My favorite city in America is New Orleans (side note: even my dog is named NOLA — you can follow her on TikTok and Instagram). What do I love about the Crescent City? There is so much — the culture, history, music, French ambiance, and, most thrillingly, the haunted atmosphere. From haunted places to hotels you can stay in, New Orleans brims with spooky legends. Explore them on this self-guided haunted tour New Orleans I’ve outlined below.
Sandy and I went with our friends to visit New Orleans in October 2022. I’ve been there several times, but have always wanted to go in October when the Halloween decor is rampant and the spooky vibes are strong. While you can take many ghost tours of the city and be part of ghost hunts and paranormal events (which are awesome, like U.S. Ghost Adventures has many offerings, and you can see a list of more paranormal experiences here), you can also explore a lot of the places on your own. In fact, to my knowledge, no tour will cover all the places mentioned below (but please correct me if I’m wrong).
New Orleans has countless haunted spots, but I narrowed it to my top favorites — still 18 places! I organized the list as a route through the French Quarter to minimize backtracking and make navigation easy. Plan to split the route over two days, since tackling it all in one feels overwhelming. Below are my top haunted New Orleans picks, why they’re haunted, and how you can visit them. I took all the photos myself — except one.
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Start Your Self-Guided Haunted Tour in New Orleans: 18 Must-See Spots
This self-guided haunted tour New Orleans begins in the French Quarter and takes you through 18 historic, ghostly locations.
St. Louis Cathedral
Start your tour in the French Quarter at St. Louis Cathedral, haunted by clergy members Père Antoine and Père Dagobert. Visitors often see Père Antoine walking the grounds, especially along his namesake alley. Some report spotting him with a candle during Midnight Mass. Père Dagobert’s voice echoes through the corridors on rainy days as he chants the Kyrie. Others claim his spirit walks the aisles after worship. Built in 1727, St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S. You can access the cathedral between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., unless there is a special event happening. There is an option to purchase a $1 brochure with information on a self-guided tour inside.
Jackson Square
Once called Place d’Armes, the square was renamed Jackson Square and now stands as a historic French Quarter landmark. Notable buildings surround it, and the square faces the Mississippi River. At its center, a statue of Jackson, erected in 1856, honors his victory in the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Many visitors snap the classic NOLA photo of the statue with St. Louis Cathedral rising in the background. Stories claim ghosts haunt Jackson Square, fueled by past executions, Voodoo rituals, and paranormal activity near Muriel’s Jackson Square. The square opens daily from 8 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m., depending on the season.
Pirate’s Alley
This is my favorite spot! Pirate’s Alley, tucked between Jackson Square and Royal Street, runs one block and once carried the name Orleans Alley South until the city renamed it in 1964. Legends say pirates like Jean Lafitte gathered there, and authorities escorted criminals down the passage to prison. Stories also claim Lafitte’s ghost still haunts the alley alongside the spirit of writer William Faulkner. Today, it’s home to Pirate’s Alley Café — a charmingly spooky spot famous for pub food and absinthe — and Faulkner House Books, headquarters of the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society. Just a tip: they only accept cash (at least as of my visit).
Muriel’s Jackson Square
Muriel’s Jackson Square, ocated across from the St. Louis Cathedral, is one of the most haunted restaurants in New Orleans. The building’s most famous spirit is Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, a former owner who died by suicide after losing his home in a poker game. Each night, the restaurant still sets a table with bread and wine in his honor. Other spirits are said to include former servants and patrons, with guests reporting shadowy figures, unexplained voices, and knocks in the Séance Lounge. Despite the paranormal activity, Muriel’s is warm and welcoming — perfect for brunch, cocktails, or balcony views of Jackson Square. Book a reservation for Muriel’s here.
Andrew Jackson Hotel
The Andrew Jackson Hotel just a few blocks from Jackson Square at 919 Royal Street, is considered one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans. The site once housed a boarding school and orphanage for boys orphaned by the Yellow Fever epidemic in 1774, before a devastating fire in 1794 claimed five young lives. Later, it served as a U.S. Federal Courthouse until the hotel opened in 1890. Guests report hearing the laughter and footsteps of children, spotting a ghostly caretaker cleaning rooms, and even seeing Andrew Jackson’s spirit in the halls. Room 208 is especially active, with lights flickering and faucets turning on by themselves. Book your stay to experience the haunts for yourself, if you dare.
Place d’Armes Hotel
Walk over to 625 St. Ann street to find Place d’Armes Hotel. This hotel was originally built in 1725 as the Capuchin School, is another haunted hotel you must visit in New Orleans. The school was destroyed in a fire in 1788, which killed the headmaster and many students and teachers. Guests report various paranormal activities, including sightings of the ghost of a young girl in old-fashioned clothing, who may ask about her grandmother before vanishing, and an elderly man in similar attire who nods at visitors. Other reported phenomena include footsteps, children’s laughter, and furniture moving in unoccupied rooms. One visitor even claimed to have had a conversation with a ghostly man on her balcony, confirmed by the desk clerk as a hotel spirit. Want to see what ghosts you’ll find here? You can book your stay here. This stop is a highlight of any self-guided haunted tour New Orleans travelers can take at their own pace.
LaLaurie Mansion
At 1140 Royal Street stands the infamous LaLaurie Mansion, one of the most notorious haunted places in New Orleans. In 1834, a fire set by an enslaved woman revealed the horrific torture of at least seven enslaved people inside, sparking outrage that led neighbors to ransack and burn the home. Madame LaLaurie and her husband fled to Paris, though legend claims people later returned her body to New Orleans for burial. Ghost stories now center on the mansion, and American Horror Story: Coven famously featured it. Actor Nicolas Cage even briefly owned it. Though the interior is private, visitors can still view its eerie exterior on many French Quarter ghost tours.
Old Ursuline Convent
The Old Ursuline Convent at 1112 Chartres Street has a chilling reputation, though many argue it isn’t truly haunted. Its legend comes from the “Casket Girls”, young women sent from France in the 1700s who carried their belongings in small chests, sparking rumors of vampires. The myth grew in the 1970s when two journalists camping nearby were found dead, reportedly drained of blood. Some also claim bones surfaced during later restorations. Completed in 1752, it is the oldest building in New Orleans. You can admire it from outside or book a tour to decide for yourself.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
On your way toward Bourbon Street, you’ll find Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, one of the most haunted pubs in New Orleans. Tied to pirate Jean Lafitte, the bar is famous for ghostly sightings — including Lafitte himself, often described in sailor’s attire near the first-floor fireplace. Visitors also report cold spots, strange sounds, the smell of tobacco, and glassware flying off shelves. Built in the early 1700s, it’s among the oldest buildings in the French Quarter and believed to be the oldest bar in the U.S. Today, it’s a piano bar with a spooky vibe. Don’t miss their signature VooDoo Daiquiri — the famous Purple Drink.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, located at 514 Chartres Street in the French Quarter, is both fascinating and eerie. Housed in a Creole townhouse, it showcases exhibits on early medicine, voodoo potions, and apothecary history. Stories claim Dr. Joseph Dupas, a former owner, haunts the building by moving objects, setting off alarms, and appearing as a shadowy figure in a brown suit and top hat. Many visitors say pregnant women feel his presence more strongly. Built in 1822–1823, it was originally home to Louis J. Dufilho, Jr., the first licensed pharmacist in the U.S. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays, with limited hours on other days. Check their website to ensure you go when it is open (I made this mistake before). You may want to consider getting tickets ahead of time, too.
Antoine’s Restaurant
Antoine’s Restaurant, at 713 St. Louis Street, is famous for its French-Creole cuisine and haunted reputation. Patrons and staff report sightings of founder Antoine Alciatore and a former waitress named Julie, often heard calling to one another. Some believe Antoine still oversees the restaurant to keep it running smoothly. Employees describe doors slamming, lights flickering, glassware crashing, and a mist appearing in the Hermes Room. Guests have even spotted a ghostly waiter near the Mystery Room. Paranormal investigators have documented EVP recordings, temperature changes, and other unusual activity. Open since 1840 and still family-run, Antoine’s is the oldest French-Creole restaurant in the U.S. I suggest booking a reservation ahead of time if you want to eat there.
Pat O’Brien’s
Pat O’Brien’s, located at 718 St. Peter and in one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter, is famous for its dueling piano bar, featuring twin “dueling” pianos where local entertainers take song requests—the first of its kind. The bar is also home to the original flaming fountain in its courtyard and the iconic hurricane cocktail. When you are sipping your hurricane here, you may find yourself seeing ghostly apparitions. In the piano bar, spirits strike notes without a player, and guests hear disembodied footsteps. A former restroom attendant haunts the upstairs ladies’ room, and some visitors describe the bathroom line as especially eerie. Ghosts also haunt the entire third floor and the staircase leading to the second-floor ladies’ room. The bar is open every day but Tuesday, but always check the website for updated hours.
Hotel Monteleone
The Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street is among the most haunted hotels in New Orleans. Ghostly activity fills the 14th floor (actually the 13th, since the hotel skips that number). Guests have reported sightings of Maurice Begere, a young boy who died there, as well as the hotel’s builder, Antonio Monteleone. Others claim to see Progressive Era children roaming the halls at night, along with spirits like William “Red” Wildemere and two feuding restaurant ghosts. Even if you’re not staying overnight, you can visit the famous Carousel Bar. A literary landmark, the hotel has welcomed Faulkner, Hemingway, and Anne Rice — and appears in over 173 stories. Interested in staying here for some possible haunts? Book your stay here.
Marie Laveau’s House
People claim ghosts haunt Marie Laveau’s former house at 1020 and 1022 St. Ann Street, but visitors cannot enter the current home. Builders tore down the original house in 1903 and constructed a new building on the same foundation, which now operates as a vacation rental. Some say the Voodoo Queen’s residual energy still lingers, with reports of screams from the empty house and apparitions of slaves. Marie Laveau was a prominent religious leader and healer. She lived there from 1839 to 1895, raising her family on the property, which was also her childhood home. Known for her generosity, she often opened her house to those in need.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 at 425 Basin Street, established in 1789, is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. Known for its above-ground tombs, it is the resting place of legendary figures including Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen; Homer Plessy of Plessy v. Ferguson; Bernard de Marigny; and Etienne de Boré, pioneer of sugarcane granulation. Actor Nicolas Cage even purchased a striking white pyramid-shaped tomb here. The cemetery offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ death rituals, cultural traditions, and ghostly legends. You can book a tour to explore inside, though Cage’s tomb is visible from the gate.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, on Washington Avenue in the Garden District of New Orleans, ranks among the city’s oldest public cemeteries. The former city of Lafayette gave it its name. Nearly 500 wall vaults line the grounds, and the cemetery tells the stories of some of the area’s first settlers from Ireland and Germany. More than 1,100 family tombs fill the site, serving as the final resting place for over 7,000 people, including the Lafayette and Jefferson firemen. The cemetery also connects to the legend of the Mayfair Witches. Visitors can explore this historic site to learn about its significance and those buried there. Check this website before you plan to go to check it’s open.
Buckner Mansion
The Buckner Mansion, located at 1410 Jackson Ave. in the Garden District, is a haunted landmark and filming location for American Horror Story: Coven. Built in 1856 by cotton magnate Henry Sullivan Buckner, it showcases Greek Revival architecture and has served various roles, including a private residence and a business school until the 1980s. The mansion is famous for ghost stories, particularly the apparition of Miss Josephine, a former caretaker believed to watch over the property. Other hauntings include the sounds of sweeping, a lemon peel scent, flickering lights, and swaying chandeliers. While the mansion is not open to the public, visitors can take photos from outside, with the best vantage point being Jackson Street along the St. Charles route.
Columns Hotel
The Columns Hotel, found at 3811 St. Charles Ave., is an elegant place to wine and dine, and one of my must-visit places for a happy hour drink whenever I visit NOLA. Tobacco merchant Simon Hernsheim built the home in 1883 but tragically committed suicide in 1898 after losing his wife and sister. The building then served as a boarding house in 1917 and became a hotel in 1953, attracting notorious figures, including corrupt politicians. Today, guests report ghostly encounters, including cold spots, an older man’s voice, and sightings of a well-dressed gentleman. Other spirits include a little girl on the third floor and the White Lady. You can learn a lot more about these stories and haunted history from Ghost City Tours. Despite its haunted reputation, the Columns Hotel remains a popular place to eat and/or stay at. Make your reservations here.
Where to Stay
After a day of exploring New Orleans’ most haunted spots — from the LaLaurie Mansion to the eerie Lafayette Cemetery — you’ll need a comfortable (and maybe not-so-haunted!) place to rest your head. Luckily, New Orleans has plenty of hotels to choose from, whether you want historic charm in the French Quarter or modern comfort just steps away from Bourbon Street. Check out the top hotels listed here on Trip Advisor. I will mention we loved our stay at Hotel Monteleone, and even got to stay on the haunted floor (if you want to keep your spooky going).
Conclusion
Whether you follow a ghost tour group or try this self-guided haunted tour New Orleans, you’ll discover spooky legends everywhere. New Orleans offers more than haunted history — the city bursts with culture, jazz music, Creole food, and nonstop fun, all shared by some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. I truly believe it’s one of the happiest places in the U.S. I hope you get the chance to visit and experience everything NOLA has to offer — because it’s a lot! Check out other places to visit here.
