Why is New Orleans so Haunted?

I’ve lived in New Orleans most of my life, so ghosts are simply part of the landscape for me. They aren’t novelties reserved for ghost tours. And they aren’t new to me or anyone from New Orleans. Some people are bigger believers than others, but we all know New Orleans is on the haunted side. People come here to experience the same thing we experience on a daily basis. There could be explanations to all of these tales, stories, or folklores, but we just chalk it up as haunted. New Orleans is the home of Marie Laveau, St. Louis Cemetery, and the French Quarter. Few American cities have as much haunted history to draw from. Let's read on for more.

Despite all the hype around a good ghost story in New Orleans, we have actual historical events that have given these stories legs. Things have happened in New Orleans that are shocking, upsetting, strange, and all the other adjectives you can think of to make a good haunted past. When you walk around the French Quarter, you frequently see homes for sale, a sign hanging underneath saying “HAUNTED” - many people consider this a positive. As a real estate broker, I’ve stepped inside French Quarter haunted houses that made my hairs on my arm stand up. I even had one listed myself. And while I wasn't thrilled to go, it required my presence to show it. An experience I wasn’t expecting or desiring, but it’s New Orleans, and you roll with it. There are many other stories just like this, and you can hear them on a good ghost tour. Expect the unexpected!

Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral

That’s a hard question to answer about which city is the most haunted because it’s subjective. Some people don’t even believe in ghosts and paranormal activity, so they would say no city is haunted. If you’re a believer, or someone who’s curious, New Orleans is a strong contender for the most haunted. With our centuries-old buildings constructed on land once inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Houma and Choctaw tribes, it gives more depth to the question of mystical history. Our burial practices because of being below sea level contribute as well. Add in voodoo traditions with our most famous voodoo queen, yellow fever epidemics, history of slavery and the abuse endured by many, and you have a recipe for a city full of haunted history.

New Orleans’ haunted reputation isn’t the result of dramatic ghost tours or theatrical storytelling (although some of it is if you go on a ghost tour and that is the guide’s schtick). The city is complex. Its cultural blending come from French, Spanish, African, German, Native American, Caribbean, and more. Everyone brought their own idea of how to live life and we now have a melted pot called New Orleans. When you understand some of the actual events that have occurred throughout the 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, and 21st century, you understand this isn’t another good ghost story. You realize there’s a strong basis for the haunted nature of the city. Some deeper reasons New Orleans is considered haunted are as follows:

Layers of Tragic History

Our city has endured yellow fever epidemics over a couple of centuries that wiped out entire family systems within days. Colonial conflict also contributes to the tragedy, as New Orleans flip flopped between French and Spanish rule. Naturally this brought political tension, violence, and uncertainty amongst citizens for a long time. Most recently, Hurricane Katrina wiped out the city for a good long time. Twenty years later, it’s only just getting to a point where people don’t demarcate their lives saying “pre-Katrina” or “post-Katrina” in almost every sentence. We experienced in our lifetime a lot of death and destruction that should never have happened. Over time, repeated tragedies helped shape the city’s haunted reputation.

Voodoo and Spirit Traditions

Voodoo is often misunderstood. It’s a religious practice that blends African, Catholic, and Caribbean influences together. Voodoo was not a demonic or evil practice. To the contrary, it was a source of community, healing, and protection for people. As I mentioned earlier, Marie Laveau is the most famous person affiliated with voodoo, and she is buried here in New Orleans. The cemetery in which she is buried can now only be accessed with a professional tour guide because people vandalized and marked her tomb far too much. Many people take interest in this tradition and practice and come to New Orleans to learn more.

Burial Practices Unique to New Orleans

I love wandering through the cemeteries in New Orleans. Many of them are behind beautiful wrought iron fences, and we refer to them as “Cities of the Dead” because of how the tombs look. They are above ground and look like tiny houses, many of them. Because of our frequent flooding, underground burials had to come to an end due to coffins resurfacing after heavy rains. My very favorite cemetery is Lake Lawn Metairie, and it is worth a visit if you can get out of the main areas of the city. It used to be a racetrack, which gives is even more character.

Haunted Cultural Identity and Storytelling

You can’t walk anywhere in the French Quarter without seeing tour guides spouting off their unique version of a ghost story in New Orleans. Whether you’re walking in Jackson Square or by the LaLaurie Mansion, groups of people eagerly listen to the horror stories and tragedies that make up our unusual city that embraces these things so openly. New Orleans has always embraced its supernatural reputation, and many people are attracted to it because of that. You don’t have to be a die hard believer or enthusiast to be part of this storytelling either. Merely enjoy the true historical facts, the architecture, and feelings you get when you’re in New Orleans.

Ghost Tour with Orion Couling

I’m not going to tell you a straight answer to this because it’s very subjective. However, I will give you a list of places that are thought to be haunted, and I’ll let you decide for yourself. On the ghost tour I went with a very credible historian and fantastic storyteller, Orion Couling, these are the places we walked past and got a little history. My opinion? Book a tour with him because he’ll do a much better job than I can at the descriptiveness necessary to really set the scene. It’s worth your time and your dollars to go.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Before the Bourbon Orleans Hotel was a hotel, it was many other things: a ballroom, theater, orphanage, and convent. Today, it is a gorgeous hotel that many people enjoy staying for many purposes. Maybe the haunted aspect, most likely the location. It’s right behind the St. Louis Cathedral and steps from everything in the French Quarter. If you choose to stay there, you might hear children laughing, unexplained footsteps, or flickering lights. It could be a fun night’s stay if you’re into the paranormal.

Location here.

LaLaurie Mansion

I’ve heard about the LaLaurie mansion my whole life and the horrors that went on inside the walls of that former residence of Delphine LaLaurie and her husband. Never had I heard the version Orion told on his tour, and it turned the whole story on its head - in a very interesting way. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will share that Delphine kept and tortured slaves. A fire exposed the entire situation, and she allegedly fled the city, never to be punished for these crimes.

Location here.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

We have no shortage of cemeteries in New Orleans, but St. Louis No. 1 is by far the most famous. Marie Laveau is believed to be interred there,  and it’s the oldest cemetery in the city. It’s located right outside of the French Quarter proper, and you must go on a tour to get inside it, as I mentioned earlier. You’ll find some of the first settlers of New Orleans are buried there, as well as Bernard de Marigny and Homer Plessy. If you want more information on our cemeteries, pick up local historian Sally Asher’s book called Stories from the St. Louis Cemeteries of New Orleans.

Location here.

Muriel’s Jackson Square

Muriel’s on Jackson Square is a beautiful restaurant I think many people should eat at if they are coming to New Orleans or move to New Orleans. You’ll find very typical New Orleans fare, and the atmosphere is upbeat. What makes it so haunted? Staff has claimed objects being moved overnight and settings shifting in empty dining rooms. The restaurant has a small table inside that you can see from the street reserved for a former owner who…never quite left. You’ll pass this on your ghost tour.

Location here.

French Quarter Building

Haunted history is inseparable from New Orleans’ story. Whether you come as a skeptic of a believer, you’ll find that exploring the city gives you a deeper understanding of a city shaped by resilience, cultural blending, and unforgettable history. New Orleans is worth a visit, and do include the haunted aspect of it. You’ll see it in a whole new light.

If you liked this blog, you might also like the one I wrote about free things to do in New Orleans or New Orleans foods to try.

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