15 Most Haunted Places in New Orleans

Do you believe in ghosts? All it takes is one encounter to make you a believer, and New Orleans is overflowing with ghost stories.

New Orleans, Louisiana (or NOLA), is a paranormal hot spot and has earned a top spot as one of the most haunted cities in the United States. If you ever wanted to have a paranormal experience, there’s a good chance you’ll have one in New Orleans.

This article will cover some of the most haunted places in New Orleans. From haunted restaurants to historic homes, we’ll cover all the spooky things that have made the Crescent City a popular spot for ghost tours.

Most Haunted Places in New Orleans

1. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Address: 425 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70112

As the oldest cemetery in New Orleans (1789), you can bet there are a few ghost stories and creepy things going on here. After all, this New Orleans cemetery houses over 100,000 dead souls, and it’s still an active cemetery.

Some of New Orleans’ most famous residents are buried here, including Etienne de Boré, the first mayor of New Orleans, Homer Plessy, the plaintiff from the famous civil rights case, and Delphine LaLaurie, a horrible woman we’ll get to in just a bit. 

Perhaps the most famous burial in this cemetery is the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. It’s popular to lay an offering of flowers or money at her tomb as a peace offering, though it’s not always effective. She’s been known to scratch, pinch, or shove people, so she’s not the friendliest of spirits.  

This is one cemetery in New Orleans that’s not freely open to the public, and to get inside, you’ll need a licensed tour guide. You can jump on this tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which offers many ghost tours a week.

As a bonus, you’ll also see the future final resting place of Nicolas Cage, who purchased a pyramid-like tomb right next to the Voodoo Queen herself. That kook.

2. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Address: 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar was rumored to be the home base for Jean Lafitte’s illegal smuggling operation, which may be the reason he’s one of the ghosts seen here.

He’s often sighted lurking in the corner near the piano. Rumor has it that he buried his treasure here, so maybe he’s keeping watch over it?

Not all of the spirits here are friendly, though. As you’re sipping on your spirits, you might…