Summer Fridays: New Orleans, LA
Summer Fridays: New Orleans, LA
Summer means it’s time to get away. All season, we’re sharing some of our favorite U.S. summer travel spots. Find a destination to cure your wanderlust? Take the Summer Friday.
New Orleans, Louisiana | Summer Fridays Series, Week 4
New Orleans is famous for its nightlife—from Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras to its large music scene. But behind the glitz is a quiet, historic side NOLA that shouldn’t go overlooked. In fact, one might call it downright spooky.
It’s known as one of the most haunted cities in America, and this week, by popular demand, we’re exploring the more spectral side of Summer Fridays…
To Do
Haunted History Tour
This walking tour will take you through some of New Orleans’ famous sites. Discover the history of famous restaurants and hotels, but with a darker twist.
Some places you might visit include:
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: known as one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter and named after pirate Jean Lafitte, who lived in NOLA in the 1800s and is rumored to still be seen
- Andrew Jackson Hotel: a former boarding school that reportedly caught on fire in the 1700s, then became the federal courthouse where then-General Andrew Jackson was charged with obstruction of justice
- Muriel's Restaurant: the former—and alleged current—home of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, who purchased, renovated and then lost the property in a game of poker in the early 1800s
To Taste
Commander’s Palace
Open since 1893, Commander’s Palace is another glimpse into NOLA’s past. The restaurant offers Haute Creole cuisine: traditional Creole cuisine that New Orleans is famous for, but with a modern twist.
And yes, the restaurant’s storied history also includes a spooky side of its own.
Most common are the stories of a young girl walking down the stairs, an unwelcoming presence in the women’s restroom, and personal stories from the Commander’s own staff. One reason for these tales might be the restaurant’s location, which is just across from the historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
To Spray
Gold+ Bold
The rich, spicy scent of Vanilla, Sandalwood and Patchouli is sure to keep you warm in New Orleans when the goosebumps threaten to take hold.
