New Orleans Dark History: Ghosts, Legends, and Murders

Experience the unsettling tales of New Orleans’ ghosts, legends, and dark history on our popular Dark History Tour. Walk through the Old French Quarter and hear the stories of restless spirits, old legends, great disasters, and unsolved murders that define the city. Led by pre-Katrina tour guides with decades of residency.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • St. Louis Cathedral - The oldest cathedral of the United States
What's Included
  • Certified English-speaking guide
  • Walking tour
Additional Information

Hauntings, folklore, and a grim past – this is our top-rated tour – a stroll through the lanes of the Old French Quarter, learning about the history of our town through tales of its unsettled spirits, its ancient myths, its significant calamities, and unresolved homicides. These narratives shape our town and its inhabitants and what’s more, they all…

Location
Pirate's Alley Cafe
Pirates Alley
Look for the sign on the Cathedral fence
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(73 Ratings)
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Tcnevents
May 22, 2024
A Unique and Honest French Quarter Tour Experience - We happened upon Jonathan and his Dark History tour by accident sitting having a drink in Pirate's Alley. We found the unique angle of his tour intriguing, especially after several trips to the Quarter and having experienced many of the typical tours and booked a tour for the following evening. We like experiences that offer a different slant from the others and this fit the bill perfectly. To begin with, the tour we booked had been booked by two other couples who happened to be no-shows. Instead of cancelling on us or charging us more for an unexpected private tour, Jonathan was gentleman enough to run his tour for just us alone. This offered us the chance to really talk with him as we walked the Quarter. We had a fascinating conversation of the steps of St Louis Cathedral detailing some of the uncensored history of New Orleans and the French Quarter. From there we moved up and down the streets, stopping to hear the stories of some of the more and less well known French Quarter sites and restaurants, as well as the chance to hear about some of Jonathan's personal experiences in and outside of these places. Along the way, he really personalized the French Quarter, pointing out some unique galleries as well as places to visit to mingle with and get to know the locals. At the end of the tour, we definitely felt we'd be introduced to the Spirits of the French Quarter, as well as the spirit of the French Quarter. While some of the true history isn't for the feint of heart, we found it fascinating. And we'll definitely be looking up Jonathan Weiss Tours upon our next visit to New Orleans.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P1040oochristac
Apr 8, 2024
Great history tour of a very historical city - Lots of information about New Orleans history and how it shaped the city it has been and is today. Jonathan is very passionate about his city :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_d
Mar 25, 2024
A Tour Worth Repeating - We went on this tour 2 years ago and returned again with friends this year. Jonathon does an amazing job! He made the history come alive! We love the pace, the facts, and his enthusiasm. His passion for history and New Orleans comes through with each stop we made.
Review provided by Viator
Melissako1570eh
Mar 25, 2024
Cannot miss this! - Our tour with Jonathan was incredible! We learned so much about the history of the area that we would never have otherwise known. The tour was entertaining as well as informative, and included time for a break and bar visit in a historic location we may not have found on our own. Jonathon recommended some excellent restaurants and further adventures as well, from the perspective of a true local. We are here for a few more days and are planning to book more tours with this company! If we return to NOLA we will book again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Edwardbn3743lr
Feb 18, 2024
Spectacular - The tour lives up to the spooky and disturbing hype. Was intrigued every step of the way. From the murder stories to the ghastly and ghostly scenes in the French Quarter, definitely one of the best tours in NOLA
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Munchmunchdavis
Jan 23, 2024
Best tour I"ve ever taken!!! - We took a tour this past weekend with Jonathan Weiss and were blown away! We were a party of 12 and all of us were so impressed by his knowledge and delivery of his stories and factual events. I cannot recommend this tour more! He kept us riveted the entire time and wish we had a longer tour booked so we could learn more about New Orleans. Take this tour and be entertained by all the Dark History you learn!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tactowntraveler
Dec 30, 2023
Fun and educational French Quarter tour - must do! - Fantastic tour! My family of four (our kids are 19 & 21) loved the tour. The tour included fantastic storytelling, visiting key areas in the French Quarter, very entertaining and a lots of great history. The guide had a deep knowledge of history (New Orleans, European, African, American and beyond) and could answer all our questions. In addition, he was born and raised in New Orleans and can share pre/post Katrina differences. Our guide was also funny, and had a great personality. We came to New Orleans for a fun family trip and we are so glad to have taken this tour so we could learn more about the area and the history of its people. I’ll be taking his other tours when we return!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N335rqcindyp
Nov 26, 2023
Amazing tour! - Buckle up and be prepared to take the best walking history tour of New Orleans! Johnathan knows NOLA history because he loves his city. You get the feeling he would spend a week with you feeding you information if he could. He had recommendations for places to go and things to see that we never would have known about. I can’t recommend spending an evening with Johnathan enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amandapt2709jm
Nov 6, 2023
A NOLA Highlight For 15 Years - Jonathan’s tours have been the highlight of my New Orleans trips for almost 15 years! I have tried other tour guides, but none even come close to having such wonderful storytelling ability nor such a detailed historical anecdotes. He’s the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Usvigirl726
Oct 19, 2023
Must do tour - Small group (4 people) tour that was informative, engaging, and historical. Jonathan is a personable storyteller and answered all questions that we had. We will check out his other tours when we return to New Orleans!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $28
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).