New Orleans is often called America’s most haunted city, and for good reason; nearly every corner has a story steeped in tragedy, mystery, or the supernatural. The city’s history of fires, epidemics, duels, and dark Creole secrets has left behind restless spirits said to still wander the French Quarter, Garden District, and old cemeteries.
Perhaps the most infamous haunted house in New Orleans, this elegant French Quarter mansion hides a gruesome past. Madame Delphine LaLaurie, a wealthy socialite, was discovered to have tortured enslaved people in her attic before fleeing the city in 1834.
Locals and visitors have since reported eerie screams, shadowy figures, and cold spots near the mansion’s windows, said to be the restless spirits of her victims.
Dating back to the 1700s, this dimly lit bar once belonged to pirate Jean Lafitte. Patrons claim to see his ghost lurking near the fireplace or catching a reflection of shadowy figures in the mirrors. Its flickering candlelight only adds to the eerie charm.
This beautiful red-brick residence on Royal Street was once the scene of a horrifying massacre. In the 1800s, a mysterious “Sultan” supposedly lived here, hosting wild parties until one night, the entire household was found slaughtered, and the Sultan was buried alive in the courtyard.
Guests still claim to hear faint music and footsteps echoing from inside the locked building.
Home to the tomb of Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, this historic cemetery is steeped in supernatural tales.
Visitors claim to see Marie’s apparition in her signature turban, especially near her tomb, often accompanied by the scent of incense or whispers in Creole. Many leave offerings in hopes of earning her favor or avoiding her wrath.
This grand French Quarter hotel is famous for its rotating Carousel Bar and its resident spirits. Guests have reported ghostly children roaming the 14th floor, elevators that stop on their own, and a mysterious figure of a man believed to be a former hotel guest. Despite its hauntings, it remains one of the city’s most charming landmarks.
Built on the site of a boys’ boarding school that burned down in the 1700s, this Royal Street inn is said to host the spirits of young boys who perished in the fire.
Guests have claimed to hear laughter, running footsteps, and even found their belongings mysteriously moved, playful pranks from the afterlife.
This elegant restaurant was once the home of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, who tragically took his own life after losing his home in a poker game.
Today, staff set a table for him daily in the séance lounge, where glasses clink on their own and shadows dance on the walls, a respectful gesture to keep their eternal guest content.
Legend has it that when the French nuns arrived, they brought with them a group of young women known as the Casket Girls. Locals soon whispered that the locked chests they carried didn’t contain clothes, but vampires.
To this day, people claim the convent’s third-floor shutters remain sealed to keep something, or someone, inside.
Step into this 200-year-old bar, where spirits of the past seem to linger as strongly as the absinthe once poured. Guests have reported strange movements, chairs scraping, bottles shifting, and doors creaking open on their own. Some even claim to have shared a drink with long-gone patrons like General Andrew Jackson, Marie Laveau, or the pirate Jean Lafitte.
Once the site of the glamorous Quadroon Balls, this historic hotel still echoes with music from centuries past. Visitors have spotted a solitary dancer gliding beneath the ballroom’s grand chandelier. Others tell of a ghostly nun, forever patrolling the halls, and one worker even swore she slapped him for cursing on the staircase.
Founded by Antoine Alciatore in the 1800s, this beloved French-Creole restaurant is said to welcome more than just living guests. Staff have seen shadowy figures in period clothing peering through mirrors, and some believe Antoine himself returns to ensure his family’s legacy continues with perfection.
Built in 1831, this elegant Creole mansion is said to host a few well-mannered spirits. The scent of roses and lavender occasionally drifts through its rooms, and fires sometimes seem to light themselves, as if friendly ghosts are making the house warm and welcoming for its guests.
Dating back to around 1800, this iconic French Quarter spot has worn many hats and collected many hauntings. Once used as a Civil War hospital, it’s now said to be home to the spirit of a Confederate soldier, often seen pacing the second-floor balcony as if still standing guard.
The Bourbon O Bar carries the same ghostly charm as the rest of the property. Guests enjoying live jazz have reported flickering lights, sudden chills, and the faint rustle of unseen dancers. Some say the spirits from the hotel’s grand ballroom drift in for a drink, still drawn to the rhythm of Bourbon Street long after midnight.
The city’s long, complex history blends tragedy, mysticism, and cultural fusion, creating the perfect setting for ghostly tales. Founded in 1718, the city has witnessed fires, floods, epidemics, wars, and centuries of life and death layered in its narrow streets.
The city’s above-ground cemeteries, known as Cities of the Dead, add to its eerie charm, while Voodoo traditions, rooted in African and Caribbean spirituality, introduced powerful beliefs in spirits and the afterlife. Combine this with Creole folklore, historic architecture, and unrested souls from slavery, duels, and disease, and you get a place where every corner seems to hold a lingering presence.
In short, New Orleans’ haunting reputation comes from a unique mix of rich history, deep spirituality, and countless untold stories that refuse to fade with time.
The LaLaurie Mansion is often called the most haunted spot in the city, known for its dark history and eerie paranormal activity.
Yes! Many ghost tours take you to places like the LaLaurie Mansion, Bourbon Orleans Hotel, and Old Absinthe House for firsthand stories and sightings.
Most stories are rooted in real historical events and figures, though over time, legend and folklore have added a touch of mystery and exaggeration.
Yes, ghost tours are completely safe and led by professional storytellers who ensure a fun and spooky, but secure experience.
Joining a ghost tours is the best way to experience the city’s haunted side while learning the true history behind the legends.
Many locals do! In New Orleans, ghost tales and spiritual beliefs are woven into the city’s culture, passed down through generations
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