Haunted History Tours of New Orleans in Jeopardy

Haunted History Tours has been a staple in the New Orleans ghost tour trade for 25 years. However, like so many businesses in the service, travel and tourism industries, the tour company has suffered a major financial hit in 2020 thanks to the novel coronavirus crisis. The owner, Sidney Smith, told WDSU News that his company may not survive.

“We have very, very few people showing up for the tours right now,” said Smith. “We’ve cut from eight or 10 tours a day to two tours in the evening.”

Not only have the number of tours gone down, but so have the sizes. They’ve also been reduced to half.

The Normal Tours

Normally Haunted History Tours offers nine tours, including:

1. French Quarter Ghost & Legends Tours
2. 5-in-1 New Orleans Ghost & Mystery Tour
3. New Orleans Ghosts & Haunts Nighttime Bus Tour
4. New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl
5. New Orleans Cemetery History Tour
6. New Orleans Ghost Tour
7. New Orleans Voodoo Tour
8. Spirits Cemetery Voodoo Tour in New Orleans
9. Vampire Tours in New Orleans

Except for the bus tour, all are walking tours.

The Tours Now

However, they’re only booking two tours right now:

1. French Quarter Ghost & Legends Tours
2. 5-in-1 New Orleans Ghost & Mystery Tour

Both walking tours last about two hours and start at $25 each.

On their site, there’s a note that says face masks are required on the 5-in-1 New Orleans Ghost & Mystery Tour. However, face coverings are actually required on both tours per state law.

Dates & Times

Per their website, the above two tours that are offered now are available seven days a week through at least October 2020, with the exception of Monday, July 20 and July 27, and Tuesday, July 28. No tours are offered on those days.

For Sunday through Wednesdays in July, The French Quarter Ghost & Legends Tours begins at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays there are two tour times: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., with the exception of the last week on August when there is only one tour time offered on the days tours are happening, 8 p.m. (There are no tours at all Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28.) Starting August 1, tours will be offered at both 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day.

The 5-in-1 New Orleans Ghost & Mystery Tour usually starts at 7:30 p.m., but for a couple of the remaining days in July it’s also offered at 5:30 p.m. Starting August 1, tours will be offered at both 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. every day.

Prices

Just in case you’re interested for future reference, for when tours get back to normal and if Haunted History Tours weathers this coronavirus-inspired financial storm, I thought I’d include prices for all their tours.

All tours are $25, except for the bus tour which is $45.

Discounted prices are offered as follows too:

• Children 6-12: $14
• Kids 0-2: Free
• AAA Discount for Adult tickets: $22
• WHEREMAG price: $20
• Senior/Student/Military: $18

For More Info

Visit: https://hauntedhistorytours.com/

Check-In

Have you ever taken a ghost tour in New Orleans?

Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.

Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.