If you like New Orleans after dark, this one leans in hard. It mixes walking tour storytelling with real-world occult stops, ending back at Hex for a group spell in a witches temple setting. Expect spooky history, a touch of theatre, and hands-on ritual time.

What I like most is the structure. You get short, focused stops across the French Quarter, then a finale at Hex New Orleans with spellcasting in the temple courtyard. I also love that you are not just hearing ghost stories, you are stepping into the cultural context around witchcraft and voodoo, including the Ursuline convent site and the Lalaurie Mansion legend.

One thing to consider: this is heavily story-led and mostly outside viewpoints. If you want nonstop voodoo details or lots of time inside haunted places, you might feel the balance tilts more toward ghosts and witchcraft than you expected.

Key things to know before you go

• Hex temple finale and group spell: the tour ends with a ritual and spellcasting moment in a witches temple setting.
• Mix of witches, convent history, and Quarter legends: the route threads together multiple eras and themes.
• Voodoo Authentica timing matters: at least some tours include entry into a real voodoo supply shop on the 4pm run.
• Short stops, steady walking pace: plan for a real evening walk, not a sit-down show.
• Smallish group size: the tour caps at 26 people, so it still feels conversational when the guide keeps moving.
• Guides vary by night, but the best ones are electric: names like Carrie, Kerry, and Jamie or Jayme show up in top reviews, and audio clarity can be a factor.

Price and logistics: is $29 a fair deal for a 2-hour “spirits” walk?

At $29 per person, you are basically paying for three things: guided storytelling, curated stops across central French Quarter landmarks, and the included ritual spell at the end. For a two-hour evening tour, that is solid value as long as you are in the mood for walking plus spooky history rather than museum-style depth.

Also, this is a tour you can plan around without needing a car. It is near public transportation, and you start and end at Hex (1219 Decatur St). Parking fees are not included, so if you are driving, build that cost in.

It runs about two hours and works for most adults, but it is not for children under 13. Group size maxes at 26, so you should be able to hear the guide well if you position yourself near the front.

Hex New Orleans and the witches temple spellcasting finale

The tour departs from Hex New Orleans, a fitting start for a night themed around witchcraft, ghosts, and ritual work. The most memorable part is what happens at the end: you return to Hex for a spellcasting ritual in a real witches temple and in the magical fountain area in a hidden brick courtyard.

That finale changes the vibe. A lot of ghost tours stay purely observational, you listen, you walk, you go home. Here, you participate. If you like interactive moments, this is the part that justifies the price more than the walking alone.

What to expect: the time is short at each stop, so you will not get long lessons at the altar. You get a guided experience that frames the ritual and then pulls you into the group spell moment. The tone is spooky, not science class, and you should go with that mindset.

Practical tip: wear shoes you can move in for the whole route. One recurring piece of advice is that you do a decent amount of walking, and in the dark you will want traction.

Old Ursuline Convent Museum: women healers and miracles behind the gloom

Next up is the Old Ursuline Convent Museum stop. The theme stays spooky adjacent, but it turns toward history, especially the idea of women working together and the power of women healers.

Why this matters: New Orleans witchcraft and ghost lore are not just “creepy stories.” They sit on top of real social history. This stop is a reminder that the city’s supernatural talk often overlaps with religious institutions, community power, and hardship.

Time is limited here, so it is not a full museum visit. You are likely getting a guided focus on the most relevant parts of the site, then moving on. If you are the type who likes a quick origin point before the ghosts start acting up, this is a good pacing choice.

A drawback if you crave pure witchcraft only: this stop can feel more historical and less magical than the Hex moment. You are not doing anything hands-on here, so keep expectations aligned.

Chartres Street and Mary Oneida Toups: when local lore meets pop culture

On Chartres Street, the tour highlights Mary Oneida Toups and her very real Coven of Witches. The story also connects to American Horror Story: Coven, which gives you a modern reference point.

This is one of the smarter parts of the tour if you care about how myths travel. You start with a real person and a real coven history angle, then you can see how that energy got repackaged into pop culture.

The stop is short, so you will not get a deep biography. Still, it is valuable because it gives you names and a thread. If you are wandering Chartres Street later on your own, you will have more to attach to the buildings besides just “it is haunted.”

Muriel’s Jackson Square ghost homage: the tastier side of the supernatural

Another quick stop connects to Muriel’s Jackson Square and how it pays nightly homage to its resident ghost. This is a fun breather in the route because it links the lore to a living, working New Orleans institution.

Why I think this works: New Orleans supernatural stories survive because they are woven into daily life. A restaurant doing a nightly ghost nod is not just a marketing gimmick, it is a sign the city likes its legends in ordinary routines.

This stop is also a reminder that the tour is not only about the most famous “haunted houses.” It ranges across the Quarter, so you see how the spooky reputation shows up in different corners.

Voodoo Authentica: voodoo history and real shop access at 4pm

The tour then shifts to Voodoo Authentica, where you learn the storied history of voodoo in New Orleans. During the 4pm tour, you can enter a real voodoo supply shop.

This is a major practical difference depending on when you book. If you specifically want to see the interior of a supply shop, check that your time slot aligns with the 4pm entry. The tour format still includes learning time at the stop, but the shop access is what turns it from “talking about it” into “seeing it.”

A balanced heads-up: the tour title includes voodoo, but some people want more voodoo and less ghost-forward emphasis. If you are a voodoo-history-first person, ask yourself if you are okay with the night also carrying witchcraft and ghost legends. The tour is built as a combined theme night, not a voodoo-only deep dive.

735 Ursulines Ave: the French Quarter dark side of repeated ritual murder stories

At 735 Ursulines Ave, the story moves toward the dark side of the French Quarter. The stop focuses on malevolent spirits crossing into our world and brutal ritual murders repeating themselves.

This is the stop where the tour’s “spooky” engine runs at full power. It is also the part most likely to make the evening feel heavy if you are sensitive to graphic themes, since the description leans into murder and repeated rituals.

If you do go, keep your role simple: listen, look, and let the guide’s framing do the work. Do not expect this to be a classroom, it is guided storytelling tied to place.

Practical note: this area is part of the Quarter, which means it can be crowded. Keep an eye on your footing and group spacing, especially if other tours overlap nearby.

Lalaurie Mansion and Madame Delphine Lalaurie: infamous haunted house, plus a coping frame

The final major stop is the Lalaurie Mansion. You will hear the true story of the mad Madame Delphine Lalaurie and, importantly, you are taught how to repel negativity.

That added “repel negativity” angle matters. Some tours end with fear. This one tries to end with control, or at least a ritual-based sense of closure, which loops directly into the spellcasting at Hex.

What I like about ending this way: it gives your night an arc. You start in witchcraft temple energy, you walk through convent and coven stories, you hit the French Quarter’s darkest legends, then you land back at the ritual where you participate in a symbolic act.

How the best guides turn this into a top-tier New Orleans evening

One of the biggest signals from the guide feedback is that the strongest nights come down to delivery. Names that show up in top reviews include Carrie, Kerry, and Jamie, also spelled Jayme. The common thread is passion and humor, plus clear storytelling.

That does not mean every night is identical. One criticism points out that the guide was hard to hear at times and sometimes turned away from the group. If audio matters to you, do what works on any walking tour: arrive a few minutes early, stand where you can see the guide’s face, and do not hide behind taller people.

I also like that guides are expected to stay safety-minded and adapt to conditions. One review specifically mentions handling a heating issue by getting water and adjusting the tour route. In summer or muggy evenings, that kind of real-world flexibility can be the difference between a fun spooky walk and a miserable slog.

What to wear, bring, and do to make the ritual part feel good

This tour is simple in theory, but your comfort will affect how much you enjoy the evening.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You are walking across central areas and the pace is steady.
• Bring water and a light layer. New Orleans weather can swing fast, and the night is long enough that you will feel it.
• Keep your phone charged. The tour uses a mobile ticket, and you may want maps for the walk back afterward.

Also, plan your expectations around participation. The spellcasting and ritual moment is included, but you are not going to be doing hours of hands-on work. It is still a guided group experience, so listen closely to instructions and take the moment as a fun, meaningful ritual rather than a guarantee of supernatural results.

Should you book New Orleans Spirits and Spells, or choose a different style of ghost tour?

I would book this tour if you want a New Orleans night that mixes three ingredients: witchcraft-themed storytelling, real place connections in the French Quarter, and an interactive group spell finale at Hex. At $29 for about two hours, the spellcasting and temple access are the deal-makers, and the short stops keep you from getting bored.

I would skip or adjust expectations if you want voodoo as the main focus only. The route includes a voodoo supply shop entry on the 4pm tour, but the overall structure blends ghost and witch themes through the evening. Also, if you are expecting to walk into the most haunted interiors for long periods, know that this format can lean toward outside viewpoints and quick stops rather than multiple inside hauntings.

If you book, pick the time that matches what you care about most. Want the voodoo shop entry? Aim for the 4pm option. Then show up ready to walk, listen, and participate.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Spirits and Spells tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $29.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Is the tour suitable for kids?

No. It is not suitable for children under 13.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 26 travelers.

Does the tour include anything besides the walking stops?

Yes. It includes exclusive access to a witch coven temple, and you participate in a ritual and cast a powerful group spell.

Is parking included?

No. Parking fees are not included.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

FAQ

What if I cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the voodoo shop entry available all the time?

During the 4pm tour, you enter a real voodoo supply shop.

What do I need to check in with?

You receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.