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New Orleans is world-renowned for its jazz music, Mardi Gras parades and Creole cuisine but it’s also one of the most haunted cities in the country.
With a history defined by war, slavery, epidemics, and natural disasters, the Crescent City has been a hotspot for ghost hunters and paranormal experts for decades.
If you are looking for haunted sites in New Orleans, you’re in for a spine-tingling experience.
From mansions dating back centuries to spooky cemeteries and old hospitals, the city is full of New Orleans ghost stories that are unexplainable. we’ll take a look at the most haunted sites in New Orleans, with gruesome stories, ghost sightings and historical facts that will make you look back over your shoulder.
1. The LaLaurie Mansion: One of the Most Haunted Houses in New Orleans
In the French Quarter’s heart, the LaLaurie Mansion is one of the city’s darkest landmarks in history. It’s ranked consistently among the most haunted houses in New Orleans.
The Gruesome History
In the early 1830s, Madame Delphine LaLaurie was an affluent socialite who hosted lavish parties. But in the walls of her lavish mansion, she performed gruesome acts of brutality against slaves. A fire in 1834 revealed her atrocities, mutilated corpses were found chained in the attic.
Paranormal Activity in New Orleans’ Most Infamous Mansion
It has been since then that the mansion has been the location of many paranormal activity reports—moans, screams, and ghostly footsteps reverberate through the hallways. Passersby and tour guides say that they get glimpses of ghostly apparitions in the windows, and a few have even fainted when entering the house. The house is owned privately today, but it is a source of ghost tours for New Orleans.
2. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: Ghosts Among the Graves
This old graveyard, established in 1789, is one of the best-known cemeteries in New Orleans. It is the resting place of the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, and a home to numerous ghost stories.
Voodoo and the Afterlife
Marie Laveau, a Voodoo practitioner, is believed to continue affecting the living after death. People leave gifts at her grave hoping that their wishes will be fulfilled. Some even claim to see her ghost patrolling the cemetery in her telltale head wrap.
Ghost Sightings and Spiritual Energy
people have heard whispers, noticed floating spheres, and witnessed camera failures along her tomb. Because of vandalism and the popularity of the location, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is now open only through guided tours, commonly part of best ghost tours in New Orleans.
3. The Bourbon Orleans Hotel: Glamour and Ghosts in the French Quarter
If you’re staying overnight and want to sleep with spirits, book a room at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in the city.
Haunted History
This building has served many purposes—a ballroom, a convent, and a hospital for yellow fever victims. Each phase of its life has contributed to the supernatural energy that surrounds it today.
Paranormal Episodes
Visitors frequently state they’ve seen ghostly kids running in the halls, a Confederate general guarding the building, and the apparition of a nun who appears quietly at dusk. They even state they’ve had cold hands reach around their shoulders. Ghosts from the French Quarter’s sinister past are firmly entrenched in the Bourbon Orleans.
4. The Sultan’s Palace (Gardette-LaPrete House)
Among Louisiana’s actual hauntings, the Sultan’s Palace legend stands out as especially frightening.
The Legend of the Sultan
Legend has it that a rich Turkish man (the infamous “Sultan”) lived here with his harem. One evening, the whole family was brutally murdered. Blood ran down the front porch steps, and the killer was never apprehended.
Modern-Day Paranormal Activity
Unusual noises, loud footsteps, and pungent, exotic fragrances have been observed. Others claim the Sultan’s wrathful ghost continues to wander the halls, protecting his secrets. It’s a must-visit on every New Orleans ghost tour schedule.
5. The Haunted Pharmacy Museum: Voodoo, Plague and Potions
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is not just a museum—it’s a paranormal hotspot in New Orleans.
Medical Horrors
This was the residence and office of America’s first licensed pharmacist, Louis Dufilho Jr. It contains antique surgical equipment, Voodoo potions, and exhibits on treating yellow fever and other fatal diseases.
Ghostly Presences
Guests and employees describe unexplained occurrences: medicine bottles rattle by themselves, ghostly footsteps resonate in vacant areas, and ghostly apparitions materialize in worn-out examination chairs. The blend of mysticism and medicine makes this one of the most distinctive haunted sites in New Orleans.
6. Ghost Tours in New Orleans: Best Ways to Explore Safely
Want to see these scary places for yourself? Here’s how to do it properly.
Best Ghost Tours in New Orleans
- French Quarter Ghosts & Legends Tour
- Haunted History Ghost Tour
- New Orleans Cemetery and Voodoo Tour
These tours blend historical fact with spine-tingling storytelling. Some of the guides are local historians or ghost hunters.
Tips for a Haunted But Safe Trip
- Always tour with a licensed guide
- Wear shoes suitable for walking
- Don’t tease or taunt the spirits
- Bring a flashlight and water
- Respect private property and signage
Believe it or not, these tours provide unforgettable experiences with the city’s most haunted sites.
Why Haunted Sites in New Orleans Remain Attractive
From the supernatural splendor of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel to the terror-laden past of the LaLaurie Mansion, ghostly sites in New Orleans are an integral part of the city’s fabric and identity. Every location provides something greater than a fright—it shares a story of a city forged by tragedy, strength, and an unbreakable bond with the world beyond.
For everyone who craves thrills, chills or an insider’s view of New Orleans ghost tales, a tour of these haunted sites is an absolute must.
From strolling through the cemeteries, wandering the French Quarter, or overnighting at a haunted hotel, you’ll be leaving with chills and perhaps even a ghostly friend.
