Top Haunted Halloween Experiences in New Orleans

New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America and for good reason. The Big Easy is steeped in tales of ghosts, vampires, and eerie happenings. Therefore, it’s no surprise that thousands of people flock to NOLA for Halloween each year. The only holiday that beats those numbers is Mardi Gras.If you’re planning to spend All Hallow’s Eve in New Orleans, here are some must-see experiences to squeeze into your trip.

The Mortuary
The Mortuary is one of the premiere haunted house experiences in the country. It’s housed in an actual funeral home, built in 1872, that operated for over 80 years at the end of Canal Street. It only made perfect sense to turn the building into a ghoulishly fun Halloween attraction.Each year, The Mortuary selects a new premise to guide its design. Themes like “HELLection” and “Inferno” take over the 14,000 square feet and three floors with a new set of terrifying tricks. The bonus? When you tour this haunted house, you might even encounter a few real ghosts.

New Orleans Nightmare
The New Orleans Nightmare was featured on the Discovery Channel as one of America’s Most Haunted Houses. The attraction features several possible stories when contemplating your scares of choice, like an evil scarecrow or a looming zombie apocalypse. There are also add-on opportunities for more bone-chilling excitement, including mini escape games and secret bars.

Haunted Happenings and Ghost Tours
Why not learn a little something while you’re getting your fright on in New Orleans? The city offers a bunch of choices when it comes to haunted tours, including tales of spirits, vampire lore, and cemetery excursions. Certain hotels offer specials geared toward Halloween happenings, like this Haunted Tour Package.

Krewe of Boo
If you’re looking for something a bit more family-friendly but still full of spooky fun, check out the Krewe of Boo. The Halloween event has become the official Halloween parade of New Orleans after its founding in 2007.It originally was meant to be a one-time event to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief. However, locals missed the frightfully fun festivities and the Krewe of Boo made a comeback in 2013. Parade-goers enjoy beautifully-designed floats, marching bands, walking groups clad in spooky costumes, and loads of memorable throws.

Here’s to a Happy NOLA-ween!

Have more time to fill during your New Orleans Halloween hoopla? Check out JAMNOLA, an art encounter that typically puts a spine-tingling spin on things during the ghoul season. Grab dinner at the New Orleans Vampire Café, stroll by the LaLaurie Mansion, or visit the New Orleans VooDoo Museum.After a busy night, relax with a cocktail, and see if you can spot a ghost or two at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Need a break from the ghosts and ghoulies? Explore our other charming and comfortable vacation rentals.

Published September 27, 2024