New Orleans is one of the liveliest cities in America.
It is so lively that even the spirits come to life here.
No wonder then that New Orleans is often referred to as the most haunted city in the entire United States.
In reality, New Orleans is quite simply one the most historic places in the country.
Learning about the city’s history will give you an understanding from where all the ghost stories come from.
It will give you a new perspective of New Orleans that you simply don’t get through standard tourist activities.
For example, you will comprehend the importance of the city’s French Quarter. You will appreciate why many feel it’s one of the most haunted places in the world.
The past is filled with stories of slavery, serial killers, public executions, freedom struggle, epidemics and practice of the occult.
This combined with modern interpretations in story telling such as in the American Horror Story, True Crime or Interview with the Vampire, you have the perfect setting for imaginations running wild.
Page Contents
- Why Go on Ghost Tours or Explore Haunted Houses in New Orleans?
- The Best Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses in New Orleans
- Final thoughts on Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses in New Orleans
Why Go on Ghost Tours or Explore Haunted Houses in New Orleans?
There are two reasons why you absolutely must go on ghost tours or explore haunted houses in New Orleans.
First, is if paranormal activity intrigues you.
You pretty much have everything you can think of from ghosts to restless spirits, vampires, witches, eerie cemeteries etc.
There are haunted houses, theatres, graveyards, hotels, mansions and even pubs or dining places.
There are even entire streets or locations that are said to be haunted.
New Orleans is the best hunting ground for fans of the supernatural.
Second, to learn about the city’s remarkable history.
It is in these ghost tours that you get an incredible amount of information on New Orleans’ past.
I feel only when you learn this history that you can truly appreciate what New Orleans stands for right now.
Think of the ghost tour as in reality a history tour.
With a good tour guide, you will lean more about New Orleans in one night than your entire vacation.
There is also a third reason why ghost tours are so popular in New Orleans.
It is boatloads of fun. You can have the best time exploring the most haunted houses and places in the city.
So, do not wait for Halloween season. If you are in New Orleans, going on a ghost tour must be your main priority.
The Best Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses in New Orleans
These are the absolute must-do ghost tours and best haunted houses in New Orleans.
There are two lists below:
1) Best Real Ghost Tours in New Orleans.
2) Most Haunted Places, Attractions and Houses in New Orleans.
Through these two lists, I have tried to cover all aspects of paranormal activity in New Orleans.
The first list is all about the best ghost tours covering real supernatural phenomena in the city.
I have provided as much information as I can on each tour.
This includes the tour inclusions, why it is being recommended, duration, costs involved, booking links etc.
The second list is all about the most haunted houses, places and attractions in New Orleans.
They will give you an idea about each haunted location covered in the ghost tours and their significance.
You cannot miss any of them.
Also note, there are real ghost tours and those that are simulated haunted attractions. I have made a distinction in those so you can choose what attracts you the most.
Best Real Ghost Tours in New Orleans
Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Mystery Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Starts at $31 per person
Time Slots: 1.30 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm
The ghost, voodoo and vampire mystery tour starts at New Orleans’ famous French Quarter.
This tour offers a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history and hauntings of the place through a knowledgeable guide.
As the name suggests, it covers various paranormal activities that include ghosts, voodoo, witchcraft, vampires etc.
Main inclusions of the tour are as follows:
1) One hour walk around of popular spooky French Quarter spots while your local guide explains the history of each place.
This includes explaining about local legends, various mysteries, why the place is considered haunted etc.
2) Visit to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.
3) Pass by Jackson Square.
4) Pass by Voodoo Authentica.
5) Visit to Old Ursuline Convent Museum.
6) Visit to Lalaurie Mansion and learn about the infamous sinister slave serial killer, Madame Lalaurie
7) Visit to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.
Note: Certain places may require admission tickets that can be bought at the location itself.
At all times, your tour guide will be with you and explain every aspect of each location.
Ghost Adventures Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Starts at $27 per person
Time Slots: 5 pm and 8 pm.
The New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour is one of the highest rated ghost tours in the city.
You get a local historian with at least a graduate degree in history as your tour guide.
As a result, not only does this tour cover some of the most haunted locations of New Orleans, you get a fair dose of history lesson with it.
The meeting point of this ghost tour is in a centrally located area in New Orleans.
Main inclusions of the tour are as follows:
1) Meet and quick introduction.
2) Walk by Jackson Square.
3) Walk around French Quarter passing several haunted buildings.
4) Visit to May Baily’s Place.
5) Pass by St. Louis Cathedral.
6) Visit to Place d’Armes Hotel including the haunted courtyard.
7) Visit to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.
8) Visit to the infamous Lalaurie Mansion.
This is one of the best haunted tours where you get to learn about New Orleans’ history.
Haunted History Carriage Tour
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Starts at $60 per person
Time Slots: 6 pm, 7.30 pm, 9 pm and 10.30 pm.
This is an interesting as well as fun ghost tour as you are transported via a mule-drawn carriage.
Another plus point of this tour is that it’s for small groups only. So, you will not have too many other people with you on the tour.
I must say, the prospect of experiencing some of the most historic places in New Orleans via a carriage ride is quite alluring.
Your tour includes a professional guide who will ensure you learn about the haunted past of each place you visit.
Main inclusions of the tour are as follows:
1) Meet at Jackson Square and learn about its interesting history.
2) Spend one hour at French Quarter going through several haunted landmarks such as the Napoleon House.
Your guide will be able to tell you several eerie tales of each landmark that you visit.
3) Pass by St. Louis Cathedral.
4) Visit to the infamous Lalaurie Mansion.
A carriage ride feels like the best way to experience the haunted past of New Orleans.
It is a thrill to get transported to a different era and learn about its significance with a knowledgeable guide.
Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Starts at $40 per person
Time Slots: 5 pm, 8 pm and 11 pm special.
This cemetery tour by bus in New Orleans is not for the fainthearted.
You actually get access to one of the most famous cemeteries after dark.
Imagine standing next to a haunted tomb in complete darkness while your guide narrates bone chilling stories of real ghosts.
You get to travel by bus out of the French Quarter and towards the city’s not so touristy landmarks.
This makes it not just a good ghost tour but also a nice way to see more of New Orleans.
Main inclusions of the tour are as follows:
1) Meet at Voodoo Tavern and PoBoys.
2) Drive to the Masonic Temple Cemetery.
You get complete access to this cemetery and you need to walk around with your licensed guide when inside.
3) Pass by City Park.
4) Quick stop at Dreyfous Drive.
5) Visit to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial, formerly known as Charity Hospital Cemetery.
This is the best cemetery tour in New Orleans where you actually get to enter the cemetery after dark.
General admission tickets to each of the landmarks are included in this ghost tour.
Haunted Pub Crawl
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Starts at $29 per person
Time Slots: 5 pm and 7.30 pm.
If your idea for a good time is to consume delectable alcoholic beverages while visiting haunted locations, then the Haunted Pub Crawl ghost tour is for you.
In this tour, you get to go pub hopping. However, you just don’t visit any bar. You visit pubs that are supposedly haunted.
Note that alcoholic beverages are obviously not included in the cost but you do get access to some specials.
There is also a free shot provided at the end of the tour.
Main inclusions of the tour are as follows:
1) Meet at French Quarter and explore the place with optional cocktail choice.
2) Spend 2 hours at French Quarter learning about its haunted landmarks.
3) Pass by Pirates Alley.
4) Visit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.
5) Visit Bourbon Street.
6) Visit to the infamous Lalaurie Mansion.
7) Pass by May Baily’s Place.
You can pick up drinks at each of the bars visited on the tour.
Haunted Pub Crawl is for you if you want to spend a fun evening drinking and learning about ghosts.
Haunted History Ghost Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: Starts at $30 per person
Time Slots: 3 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm.
The Haunted History Ghost Tour is said to be the oldest walking ghost tour in New Orleans.
There is a focus on learning about the city’s sinister past to understand why it’s so haunted.
You spend 2 hours at the French Quarter going through several landmarks. Your local guide will keep you on your toes with chilling tales of ghosts and ghouls.
Main inclusions of the tour are as follows:
1) Visit the Rev. Zombie’s Voodoo Shop.
2) Explore French Quarter and learn about its eerie history.
3) Pass by Bourbon Street.
4) Pass by Finnegan’s Easy.
5) Visit to the infamous Lalaurie Mansion.
6) Pass by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.
7) Visit Jackson Square.
8) Pass by Pirates Alley.
You will be accompanied by a theatrical local guide you will keep you entertained throughout.
The theatrics combined with the real ghost stories and outstanding history lesson make the tour quite a hit with tourists.
Most Haunted Places, Houses and Attractions in New Orleans
I am giving below the top haunted landmarks in New Orleans.
I have included a brief explanation on each location so you can understand why they are considered so haunted.
You can visit most of these locations without being part of a ghost tour. However, to get entry to some of these, you need to be with a licensed guide.
Lalaurie Mansion
Lalaurie Mansion is by far the most famous haunted house in New Orleans.
It is so well-known for its paranormal activity, that some locals simply refer to it as the haunted house.
Unfortunately, the house has a brutal past with a number of barbaric incidents taking place over several decades.
At first, when the Lalaurie Mansion was built in 1832, it served as the private residence of Madame Delphine Lalaurie.
Madame Lalaurie, as she was known, turned out to be a serial killer of slaves.
Beyond the façade of parties and extravagant get-togethers, people were unaware of the extreme and sadistic torture she put slaves through in inner chambers.
Even today, people have heard moaning and cries of anguish coming from inside the mansion.
Later, well after the death of Madame Delphine Lalaurie, the mansion was transformed into smaller units with tenants.
There was a case in 1894 when one of the tenants was murdered in the most gruesome manner. Even till today, there were no proper motives found or trace of the killer.
The story does not end here. In mid-nineteenth century, Lalaurie Mansion was a school for African-American girls.
Many of the young girls of the school ended up with regular physical injuries. However, there was never a trace of the attacker. Just the talk of ‘the woman’ by the victims.
There are other cases as well such as the mysterious death of a young girl named Leia.
Lalaurie Mansion today is said to be heavily haunted by several spirits. From slaves, murdered tenants, young girls to the infamous Madame Lalaurie.
Even local guides have reported in some cases of experiencing unexplained activity during ghost tours.
The entire house provides an eerie feeling with extreme negative vibes.
Lalaurie Mansion address: 1138 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
St. Louis Cemetery
St. Louis Cemetery is the most famous cemetery in New Orleans. It is claimed to be the oldest in the city.
The who’s who of New Orleans’ past is buried here. From the famous socialites to wealthy residents, politicians and other notable personalities are inhabitants of the cemetery.
However, St. Louis Cemetery is also the final resting place of union soldiers, victims of the yellow fever epidemic etc.
The most hauntingly famous resident though, is Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.
The other notoriously famous person said to be buried here is the demonic Madame Lalaurie herself.
Many spooky paranormal activities have been reported from the St. Louis Cemetery.
Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau’s burial site has been vandalised so many times that the owners had to restrict entry to the cemetery for the general public.
Today, you can enter the St. Louis Cemetery only with a licensed guide from one of the ghost tours.
The density of burial grounds along with the kind of residents have given rise to many of the haunted tales.
St. Louis Cemetery is definitely not just one of New Orleans’ historic landmarks, but one of its most haunted places as well.
St. Louis Cemetery address: 425 Basin St, New Orleans.
Muriel’s Restaurant
Patrons and staff of Muriel’s Restaurant have reported several paranormal sightings as well as unexplained experiences on the property.
While there are said to be multiple restless spirits here, the most famous of them is Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan.
Mr. Jourdan had bought the property after the Good Friday Fire somewhere in the year 1788.
He left no stone unturned to restore the property. The newly renovated house became his pride and joy.
However, he lost the crown jewel of his life to gambling debts and eventually killed himself on the second floor of a house in the slave quarters.
Since then, the ghost of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan is said to be haunting the now Muriel’s Restaurant.
Interestingly, the rooms on the second floor of the restaurant are said to be the most haunted areas of the property.
This is where the ghosts and Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan himself reportedly hangs out.
Muriel’s Restaurant today, is one of New Orleans’ famous landmarks and enjoy healthy patronage.
Along with the great food and live music, Muriel’s serves up some great supernatural activities for their guests.
Muriel’s Restaurant address: 801 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116 (at Jackson Square).
Place d’Armes Hotel
The Place d’Armes Hotel, New Orleans is said to be haunted due to the number of student lives that were lost when their schoolhouse burned down in the 1800s.
The hotel with its famous courtyard stands where the schoolhouse used to be.
Many guests have reported hearing children both laughing or screaming. They have also heard furniture move or other unexplained sounds.
There are also tales of friendly spirits appearing such as that of a young girl looking for her grandfather.
Staff and patrons have said there does not seem to be any malevolent spirits. Overall, it is spooky but doesn’t give overly negative vibes.
You can actually stay at the Place d’Armes Hotel. If you are brave enough, lookout for spirits that may be trying to contact from the unworldly realm. Hang out at the courtyard late at night for catching a ghost or two.
Place d’Armes Hotel address: 625 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116
St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral sits beautifully in front of Jackson Square, at the French Quarter of New Orleans.
It is one of the best and most imposing landmarks of the city.
Although St. Louis Cathedral is one of the most peaceful places with wonderful positive vibes, it is still haunted.
The ghosts of two of its most famous religious figures have been seen in the cathedral. The two gentlemen are Père Antoine and Père Dagobert.
The spirit of Père Antoine has not only been seen walking around the cathedral, but also singing hymns in the alleyway on the side of the church.
The number of his ghost’s sightings have been so many, that the alley was named after Père Antoine in 1924.
There have been many other hauntings reported from the side alleys of the St. Louis Cathedral.
When visiting New Orleans, please do visit the St. Louis Cathedral and walk around if possible.
The place is loaded in history with the amount of work put in by Père Antoine to help slaves and prisoners in New Orleans.
St. Louis Cathedral address: 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116
Mortuary Haunted House – Haunted Attraction
The Mortuary Haunted House is one of the best haunted attractions in New Orleans.
In fact, it is one of the most famous haunted attractions in all of America.
This is because Mortuary Haunted House attraction is located inside an actual haunted mortuary.
The house has been described by many as one of the most terrifying Halloween haunts in New Orleans.
It has been featured so many times on television including:
Discovery Channel’s Ghost Lab, Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and Syfi Channel’s Ghost Hunters & Ghost Hunters International.
The former funeral parlor has had tens of thousands of funerals since 1872.
The house is in fact an old grand Victorian mansion located at the end of canal street. It is not just in an iconic location but is one of New Orleans’ main landmarks.
There have been a number of hauntings reported from the house before it was closed for public entry.
Today, it is one of the most popular Halloween attractions in New Orleans. Apart from opening to the public during September or early October each year, they have escape rooms that are a huge thill for horror fans.
Its lifelike theatrical sets, scary animatronics, terrifying storyline and of course, its real haunted past has made Mortuary Haunted House an absolute favorite during Halloween.
Mortuary Haunted House address: 4800 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Ghost Manor – Haunted Attraction
Ghost Manor is an old Victorian house from 1892 that has been converted into a fun haunted attraction.
Located at the corner of Magazine and Second Street, this house comes alive during Halloween.
This is not a scary attraction at all to be honest. This is one of the Halloween attractions that you need to visit for the theatrics and special effects.
The most famous of the animatronics on display is the ghost wandering around from window to window.
I won’t spend too much time talking about Ghost Manor today. As I mentioned already, there is nothing spooky about the place at the moment.
Mind you there are some ghostly tales from the past but you cannot enter the house to experience this yourself.
Visit the Ghost Manor if you are in New Orleans during Halloween.
New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House – Haunted Attraction
The New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House is an intense Halloween haunted house experience.
This haunted house is definitely not for the fainthearted. Children should strictly not be taken here.
Voted as one of America’s scariest attractions, there are various themes and insanely scary escape rooms available to patrons.
Although not a new attraction, New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House has grown in prominence over the years.
Most visitors have vouched for its reputation as one of the most frightening haunted houses anywhere in the US.
The attraction is also known as The 13th Floor Haunted House or House of Shock.
One good thing about the New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House is they have a few all-year-round experiences.
So, you don’t always have to wait for Halloween like most other haunted houses in New Orleans.
Check out their website for latest events and new upcoming themes.
New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House address: 319 Butterworth St, New Orleans, LA 70121
Quick Recap:
Most haunted houses and places to visit in New Orleans
- Lalaurie Mansion
- St. Louis Cemetery
- St. Louis Cathedral
- Place d’Armes Hotel
- Masonic Temple Cemetery
- Hurricane Katrina Memorial
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
- May Baily’s Place
- Napoleon House
- Pirate Alley
- New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
- Jackson Square
- Old Ursuline Convent Museum
The Best Haunted Attractions to Visit in New Orleans for Halloween
- Mortuary Haunted House
- Ghost Manor
- New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House
- Audubon Zoo – Boo at the Zoo
- Scout Island Scream Park
Also read: Eat the best Gumbo like the locals in New Orleans, Louisiana
Final thoughts on Ghost Tours and Haunted Houses in New Orleans
The significance and impact of New Orleans on American history just cannot be stressed enough.
I believe, going on a ghost tour is the best way to learn about New Orleans and its past history.
You will learn so much in the two hours that you spend on the tour.
I cannot think of a better way to educate yourself while having so much fun. Of course, the spine chilling stories are the real thrill. If you can spot paranormal activity, then that’s an added bonus.
