About this tour
When Lily from our Global Hobo crew took her kids on this ghost hunt through New Orleans' French Quarter, it was a clever spin on the standard haunted-site tour. You're traipsing around proper 19th-century landmarks—the Old Ursulines Convent, Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo—but armed with actual ghost-hunting gear and a guide who knows the neighbourhood's real history: French Creoles, enslaved workers, free people of colour, and yes, pirates. The ninety minutes zip past, mixing spooky storytelling with genuine local heritage and enough interactive kit-work to keep kids engaged rather than bored stiff.
Highlights
- Kids get real ghost-hunting equipment, not just stories.
- Covers genuine 19th-century residents and their messy, complex lives.
- Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is atmospheric and weird in daylight.
- Tour stays grounded in actual history, not Hollywood nonsense.
- Small groups (max 20) means your crew isn't swallowed by crowds.
- Wheelchair accessible, so more families can join in.
- Possible treat surprise aimed specifically at younger guests.
- Ninety minutes is a sweet spot—long enough to matter, short enough kids stay keen.
What to expect
Expect a guide who weaves ghost lore with proper local history as you loop through the Quarter's most storied buildings. Your kids will handle actual EMF meters and thermal imaging gear (nothing theatrical), so there's real hands-on engagement. The pace is steady—you're walking the whole time, so comfort matters—but the guide breaks things up with stories about the people who actually lived, worked, and died in these places. Lily's crew found the Cabildo particularly good for atmosphere, and Jean Lafitte's place has genuine creepy bones despite being a pub now.
The "sweet treat" surprise is genuine enough to keep younger ones motivated, though don't expect carnival prizes. Pacing felt genuine rather than rushed, and the guide didn't lean on jump-scares. It's spooky because these are real places with real histories, not because someone's trying to startle you in a dark corner.
Good to know
Honestly pitched at actual families rather than thrill-seekers. Kids feel like they're doing proper ghost hunting, not tagging along. The history isn't dumbed down—you're learning about enslaved workers and free people of colour alongside the pirate gossip. Small cap at 20 people means you're not fighting crowds. Wheelchair accessible is genuinely helpful in New Orleans.
Ninety minutes of walking in humid New Orleans heat is no joke; you'll want water and decent shoes. The "moderate fitness" note isn't inflated—there's a fair bit of ground covered. Treats are mentioned as possible, not guaranteed, so don't oversell that to kids. Drinks and tips aren't included, so budget accordingly.
Bring water, sunscreen, sturdy trainers. Groups max out at 20, minimum 2 people. Kids must have an adult with them. Tour works best in cooler months (October–March) if you're heat-sensitive. Peak times are weekends and school holidays.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.