The Most Haunted Places in Louisiana (And the Stories Behind Them)
Just outside New Orleans, in the heart of Louisiana’s oldest neighborhoods, the LaLaurie Mansion stands as a chilling testament to the city’s dark past. Located in the French Quarter, about a 10-minute walk from Jackson Square, this imposing Creole townhouse has long been shrouded in sinister legends. Visitors strolling past the wrought-iron balconies and faded brick walls can almost sense the grim history tied to Madame Delphine LaLaurie, a socialite whose cruel treatment of enslaved people reportedly sparked ghostly unrest. Though entry inside is rare, the mansion’s exterior alone invites reflection on a time when wealth and horror were dangerously intertwined. Evening walks here, especially on misty nights, heighten the eerie atmosphere, making this spot a must-see for those intrigued by haunted history.
In Baton Rouge, about an hour’s drive northwest of New Orleans, the Myrtles Plantation offers both a window into antebellum life and a haunting experience steeped in folklore. Nestled along the Mississippi River, this plantation home features guided tours that blend architecture and ghost stories. Visitors can explore the sprawling grounds and the main house, known for its Greek Revival style and haunting portraits. The plantation claims to be home to several spirits, including the infamous “Green Lady,” whose apparition is said to wander the halls. Daytime tours provide a rich historical context, but the plantation’s true allure intensifies at dusk when shadows lengthen and ghost tales come alive under the glow of gas lamps.
In the small town of St. Francisville, roughly 45 minutes north of Baton Rouge, the Rosedown Plantation emerges from the rolling Louisiana countryside with an aura of both elegance and mystery. The 19th-century estate is famous not only for its beautifully preserved gardens and grand columns but also for whispered stories about its ghostly inhabitants. Touring the house and wandering the formal gardens, visitors can experience the blend of Southern charm and spectral legend unique to Rosedown. Autumn is an ideal time to visit, as crisp air sharpens the vivid colors and sometimes stirs the imagination to hear the faint echoes of the past among the oaks and azaleas.
Further south, in the historic city of Natchitoches, about three hours west of New Orleans, the Landry House Museum draws visitors with both its Creole architectural grace and its reputed hauntings. Positioned in the heart of the oldest settlement in Louisiana, the Landry House offers a peaceful glimpse into early 19th-century life. The museum’s exhibits showcase period furnishings and artifacts, while local lore describes ghost sightings linked to former residents whose spirits linger. Strolling the nearby Cane River waterfront and the Colonial Historic District enhances the experience, especially in the quiet hours of early morning, when the town’s history feels palpably close.
The Jefferson Davis State Historic Site, located near Fort Monroe about 75 miles north of New Orleans, is another place where history and hauntings converge. Dedicated to the Confederate president, the site features a towering obelisk and a surrounding park with trails and picnic spots. Visitors can hike the gentle, wooded paths that offer serene views of the surrounding countryside, but some come here drawn by tales of eerie sounds and ghostly figures reported near the monument. The autumn months are particularly atmospheric, as the turning leaves and lengthening shadows create an evocative backdrop for reflection on Louisiana’s complex past.
In the coastal city of Houma, roughly an hour southwest of New Orleans, the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum connects visitors with Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole heritage while hinting at the supernatural. The museum’s focus on the bayou’s ecosystems, culture, and history is immersive, with exhibits on traditional fishing, boat-building, and folklore. Local guides often share stories of haunted bayous and restless spirits believed to inhabit the swamps. A boat tour through the nearby bayous during the golden hours before sunset offers a hauntingly beautiful way to experience this watery landscape, where nature’s mysteries and ghost stories intertwine beneath Spanish moss and cypress knees.
The infamous Hotel Monteleone in downtown New Orleans, situated in the French Quarter just steps from the bustling Royal Street, offers guests both luxury and a brush with the paranormal. Known for its historic Carousel Bar and literary ties to authors like Tennessee Williams, the hotel also boasts a reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in the South. Guests and staff have reported unexplained noises and sightings, especially in the older sections of the building. Staying overnight here allows visitors to soak in the ambiance and perhaps sense the spectral past mingling with the vibrant nightlife just outside its doors. Late evening, when the lobby’s vintage chandeliers cast long shadows, is the perfect time to linger with a cocktail and stories of ghosts past.
Just over an hour’s drive from New Orleans toward the north lies the town of St. Martinville, home to the Evangeline Oak and the city’s historic district. This area embodies the spirit of the Acadian exiles, whose tragic history inspired the legend of Evangeline. The oak tree itself is said to be a gathering spot for ghostly apparitions tied to the town’s French and Creole roots. Walking the quaint streets lined with historic homes and the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, visitors find a rich tapestry of culture and haunting tales entwined. Early morning visits during misty conditions lend an almost otherworldly quality to the experience, perfect for those drawn to Louisiana’s layered past.
Lastly, the Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans’ Lakeview neighborhood, about a 20-minute drive from the French Quarter, offers an elegant setting that contrasts sharply with some of the darker stories elsewhere. This historic estate, with its beautifully manicured gardens and classical architecture, is occasionally said to host gentle spirits connected to its early 20th-century occupants. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the house’s art-filled rooms and the stunning gardens that change with the seasons. Springtime, when azaleas and camellias bloom, is ideal for a contemplative visit, blending natural beauty with quiet whispers of history and mystery that linger on the grounds.