There is something particularly spooky and intriguing about haunted houses. Maybe it’s the house’s history or the previous occupants’ stories. Or perhaps it’s just the feeling you get when standing in a spooky room. Whatever the reason, haunted houses have always been a popular topic of conversation, especially in New Orleans. The city is full of them, and you can even take tours to visit some of the most famously haunted houses in the city.
So whether you’re a believer in ghosts or are simply interested in history and architecture, it’s the season to explore haunted houses. To help you get started, we gathered some of the creepiest haunted houses and places in New Orleans, along with spooky insights from locals. But, reader beware, you might need to sleep with a nightlight.
11 haunted places in New Orleans guaranteed to spook you
New Orleans has a long and storied history, and it’s no surprise that this history includes several hauntings. The city has seen its share of tragedy, and many believe these events have left their mark on the city in the form of ghosts. Prepare for ghost stories and ghoul sightings, and let’s take a tour of New Orleans’ most haunted houses.
1. The Myrtles Plantation
The Myrtles Plantation is a historic plantation and house in Saint Francisville, LA. It was built in 1796 by General David Bradford and is also known as Laurel Grove. The plantation house is a two-story Greek Revival-style villa and is also registered as a National Historic Landmark.
There have been rumors of multiple deaths on the property, which have led to a variety of theories as to why The Myrtles Plantation is haunted.
2. LaLaurie Mansion
The LaLaurie Mansion is a historic house in New Orleans. It is located in the French Quarter on Royal Street. It was built in the early 1800s by French-American architect Jacques-François Blondel for Louisa LaLaurie and her husband, Dr. Leonard LaLaurie. The mansion has been associated with horror ever since.
“The LaLaurie Mansion is said to be one of the most haunted houses in America, with the ghost of Delphine LaLaurie said to still roam the halls,” shares Crawl New Orleans. “LaLaurie was a sadistic woman and is said to be why the mansion is so haunted.”
3. The Beauregard-Keyes House
The Beauregard-Keyes House, located at 1113 Chartres Street in the French Quarter, is a historic house built in 1826 for a wealthy sugar planter. It was later occupied by General Pierre Beauregard and Union Admiral Francis Keyes. The house is now open to the public as a museum.
Some say that the Beauregard-Keyes House is haunted because it was the site of numerous deaths during the Civil War. Others believe that the house is haunted by the ghost of General P.G.T. Beauregard.
4. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
A historic bar in New Orleans, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. It’s said to be haunted by the spirit of Jean Lafitte, a pirate who once owned the bar.
5. Sultan’s Palace
Sultan’s Palace is a historic house in New Orleans that is said to be haunted by the ghost of a wealthy man named Sultan, who owned the house in the early 1800s. After his death, witnesses have reported seeing his ghost lurking through the house.
6. The most haunted district in New Orleans: The French Quarter
“The French Quarter of New Orleans is said to be the most haunted city in the U.S.” shares ghost tour New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tours. “With a history dating back over 300 years, the Quarter has seen its share of wars, diseases, pirates, vampires, and voodoo queens.”
One of the many reasons this area is known to be haunted is because it’s own of the oldest sections of the city. Additionally, the Quarter was the site of many tragic events, such as the Great Fire of 1788 and the yellow Fever epidemic of 1853. Plus, many of the Quarter’s streets are narrow and dark, adding to the feeling that the area is haunted.
“The LaLaurie Mansion, Muriel’s Restaurant, and the Andrew Jackson Hotel are all locations of ghostly activity backed by spine-tingling stories of the origins of how the sites came to be haunted,” says sightseeing New Orleans tour company Royal Tours. “Many local voodoo practitioners believe that bodies of water inhibit the movement of spirits, and New Orleans is surrounded by water on all sides.”
7. Haunted restaurant: Muriel’s Jackson Square
“My favorite haunted destination in New Orleans is Muriel’s Jackson Square, a restaurant in the heart of the French Quarter. It’s in a historic building across from St. Louis Cathedral that is believed to be haunted,” recommends Big Easy Magazine. “They even set a table for the spirit every evening to show their respect and honor their life there in the building they now share.”
The 200-year-old building was once a private residence, and it is said that the ghost of the original owner, Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, still haunts the premises.
Jourdan was a wealthy man who owned several properties in the French Quarter. He was also a noted gambler, and it is said that he lost a great deal of money in gambling debts. Jourdan is said to haunt the second floor of the restaurant, where his former bedroom was located. Employees and guests have reported seeing Jourdan’s ghost and hearing strange noises from the second floor.
8. The Pharmacy Museum is guaranteed to give you the creeps
The Pharmacy Museum, is housed in a historic building that was once home to America’s first licensed pharmacist. The museum’s collection includes hundreds of artifacts, from hand-blown apothecary bottles and potions once used by Voodoo practitioners to surgical instruments, prosthetic devices, and old wheelchairs.
“The Pharmacy Museum is one of our favorite creepy places in the city. It’s located at 514 Chartres St. and is open for self-guided tours Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm. We think it’s scarier than any ghost tour in the city because it’s all about real medical history,” says walking tour guide Nola Tour Guy. “The treatments doctors gave out back then are terrifying. You might wonder afterward how anyone at all survived the 19th century. The answer is: smart people back then avoided the doctor like the plague. We wrote a great guide about spooky things you can do during Halloween in New Orleans.”
9. St. Louis Cemetery No.1
The St. Louis Cemetery No.1 is a cemetery located in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It’s the oldest cemetery in the city and is reputed to be one of the most haunted locations in the U.S. This cemetery is the final resting place for many of the city’s famous residents, including voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
10&11. Hotel Monteleone
“Check out Old Absinthe House for some cocktails. It is said to be haunted by past patrons,” shares life and style blog Cobalt Chronicles. “Another place you can go to is Hotel Monteleone. Make sure to book the 14th floor (which is really the 13th floor). It is said that a toddler by the name of Maurice Begere haunts the halls.”
Tips for exploring haunted houses in New Orleans
Take a guided tour of New Orleans’ most haunted places
Some people say that taking a haunted tour in New Orleans is like taking a step back in time. The city is filled with history, and many of the buildings and homes are said to be haunted. There are a number of different companies that offer haunted tours in New Orleans, and each one has its own unique take on the city’s history and its ghosts.
Do your research to make the most of your spooky experience
“The best way to explore any haunted location, especially one as mysterious and vibrant as New Orleans, is to do your research ahead of time,” recommends the paranormal podcast Hidden In The Shadows Podcast. “Look for reviews and ask around online to get a sense of where the best locations are – this will help you make the most of your trip. ”
Planning ahead means you may skip the lines
“The best way to avoid long lines at haunted houses is to buy your tickets online in advance. Many haunted houses have secondary attractions with shorter lines you may want to check out. You can also purchase fast passes, which can greatly reduce waiting time,” shares North Shore Parent.
No matter if you’re on a guided tour or exploring on your own, these are the must-see spooky attractions
“New Orleans is one of America’s oldest cities and one of its most haunted. Suppose you’re a fan of all things strange and spooky. In that case, this is the destination for you – from the LaLaurie Mansion to the burial site of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, New Orleans is a historical hotbed of ghostly phenomenon. Try one of the city’s infamous ghost tours or fly solo – just be sure these famous haunts are on your must-see list,” shares travel site Travel Nitch.
Feeling spooked yet?
New Orleans is famous for its haunted houses, which are said to be some of the most haunted places in the world. Many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions are based around its spooky culture, including tours of cemeteries and ghost stories. It’s believed that the spirits of the dead still haunt these places, and some say that they have even seen ghosts.
Whether or not you believe in ghosts, visiting a haunted house in New Orleans will surely be a memorable experience. Hopefully, this list of haunted places will give you the spook you’re looking for.
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