I recently spent a week in New Orleans. As a first time visitor, I was overwhelmed with the city. The landmarks, architecture, art, food, history, and overall culture were nothing short of amazing. However what I was most excited with was the darker side of New Orleans. I was excited to visit some locations that really pushed that haunted and true crime button. Whether you are going to New Orleans for the first time or you are a repeat customer, here are a few places you might not want to overlook.

LaLaurie House

The LaLaurie House (or Mansion) is a centerpiece of the haunted tours given in New Orleans. The horrific tales of Delphine LaLaurie and her torturous and murderous ways is a pretty gruesome tale. Various haunted claims, as well as the house being fictionalized in American Horror Story only intensify the lore of the house. Actor Nicholas Cage bought the house in 2007, and lost it to foreclosure in 2009.

1140 Royal Street New Orleans, LA 70116

St. Peter House

For the music and/or true crime fan, the St. Peter House is shrouded in mystery. Former New York Doll and Heartbreaker Johnny Thunders headed to New Orleans to check out the music scene. One day after arriving in New Orleans in 1991, he was found dead of a supposed overdose in room 37 of the St. Peter House. Very little happened as far as an investigation, and there are claims of foul play. Thunders was found robbed and beaten curled up under a table…

1005 Saint Peter St. New Orleans, LA 70116

New Orleans Chapel of the Santisima Muerte

New Orleans has it’s fair share of haunted, ghostly, and voodoo related places. However I stumbled upon the New Orleans Chapel of the Santisima Muerte in the Bywater neighborhood and was glad I did. It’s dedicated to the Mexican folk saint of the same name. Interesting shrines, candles, and art really sets the chapel apart from the other occult-ish places in New Orleans.

3154 St.Claude Ave. New Orleans, Louisiana