Top 10 Most Haunted Places in New Orleans

New Orleans, with its rich history and vibrant culture, is also known for its eerie side. This city, a blend of French, African, Spanish, and Creole influences, has been a hub of paranormal activity for centuries. Its past, filled with tales of voodoo, ghosts, and spirits, makes it a fascinating destination for those intrigued by the supernatural. Here are the top 10 most haunted places in New Orleans that dare you to visit:

1. The LaLaurie Mansion

This infamous French Quarter mansion holds a dark past. Once owned by Madame Delphine LaLaurie, this house became the center of a horrifying revelation in 1834 when a fire exposed the brutal torture of slaves by LaLaurie. Today, it's known for paranormal activities, including sightings of ghostly slaves and the malevolent Madame herself. ( Read more about it HERE )

The LaLaurie Mansion

2. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is not just the oldest cemetery in New Orleans, but also one of its most iconic Haunted Places in New Orleans. Founded in 1789, this cemetery is a labyrinth of above-ground tombs and mausoleums that mirror the city's unique approach to burial, necessary due to its below-sea-level elevation.

One of the most famous spirits believed to haunt this cemetery is Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. Visitors often leave small gifts or mark three X's on her tomb in hopes of having their wishes granted. Despite efforts to protect and preserve the site, which now requires visitors to enter with a licensed tour guide, tales of sightings and supernatural events continue to surround Laveau's resting place.

Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau's Tomb

Besides Marie Laveau, the cemetery is said to be haunted by the restless spirits of yellow fever victims and those tragically lost to other epidemics throughout New Orleans' history. The eerie silence of the narrow pathways between tombs, combined with the striking architectural styles, creates an atmosphere thick with mystery. It's common for visitors to report unexplained noises, sudden drops in temperature, or even the sensation of being watched.

Adding to the cemetery’s allure is the striking pyramid-shaped tomb purchased by actor Nicolas Cage. This modern, nine-foot-tall stone pyramid stands out among the traditional tombs, inscribed with the Latin phrase "Omnia Ab Uno," which means "Everything From One." Cage’s choice of this tomb has spurred much speculation and curiosity, making it a popular spot for photos and conjecture about the actor's future resting place.

3. The Sultan’s Palace

Also known as the Gardette-LaPrete House, legend has it that in the 1800s, a Turkish man renting the house was murdered along with his entire harem in a brutal massacre. Since then, people have reported screams, the smell of incense, and sightings of a man in Turkish attire.

The Sultan’s Palace

4. Hotel Monteleone

This historic hotel in the French Quarter is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including a young boy named Maurice Begere, who died in the hotel. Guests and staff often report seeing his apparition and experiencing elevators stopping on the wrong floors.

Stay in HAUNTED Hotel Monteleone: Book HERE

Hotel Monteleone

5. The Old Absinthe House

The Old Absinthe House, situated at the corner of Bourbon and Bienville streets in the French Quarter, is steeped in over 200 years of New Orleans history. Built in 1807 as an import house by Pedro Front and Francisco Juncadel, it was later transformed into a saloon known as "Aleix's Coffee House" in the mid-19th century. This establishment famously began serving the potent green liquor, absinthe, which gave the bar its current name.

Absinthe, a spirit believed to cause hallucinations, was immensely popular among artists, writers, and intellectuals of the time. The Old Absinthe House became a cultural hub, attracting many famous figures such as Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and even the pirate Jean Lafitte, who is rumored to have used the bar as a meeting place.

Today, the bar's rich atmosphere is palpable, with its antique wooden bar, copper-top tables, and walls adorned with memorabilia that evoke its storied past. Visitors often report strange occurrences, such as sudden chills, unexplained whispers, and glimpses of ghostly figures. The most frequently sighted apparition is that of Jean Lafitte himself, whose spirit is said to linger in the place he once frequented. Some claim to see him in the mirror behind the bar or feel his presence in the dimly lit corners of the room.

6. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, located on the quieter end of Bourbon Street, is one of the oldest structures used as a bar in the United States, dating back to the 1720s. This building, with its rustic Creole-style architecture, was allegedly used by the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte as a cover for his smuggling operations. The bar exudes an aura of history and mystery, enhanced by its dim lighting and preserved antique structure, which has survived numerous fires and hurricanes over the centuries.

The bar is named after Jean Lafitte, a legendary figure in New Orleans history, known both for his piracy in the Gulf of Mexico and his role as a hero in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The ambiance of the bar is heavily influenced by its historical connection to Lafitte, featuring old wooden beams, a fireplace, and walls that could tell endless tales if they could speak.

Visitors often report unusual occurrences such as cold spots, flickering lights, and the feeling of being watched. Some even claim to have seen the ghost of Jean Lafitte himself, looming in the shadows or staring into the flames of the fireplace. These sightings are often accompanied by an unexplained chill or the scent of tobacco smoke when no one is smoking.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

7. Le Pavillon Hotel

Known as the Belle Époque-era hotel, it's reputed to be one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans. Guests have reported encounters with several ghosts, including a teenage girl named Ada, and a man named Alphonse.

Stay in HAUNTED Le Pavillon Hotel New Orleans: Book HERE

8. The Beauregard-Keyes House

This house, built in 1826, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard and the writer Frances Parkinson Keyes. Paranormal activity includes the sound of a piano playing and soldiers marching.

The Beauregard-Keyes House

9. Muriel’s Jackson Square

A beautiful restaurant today, Muriel’s is said to be haunted by its former owner, Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, who lost the building in a poker game and subsequently took his life. Diners report seeing his ghost and experiencing strange occurrences.

10. The Old Pharmacy Museum

Located in the heart of New Orleans’ famous French Quarter, the Old Pharmacy Museum is a site that captivates both history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts. The building itself dates back to the early 19th century and was the first licensed apothecary in the United States. It was established by Louis J. Dufilho, Jr., America’s first licensed pharmacist, which lends the museum a historic gravitas.

The museum today preserves a vast collection of medical instruments, potions, and surgical tools, some of which are quite eerie to behold. But the most chilling aspect of the museum isn’t just its archaic and sometimes grotesque medical artifacts; it’s also its history of alleged experimental procedures conducted by one of its later owners, Dr. Dupas.

The Old Pharmacy Museum

Dr. Dupas, who operated the pharmacy post-Dufilho, is rumored to have conducted dubious medical experiments on pregnant women and slaves during the 19th century. These sinister activities have left a spectral imprint on the location. Today, visitors and staff at the museum report various unsettling occurrences. These include sudden drops in temperature, unexplained sounds, and ghostly visions of Dr. Dupas himself, often seen late at night poring over his books or handling the pharmacy bottles.

In addition to the frightening figure of Dr. Dupas, other paranormal sightings include mysterious orbs and figures dressed in 19th-century garb, observed wandering through the exhibits or vanishing into thin air. The blend of authentic historical artifacts and the eerie ambiance provides a deeply immersive glimpse into a past that intertwines the progress of medical science with the darker side of human experimentation.

So there you have it, thrill-seekers and ghost hunters—my top 10 haunted hotspots in New Orleans! Each location offers its own chilling stories and spectral sightings that are sure to add an extra shiver to your next NOLA adventure. Whether you're a seasoned paranormal investigator or just looking for a spooky story to share, these sites promise not just ghostly encounters but also a deep dive into the rich, mystical history of one of America's most storied cities.

Don't forget to bring your camera and your courage; and hey, if you experience something supernatural, make sure to share it on your socials. Tag me in your eerie explorations using @natalijaugrina and let's keep the spirit of adventure alive! Until next time, stay spooky, my friends! 👻🌟