Some people visit the Big Easy (as New Orleans is sometimes called) for the celebrations like Mardi Gras, some visit it for the music and some visit for the food. But there are some travelers that like to explore the city’s ghostly side, due to its reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in the world.
Want to visit New Orleans for the supernatural? Here are some recommendations on how to do it on a budget:
Haunted Attractions in New Orleans
One of the most popular haunted houses is the LaLaurie House (1140 Royal St), site of an attic torture chamber where former owner Madame LaLaurie tortured and killed dozens of slaves over 150 years ago. Since then, many have reported seeing and hearing ghosts of former slaves, along with the Madame herself.
Another is known as the Sultan’s Palace (716 Dauphine). In the late 1800s, a Turkish Sultan renting the house was found slaughtered, along with all of his men and his harem of slave girls. Over the years, passersby say they have seen the Turk sitting in the windows, as well as smelled incense that no one can find burning.
Paranormal tales and New Orleans have been linked together for centuries. But many visitors are drawn to New Orleans by the fictional stories told by author Anne Rice, who uses the city as a setting for many encounters with Lestat and the other characters in her books. Lafayette Cemetery is one such setting.
Since New Orleans lies below sea level, the cemeteries are actually full of above ground tombs instead of graves in the earth. The way these mausoleums are laid out have earned them the nickname of “Cities of the Dead.” Besides Lafayette, another popular “City” is the St. Louis Cemetery #1 (on Basin St between Conti and St Louis Streets), which was established in 1789 and is considered by many to be the final resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.
Learn about these and other free and low-cost supernatural attractions of New Orleans in the Suite101 article, The Paranormal Side of New Orleans.
For first-timers to New Orleans, it’s worth it to take one of the reputable tours of the city to get the full extent of the haunted history of the city. Most are priced between $10 and $25 per person.
Haunted Hotels in New Orleans
There is no shortage to the list of haunted New Orleans area hotels. This is because many in the historical areas like the French Quarter are actually housed in buildings that were formerly used for other purposes.
The Hotel Provincial (1024 Rue Chartres; 504-581-4995) is one such hotel. Once a Confederate hospital during the Civil War, the grounds are still reportedly haunted by the ghosts of soldiers who had died there. Building #5 is said to be the most haunted with many guests reporting both audio and visual encounters with those who have yet to cross over. Room rates start at $79 a night in 2009.
Looking for ghosts a little younger? Check in to the Bourbon Orleans Hotel (717 Orleans St; 504-523-2222) which was formerly used as a convent. It’s been upgraded to a beautiful hotel, but it is said some guests encounter the ghosts of children running through the halls. Rates begin at $135 a night in 2009.
For those just concerned with prices and not the paranormal, New Orleans has several hostels. Among the most popular are the India House Hostel (124 South Lopez Street) and the AAE Bourbon House Mansion (1660 Annunciation Street), both of which offer beds in shared rooms for $20 or less a night.
Haunted Restaurants in New Orleans
Can’t afford to sleep with a ghost? Why not dine with one? Many restaurants in the French Quarter have been reported to be haunted by former occupants of the buildings. Try Café du Monde (1039 Decatur), which is not only home to the world famous pairing of Café Au Lait and beignets (a delicious pastry confection), but a ghost waiter who sometimes appears to guests.
As with any reportedly haunted city, there’s no guarantee of actually encountering a ghost, but part of the thrill is in the search. Good luck and happy haunting!
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