New Orleans Evening Haunted Walking Tour: French Quarter Ghosts & Dark History
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires standing and walking on flat, sometimes uneven urban sidewalks for up to two hours.
Overview
Walk the French Quarter after sunset with local guides who pair haunted tales with real history. This two-hour small-group tour visits LaLaurie Mansion, Jackson Square-adjacent alleys and other eerie corners where the city’s past still feels present.
New Orleans Evening Haunted Walking Tour: French Quarter Ghosts & Dark History
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The streetlamps of the French Quarter take on a different voice after dark—lamplight flattens the faces of buildings, and the humid air seems to hold its breath. On an evening walking tour, a small group threads between cast-iron balconies and shuttered courtyards, led by a guide who moves like a practiced storyteller through alleys and plazas. The city’s history arrives in fragments: a name carved into a plaque, a marble stoop that once saw a public hanging, a mansion with a reputation so notorious that even its façade feels watchful.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring a small flashlight
Streetlamps cast long shadows and some alleys are dim—use a low-power flashlight to navigate steps and uneven sidewalks safely.
Wear closed-toe shoes
Pavement and occasional wet patches demand stable footwear; avoid sandals for better traction on cobbles and curbs.
Stay with the group
Guides will move through narrow streets; staying close preserves the narrative flow and keeps everyone safe in busy areas.
Respect private property
Many haunted sites are private homes—observe from public sidewalks and follow your guide’s directions about photo opportunities.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Raccoon (nocturnal residents that patrol alleyways)
- Great egret or other river birds along the Mississippi River banks
History
The French Quarter is New Orleans' oldest neighborhood, shaped by French and Spanish colonial rule, the river trade economy, and 19th-century social and architectural changes. LaLaurie Mansion’s 1830s history is one of the tour’s most infamous chapters.
Conservation
Stay on public sidewalks and support local businesses rather than entering private property; small-group tours and responsible visitor behavior help minimize wear on historic streets and structures.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
Provides traction and comfort on sidewalks, cobbles and occasional puddles.
Small flashlight or phone with extra battery
Helps illuminate dark alleys and steps after sunset.
Light rain jacket
Spring showers can be sudden—pack a compact waterproof layer to stay dry.
spring specific
Reusable water bottle
Evening humidity can sap energy; bring water to stay hydrated between stops.
summer specific