There’s something about New Orleans at night that feels alive. This Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl mixes a walking tour of iconic spots with a guided night out: four bar stops, spooky stops in between, and stories that are planned to keep your attention the whole way.

Two things I really like about it are the amount of story time per stop and the way the tour is built around real Quarter landmarks instead of random “haunted” storefronts. I also like that drinks are not forced into the price—you can choose what you want while still moving from one setting to the next.

One thing to consider: the experience depends on your guide and timing. I’d show up early at Jackson Square, because being late (or missing the start spot) can throw off the whole night—especially since the tour ends back where it starts.

Key things worth knowing before you go

• Four bar stops paired with extra haunted landmarks along the walk
• A guide with researched stories, not just spooky claims
• Mobile ticket and an easy start at Jackson Square
• English tour that works well for most visitors
• Drinks aren’t included, so plan money for what you actually want to order
• Maximum of 50 people, so it usually stays manageable as you move through the Quarter

A 1 hour 45 minute ghost walk with real Quarter landmarks

At about 1 hour 45 minutes, this is a compact way to get spooky content without committing to a half-day tour. You’ll be walking, hearing stories, and popping into bars and historic spaces—so it feels like a night out, not a classroom.

The price is $36 per person, which is pretty reasonable for a guided night in a major tourist corridor. You get the guide’s time and the story craft, and you control the drinks. Since gratuity isn’t included, it’s also smart to budget a little extra if you want to reward a great performance.

Because it ends back at the meeting point, you’re not stuck chasing the group across town. That matters in New Orleans, where a short stumble the wrong way can turn a “quick walk” into a detour.

Starting at Jackson Square: pre-tour vibe and easy meeting point

Your tour meets at Jackson Square and asks you to arrive about 15 minutes early. The square is already part of the atmosphere of the city—so even before the official start, you’re in the right headspace.

If you’re trying to take advantage of the experience, this is where you should pay attention: arrive on time, get oriented, and be ready to follow the guide’s lead. The most common way people end up frustrated on walking tours is simply missing the start moment.

Practical note: Jackson Square is a busy public area. Bring your patience, and keep your phone ready for the mobile ticket screen when it’s checked.

Omni Royal Orleans and the “elegant” side of haunting

One stop is the Omni Royal Orleans hotel—an iconic building in the Quarter. The guide uses it as a springboard for stories that connect the building to broader local culture, including a nod to music history tied to a well-known song.

This matters because New Orleans ghosts don’t always look like chains and cobwebs. Sometimes they come wrapped in manners, architecture, and the kind of grandeur that makes the dark tales feel extra unsettling.

Expect a short stop where you listen first, then look around you. The goal is to help you see the city like a storybook—then watch the story unfold around you.

The 1834 building and first-hand hauntings you’re meant to imagine

Another stop is described as a building dating back to 1834, with reports of unexplained activity and ghostly attachments to the property. During this portion, the guide shares first-hand accounts connected to patrons who experienced odd happenings inside a book shop setting.

This is a good segment if you like your spook stories tied to human experience. Instead of just naming legends, the guide frames it like something that could have happened to the person standing next to you.

A quick tip: listen closely to what the guide says you might notice. These tours work best when you treat the stop like an assignment—look, then listen.

Voodoo in the Quarter: a shop opened in 1996

Next you’ll hit a Voodoo shop that opened in 1996 and is described as one of the more reputable places to purchase Voodoo-oriented goods. Here the guide talks about the role Voodoo plays in New Orleans culture, including the way beliefs are said to affect both the living and the dead.

This part can surprise people who think a haunted tour is only about jump-scares. It’s more about context: why the city’s spirit stories have roots, and why these practices remain part of the neighborhood’s identity.

If you’re sensitive to cultural topics, approach it with respect and curiosity. This stop is where you’ll likely get the most “learn something” feeling of the night.

Pirate’s Alley Cafe: friendly faces with a dark undertone

At Pirate’s Alley Cafe, the guide leans into the city’s pirate past. You’ll hear tales framed around the idea that the place feels friendly now, but the history behind it has teeth.

This is a clever stop in the flow of the tour. You get a lively, social setting, but with a story tone that keeps one foot in the spooky zone. It’s also a chance to cool off briefly before the more intense stops.

If you like your haunted tours balanced—some humor, some bite—this is one of the better “middle” moments.

The Ice House Bar at the Provincial Hotel: reports of activity and after-hours energy

One of the bar stops is The Ice House Bar of the Provincial Hotel. The building and bar are described as having a checkered past and being among the more active places in New Orleans, with more activity reported after hours.

Here, the guide shares paranormal reports from bar staff and from tour participants during the experience. You might feel like you’re just listening to stories—until the environment starts doing what it does in old buildings: creak, echo, and change the way sound carries.

A practical move: if you tend to get chilly while walking, this is a good time to settle your nerves and warm up with a drink you choose. Since drinks are not included, you’ll want to decide what you’re ordering and stick with it for the stop.

LaLaurie Mansion: beauty with an ugly past

The tour includes LaLaurie Mansion, described as beautiful with a history full of turmoil, struggle, heartbreak, and revenge. This is one of the heavier story moments, and the guide brings the mansion’s past to life.

This stop is best if you can handle dark subject matter without needing it softened. It’s also where the tour stops feeling like a party and starts feeling like a guided walk through consequences.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who prefers light scares, it’s worth thinking about whether this theme fits your group. No one is forced to stay focused, but the tone is set here.

The 1829 hotel and an ax murderer/serial killer past

Another stop is a hotel connected to a dating back to 1829 description and to an “ax murderer and serial killer” storyline. The guide describes memories of victims as something said to still be trapped in the house.

This part can hit hard. The good news is that it’s still delivered within the structure of the tour, so it doesn’t feel chaotic or random. The story is framed so you understand why the haunting is attached to the place.

If you’re the type who likes facts, use this stop to slow down and ask yourself what you’re seeing: doors, hallways, and the way old buildings shape movement. Even when you don’t believe every claim, the setting makes the tale land.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: an old pirate hangout to end on

You finish at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, described as one of the oldest bars in America and a former pirate hangout. The guide talks pirates and spirits and also recommends classic drinks—especially a daiquiri—to soothe the soul after a chillingly fun walk.

This ending matters because it’s where you convert spooky tension into something social again. It also helps you keep the night on schedule, since the tour ends back near where it started.

If you want photos, this is usually the best moment. The bar has the right “old New Orleans” look, and the mood shifts from listening to enjoying.

Price and value: what $36 really buys you

Let’s talk value honestly. You pay $36, and what you’re really buying is:

• A guide’s time and story preparation
• A guided route that hits four bar stops
• A walking experience built around multiple landmark sites, not one location repeated

Because drinks aren’t included, you can spend less than you might on a tour where every drink is bundled. Or you can spend more if you want a proper pub-crawl vibe.

The only “extra” mentioned is an EMF detector rental or purchase for $6 if you want to use one. It’s not required, and the core experience is the stories and atmosphere.

Two smart ways to get the most from the price:

1) Go hungry enough that you feel comfortable ordering something at a bar stop.

2) Bring cash or a card you trust, since you’ll likely want to buy at least one drink along the way.

Group size, language, and how to avoid a rough start

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers, which is large enough to feel like a group party but small enough to still hear the guide. It’s also conducted in English and includes a mobile ticket.

The biggest practical advice is simple: be at Jackson Square 15 minutes early. If you’re late, you risk missing the handoff that starts everything, and that can lead to a frustrating evening.

Also keep your expectations aligned with how these tours work. You’re not staying in one place for long. Stops are timed so the tour stays moving, which is exactly what you want when it’s dark, humid, and the Quarter is constantly shifting.

What kind of traveler should book this?

This is a great fit if you want:

• A guided way to see several famous New Orleans locations in about 1 hour 45 minutes
• A spooky night that includes bars, not just stand-and-listen history
• Storytelling that mixes local legend with culture, including Voodoo context

It’s less ideal if you hate walking or if you want a super-light evening with only upbeat ghost themes. The tour includes darker stops, including LaLaurie Mansion and the 1829 house tied to a violent criminal storyline.

If you’re a first-timer to the French Quarter and you want to get your bearings fast, this can be a strong evening plan. Just know you’ll be switching scenes often.

Should you book this New Orleans ghosts and booze pub crawl?

I’d book it if you want a fun, story-driven night that combines authentic landmarks with a real bar-crawl rhythm—and you’re okay with darker ghost tales along the way. The structure is built to keep you moving, which makes it feel efficient without feeling rushed.

Before you commit, consider two things: the need to arrive on time at Jackson Square, and the fact that drinks aren’t included, so it’s not a bargain if you plan to order a lot. Also, if you’re the type who needs perfect organization every second, you should treat any walking tour as a live event in a real city.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

It runs for about 1 hour 45 minutes.

What is the price per person?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Do I need to buy drinks during the tour?

No. Drinks are not included, so you can choose what you want to order.

Is an EMF detector included?

No. An EMF detector rental or purchase is available for $6, but it’s not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can be on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

When should I arrive at the meeting point?

You should meet at Jackson Square 15 minutes before the start time.

What if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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