gives you the thread that connects each stop.
Price and value: what $800 per group buys you
At $800 per group (listed as up to 15 for pricing), you’re not paying for a cheap entry ticket—you’re paying for a private guide and a timed route through key French Quarter locations.
That price can feel steep if you’re comparing it to a standard group walking tour. But private tours often make sense when:
- you’re traveling as a small group and want control of the pacing
- you care about the guide’s tone and not just the locations
- you want a route that doesn’t depend on how fast a crowd moves
Also, this one has a strong demand signal: it’s commonly booked far in advance. That usually means people find it worth planning for, not just worth doing last minute.
One note you should sanity-check: the private tour is described as for your group, with mention of size up to 25 in the experience details, even though the price listing mentions up to 15 per group. When you book, confirm the group size limit that applies to your rate so you’re not surprised.
What you’ll walk away with (besides spooky vibes)
A good haunted tour gives you stories you can retell. This one is built to do more than that.
You’ll likely walk away with:
- clearer context for why specific French Quarter sites became associated with ghosts, vampires, and witch legends
- a sense of how voodoo traditions show up in everyday commerce, not just folklore
- a better eye for the “real-world” setting—street layout, landmark names, and the feel of older buildings
The best part is the mix: you get one museum stop tied to early pharmacy, a major public square, a dedicated voodoo shop, and then the darker, haunted mansion story at the end.
Who this tour is best for (and who should think twice)
This tour fits you if you want a guided French Quarter experience with multiple haunted stops in a tight time window. It’s also a solid match if you like asking questions—especially at the bar stop, where the setting naturally encourages conversation.
It’s less ideal if you want total freedom to wander. The pacing is structured, the stops are timed, and the guide is clearly steering you through a theme.
One more practical thing: the walking terrain in the historic French Quarter can be challenging for mobility needs. If that’s a concern for you, choose wisely and discuss your situation with the provider before you commit.
Quick tips to get the most out of your night
Go in with two mindsets: curiosity and respect. Some of the stories are about real suffering, so it helps to stay open while keeping a steady, thoughtful tone.
Dress for walking. This is a night-foot kind of tour, and you’ll be on the street and stopping often.
If you want souvenirs, decide ahead of time on a budget. The voodoo shop stop is one of the meaningful ones, and it’s easy to get carried away once you’re inside.
Should you book the Private Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Tour?
I think you should book if you’re aiming for a private French Quarter ghost-style experience that’s story-driven and guide-led, not random sightseeing. The combination of strong guide quality (with Jodi specifically highlighted), multiple named haunted stops, and a real voodoo shop makes it feel like more than a “drive-by of legends.”
Skip it if you’re not interested in the guided pace or if you’re hoping for food included. Plan your meal first, and you’ll enjoy the tour more because you can focus on the people, the places, and the stories without juggling hunger.
If you like your spooky walking tours with context—and you’d rather ask questions than just listen to a crowd—this one is a very solid choice.
FAQ
How long is the Private Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Tour?
It runs about 2 hours.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s described as a private tour where only your group participates.
Where does the tour start?
You meet in front of the Omni Royal Orleans at 621 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Is there admission included at every stop?
Not all stops include admission. The pharmacy museum and the Lalaurie Mansion site note admission is not included.
Do I need to speak another language?
The tour is offered in English.
Are mobile tickets used?
Yes, it includes a mobile ticket.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed.
What if I need to cancel?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Canceling within 24 hours isn’t refundable.


























