Ghosts pair surprisingly well with New Orleans nightlife. This 1 hour 45 walking pub crawl mixes haunted stories with four places where you can grab a drink while the Quarter does its thing. I like that it’s paced for sightseeing, not just drinking, and I like the focus on specific locations instead of vague scare tales. One thing to consider: the format depends on timing and a good guide, so arriving early at the start point matters a lot.

The tour hits well-known landmarks and some darker addresses, with stops kept short so you keep moving. The sweet spot here is you get history-flavored ghost lore without sitting through a long, static lecture. I also appreciate that drinks aren’t included, which keeps the experience flexible and usually cheaper than the all-in options.

If you want a low-effort night with plenty of walking and story stops that swing from spooky to cultural, this one can work well. Just know you’ll be on your feet and you’ll have to buy your own drinks.

Quick hits before you go

• Four drinking stops: You’ll reach multiple bar/café locations where you can order what you actually want.
• Tight, story-based timing: Most stops are around 15 minutes, which keeps the tour moving.
• Mobile ticket, English-led: You’ll use a phone ticket and the tour is offered in English.
• Real NOLA locations: Jackson Square, Omni Royal Orleans, Pirate’s Alley Cafe, and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar are part of the route.
• Optional EMF detector: You can add a $6 rental/purchase if you’re into gadget curiosity.

What you’re really buying for $36 in New Orleans

At $36 per person for about 1 hour 45, you’re mainly paying for two things: a guide and a planned sequence of haunted stops. Drinks are not included, so you’re not stuck buying a set amount of alcohol you didn’t want. That matters in a city where you can easily overspend just to keep a tour rhythm.

Also, you’re not just getting random ghost talk. The format emphasizes thoroughly researched stories and takes you to specific buildings tied to local lore—Jackson Square, historic hotels, and well-known named sites. That’s the difference between an entertaining walk and a walk that helps you understand why these places get repeated ghost stories.

One more practical point: the tour runs with a maximum of 50 people. That’s big enough to feel lively, but it can still get crowded at indoor bar moments. If you hate shoulder-to-shoulder walking, aim for a time when the streets are less packed.

Jackson Square start: arrive 15 minutes early and look up

You meet in Jackson Square and the tour starts by gathering about 15 minutes before the scheduled time. If you show up right at start, you risk missing the group, especially in a place where street performers and other tours can make the area feel like organized chaos.

Jackson Square is the first stop, and it sets the tone fast. The park is said to be haunted, and the idea is you may even see signs before you officially begin. Whether you take the supernatural seriously or not, it’s a smart way to start: it’s a central landmark where you can orient quickly and get in the mood without wasting time.

Tip: wear shoes you can walk in for an hour and change, because the route is designed around constant movement. Also, bring a layer if the evening gets chilly; the Quarter cools off fast once the sun goes down.

Omni Royal Orleans: elegant architecture with a spooky reputation

One of the early stops is Omni Royal Orleans, an elegant hotel that’s described as inspiring an iconic Lez Zeppelin song. That detail isn’t just trivia—it gives you a cultural entry point before the ghost talk begins.

From there, the tour ties the hotel to hauntings and focuses on why it’s become one of the more haunted sites in the city. This is a good stop if you like your spooky stories wrapped in real architecture. You get an atmosphere lesson: New Orleans doesn’t separate nightlife from old buildings—it stacks them.

A drawback to keep in mind: hotel exteriors can be crowded, and your sightlines may depend on where the group forms. If you want clear photos, be ready to angle your phone and wait a second when the crowd shifts.

The 1834 building and the haunted bookstore accounts

After Omni Royal Orleans, you’ll move to a historic building dating to 1834. The tour frames this stop around a haunted bookstore concept, including firsthand accounts from patrons who reported unexplained happenings inside the store.

This is where the crawl leans into the most story-forward side of the experience. Short as the stop is, it’s designed to make you feel like you’re hearing local testimony rather than a generic ghost script. If you like stories with details—sounds, sightings, weird moments—this part usually lands best.

You won’t sit in one spot for long. Still, it’s worth slowing your pace for a minute so you can actually follow the guide’s version of events. This is also one of the points where questions can help. If the group seems engaged, your guide may be more likely to answer based on what you’re curious about.

Voodoo shop opened in 1996: culture and the living world

Another stop centers on a Voodoo shop that opened in 1996 and is described as one of the more reputable places to buy Voodoo-oriented goods. Here, the tour shifts from pure haunting to a broader explanation of Voodoo’s presence in New Orleans—and how the living and the dead are talked about within that tradition.

This is valuable because it keeps the experience from being only ghost horror. New Orleans has spiritual history, and the tour treats it as part of the city’s ongoing culture rather than a Halloween costume. If you’re interested in how traditions persist, this is one of the more grounded moments on the walk.

One consideration: if you’re hoping for only jump-scare style haunting, this segment may feel more informative than spooky. It’s still part of the overall haunted mood, but it’s less about screaming and more about context.

Pirate’s Alley Cafe: pirates, drinks, and a darker twist

Then you reach Pirite’s Alley Cafe, a place where the guide brings in the pirate past. The stop is positioned with a friendly tone—then the story adds a darker angle that fits the Quarter’s reputation for stories that don’t stay polite.

This is also one of the practical breaks where you’ll likely want a drink. Since drinks aren’t included, you can decide what matches the mood and your budget. If you’re trying one local option, this is the kind of stop where a signature-style cocktail usually makes sense because you’ll already be in the right mindset.

A quick note on pacing: the tour stops are around 15 minutes for several locations. That means you’ll want to place any drink order early in the stop, not at the last minute, so you don’t feel rushed.

Ice House Bar at the Provincial Hotel: reports after-hours

Next is the Ice House Bar of the Provincial Hotel. This stop gets framed as one of the most active places in New Orleans, with paranormal reports coming from bar tenders and from people on the tour.

This is a smart stop for two reasons. First, it’s a real bar setting, not just a landmark photo. Second, after-hours energy is exactly what makes a ghost story feel plausible—busy voices, shifting shadows, and late-night habits change how you notice things.

Keep expectations realistic, though. No one can guarantee anything paranormal will happen. If you’re the type who wants proof, you can add an optional EMF detector rental or purchase for $6, but the tour information doesn’t promise results—just adds to the experiment vibe.

LaLaurie Mansion and the ugly past behind the beauty

At LaLaurie Mansion, the mood turns serious. The description focuses on beautiful architecture with an ugly past—turmoil, struggle, heartbreak, and revenge. This is not a campfire ghost story. It’s a historical stop meant to show how horror and real events get attached to a place.

If you’re sensitive to darker themes, you’ll want to mentally prepare. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, this kind of storytelling can feel intense because it relies on real human tragedy.

This stop also changes the tempo emotionally. After it, the tour suggests you’ll likely want another drink, and that’s a good instinct. Not because alcohol fixes anything, but because it helps the group reset after heavy subject matter.

The 1829 ax-murderer site: the crawl heads into fear territory

Another stop is a hotel tied to a date back to 1829 and described as haunted. The tour connects it to a man who’s called an ax murderer and serial killer, and it frames the story around the memories of victims that are said to still be trapped in the house.

This is likely the most fear-forward stop in the sequence. If you like your ghost stories blunt and unsettling, this one will feel like the tour’s peak.

If you don’t like graphic storytelling, keep an eye on your own comfort level here. The tour offers a time limit at each stop, so you don’t have to stand there too long if it feels too heavy.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: oldest pirate haunt vibe, finished strong

The final bar stop is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, described as one of the oldest bars in America and an iconic pirate hangout in the past. This location is a classic end-of-night fit: by now you’ve absorbed enough haunted addresses that you’re ready for a more lively, lore-heavy wrap-up.

The guide also recommends the iconic daiquiris to soothe the soul after a chillingly fun crawl. That’s practical advice too. Sweet or citrus-forward drinks can be a relief when you’ve been walking in the dark for nearly two hours.

From here, you’ll end back at the meeting point in Jackson Square. In a city that’s best navigated slowly, returning to a central landmark makes it easier to continue on your own—late dinner, music, or just walking off the adrenaline.

Price, drinks, and the best way to handle the bar stops

Since drinks aren’t included, I recommend you plan like this: decide on one main drink per bar stop, not three. The tour time at each location is limited, so the faster you drink, the more likely you are to feel rushed or spend more than you planned.

If you’re traveling with a group, set a simple budget early. A $36 tour plus four drink purchases can stay reasonable, but it can also creep higher if everyone keeps ordering extras. Keeping it calm will also help you actually enjoy the stories, not just hear them through a buzzing brain.

If you’re curious about the EMF angle, the tour lists an EMF detector rental or purchase for $6. That’s optional, so you can skip it if you don’t care. If you do buy or rent one, treat it as entertainment rather than proof. It’s another way to stay engaged while you’re standing around waiting for the next story moment.

Group size and guide quality: the part you can control

The tour is capped at 50 people, and you’ll move together as a group. In that kind of setup, the guide becomes a big part of your night.

I’ve seen real variation in how people rate their experience, and the theme is simple: timing and attention matter. If a guide doesn’t meet the group on time or struggles with the route, the whole crawl can feel off. Your best move is to arrive early at Jackson Square so you’re standing in the right place when the tour begins.

On the flip side, some people get a standout guide named Royale, and the overall vibe is that you learn a lot and still have fun. That’s what you should aim for: stories that are specific to each stop, plus helpful local tips while you’re walking.

Who this haunted pub crawl suits best

This tour fits best if you want:

• A walking night with spooky stories tied to real addresses
• Four bar moments where you can buy what you want
• A guided mix of hauntings and local culture, including Voodoo context

It’s less ideal if you want a purely alcohol-focused bar crawl with long drinking time, or if you hate walking in the dark. It’s also not the best match if you’re expecting guaranteed paranormal activity. The tour leans on storytelling and location, not on proven events.

Should you book New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze?

I’d book this if you want a guided, structured way to experience New Orleans’ ghost lore without spending all night getting lost. The price-to-time ratio is solid for a guided walking experience, and the stop selection gives you variety—from Jackson Square mood-setting to named haunted sites like LaLaurie Mansion and a classic end at Lafitte’s.

If you hate the idea of walking a lot, or you’re only interested in drinking, skip it. If you’re the type who enjoys historical stories, spooky atmosphere, and a few good cocktails along the way, this is a fun way to do it.

If you do book, do one simple thing: show up early at Jackson Square. In a tour built on timing, that’s how you protect the whole experience.

FAQ

How much does the New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl cost?

It costs $36.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116, and ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes a knowledgeable guide, chilling and thrilling ghost stories, and thoroughly researched history.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, so you can pick what you want at each stop.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Do I get a ticket on my phone?

Yes. The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Can I rent or buy an EMF detector?

An EMF detector rental or purchase is available for $6, but it’s not included.

When will I receive confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

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