Ghosts of New Orleans: Self-Guided Haunted Audio Walking Tour

If you’re curious about exploring the haunted tales of New Orleans but prefer doing it on your own terms, this self-guided audio tour might just be what you’re looking for. It covers some of the most storied and spooky spots in the French Quarter, with stories that will send shivers down your spine. While I haven’t taken this tour personally, I’ve looked into what travelers are saying — and there’s quite a bit to unpack.

What I really like about this experience is its affordability—coming in at just $6.75 per person, it offers access to a wealth of stories without breaking the bank. Plus, the flexibility of a self-guided tour is perfect for travelers who hate being stuck in large groups or rigid schedules. You can start whenever you want, pause and resume as needed, and go at your own pace. That said, one potential snag is that some users find the app a little tricky to navigate, or had issues with link accessibility. But overall, this tour seems best suited for curious, independent explorers who want a spooky, atmospheric experience with total freedom.

Key Points

• Great value for such a spooky experience, especially for budget travelers.
• Flexibility allows you to start, stop, and explore at your own pace.
• Outdoor focus means no entry fees but also no inside tours—just outside storytelling.
• Accessible via smartphone, making it easy to use on the go.
• Some users report app usability issues, so be prepared for a bit of technical fiddling.
• The tour covers iconic sites like the LaLaurie Mansion, Pirates Alley, and more, perfect for fans of ghost stories and New Orleans lore.

What This Tour Offers

This ghost-themed walk is designed for folks who love creepy tales and historic streets, but prefer doing it comfortably on their own schedule. It’s a completely outdoor experience, meaning you won’t be visiting inside buildings during this tour—only viewing the exteriors of famous or infamous spots and hearing their stories.

Priced at just $6.75, this tour presents an excellent bang for your buck considering what you get: a narrated walk through some of the most haunted locations in the French Quarter, with added tips and lore. It’s ideal for those who want a quick, spooky immersion rather than a long, guided group tour.

How Does It Work?

Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll receive access to the WalknTours app. You don’t need to pick anything up from the sites—that’s a huge plus, especially if you’re arriving late or just want to keep things simple. Just download the app, start the tour at LaLaurie Mansion, and follow the audio cues and directions to each stop.

The tour lasts roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, but you can stretch it out or breeze through depending on your curiosity or schedule. Because it’s self-guided, you can pause at any moment, explore local shops, grab a bite, or just take a breather.

The Itinerary Breakdown

Let’s walk through what you’ll see and hear on this tour, and what makes each spot special (or not so special).

LaLaurie Mansion

Starting point, this mansion is infamous for its dark past involving tortured slaves. The stories of hauntings here are well-known, and although you’ll only see the outside, the tales associated with this site are enough to give you a thrill. You’ll get the background on the gruesome history, including its connection to Nicholas Cage, who once owned the property.

Review insight: Some visitors appreciate starting here because it sets the mood, though others note the outside only visit can feel a little superficial.

Old Ursuline Convent Museum

This site is steeped in legend, supposedly housing the so-called Casket Girls and some vampire lore. The stories of supernatural entities lingering in the shadows add an extra layer of mystery.

Note: Just like the others, you’ll only view from the outside, but the folklore shared is lively enough to spark your imagination.

Civil War-Era Hospital

This old hotel is said to be haunted by Confederate soldiers still searching for aid. The ghostly sightings are part of the local ghost lore, giving a tangible link to the past.

Andrew Jackson Hotel

A haunt of those who perished from malaria, this spot adds historical depth to the ghost stories. Travelers who enjoy stories of disease and death often find this one particularly eerie.

Madame John’s Legacy

One of the few remaining wooden structures in New Orleans, it’s believed to be haunted by its past, adding to the city’s haunted architectural charm.

Muriel’s Jackson Square

Not only a popular restaurant, but also home to a ghost from centuries ago. The stories here tend to blend delicious food with haunted tales.

Place d’Armes Hotel

Once destroyed by fire, this hotel’s grounds are still said to be haunted by lingering spirits. Interestingly, some stories include vampires next door draining victims’ blood—a classic New Orleans vampire tale.

Pere Antoine Alley & Pirates Alley

These narrow streets are steeped in history, with legends of a devoted monk and pirates negotiating for freedom, respectively. They’re atmospheric spots to soak in the city’s seedy, storied past.

Le Petit Theatre & Pat O’Brien’s

From tragedy to lively nightlife, these sites each have their own ghostly lore. At Pat O’Brien’s, for example, tales of spirits lurking inside the bar are part of the experience.

Fritzel’s European Jazz Bar

The tour concludes here with a chance to learn about the vampire speak-easy and maybe even get the secret password if you listen carefully earlier on.

What Do Travelers Say?

This tour has a 4.2/5 rating based on 26 reviews, and the feedback is a mix of praise and constructive criticism.

Positive comments highlight how easy it is to follow, the value for money, and the fun of exploring at your own pace. Many reviews mention that it’s perfect for avoiding big crowds, with several appreciating being able to pause or skip around. One reviewer called it “great for understanding what you’re looking at and for seeking shops and other ideas,” showing how the tour can be a handy guide for exploring other parts of the city as well.

Criticisms tend to focus on the app usability—some found it challenging to navigate or had trouble with links. One person described the narration as monotone, leading to boredom, which suggests that audio quality and storytelling style can make or break the experience.

A notable review involved someone being locked in a cemetery, but that seems to be a mix-up, as this tour doesn’t include cemeteries and is entirely in the French Quarter. It’s worth clarifying that this is a self-guided experience on the app, not a physical guided tour with pick-up points.

Practical Details & Tips

• Duration: Around 1 to 1.15 hours, but flexible.
• Price: Very affordable at $6.75 per person.
• Accessibility: Just use your smartphone; no physical guide needed.
• Starting point: LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street.
• Ending point: Fritzel’s Jazz Bar on Bourbon Street, where you can possibly get into the vampire speakeasy if you have the secret password.
• Best for: Ghost enthusiasts, solo travelers, couples, or anyone who wants a flexible way to explore haunted New Orleans.

Is It Worth It?

Considering the price and the freedom it offers, this tour is a solid choice for a casual, spooky stroll through the French Quarter. It’s perfect if you’re on a budget or prefer avoiding large tour groups and rigid schedules. The stories are engaging enough to entertain, though some might find the narration a bit monotone—so if you’re looking for a highly animated guide, you might want to look elsewhere.

The outside-only approach keeps things simple and accessible, but it does mean you’ll miss the inside stories that more immersive tours offer. Still, it’s a fantastic way to get a taste of NOLA’s haunted lore while wandering freely.

Final Thoughts

This self-guided haunted walking tour is a great little adventure for those who love spooky stories and want to explore at their own pace. It’s especially good for travelers on a budget or anyone who appreciates the flexibility of a do-it-yourself experience. If you’re curious about New Orleans’ haunted past but dislike large crowds or scripted guides, this tour will suit you quite well.

Just be prepared for some app navigation quirks, and remember—any outdoor tour has its limitations. It’s not a comprehensive inside experience, but for what it is, it’s a fun, affordable, and atmospheric way to spend an hour or so in one of America’s most haunted cities.

FAQs

Is this tour suitable for kids? This tour is primarily outdoor storytelling about haunted sites. It’s suitable for those interested in ghost stories, but consider the spooky nature of some tales if traveling with young children.

Do I need to print anything? No, everything is accessed via the WalknTours app on your smartphone.

Can I start the tour anytime? Yes, you can begin whenever you like. The tour is available 24/7 and never expires.

Do I have to pay extra for entry into any sites? No, since the tour only covers outside views, no additional admission fees are required.

Is the app hard to use? Some reviews mention difficulty navigating the app, so a little patience may be needed.

How long is the tour? It takes about an hour to an hour 15 minutes, but you can extend or shorten your experience.

What if I get lost or have technical issues? Since it’s a self-guided app-based tour, you’re on your own, but the directions and maps are designed to be straightforward.

Can I take this tour in the rain? Yes, as long as you’re prepared with an umbrella or raincoat, since it’s entirely outside.

Is this a guided tour? No, it’s a self-guided audio experience that you control completely.

Can I do this tour more than once? Absolutely. It’s available any time, so feel free to revisit or explore different parts of the city on your own after completing it.

To sum it up, if you’re looking for a fun, affordable, and flexible way to learn about some of New Orleans’ most haunted stories, this tour is worth considering. It’s best suited for independent explorers who enjoy atmospheric walking and spooky tales, and who don’t mind a straightforward outdoor experience without inside access.