3 Historic Haunted Hotels In New Orleans For Families 2025

New Orleans was founded in 1718 and is considered one of the most haunted cities in America. It also happens to be one of the best towns to visit during Halloween, where spooky history meets vibrant street life. This city has witnessed more than its fair share of hardship over the centuries, including yellow fever epidemics, slavery, the Natchez Revolt, the Civil War, destructive hurricanes, and massive fires, so it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of restless energy hanging around from the past.

We actually stopped here during our epic cross-country road trip, and let me tell you, few cities balance eerie and electric quite like The Big Easy. Between the voodoo vibes, haunted mansions, and jazz pouring out of every corner, it’s the kind of place that keeps your senses buzzing day and night.

Whether you’re a ghost hunter, a foodie, or just a family who loves live music, New Orleans delivers an experience like no other. In this article, we’re diving into three of our favorite haunted hotels in New Orleans, each with its own backstory, spirit (literally), and plenty of reasons to stay the night… if you dare.

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Dauphine Orleans Hotel

French Quarter | 415 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70112

Brief History

You want history and ghosts? Then the Dauphine Orleans Hotel is the place to stay. The site of this hotel has records dating back to 1775! One of the most notorious structures is that of May Bailey’s Place, a famed bordello that opened in 1857. May Bailey’s Place was the city’s first licensed brothel, as well as its most popular and prosperous. However, before the brothel days, this site was where artist John James Audubon painted his famous Birds of America series from 1821 to 1822. Now, May Baily’s is a fun historical and “spirited” bar serving up spirits and craft cocktails.

Another structure, now known as the Herman House was once the site of the Samuel Hermann’s 1834 manor, built using the best country brick, sand and cypress. He was a wealthy German born banker that ended up losing his fortune and home in the English Cotton Market crash of 1837.

It is said that this house was also the site of a rougher brothel, The White Elephant, where the women were ruthless and notoriously feared. Guests can now stay in one of the 16 Hermann Guest House Rooms as a part of the Dauphine Orleans Hotel.  Since 1969, the Dauphine Orleans Hotel has been established as an elegant and timeless accommodation in the French Quarter. During the 1991 renovation of the Carriage House cottages, original brick walls, wooden posts and handmade nails were revealed and believed to have come from the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte’s blacksmith shop.

Hauntings

The site of the Dauphine Orleans Hotel has a lot of history, stories, and ghost sightings. Here are some of their tales.

Confederate Rebel

Although there weren’t any Civil War battles fought in New Orleans, Confederate soldiers often found themselves seeking reprieve at the city’s many bordellos, like May’s Place. So it is not surprising that some of these boys would still be hanging around.

There is one soldier in particular that is seen wandering the courtyard. To many he is known as the “Worried General,” but ghost investigators have concluded that his name is Eldridge. 

Creole Soldier

In addition to the Confederate soldier, there is also a dark-haired soldier possibly from the Civil War also wandering around the courtyard near May’s Place. Unfortunately, not much else is known about our Creole friend, but maybe if you stay at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel you will have a chance to meet him yourself. 

May Baily’s Place

According to the hotel manager, this is the most active section of the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. The bartenders report everything from bottles being moved, barstools floating, and entities of Baily’s working girls, apparently still working. From all reports, all seems to be friendly, just a bunch of spirits not ready to let go of a good time. 

One of the entities that people describe as the “whimsical women” may have possibly been one of May’s ladies of the night. She is seen prancing and dancing around playfully. It is believed that she became an alcoholic after working at May’s, and that might account for the spirit's strange behavior, but she sounds fun to me.  

Millie Baily

Millie Bailey’s story is a rather sad one. Millie was the little sister of May Baily and hated living the brothel life. She finally met and fell in love with a Confederate soldier in 1861. Against all odds, he proposed, and Millie was going to lead the life of her dreams. Legend has it that she was so excited about her wedding as she sewed her wedding dress, even caressing it at times.

Sadly, her fiancé was shot dead in a gambling brawl, and Millie never wore that beloved dress to the altar. Strangely, it is said that she did wear it often around May Baily’s Place. Today, guests have reported seeing Millie in her lace wedding dress standing near her sister’s former establishment.

Why Dauphine Hotel Is HotMamaTravel Approved

The Dauphine Orleans Hotel is officially HotMamaTravel approved, and here’s why. Smack dab in the heart of the French Quarter, this charming historic gem keeps your family close to all the New Orleans magic, music, beignets, and a few friendly ghosts. Parents will love the onsite bar with live music, while the saltwater pool is perfect for cooling off after a day of exploring.

Add in the onsite and valet parking (a total win in the Quarter), and you’ve got convenience covered. The rooms are huge, giving everyone space to spread out, but if you’re traveling with a bigger crew, you can easily book a couple of rooms without breaking the bank. It’s comfortable, classic, and full of that old NOLA charm, exactly how we like it.

Andrew Jackson Hotel

French Quarter | 919 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Brief History

What is now the Andrew Jackson Hotel first opened in 1792 as a boarding school for boys who had been orphaned by the Yellow Fever. In 1794, fires raged through the city, claiming many structures. Legend has it that the boarding school was consumed by fire, claiming the lives of five boys. This, however, has recently been questioned as some city records show that the building that is now the Andrew Jackson Hotel may have survived the fire.

Immediately after the fires, this structure actually functioned as a federal courthouse until the late 1800s. The hotel took its name from an event that occurred at the courthouse in 1815.  General Andrew Jackson (later the seventh U.S President) was held in contempt of court and charged with obstruction of justice.

Hauntings

The Andrew Jackson Hotel has stood the test of time, as it is one of the older buildings still standing in New Orleans. Here are the ghost stories that still haunt the hotel.  

Armand and the other boys

This young boy ghost is thought to have either been pushed or jumped from the second-story balcony. Armand likes to hang out in room 208, and he is rather playful, so don’t expect to get much sleep if you stay in this room. He is known to wake up guests, laughing and even pushing them out of bed.

Apparently, the spirits of young boys, who were most likely victims of the fire, playing in the courtyard at night, can be heard. All over the hotel, guests have reported seeing apparitions of little boys as well as hearing giggles and little feet running about. Multiple people have even heard what sounds like cereal being poured on the floor.

Caretaker

This helper is still working hard, cleaning rooms and fluffing pillows. Not a bad ghost to have around, huh? I wonder if she can do laundry too. Doesn’t seem like guests have to worry, but the housekeeping staff feels watched when they are cleaning rooms, and often their work will get rearranged. She must like things just so and takes her job very seriously.  

Andrew Jackson

I don’t know why the former president would want to hang around an old courthouse, but apparently, his full apparition has been spotted wandering around the second floor. It is a historical building, and I am sure there are male entities from that era that may still be hanging around, but my intuition tells me it is doubtful that this particular spirit is Andrew Jackson.

Why The Andrew Jackson Hotel Is HotMamaTravel Approved

The Andrew Jackson Hotel is totally HotMamaTravel approved because it hits that sweet spot between charm, comfort, and convenience. The rooms are stylish and cozy, perfect for relaxing after exploring the haunted history of New Orleans. If you’re rolling deep with the fam, you can book a couple of two-queen rooms near each other for that “together but not on top of each other” vibe, and yes, rollaways are available if you need a little extra sleeping space.

You’ll also get access to the pool at their sister hotel, which is a total perk in that Louisiana heat. Plus, you’re just steps from French Quarter restaurants and attractions, so you can walk to all the beignets, jazz, and ghosts your heart desires.

The Hotel Monteleone

French Quarter | 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Brief History

Sicilian born, Antonio Monteleone moved to America and purchased a 64-room hotel on Royal Street in 1886. Over the years it has continued to grow to over 600 rooms. The Hotel Monteleone didn’t only turn out to be a successful venture for Antonio, but for generations to come. It is one of the last remaining family-owned and operated hotels in New Orleans, with generation after generation of Monteleones' ensuring love and care of this historical hotel.

What is really special about this hotel (from a writer’s perspective) is all the literary greats who called The Hotel Monteleone home. Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway all stayed here and even incorporated the hotel into their works. Truman Capote loved staying at The Hotel Monteleone and frequented the Carousel Bar & Lounge.

Modern writers like Anne Rice, Stephan Ambrose and John Grisham have also stayed at The Hotel Monteleone. With so much literary history, the hotel became a literary landmark in 1998. It is one of only 3 hotels in the United States to hold such a title!

Hauntings

The Hotel Monteleone continues to be loved by many. With fun, glamorous features like the Carousel Bar, it is no wonder that some guests have chosen to stick around this place.

Former Employees that never clocked out

William “Red” Wildemere was an employee who died at the hotel. The lobby restaurant door is known to always open despite being locked. Turns out the spirits of a former chef and waiter are still busy and don’t like the door shut. As a bartender myself, I can relate to their frustration.

Little Maurice Begere

This one is almost too much for me to write, and as a mother, it breaks my heart. Apparently, the parents of Maurice, Josephine, and Jacques were frequent guests of The Hotel Monteleone and loved the French Quarter nightlife. Little Maurice was often left with his nanny at the hotel during the evenings so his parents could enjoy a night on the town.

Sadly, one night when they were out, Maurice fell sick with a high fever and passed away before his parents returned to the hotel. The mother was so distraught that she returned to the hotel every year in hopes of connecting with the spirit of her baby. Maurice did come to her on one visit, comforting his mommy. Today, guests still claim to see and hear the toddler wandering around the 14^th floor.

14^th floor children

The 14^th floor is technically the 13^th, but superstitious builders usually skip numbering this floor. Anyway, the “14^th” floor seems to be a hotbed for paranormal activity among spirit children. Guests have reported seeing a group of kid ghosts playing together in the hallways. The elevator has been known to randomly stop at the 14^th floor even when guests have not pushed that floor, especially if living children are riding. Maybe the ghost kids are just looking for someone to play with?

Why The Hotel Monteleon Is HotMamaTravel Approved

The Hotel Monteleone is absolutely HotMamaTravel approved. The rooms come equipped with in-room fridges (a total win for families with snacks or bottles in tow), and the outdoor pool with a poolside bar is the perfect place to cool off while soaking in those New Orleans views. Downstairs, the famous Carousel Bar, yes, it actually spins, is a must-see for parents looking to unwind while soaking up some local history. Add in a delicious onsite restaurant and a prime French Quarter location, and you’ve got yourself a stay that’s as convenient as it is iconic.

So, who’s ready to spend the night in one of America’s most haunted cities? Whether you check in at one of these legendary hotels or end up somewhere else in New Orleans, chances are you’ll still have a ghostly roommate or two. That’s just how this city likes to keep things lively.

If your family can’t get enough of the spooky side of travel, head over to my Haunted Places page for more haunted hotels and destinations to explore together. From eerie inns to ghost-filled getaways, there’s a spirited stay waiting for everyone.

Until next time, keep it fun, keep it curious, and remember, it’s just a bunch of hocus pocus.