Haunted Places in New Orleans
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New Orleans’ oldest above-ground cemetery was established in 1789. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery is the final resting place of well-known residents like Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and William Claiborne, first American Governor of Louisiana. What really sets the cemetery apart is its above-ground tombs, distinct from other cemeteries throughout the country. Although you can’t visit at night, you just might get a feel for its eerie atmosphere on a tour during the day.
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Shows like “American Horror Story” have painted the LaLaurie Mansion as one of the most haunted locations in New Orleans…not that it needed the help. The grand house on Royal Street is infamous for once being home to Delphine LaLaurie, a woman who imprisoned and brutally tortured slaves in the house. There have been reports of paranormal activity in the home for over 200 years, with visitors claiming to have been taken over by negative energy. The ghosts are thought to be those of the people who lost their lives at the hands of LaLaurie.
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Still standing on Dauphine Street, the 1800s Sultan’s Palace is the site of a grisly murder and years of subsequent hauntings. A Turkish man who claimed to be a sultan purchased the home from a wealthy plantation owner and turned it into a spectacle of ongoing parties and lavish events. One morning, a passerby noticed blood seeping down the front steps of the palace…and the rest is history. The house is now a private home, but you can still get a glimpse from the outside and imagine the horror within. Various visitors and residents of the home have experienced their share of paranormal events over the years, like a dog being pushed down the stairs by some invisible force. We’re happy to stay outside.
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One of NOLA’s most popular museums, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum houses an impressive collection of pharmaceutical artifacts like old surgical devices and voodoo potions…not to mention its own in-house ghost! The ghost of former resident Dr. Dupas is said to wreak havoc at night, setting off the security system and moving displays around. That might not seem too bad on its own, but you might think twice given the man’s sinister past. He’s said to have performed fatal medical experiments on pregnant women.
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The UpStairs Lounge was a gay bar located directly over the Jimani Bar on Chartres St. In 1973, an unknown arsonist set fire to the Lounge, trapping dozens of people inside. The blaze killed 32 people, and its effects can still be felt today. Patrons of the Jimani Bar, still in business today, often feel icy chills, hear strange whispers, and notice the faint smell of smoke.
Discover the Dark Side of New Orleans...
You might have noticed that New Orleans has a unique atmosphere…and if you haven’t experienced it for yourself, a ghost tour will certainly do the trick! From graveyards to hotels and restaurants, there is no shortage of haunted places in NOLA. In fact, some of the most popular locations in the city can even be described as supernatural. There’s a reason why New Orleans is constantly included in lists of the most haunted cities in America. Its 300-year history of bloody battles, trampled burial grounds, voodoo practices, and natural disasters — combined with its legends of vampires, ghosts, and superstitions — make for a city full of spirits and mysterious forces that are best discovered on a haunted New Orleans tour.
Skeptics and firm believers in the supernatural alike find some of the Big Easy’s most famous landmarks a little spooky, and the stories behind them are nothing short of spine-chilling. There’s no better way to experience the dark side of the city than a New Orleans ghost tour. Explore the Big Easy’s dark history and haunted locations with an expert guide and decide for yourself whether spirits and otherworldly beings cling to this unique city.
You can learn about historical figures and mystical practices on a voodoo tour, meet friendly or harmful spirits on a ghost tour, or walk through some of the eeriest places on a haunted history tour of New Orleans! You’re sure to walk away with amazing stories and perhaps a supernatural event or two. One thing’s for sure — this is an experience you won’t soon forget.