Scared Stiff
We've got Voodoo, ghosts, beautiful weather in our "fake Fall," and a variety of fun Halloween themed events, including a Halloween parade called the Krewe of BOO!
Most importantly, we're really good at being scary, and that's aside from our weather, politics, and potholes.
Already a growing destination for escape rooms, with a ton of local haunted tours to choose from, New Orleans has been adding another category to the list—immersive scary experiences. These aren't just standard escape rooms or haunted houses. These are terrifying journeys offering thrills and chills from the moment you enter the premises to the second you're running out the exit door. These experiences are curated down to the last detail, and they'll make you think about them long after you head home, perhaps even as you're trying and failing to fall asleep.
The Mortuary, long known for turning a funeral home into a haunted house, continues to morph into a destination offering immersive experiences year round. This past spring, Tales of the Macabre took us through the mansion, room by terrifying room (with a specialty cocktail offering coordinated to each), and that was just the tip of the iceberg for what this establishment can do. This season, the Mortuary returns with their extremely popular haunted house, and the 2025 theme is "Origins of Evil."
Here's part of the description: "Before evil had a name, it had a beginning. Long before the monsters. Before the witches danced under the stars, before wolves howled at the cursed moons, before the dead refused to stay dead, there was a woman, and this is her story—the Queen of the Night." Origins of Evil had its grand opening to the public on Saturday, September 13. For date and time information, as well as ticketing, please visit themortuary.net/legend.
Speaking of old funeral homes, Delaporte Manor is also located in a former funeral home at 1152 Camp St. A new horror experience from the creators of Escape My Room, Delaporte Manor is part haunted house, part immersive theatre, and part escape room. Here's the story: A lonely child grieving the loss of her parents invites you to explore a world where antique toys stir in the shadows and every corridor hides chilling secrets in this life-sized dollhouse. Groups of up to eight guests will explore the mansion together every Thursday to Sunday in October, as well as a few select dates in November. Starting at $38, advanced tickets are required, and more information is available at delaportemanor.com.
According to owner and creator Andrew Preble, "Most haunted houses chase screams. We chase immersion. Delaporte Manor is a living, breathing narrative where the horror unfolds around and through you." It's "a place where every hallway is a set, and you're both actor and prey." Preble goes on to say, "I think people will love that this isn't just about jump scares. It's about stepping into a world that feels real. Delaporte Manor invites you to feel the story, not just walk through it." So do you dare step inside a house where dolls refuse to stay still and some visitors never leave?
Clue Carré will continue to offer some of their tried-and-true spooky escape room favorites: Revenge on the Bayou, Vampire Hunters, and Voodoo Cemetery. They also have the Fright Before Christmas, which is a family friendly game loosely based on The Nightmare Before Christmas, according to owner Megan Mouton. To book a Clue Carré escape room, you can visit their website at cluecarre.com or give them a call at 504-667-2583.
If you have a little time for a day trip, it's worth checking out the 13th Gate. Located at 800 St. Phillip St. in Baton Rouge, their escape rooms are continuously rated as some of the world's best with the most insane physical features, and the haunted house is supposedly even better. This Halloween, join them for "Séance," an immersive experience that blurs the line between theatre and terror. "Ancient rituals, restless spirits, and unsettling phenomena await those brave enough to make contact."
They also have the acclaimed regular haunted house, in addition to the Carnevil Haunted Midway across the street offering haunted games, five-minute escape games, sinister selfies, nightly entertainment, and free concerts on select nights. Even after the Haunted House is closed for the season, they'll still offer Flashlight Fright Nights November 7 and 8 for those who dare to explore it when it's gone dark. Tickets available at 13thgate.com.
Whether you're trying to escape an old mortuary or explore a cool haunt, we definitely have a lot of interesting and unparalleled choices in Louisiana—if you dare.
