New Orleans Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour

New Orleans has a talent for making its darkest stories entertaining. This two-hour walk mixes cocktails, true crime, pirates, haunted addresses, and Cajun folklore around the French Quarter. I like the local storytelling and the chance to pair each tale with a drink, and I like that the route includes major landmarks such as Jackson Square and LaLaurie Mansion. The main caution is that the experience can feel more like a story walk than a stop-inside-every-building tour.

Guides including Cody and Coty have been praised for being friendly, lively, and full of local facts. Still, the subject matter and route may vary by guide. One past departure covered fewer locations than expected, and another included little or no voodoo material, so book this for the atmosphere and narration, not a guaranteed checklist of every theme.

Key points to know before you go

• True crime drives the tour: Hear stories tied to pirates, convicted felons, prostitutes, murders, and New Orleans crime from the city’s early days to the present.
• Drinks are extra: The $23 price covers the guide and storytelling, but you pay separately for cocktails and other beverages.
• The French Quarter supplies the scenery: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytere, St. Anthony’s Garden, Ursuline Convent, and several infamous houses may appear along the route.
• Paranormal equipment adds theater: A real EMF meter is used during the walk, though paranormal claims are presented as folklore and entertainment rather than proven fact.
• Guides shape the experience: Cody and Coty have received praise for friendly, energetic presentations, while one poorly managed departure reportedly had no guide or communication.
• Meet outside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: The meeting point is on the sidewalk by the courtyard gate at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar.

A walking tour with a criminal streak

This is not a standard French Quarter architecture walk. The buildings and squares provide the setting, but the real subject is what happened behind the shutters: murders, unsolved crimes, scandal, superstition, and the people who made New Orleans notorious.

You spend two hours on foot with an English-speaking guide who works as both a tour leader and storyteller. The pace is built around stops and narration rather than museum visits. You may pause outside a historic house, hear the facts behind a crime, then continue down the narrow streets toward another landmark or bar.

I like this format for an evening in New Orleans. You get a sense of the neighborhood while hearing stories that are too specific and unsettling for a standard sightseeing introduction. The cocktail element also fits the city. You can order a drink along the way, listen to the tale, and keep moving.

The $23 cost is fair if you see it as a guided history walk with entertainment. It is less compelling if you expect admission to several attractions, drinks included, or a formal paranormal investigation. Nothing in the price covers beverages, and the tour does not promise entry into every building on the route.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street

The group meets on the sidewalk in front of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street. Look for the gate to the attached courtyard. Do not go inside expecting the bartenders to check you in, since the tour team and the bar are separate businesses.

This detail matters. Bourbon Street can be noisy, crowded, and confusing, especially after dark. Arrive a few minutes early and wait outside at the stated gate. Check-in is only possible before the departure time, and late arrivals are not entitled to a refund.

Lafitte’s is an atmospheric starting point for a tour about old crimes and legends. The building itself fits the mood, even before the first story begins. From here, the walk places you in the center of the French Quarter rather than shuttling you between distant neighborhoods.

The route is on foot over old, uneven streets. Wear shoes that can handle a two-hour walk, and keep your phone and wallet secure. The operator does not accept responsibility for injuries caused by uneven pavement or for lost or stolen items.

Jackson Square and the public face of New Orleans

The walk includes Jackson Square, one of the French Quarter’s most recognizable public spaces. Here, the St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytere frame the square with some of the city’s best-known architecture.

These buildings give the tour a useful historical anchor. The stories are not floating free of place. You can connect New Orleans politics, religion, law, and public life to the buildings around you, then hear how crime and scandal played out against that backdrop.

St. Anthony’s Garden and the Ursuline Convent are also listed among the possible locations. Their quieter setting can change the tone of the walk. After the noise of Bourbon Street, a courtyard or garden makes the city’s old legends feel more intimate.

Keep your expectations measured. The tour description names many landmarks, but the actual time spent at each stop can vary. One past participant felt the walk covered fewer places than expected and focused on only one murder story outside a house. That is an important distinction: you should expect an outdoor storytelling route, not a full visit to every landmark.

LaLaurie Mansion and the appeal of a famous address

The LaLaurie Mansion is presented as one of the most haunted houses in New Orleans. Its reputation comes from brutal stories associated with the LaLaurie family, and it is a natural stop for a tour built around crime, ghosts, and dark folklore.

You will most likely hear the story from outside. The value is in the guide’s account and the connection between the building, the neighborhood, and the legends that have grown around it. Do not assume you will enter the mansion or explore its rooms.

This is where the quality of the storyteller matters. A dry list of gruesome facts can become repetitive. A good guide gives the story context, explains what is known, and separates documented events from later ghost lore. Cody has been praised for being friendly and informative, while Coty has been described as energetic and generous with unusual local facts.

The experience does not promise academic source analysis. It is a lively city walk, and some stories may be told for their dramatic power. If you need carefully footnoted crime history, choose a more formal historical tour. If you enjoy hearing a guide connect a real address to old rumors and modern fascination, this stop should suit you.

The Sultan’s Palace and New Orleans crime stories

The Sultan’s Palace, described as a grand mansion, is linked to one of the largest mass murders in New Orleans. The crime remains unsolved, which gives the story an especially uneasy quality.

This is the kind of stop that explains the tour’s appeal. You are not just hearing a generic ghost tale. You are standing near a specific building while the guide describes a crime that still raises questions. The mansion’s appearance and its violent association create the contrast that dark-history fans seek.

The route also includes a location tied to a tragic 2006 murder-suicide in the French Quarter. The story of Zach and Addie is another example of the tour’s focus on heartbreak as much as horror. These accounts are not simply old folklore. Some involve recent events and real victims, so you should be ready for serious material.

The description does not give a precise order for these stops, and the guide may adjust the route. That flexibility is normal for a walking tour in a busy historic district, but it also means you should not plan the rest of your evening around an exact final address.

Pirates, prostitutes, felons, and the city’s darker past

The tour reaches back to the founding era of New Orleans, when pirates, prostitutes, convicted felons, and other outsiders helped shape the city’s public image. These stories offer a less polished view of the French Quarter than you get from postcard architecture.

I like this part because it explains why New Orleans feels different from a carefully preserved colonial museum town. The city’s character grew from trade, immigration, crime, religion, music, food, and survival. A guide who can connect those forces gives you more than a collection of scary anecdotes.

The word true crime covers a wide span here. You may hear about historical criminals, unsolved killings, domestic tragedy, and modern cases. Some tales are entertaining in a theatrical way, while others are painful. The tour is best for adults who can handle violence, murder, and disturbing subjects without expecting a light sightseeing stroll.

The drinks help set a relaxed mood, but they do not make the material less intense. You control what you order, and moderation is wise. The company may refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated, disruptive, or disrespectful.

Voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and Cajun folklore

The tour also promises stories about voodoo, ghosts, vampires, Cajun superstitions, and Louisiana folklore. These traditions are part of the city’s popular image, but they deserve careful treatment.

The practical warning is simple: do not book this expecting a dedicated voodoo lesson. One past departure included little or no voodoo discussion and focused more on the guide’s personal life and general storytelling. The subject may receive more attention with another guide or on another date, but it is not guaranteed to dominate the walk.

The same applies to paranormal material. An EMF meter, or electromagnetic field detector, is used as part of the entertainment. You may see the guide test an area and invite the group to consider possible paranormal activity. Treat this as a playful prop and a way to involve the group, not as scientific proof of ghosts.

That balance is important. I enjoy folklore when a guide explains how legends developed and why people still tell them. You may enjoy the EMF reading as part of the fun, but anyone seeking a serious investigation should choose a specialist paranormal experience instead.

There is also a $250 charge for lost or damaged paranormal equipment. Keep the device with the staff and return it at the end of the tour.

Movie homes, local culture, and the scenery between stories

The walk includes places connected with Hollywood stars who have lived in the French Quarter and locations used in films. These details give you a break from murder stories and show how the neighborhood functions today.

The broader subject is New Orleans itself: cuisine, architecture, culture, folklore, and the way the city developed into its modern form. You may learn more about how the French Quarter works as a living neighborhood rather than as a row of old façades.

This variety is one of the tour’s strengths. A steady stream of grisly stories could become tiring, but switching between landmarks, film locations, local legends, and crime keeps the route moving. It also makes the experience useful early in your stay, since you may notice the same streets, courtyards, and buildings again later.

Still, the balance depends on the guide. One person may emphasize crime, another may spend more time on personal stories or general local history. If your main goal is voodoo, confirm the emphasis before booking.

What the guide makes or breaks

The company says its guides and storytellers have more than a decade of experience. That matters because this tour relies heavily on delivery. There is no long museum visit or formal performance to carry the experience. The guide’s voice, pacing, humor, and judgment shape nearly everything.

Cody has received praise for being friendly and informative. Coty has been described as dynamic, curious, and generous with local information. Those names give you a useful clue about the strongest version of the tour: warm delivery, clear storytelling, and a willingness to answer questions.

But the service record is not perfect. One scheduled departure reportedly had no guide, no call, and no message. That is a serious failure, even though another booking was later canceled because too few people signed up and a full refund was issued.

I recommend checking your meeting details before leaving for Bourbon Street. If you have questions or concerns, contact the operator directly. Arrive early, find the courtyard gate, and do not rely on the bar staff for tour information.

Is $23 a good value?

At $23 per person, this is one of the less expensive guided activities you can add to a New Orleans evening. The price includes a licensed guide and professional storyteller for two hours. It does not include cocktails, food, attraction admission, or transportation.

The value is strongest if you want a compact introduction to the French Quarter with a dark twist. You can learn local stories, see important addresses, and decide which places deserve a return visit. Paying separately for a drink also gives you control over your budget.

The value drops if you expect a bar crawl. The wording suggests drinks are part of the experience, but beverages are not included, and the main product is the walking tour. It also drops if you need guaranteed access to many interiors or a fixed list of stops.

Cancellation terms are strict. The activity is non-refundable, and there are no refunds for late arrival or weather-related cancellation. The operator can reschedule for bad weather, and a full refund applies if the tour is canceled after confirmation because too few people sign up.

Who should book this French Quarter walk?

I would choose this tour if you like true crime, old scandals, ghost stories, and the social history behind famous addresses. It suits adults who want a casual evening activity and do not mind hearing about murder, violence, and tragedy.

It is also a good fit if you like a guide-led introduction before exploring the French Quarter on your own. The landmark route, movie connections, local legends, and cocktail option give you several ways to enjoy the evening.

I would skip it if your priority is a focused voodoo education, rigorous paranormal investigation, or entry into multiple historic buildings. You should also choose another activity if you want a quiet, family-oriented history walk or if you dislike tours built around gruesome crimes.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $23 per person.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, so you pay separately for cocktails or other beverages.

Where does the tour meet?

The tour meets on the sidewalk in front of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, by the gate of the attached courtyard. It does not meet inside the bar.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel or arrive late?

No. The activity is non-refundable, and no refund is issued for cancellation due to weather or late arrival. The operator may reschedule for bad weather, and a full refund is issued if the supplier cancels because there are not enough participants.

Should you book it?

Book it for dark New Orleans storytelling with a drink in hand, especially if true crime and local legends interest you more than formal sightseeing. The strongest version gives you a friendly guide, memorable addresses, and a lively account of the city’s rougher past for a reasonable price.

Go in with the right expectations. You are paying for two hours of outdoor narration, not a full building tour, a guaranteed voodoo lesson, or proof of the paranormal. Arrive early at the Bourbon Street meeting point, keep your drinking moderate, and treat the route as an entertaining introduction to the French Quarter. For that purpose, it can be a fun and unusual addition to your New Orleans plans.