When most people think of New Orleans, three things come to mind. Incredible food, mardi gras, and ghosts. Because of how old the city is and how spiritual the people who live there are, there’s a long history of ghosts, hauntings, and horrors that fill every building in the town. If you want to haunt ghosts or know what structures to avoid to keep away from them, here are the three most active places in the city.
Horrors at the LaLaurie Mansion
This beautiful home has a blood-drenched past and is widely considered the most haunted home in New Orleans. Once the home to a murderous and sadistic slave owner, a lot of pain and torture happened within the many rooms of the LaLaurie Mansion. Because of this, many people have vivid experiences within its walls.
From feeling pushed or grabbed to hearing moans or screams, if you’re faint of heart, this isn’t the place to dip your toes into ghost hunting. Active as a museum as well, you can learn about the dark and sad past and take an honest look at what enslaved people in the South had to deal with.
Although the past is horrifying and has led to endless ghost activity here, we must learn it so that we can avoid ever letting these tragedies happen again.
The Spooky Beauregard-Keyes House
Nearing its 100th anniversary, this house is so easy to drive by without noticing. Unassuming and classic New Orleans architecture makes it look like nearly any other building someone would see while looking for New Orleans houses for sale. Don’t take this building lightly, though. Visitors claim to experience a variety of interactions with the spirits that are said to reside here.
From hearing music and seeing people dancing to events being interrupted by screams and disembodied voices, there’s no end to the strange things people experience.
When the home was remodeled, a lot of the furniture was donated or brought in second-hand. Many claim that this is why there is such heavy spiritual traffic and why it’s not going to stop any time soon.
Of Course, the St. Louis Cemetery #1
Reportedly home to the famous Marie Laveau, the St. Louis Cemetery #1 is the most famous cemetery in the world. Visitors can come in during daylight, with a small fee of $20, and walk amongst history. Ghost stories range from full apparitions to things moving and voices calling out when nobody else is there.
Activity at this cemetery seems to be more noticeable in times when the area is in trouble. Before and after the Katrina hurricane of 2005, many residents and passersby mentioned seeing or hearing things in the cemetery. Although psychics say this is because ghosts can sense energy peaks: you’ll have to decide for yourself the truth.
New Orleans doesn’t hold back when discussing its past; it’s what made it the birthplace for jazz and blues. Walking in these locations shouldn’t be taken heavily, even if you don’t believe in ghosts. There’s a lot that happened within these walls, and the only way to right the wrongs is to learn more about it and work for a better future.