As native New Orleanians, we absolutely love exploring the spooky side of our city. Haunted tours aren’t just about the ghosts, they showcase the rich history, dark mysteries, and intriguing haunted legends of New Orleans in a way that feels fun, atmospheric, and sometimes genuinely eerie, but not exploitative . Our city is over 300 years old and has many stories to tell!
We’ve done several haunted tours over the years, both as locals and with visiting friends and family, and this guide is our honest take on the New Orleans ghost tours we think are worth considering. Some are better for first-time visitors, some are more fun with cocktails, and others are better if you want something darker, smaller, or more hands-on. These will definitely add a spooky dimension to your next NOLA trip! [See our Most haunted places in New Orleans Guide too!]
☀️Our favorite top-rated haunted tours below are offered by both Get Your Guide and New Orleans Ghosts Tours because we have booked through them over the years and have had great experiences on the tours.
We even have a 10% discount code for New Orleans Ghosts tours – Use code TMMH10 to save on any of the New Orleans tours through them.
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- How We Chose These New Orleans Ghost Tours
- 1. New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl
- 2. New Orleans Ghost Tour
- ✨For more New Orleans trip inspiration see our other guides:
- 3. French Quarter Ghost & Haunted Interior Tour
- 4. New Orleans St. Louis #1 Marie Laveau Cemetery Tour
- 5. Haunted Plantation Night Tour from New Orleans
- 6. Vampire & Ghosts Small Group Tour (Adults Only)
- 7. True Crime & Ghost Tour
- 8. Unique New Orleans Ghost Hunting Tour By Paranormal Society
- Which New Orleans Ghost Tour Should You Pick?
- FAQS – Frequently Asked Questions about New Orleans Haunted Tours:
- Final Thoughts on New Orleans Best Haunted Tours:
- More New Orleans Inspiration Articles:
👗Find the Perfect Vacation Outfit for your NOLA trip that is still budget-friendly on Amazon!
How We Chose These New Orleans Ghost Tours
We looked for tours that offer more than a quick spooky story. For us, a great New Orleans haunted tour needs atmosphere, a good storyteller, interesting local history, and stops that actually feel connected to our city’s haunted reputation.
We also considered which tours work best for different visitors. Some people want a classic French Quarter ghost walk, while others want a haunted pub crawl, a cemetery tour, a darker true crime angle, or a more interactive ghost-hunting experience. Since we’re local, we also paid attention to whether the tour feels like a good use of your limited time in New Orleans.
1. New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl
Our local take: A haunted pub crawl is one of the most fun ways to experience the spooky side of New Orleans because it combines ghost stories, historic bars, and the energy of the French Quarter at night. This is the tour we’d recommend for couples, friend groups, or anyone who wants their haunted tour to feel more like a night out than a history lecture. Enjoy the best “spirited” haunted pub crawl in town, sipping great cocktails while hearing ghostly tales in some of the Quarter’s oldest and most haunted bars.
It’s also a great way to meet fun people and start your New Orleans Vacation! Price Range: $30-$35 per person
Keep in mind: This is more social and fun than deeply scary, so choose a different tour if you want something darker or more serious
👻Book This Haunted Pub Crawl on GYG and Read Reviews Here! **Use Discount code TMMH10 to save 10% on this tour!
✨We also have a coupon code with New Orleans Ghost Tours Haunted Pub Crawl for a 10% Discount! Use our code: TMMH10
Get Your Guide also has a Pub Crawl:
2. New Orleans Ghost Tour
Our local take: A classic New Orleans ghost tour is usually the best starting point if you’ve never taken a haunted tour here before. You’ll get the French Quarter atmosphere, famous haunted locations, and a mix of history and legend without needing to plan a full night around it. This one was a chilling exploration of the French Quarter, uncovering infamous hauntings and historic tragedies.
We like this type of tour because the setting does so much of the work. Walking past old balconies, quiet courtyards, St. Louis Cathedral, and shadowy side streets at night makes the stories feel more immersive. Even if you are not usually a “ghost tour person,” this is a fun way to learn about the darker side of New Orleans history.
This top-rated spooky walking tour visits legendary haunted spots like the LaLaurie Mansion and St. Louis Cathedral. Price Range: $25-$30 per person
Keep in mind: Group size and guide style can make a big difference, so it is worth reading recent reviews before choosing a time slot.
👻Book This Ghost Tour Here and Read Reviews! Use our Discount Code to save 10% – Code TMMH10
✨For more New Orleans trip inspiration see our other guides:
- New Orleans Food and Festivals guide
- Top Hotels in New Orleans to stay for a trip
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Beyond the music
- Haunted Places in New Orleans you must visit – our guide
- New Orleans best bougie cocktail bars you must try!
- Mardi Gras in New Orleans – what to see, where to stay, what to do
- The Saint Hotel Review – Top spots in New Orleans
- New Orleans Hotel Fontenot – Our stay review
- New Orleans airport lounge Club MSY review
- Best mini 3-4 day trip planning guide
3. French Quarter Ghost & Haunted Interior Tour
Our local take: This is a good choice if you want your ghost tour to stay focused on the French Quarter’s most famous haunted homes, legends, and eerie historic stops. The French Quarter is one of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans for this type of tour because almost every block has a story attached to it.
We especially like tours that include the LaLaurie Mansion area because it is one of the most talked-about haunted locations in the city. Even if you already know some of the story, hearing it while standing nearby at night gives it a completely different feel.
Learn chilling stories and historical insights into the city’s eerie past as well as seeing the Lalaurie Mansion. Price Range: $35-$40 per person
Keep in mind: This tour is more about storytelling and exterior stops, so do not expect to go inside private haunted homes although you do get to go into a haunted hotel room.
👻Book this French Quarter Ghost Tour Here and Read Reviews on GYG!
4. New Orleans St. Louis #1 Marie Laveau Cemetery Tour
Our local take: It’s the only way to get inside St. Louis #1! This is one of the most worthwhile haunted or historic tours in New Orleans because St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is such an important part of the city’s story. It is not just spooky, it is cultural, architectural, and deeply tied to New Orleans history.
We like this one because you’ll learn about the cemetery history, burial traditions, famous New Orleans figures, and the legends surrounding Marie Laveau. It is a very different experience from wandering the French Quarter at night, but it gives you a better understanding of why New Orleans is known for its “Cities of the Dead.
Visit the iconic cemetery, including inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Learn about voodoo, famous burials, and spooky legends. Find out why we are known as “the City of the Dead”. Price Range: $24-$30 per person
Keep in mind: You can only enter St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 with an approved guided tour, so this is one to book ahead if it is high on your list.
Tip: A Guided tour is the only way to see the St. Louis #1 Cemetery in New Orleans so book early!
5. Haunted Plantation Night Tour from New Orleans
Our local take: A haunted plantation night tour is a very different experience from a French Quarter ghost walk. Instead of busy streets, balconies, and bars, you get a darker, quieter setting outside the city, which can make the stories feel more atmospheric. This tour visits Destrehan Plantation which is one of the closest plantations to visit if you are short on time for your trip.
We think this tour is a good option if you’ve already done the classic French Quarter ghost tour or if you want something that feels more like an excursion. Since transportation is usually included, it can also be an easier way to visit a plantation if you do not want to rent a car or plan the logistics yourself.
This tour sells out quickly so book early! Price Range: $65-$75 per person
Keep in mind: This takes more time than a standard walking tour, so it is best if you have room in your itinerary for a longer evening activity
👻Book this tour and read reviews on GYG Here!
6. Vampire & Ghosts Small Group Tour (Adults Only)
Why we love it: This is one of the better choices if you want your haunted tour to feel a little darker and more adult. The small-group format makes it feel more personal, and the vampire angle adds a different layer to the usual New Orleans ghost stories.Explore dark alleys and haunted buildings while learning about these mystical traditions.
We had a great time on this tour and met some fun people to hang out with after. This is an intimate small group so it feels more exclusive and it is Adult only. Price Range: $25-$30 per person
Keep in mind: This is not the best choice for younger kids or travelers who prefer a lighter, family-friendly history tour.
👻Book this New Orleans Top Tour and Read Reviews on GYG Here!
7. True Crime & Ghost Tour
Our local take: A true crime and ghost tour is a good fit if you want something with a little more edge than a traditional haunted walk. New Orleans has plenty of eerie legends, but it also has real stories of crime, scandal, tragedy, and mystery that make this type of tour especially compelling. It’s ideal for fans of true crime.
We liked this one because we heard a few stories we had not heard before, which is not always easy for us as locals. It is a good reminder that New Orleans’ haunted reputation comes from a mix of folklore, history, and very real human stories. Price Range: $25-$30 per person
Keep in mind: The tone may be heavier than a standard ghost tour, so choose this one when you are in the mood for darker stories rather than a light spooky fun time.
👻Book This Tour and Read Reviews Here on GYG!
✨Book a Voodoo and Vampire Crime & Ghost Tour on New Orleans Ghosts and use our 10% Discount code – TMMH10
8. Unique New Orleans Ghost Hunting Tour By Paranormal Society
Why we love it: This is the tour to choose if you want something more hands-on than a regular ghost walk. Instead of only listening to stories, you get to use ghost-hunting equipment and explore haunted locations in a more interactive way. This unique experience offers more intense storytelling, ghost hunting equipment, exploring 2 haunted locations, perfect if you want an extra thrill.
We did this tour as locals and had so much fun with it. Our group even caught a voice on one of the video recordings, which made the experience feel extra spooky. Whether you fully believe in paranormal activity or just enjoy the thrill of it, this one feels more like an experience than a standard sightseeing tour. Price Range: $30-$35 per person
We did this tour and even as locals we loved it! It was even spookier getting to use the equipment!
Keep in mind: This is better for people who are open to the ghost-hunting format. If you mostly want history and architecture, a classic walking tour may be a better fit
👻Book This New Orleans Ghost Hunt and Read Reviews on GYG Here!
Which New Orleans Ghost Tour Should You Pick?
- If this is your first trip to New Orleans, I’d start with a classic French Quarter ghost tour. It gives you the best mix of haunted stories, historic streets, and famous locations without taking up too much of your evening.
- If you want something more social, choose the haunted pub crawl. It is especially fun for couples, friend groups, or anyone who wants a spooky night out with cocktails worked into the experience.
- If you are more interested in history than jump scares, the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 tour is the one I’d prioritize. It gives you a deeper look at New Orleans burial traditions, Marie Laveau, and the cemeteries that make the city’s cemeteries so unique.
- For something more unusual, the ghost-hunting tour is the most interactive option. That one felt the most different from a standard walking tour, and we had a lot of fun using the equipment as part of the experience.
FAQS – Frequently Asked Questions about New Orleans Haunted Tours:
Most haunted tours in New Orleans welcome kids, but certain experiences like pub crawls or the adults-only Sinister Ghost & Vampire Tour are strictly 21+. Always check the age recommendations on the tour’s booking page before reserving.
Haunted tours operate year-round, but cooler months like October and Mardi Gras season offer less humidity and more lively atmospheres. Book well in advance for these peak seasons, as popular tours sell out quickly!
Most walking tours last between 1.5 and 2 hours, while bus tours or special combined experiences may extend to around 2–3 hours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during warmer months.
Yes, especially if you choose the right style of tour for your trip. A good New Orleans ghost tour gives you more than spooky stories. It helps you understand the city’s history, architecture, legends, cemeteries, and darker folklore in a fun and memorable way.
Most haunted pub crawls are more fun and atmospheric than truly scary. They are a great choice if you want ghost stories, historic bars, and cocktails, but they are usually less intense than a darker true crime or paranormal-focused tour.
🧭 Tips for Your Tour
- Book in advance, as the best tours sell out quickly.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes because our historic sidewalks can be uneven.
- Carry a small flashlight or use your phone’s light for navigating dark spots.
Final Thoughts on New Orleans Best Haunted Tours:
Exploring haunted tours is one of the best ways to truly experience the unique and vibrant history of New Orleans. Whether you’re drawn to ghost stories, historical mysteries, or a fun pub crawl, these top haunted tours offer unforgettable adventures sure to thrill and make your vacation unique. Join a tour and discover why New Orleans is considered one of the most haunted cities in America!
Author’s Note: As locals born and raised in New Orleans, we’ve experienced our city’s captivating blend of history and haunted intrigue throughout our lives. Haunted tours are our favorite way to share New Orleans’ past, weaving together authentic storytelling, cultural traditions, and, of course, ghostly encounters. We personally recommend each tour listed, confident that you’ll enjoy both the New Orleans history and the haunted fun.
tip: Check with the New Orleans Dept. of Tourism Calendar to see upcoming events for your trip!
Other Interesting and Spooky tours to try:
- Tour Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Ma. This is so spooky and unique if you are into ghost hunts and famous places!