Reviewed · TRUE CRIME TOURS

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour

★ 5.0 · 4 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $49 Operated by Witches Brew Tours · Bookable on Viator
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New Orleans gets especially compelling after dark, when the French Quarter’s old buildings and narrow lanes provide the setting for stories of murder, tragedy, hate crimes, and restless spirits. This two-hour walking tour links famous sights with some of the city’s darkest chapters, rather than treating the French Quarter as a backdrop for ghost tales alone.

I like the small group limit of 15 and the mix of true crime with local folklore. I also like the chance to stop for a drink, including absinthe in Pirate’s Alley, though you’ll pay for alcohol separately. The main drawback is the subject matter: some stories involve severe violence and a historic hate crime, so this is not a lighthearted ghost walk.

Key points to know before you book

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - Key points to know before you book

  • Robby Rob is the guide name to request when possible: One review specifically singled him out as the guide who made the experience unforgettable.
  • The route covers major French Quarter sights: You’ll walk through Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, and several sites tied to crime and tragedy.
  • The former Upstairs Lounge site adds serious historical weight: The stop at Jimani Lounge concerns one of the most horrific hate crimes in United States history.
  • The small group keeps the walk manageable: A maximum of 15 people allows for a more relaxed pace and easier access to the guide.
  • Drinks are optional and cost extra: Alcohol is available for purchase, with an absinthe stop in Pirate’s Alley.
  • You need moderate physical fitness: The experience lasts about two hours and takes place on foot at night.

A French Quarter walk with a darker purpose

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - A French Quarter walk with a darker purpose

The New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour begins at 7:30 p.m. at 311 Exchange Place, near the French Quarter. From there, you walk through one of the city’s most recognizable areas while your licensed guide explains the crimes, tragedies, and ghost stories tied to the buildings around you.

I like this format because the stories are connected to actual places. You are not simply standing in a dark room listening to general ghost lore. You move from one location to another, seeing the streets, courtyards, squares, and old facades that give the tales their setting.

The experience lasts about two hours and is limited to 15 people. That cap matters in the French Quarter, where narrow streets and crowded sidewalks can make a large group awkward. A small group also gives you a better chance to hear the guide and ask a question without turning the walk into a public-address announcement.

The tone is likely to shift throughout the evening. Some stops concern famous local characters and ghost stories. Others deal with real violence, persecution, and loss. I would choose this walk if you want New Orleans at its most unsettling and serious, not if you want a family-friendly stroll with only mild scares.

More true crime walks in New Orleans:

Starting among the old streets of the French Quarter

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - Starting among the old streets of the French Quarter

The first part of the walk spends about 30 minutes in the French Quarter. This gives you time to get oriented before the more specific stops begin, while introducing the streets and buildings that make the area such a strong setting for nighttime storytelling.

You can expect plenty of walking at this stage, with no admission ticket needed. The French Quarter is the main stage for the experience, so the value comes from the guide’s presentation and the connection between each location, rather than from entering a museum or attraction.

This opening is also useful if you have just arrived in New Orleans. You’ll pass through a part of the city that is often visited during the day, then see it in a different mood after sunset. I like tours that use familiar sights in a new way, and this one turns the district into a sequence of stories instead of a checklist of buildings.

The tour begins at a fixed location but can finish in other parts of the French Quarter. The usual ending is near Hotel Villa Convento at 616 Ursulines Avenue. That means you should avoid scheduling a strict dinner reservation or another activity immediately after the walk.

Jimani Lounge and the former Upstairs Lounge

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - Jimani Lounge and the former Upstairs Lounge

The stop at Jimani Lounge and Restaurant lasts about 15 minutes. The site is associated with the former Upstairs Lounge and one of the most horrific hate crimes in United States history.

This is an important part of the tour because it moves beyond ghost entertainment. The story deals with violence directed at a community, and it gives the evening a serious historical dimension. I appreciate that the route includes this kind of site, since New Orleans’ past cannot be reduced to music, cocktails, and colorful legends.

Admission is not included, though the information provided does not indicate that you must buy anything to take part in the stop. You should expect to hear the story from outside or around the location rather than treat this as a regular restaurant visit.

The subject may be painful. If you prefer your ghost tour to remain playful, you may find this section difficult. If you want a more grounded account of the forces and events that shaped New Orleans, it adds real weight to the walk.

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum and a notorious killer

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum and a notorious killer

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is the next listed stop, with about 15 minutes devoted to the story of one of New Orleans’ most infamous serial killers. The museum itself is not included as an admission attraction, so the stop is centered on the guide’s account and the location’s connection to the story.

This kind of stop works well for a true crime tour because it pairs a recognizable historical site with a specific criminal case. You get a sense of how the city’s old medical and commercial buildings fit into its darker past, even without spending time inside the museum.

I would not book this tour expecting a detailed museum visit. If you want to explore the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum properly, you would need to make separate plans. Here, the focus remains on the narrative and the walk.

More haunted nights in New Orleans:

A tragic story at the Omni Royal Orleans

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - A tragic story at the Omni Royal Orleans

The Omni Royal Orleans is connected with what the tour describes as a great tragedy. The stop lasts about 15 minutes and continues the pattern of using a well-known French Quarter building as the setting for a disturbing story.

This part of the walk should appeal to you if you like the contrast between grand surroundings and grim events. New Orleans often places beautiful architecture beside difficult memories, and a guided walk can make that contrast easier to understand.

No admission is included for this stop. You should think of the hotel as a location on the route, not as a property you will tour. The appeal is hearing what happened there and seeing the building in its nighttime setting.

Jackson Square and the city’s violent past

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - Jackson Square and the city’s violent past

Jackson Square receives another 15-minute stop. The square is famous for its open space, historic buildings, and central place in the French Quarter, but the tour focuses on violence that took place there across different periods.

I like this stop because it broadens the evening beyond individual crimes. Jackson Square is not tied to just one tale here. Instead, the guide uses it to show how a public space can carry layers of conflict and fear beneath its postcard image.

The square is also a natural place to pause during a walking route. You get a change from narrow streets and building fronts, with room to take in the surroundings while the guide explains the site. Since the tour takes place at night, the atmosphere will depend on the weather, street activity, and the size of the group.

Pirate’s Alley and the optional absinthe stop

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - Pirate’s Alley and the optional absinthe stop

Pirate’s Alley is listed as a 15-minute stop, and this is where you can sip absinthe while looking around the historic passage. Alcohol is not included in the $49.99 tour price, so you should bring a separate budget if you want a drink.

This is one of the more social moments in the experience. After several serious stories, a short stop for a drink can give the group a chance to pause and take in the surroundings. You do not need to drink to take part in the walk, and the inclusion of alcohol should not be confused with an open bar or a package drink.

The practical question is pace. A 15-minute stop does not leave much time for lingering, and you should not assume that the stop turns into a long bar visit. It is best viewed as an optional break within a walking tour.

If you do order alcohol, keep in mind that the tour continues afterward. The route requires enough fitness for continued walking, and the guide’s stories remain the main focus.

The Dungeon and the tale of Never and Worry

New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour - The Dungeon and the tale of Never and Worry

The tour also stops at The Dungeon, where you hear the mysterious tale of Never and Worry. This is the most openly supernatural-sounding part of the route, at least from the information provided.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes and is designed to bring the ghost-hunt side of the experience back into focus. By this point, you will have heard stories tied to documented places and tragic events. The Dungeon offers a different kind of mystery, giving the evening a more traditional haunted-tour finish.

Admission is not included, so you should not expect entry into the attraction as part of the tour. The stop centers on the guide’s story and the location. That distinction matters if you are comparing this experience with a ticketed haunted house or a longer attraction visit.

I like the blend of real crime and supernatural tales. It keeps the tour from feeling too narrow. Still, you should know that the balance leans toward storytelling and atmosphere rather than evidence-based investigation or a formal paranormal equipment session.

What the $49.99 price really covers

The price is $49.99 per person. For that fee, you receive a professional licensed guide and a two-hour walking experience through the French Quarter, with several location-based stories and a group limit of 15.

The value is strongest if you care about interpretation. You are paying for the route, the guide’s delivery, and the connection between the stories and the city. You are not paying for museum admissions, drinks, transportation, or a long stop inside each location.

I consider the price reasonable for a small-group evening walk, especially if the guide is as engaging as Robby Rob, who received specific praise for making the experience unforgettable. That detail is useful when booking: if the operator can confirm your guide in advance, Robby Rob is the name worth asking about.

The price is less attractive if you want included drinks or entry to several attractions. Alcohol is available for purchase, and admission tickets at some stops are not included. You should also allow for your own transportation to the meeting point and after the walk.

Timing, group size, and the walk itself

The tour starts at 7:30 p.m. and lasts approximately two hours. The evening schedule gives the French Quarter a darker mood, but it also means you should think about your plans before and after the walk.

The group can include no more than 15 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the energy of a group experience without the unwieldy size of a major city tour.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is on foot, and the route includes several stops spread through the French Quarter. The supplied details do not give a precise distance or information about seating, so you should be prepared to walk for most of the two hours.

The tour is offered in English and uses mobile tickets. Confirmation is received at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

Weather can affect the experience. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same basic options if that minimum is not met.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans ghost tour

I would choose this experience for you if you enjoy:

  • True crime stories tied to real places
  • Ghost tales with a strong New Orleans setting
  • Night walks through the French Quarter
  • Serious historical subjects alongside supernatural folklore
  • Small groups rather than large guided crowds
  • Optional drinks during a walking route

It is a particularly good fit for adults who want more than a standard sightseeing walk. The stop at the former Upstairs Lounge site makes the tour more serious than a typical haunted pub crawl, while Pirate’s Alley and The Dungeon provide the eerie atmosphere many people seek in New Orleans.

I would think twice if you dislike stories about murder, hate crimes, or tragedy. You should also choose another activity if you need a seated tour, want included admission tickets, or prefer a tour built around food and nightlife rather than dark history.

Booking advice and the cancellation window

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 7:30 p.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before the deadline.

Because the tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, keep some flexibility in your schedule. If the operator cancels for either reason, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

I would also plan your evening around the end point, not just the start. The walk generally finishes near Hotel Villa Convento at 616 Ursulines Avenue, but it may end elsewhere in the French Quarter. That is close enough to remain useful for dinner or drinks, but you should not assume the exact final corner until the tour is underway.

Should you book the New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt?

Book it if you want a small-group French Quarter walk with real crime, serious local history, and ghost stories, all delivered at night. The route includes strong location-based material, from the former Upstairs Lounge site and the Pharmacy Museum to Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, and The Dungeon.

The best reason to choose it is the blend. You get more substance than a basic ghost stroll, but you still have room for atmosphere and an optional absinthe stop. If Robby Rob is leading the walk, his praised storytelling is another reason to try for that departure.

Skip it if you want included drinks, attraction admissions, or a mild and cheerful introduction to New Orleans. At $49.99, the tour is a fair buy for its guide-led stories and small group, but the value depends on your interest in dark subjects and walking for two hours.

FAQ

How much does the New Orleans True Crime Ghost Hunt and Tour cost?

The tour costs $49.99 per person. Alcoholic drinks and admission tickets that are not included cost extra.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 7:30 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 311 Exchange Place, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.

Where does the tour end?

It generally ends near Hotel Villa Convento at 616 Ursulines Avenue, though it may finish in another part of the French Quarter.

Is alcohol included in the tour price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, including an optional absinthe stop in Pirate’s Alley.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

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