The Historic Bourbon Orleans In Louisiana Is Notoriously Haunted And We Dare You To Spend The Night
By Jackie Ann|Published September 29, 2022
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
New Orleans is known to be one of the most haunted cities in the country. While you’re walking around the city, you find out quickly that you don’t have to travel far to find yourself in front of one of the many haunted restaurants, bars, hotels, or streets. There’s one hotel in New Orleans that’s thought to be one of the most haunted hotels in Louisiana, and we dare you to stay the night.
Right in the heart of the French Quarter lies the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.
One of the most historic hotels in the city, its ideal location makes it a popular spot for tourists visiting the city. Like many old buildings in the Quarter, this one has a unique history and many believe it to be haunted by the spirits of those who roamed these walls years before.
From 1881-1964, the Sisters of the Holy Family used the building as St. Mary’s Academy, a school for young girls.
They were the first African American religious order in the United States, and the school did so well that they were able to expand and include an orphanage for young girls called St. John Berchman’s Asylum. That building no longer stands today, but it’s the current courtyard and the pool of the hotel.
Renovations to turn the building into a hotel began in 1964 and were completed in 1966.
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As with so many buildings around the French Quarter, it should come as no surprise that this particular hotel is haunted.
Many people have reported seeing the ghost of a Confederate soldier pacing the hallways. Then there are the sightings of a little girl who is often seen chasing a ball down the corridor. Childlike spirits are one of the most popular sightings here, which makes sense since the building was used as a school for so long.
If you find yourself in the Grand Ballroom, you might encounter the most famous ghost here.
New Orleans’ oldest ballroom dates back to 1817 and even survived a fire. It's the home base for countless New Orleans social events throughout the year, but there's one spirit that just can't seem to move on. This lonely dancer has been seen dancing underneath the ballroom’s crystal chandelier and peering out of the windows, yet vanishes when your eyes meet.
