AAA 2025 in New Orleans: GHOST TOUR

New Orleans is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States. According to Google, the city’s tumultuous history filled with tragedies like fires, hurricanes, yellow fever outbreaks, slavery, and violence, caused many to believe that restless spirits were left behind. Couple this with its unique above-ground cemeteries and strong voodoo culture to further enhance the city’s “haunted” reputation. It is thought by paranormal experts that the layers of suffering and loss in the city’s past are the reason for its ghostly lore.

Indeed, the graveyards of New Orleans are unique and this is due to the fact that the city actually rests below sea level. The high water table and its propensity for flooding make it ill-advised to bury a loved one below ground. In order to thwart the elements, above ground crypts (also called “oven crypts” because they resemble baking ovens) were first used in the early 19th century, and the physical presence of the tombs create a sense of the dead still among us. Given the warm weather and humid climate, early tombs were found to cause rapid body decay, leaving only the bones in about a year’s time, further adding to the haunted mystique of New Orleans. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is one of the oldest and perhaps most famous of the New Orleans cemeteries with an incredible history and display of artistic tombstones.

Another factor in the haunted reputation of The Big Easy is the presence of voodoo within the city. Originally from the region of present-day Nigeria, voodoo (which means “spirit” or “god”) was brought to America via the colonial slave trade. It spread to the Caribbean and is commonly practiced in Haiti even today. Voodoo practitioners believe that spirits inhabit the unseen world, and that humans are merely spirits who inhabit the visible world. Rituals that include dance, music, chanting, percussion, and snakes are used to connect with the unseen spirits. There are voodoo shops around the city that are open to the public, so enter if you dare!

To capitalize on the paranormal vibe of New Orleans, don’t miss the New Orleans Haunted and Voodoo PAC Tour scheduled for Thursday night of the conference from 7–9 pm. A separate ticket is required, so sign up right away if you haven’t already!  Your participation doubles as a donation to help support the PAC in all its important advocacy work for the field of audiology.

For details about all Academy events at the AAA 2025 conference, click here.