New Orleans goes supernatural after dark. This 2-hour evening tour threads witchcraft, voodoo, and ghost stories through real spots in the French Quarter, with a ritual at the start and an ending spell back at Hex. You’ll hear the kind of tales that make the streets feel less like a postcard and more like a stage set.

I love that you get exclusive access to a witches temple, not just street-corner storytelling. I also like the guide energy: names like Carrie and Jamie (among others) show up in guest reports for a reason—humor, fast pacing, and clear storycraft.

One thing to consider: the tour leans heavier on ghost lore than some people expect, and you shouldn’t assume you’ll go inside every haunted location.

Key things to know before you go

• A witches temple ritual at Hex kicks things off in a real setting, not a make-believe demo.
• A group spell at the end ties the night together, right where you start.
• Voodoo Authentica includes a real supply shop visit on the 4pm tour only.
• Most stops are street-level: you’ll learn the stories even when you’re not stepping through doors.
• Small groups (max 26) and a leisurely walk make it easier to keep up.

Why this Spirits, Witchcraft, Voodoo, and Ghost Tour works in New Orleans

New Orleans loves a good story. This tour uses that strength on purpose. Instead of separating “history” from “spooky stuff,” it braids them together so you leave with a sense of how beliefs, fear, religion, and folklore grew side by side.

You’re walking through a compact stretch of the French Quarter at night. That matters. Daytime tours can feel like you’re reading plaques. At night, the same buildings and corners feel more alive, and the guide can turn details you’d otherwise miss into a real narrative.

And yes, this tour includes the spellcasting moment. That’s not just a gimmick. It’s the payoff that makes the walking and storytelling feel like one experience instead of a series of stops.

Price and value: what $29 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $29 per person, the value comes from what’s included rather than what’s advertised. You’re paying for:

• a 2-hour guided route through multiple famous stops
• exclusive access to a witches temple
• participation in a ritual and a group spell

You’ll also notice several stops include free admission tickets, which can lower the “hidden costs” you often see with walking tours.

What’s not included is parking fees. That’s normal for this area, and it’s a good reason to use public transit or plan a short walk from where you park.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes folklore plus structure (clear stops, clear timing, a route that makes sense), this price point is easy to justify.

Stop 1: Hex and the temple ritual (plus that magical courtyard fountain)

Your tour starts at Hex New Orleans at 1219 Decatur St. The first stop matters because it sets the tone. Instead of beginning with a legend you hear from a sidewalk, you begin inside a space framed around witchcraft.

You’ll spend about 10 minutes at Hex and end there again later. In the meantime, you’ll get a taste of the temple environment and the night’s ritual theme, including the spellcasting ritual tied to the hidden courtyard with a magical fountain.

What I like about starting here:

• it gives you context for why the tour talks about witches, not just ghosts
• it creates a shared group moment early, so you feel like a single unit instead of scattered strangers

Practical tip: since this is part ritual, part storytelling, listen closely right at the start. It makes the later stops land harder.

Stop 2: Old Ursuline Convent Museum and the power of women healers

Next up is the Old Ursuline Convent Museum. You’ll pause for about 15 minutes, and the focus shifts from spooky energy to something sturdier: the influence of women working together.

The stories center on the miracles people associated with women healers and the idea that community action can change lives. Even if you’re not into witchcraft personally, this stop gives you a historical backbone. It also helps explain why “women and power” shows up again and again in New Orleans folklore.

Why this stop is worth your time:

• it adds depth beyond horror
• it helps you connect later coven stories to real social roles and real institutions

Possible drawback: if you came only for maximum chills, this can feel less intense than the stops that follow. But it’s the kind of contrast that makes the night feel more truthful.

Stop 3: Chartres Street and Mary Oneida Toups

On Chartres Street, the tour turns to Mary Oneida Toups and the idea of a very real coven connected to American pop culture. You’ll also hear how her coven is cited as inspiration for American Horror Story: Coven.

This is a smart stop for two reasons. First, it shows you where fiction borrows from real rumor, real people, and real anxieties. Second, it gives you names—so the stories don’t float around as vague “things people say.”

You’ll spend about 10 minutes here. It’s quick, but it’s also the kind of stop where a guide’s pacing makes all the difference. If you’re the kind of person who likes connecting dots between TV and place, you’ll enjoy this one.

Stop 4: Muriel’s Jackson Square and the resident ghost angle

Then comes Muriel’s Jackson Square, with a story about a restaurant that pays nightly homage to its resident ghost. You’ll have about 15 minutes at this stop.

This is where New Orleans mythology gets fun. It also teaches you something useful about how the city handles the supernatural: sometimes fear becomes tradition, and tradition becomes part of the local rhythm.

I like this stop because it’s not just “a scary tale.” It’s a look at how the paranormal story becomes part of everyday life.

If you’re hoping for a deep dive into rituals or strict voodoo history, this stop may feel more vibe-driven. Still, it’s a memorable example of how stories live on in the places people actually go.

Stop 5: Voodoo Authentica—history first, then a real shop on the 4pm tour

Voodoo Authentica is the tour’s most direct “voodoo history” stop. You’ll spend about 10 minutes, and the guide covers the storied history of Voodoo in New Orleans.

Here’s the big practical detail: during the 4pm tour, you get to enter a real Voodoo supply shop. If you’re on a different start time, plan on learning from the outside rather than expecting that interior visit.

Why this stop works:

• it treats voodoo as history and lived culture, not only as spooky theater
• it gives you a tangible sense of how people buy, use, and carry everyday items tied to belief

If you’re someone who wants more hands-on explanation, do your best to book the 4pm slot when possible.

Stop 6: 735 Ursulines Ave and the dark French Quarter legend

At 735 Ursulines Ave, the tour leans into the grim side: malevolent spirits crossing into the world and brutal ritual murders that repeated themselves. You’ll pause for about 15 minutes.

This is classic French Quarter ghost storytelling—dark, intense, and built to raise the hairs on your arms without needing gore on the sidewalk. The guide frames it like a warning: don’t call up what you can’t put down.

What to expect in practice:

• you’ll mostly be listening while looking at the surrounding area
• the story will do the heavy lifting, because you’re not touring interiors

If you’re sensitive to graphic or highly violent legends, you may want to mentally brace for this stop. If you can handle intense tales, it’s one of the most dramatic moments of the route.

Stop 7: Lalaurie Mansion—Madame Delphine Lalaurie and repelling negativity

Finally, you reach the Lalaurie Mansion, one of the most infamous haunted houses in the city. You’ll spend about 15 minutes, learning the true story of Madame Delphine Lalaurie and how the tour frames protection—repelling negativity.

This stop blends tragedy with the folklore that formed around it. It’s also where the tour’s “spooky education” style becomes clearest: the guide gives you the factual-sounding core of the tale, then explains the protective or symbolic layer people attached afterward.

How it lands depends on your tolerance for dark history. But even if you find the legends tough, the tour keeps the pace moving, so it doesn’t drag you into one heavy mood for too long.

The group spell moment: how to participate without getting lost

The tour’s signature move is simple: you participate in a ritual and cast a powerful group spell as part of the experience.

Even without getting technical about what happens, you should plan for this:

• you’ll be part of a circle or clustered group at specific points
• you’ll follow the guide’s cues more than your own instincts
• you should treat it with respect, even if you don’t personally believe

Two practical ways to make this moment smoother:

• stay attentive right before the spell so you know where you need to stand
• keep your phone away until the guide pauses, especially in tight spaces

This is also where you’ll feel the difference between a tour that’s all talk and a tour that actually creates a shared memory.

Comfort and pacing: the walking part (and how to handle it)

This is a leisurely walking tour that most people can join, but it is still walking. You’ll cover enough ground that comfortable shoes matter.

A few timing notes help you prepare:

• the full experience is about 2 hours
• there are multiple short stops, so your feet and attention both get used

If you worry about hearing the guide, position yourself where you can face them. Some guests have noted occasions where the guide was harder to hear or the sound didn’t carry. You can fix that by choosing a spot near the front or center early.

Also: this is an evening tour. If it’s chilly, bring something light. Water helps too, especially if you’re doing this on a day of sightseeing.

Who should book this, and who may not love it

This tour is a strong fit if you like:

• spooky storytelling with real names attached
• New Orleans folklore that mixes witchcraft, voodoo, and ghosts
• a guided walk that moves at a human pace
• the idea of a ritual and spell as part of a historical night out

It may feel less perfect if you:

• want voodoo-focused instruction above everything else (the ghost side can take up more space than some people expect)
• expect to go inside major haunted houses (many stops are presented as street-level views)
• get uncomfortable with dark legend themes

Good to know: the tour is not suitable for children under 13.

Should you book New Orleans Spirits & Spells?

I think you should book it if you want an evening that feels like New Orleans folklore in motion—stories tied to specific addresses, guided with humor, and capped by a real temple ritual and a group spell. At $29 for a 2-hour route with included temple access, it’s good value for the experience type.

Skip or rethink it if you’re after a purely academic voodoo class, or if you need lots of interior sightseeing. This route is built to tell stories from the street, with the most tangible “inside” moments centered around Hex and, on the right tour time, the Voodoo Authentica shop.

If you can handle heavy themes and you want a fun, spooky night with structure, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Spirits & Spells tour?

It’s about 2 hours.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $29.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Hex New Orleans, 1219 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 and ends back at the meeting point.

Is a printed ticket required?

No. It uses a mobile ticket.

Is the tour okay for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 13 years old.

Will I be going inside locations?

The tour is a walking route with stops. Some stops include access tied to the experience, but you should expect mostly street-level viewing at many sites.

Is parking included?

No. Parking fees are not included.