Ghostly Tours in the Big Easy
Although Halloween is not here yet, it's never too early to enjoy the spooky sites of New Orleans. Our city has a reputation for being one of the most haunted spots in the country, and our history is rife with stories of murder, ghosts, voodoo, and magic. Sure, it's easy to gather some of this information online, but much more fun to digest it all during one of the city's many ghost tours. If you're like me and need a spooky fix to get you through the months until October, book one of these ghost tours for an evening of fun and frights!
Witches Brew Tours
This touring company specializes in all things magical, witchy, and spooky, taking visitors through some of New Orleans's most famous cemeteries. Witches Brew Tours' 3 in 1 tour takes visitors through French Quarter history with a special focus on Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and St. Louis Cemetery #1. Its website even features photographs taken by tour attendees who claim to have captured something paranormal on camera, so you might get lucky and see a ghost as you listen to your guide's stories about the city. For just $35, you can enjoy both of its tour packages. 504-454-3939, witchesbrewtours.com
Free Tours by Foot
Free Tours by Foot isn't just known for its ghost tours. Patrons of this company can also enjoy a food, swamp, or plantation tour. One of the high points of its ghost tours, besides its knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides, is its affordability. Free Tours by Foot offers free and pay-what-you-can tours, giving anyone and everyone a chance to experience the spooky sights of the city, but be sure to book early as these tours sell out fast. Tour attendees will have the opportunity to visit places like Pirates Alley, The Hotel Monteleone, and locations from American Horror Story: Coven. 504-222-2967, freetoursbyfoot.com/ghost-tour-new-orleans
Royal Carriage Tours
If you've ever strolled around the French Quarter, chances are you've come across one of the many tours offered by Royal Carriages, one of the oldest touring companies in New Orleans. These tours, not all ooky and spooky, take residents all over the Quarter and through its streets by mule-drawn carriage. If you'd rather sit and hear all of New Orleans's scary lore than walk the streets of the city, try the New Orleans History and Haunts Carriage Tour. This tour will regale attendees with stories of voodoo, pirates, ghosts, and death, as well as take you to some of the city's most haunted hotels, restaurants, homes, and bars. 504-943-8820, neworleanscarriages.com/tours/best-ghost-tour-new-orleans
Haunted Pub Crawl
Although this ghost tour might take you to some of the same locations as others, you get to do so with a drink in hand! New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour offers a Haunted Pub Crawl that puts a special focus on all the haunted restaurants and bars of the city. Guests on the tour will get a chance to stop at multiple bars throughout the evening, so you can enjoy a little booze to help calm your nerves as you hear about all things macabre in New Orleans. 504-475-5214, neworleansghostadventurestour.com/hauntedpubcrawl
Haunted History Tours
Haunted History Tours has several spooky tours to get you through Halloween. You can choose from eight creepy tours, including four haunted ghost tours of New Orleans. These tours include true crime, voodoo, mythical creatures, and much more. Tour the cemeteries, French Quarter, or even partake in a haunted pub crawl. From ghosts to vampires, Haunted History Tours has got you covered. 504-861-2727, hauntedhistorytours.com
Cajun Encounters Tour Co.
The company well known for swamp tours is taking their tours onto dry land. The New Orleans Ghost Bus Tour by Cajun Encounters Tour Co. will take you around the city exploring the dark history of New Orleans. Visit cemeteries and listen to chilling stories about the paranormal lore surrounding the city on a group or private small group tour. Some of the topics you will hear about include ghosts, witches, vampires, and voodoo. 504-834-1770, cajunencounters.com/tours/new-orleans-ghost-tour
New Orleans Ghosts
New Orleans Ghosts is here to show you why New Orleans is considered one of the most haunted cities in America. You know about the music, food, and party atmosphere of the city, but do you know about the haunting events in the history of New Orleans? This haunted tour will take you to the LaLaurie Mansion, the Old Ursuline Convent, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cemetery. Combining historical accounts and paranormal stories, this tour is sure to give you goosebumps. (504) 434-7314, nolaghosts.com
French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tours
The most popular tour at French Quarter Phantoms is the Ghost and Vampire Tour, which is a combination of two separate popular tours of theirs. This walking tour is filled with almost two hours of ghostly experiences including the real story of Madame LaLaurie and the LaLaurie Mansion. Adults can even get buy one get one free Hurricanes, a signature New Orleans drink, the hour before the tour. 504-666-8300, frenchquarterphantoms.com
Unique NOLA Tours
Unique NOLA Tours has three specialty ghost tours to choose from. Two of the more popular tours are the Our Favorite Ghosts Tour and the Kid-Friendly Ghost Tour. The Our Favorite Ghosts Tour is essentially a highlight reel of the best haunts throughout the French Quarter and New Orleans. The Kid-Friendly Ghost Tour is a spooky two hour tour through the French Quarter. The whole family will enjoy hearing about the LaLaurie Mansion and the Andrew Jackson Hotel while still being able to sleep at night. (504) 777-7769, uniquenola.com
Streets of Sin
Walk around the "original city of sin" with Streets of Sin French Quarter Walking Tours. This tour company offers fascinating and uncensored stories of New Orleans' gritty underbelly. Topics that have been covered by Streets of Sin have included the New Orleans mafia, Delphine LaLaurie, the ghost of Aleister Crowley, and many other wicked tales. Don't miss out on their flagship tour Empire of Sin, which is packed full of historical details. 1 (833) 338-6652, streetsofsin.com
Take a Spooky Tour in New Orleans
Whether you choose to go down the super scary route or the kid-friendly route, New Orleans has plenty of tours to offer. Venture into the cemeteries or the French Quarter to see the spooky history of the city. Take time this Halloween season to explore the dark side of the city and try one of our ten selected spookiest tours in New Orleans.
