NEW ORLEANS
The newly restored Bourbon Orleans Hotel, located in the heart of the historic French Quarter, has announced the return of a special experience based on the many sightings of spirits at the iconic property over its centuries of existence.
Partnering with Gray Line Tours and the New Orleans Ghost Hunters, a weekend package of seminars, dinners, night time ghost hunts and haunted walking tours allows exploration of the French Quarter combined with some serious "boot camp" learning about paranormal activity.
A long-recognized center of ghost sightings in the city, the Bourbon Orleans has now embraced its position as one of the nation's preeminent haunted hotels, and is providing a special experience to visitors who have a hankering to meet a ghost. Perhaps it will be the ballroom dancing girl, seen in the historic Orleans "Quadroon" Ballroom at various times over the past two centuries or a confederate soldier from the period the hotel, a former convent that served as a hospital during the War of Northern Aggression (Civil War).
Although General Manager Mark Wilson carefully declines to promise any ghostly sighting, he does suggest that "with sufficient encouragements, guests have seen all kinds of things here in the heart of the quarter, between Saint Louis Cathedral and Bourbon Street. We describe it as being between Heaven and Hell. Sometimes those coming back from a night on the town feel that way too, but are always perked up after a good night's rest at the hotel."
Ghost Camp Details and Meeting Space
The weekend begins Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, with a welcome reception at May Baily's Place at sister property the Dauphine Orleans Hotel. May's was a brothel in the heady days up to and including Storyville, and May's sister Millie never left the place, becoming the "Lost Bride" of the Dauphine Orleans Hotel sometime in the last days of the 19th century. The bar's "Bordello Suite" is said to be haunted by her and other of May's girls.
Over the next days, local experts from the New Orleans Ghost Hunters team will provide serious seminars designed to give participants the tools they need to communicate with those who have yet to "cross over." Interspersed are a seance, a visit with the steamboat ghosts of the Mississippi aboard the Natchez - one of our nation’s last, real steam-powered paddle wheel steamers - and a ghost photography contest on the final morning, where participants can share their "findings" over brunch.
Full "Ghost Camp" registration is $500 per person, which includes most meals, seminars, tours and Gala Dinner. Rooms are available at the Bourbon Orleans starting at $179 per night for participants of the Ghost Camp. Selected events may also be purchased individually.
The property offers meeting space for about 300 attendees, including a spacious ballroom and charming cottage. Visit the hotel's website for more haunted history.
