Words by Alli Patton
Photos by Caroline Smith Photography, Muriel’s
New Orleans, Louisiana, is home to history. The weathered wrought iron, the ancient live oaks, and the very bricks of the French Quarter have witnessed hundreds of years of it unfold. Even now, beneath the fanfare of events like Mardi Gras and the everyday commotion that bubbles up on Bourbon Street, you can glimpse the city’s storied past and, sometimes, feel it beckoning from the great beyond.
Because the area has played host to various eras, some marked by turbulence and strife, New Orleans has gained a reputation as one of the country’s most haunted cities. Today, however, that distinction is often caricatured, especially as kitschy metaphysical shops and ghost adventure tourist traps arise and overshadow the city’s truly spirited side.
Acclaimed psychic medium and lifelong New Orleanian Cari Roy offers a fresh perspective when it comes to exploring the Big Easy, guiding us away from smoke and mirrors and toward a more authentic New Orleans waiting to be unveiled.
“You can break it down into the things that we do best,” Roy shares, explaining that when in town, do as the New Orleanians do, and the other side could very well find you. Visitors can experience the paranormal all while enjoying one of the many world-class restaurants, indulging in a signature cocktail at a centuries-old bar, relaxing in a renowned hotel, or simply exploring the city’s history-shrouded public spaces.
Besides, as Roy says, “people love to come to New Orleans, so why would the spirits that passed in New Orleans want to leave?”
Eat
For fine dining with the possibility of the preternatural, look no further than the French Quarter. Roy suggests a place like Muriel’s Jackson Square, where it is said that the cutlery gets mysteriously toyed with and cold spots are often felt.
There is also Tableau, the restaurant attached to the notably haunted Le Petit Théâtre Du Vieux Carré. Sightings of bottles being ripped from their place on the walls are not uncommon. Brennan’s is another location where there have been reports of dining room specters and the nightly clanging of pots and pans long after the establishment has locked its doors.
“All three of those places,” Roy explains, “you can go in and have a nice mimosa, eggs Benedict, then ghosts.”
Beneath the fanfare of events like Mardi Gras and the everyday commotion that bubbles up on Bourbon Street, you can glimpse the city’s storied past and, sometimes, feel it beckoning from the great beyond.
Drink
Needing to quench your thirst and your craving for an encounter? There is May Baily’s Place, a haunted bar that once served as a bordello in the city’s red-light district and, at one point, a hospital during the Civil War. Occupants from both iterations of the establishment have apparently been spotted roaming there still.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, one of the oldest operating bars in the country, is another good option. “In the back part of that place, you will feel spirits,” Roy assures. “Even if you’re a denier, you’ll feel them.”
Stay
The Dauphine Orleans Hotel is a favorite of Roy’s. Attached to May Baily’s Place, the landmark hotel is also a hotbed of activity, with some of its residents suspected to have never checked out. Hotel Monteleone, known just as well for its haunts as its luxurious digs, is another promising stay with a very active 14th floor.
Explore
Even stepping outside for a stroll through Jackson Square can lead to run-ins with a whole host of entities. A place that once witnessed duels and public hangings, the square itself is said to be extremely haunted.
A trip to St. Roch Cemetery is also a must. Roy explains that because many New Orleans cemeteries are above ground and in the middle of neighborhoods, ghosts don’t venture far. “We have a constant dialogue with death,” she says, noting certain graveyards and churchyards as places to experience something wonderfully otherworldly.
In the end, Roy suggests taking a tour with some of the city’s reputable companies, such as Jonathan Weiss Tours or Hottest Hell Tours, and supporting New Orleanian-owned businesses to get the most educational experience in the paranormal.
