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Quick Trip: Discover haunted New Orleans

A female bartender of an other-worldly nature. A dark-haired male spirit who wanders in a courtyard. A bit strange for some places.

Not all that out of the ordinary for New Orleans and its French Quarter. The city is said to be one of the most haunted in the nation and the French Quarter seems to be some ghosts' location of choice.

One hotel there isn't ashamed to say that it may have more than its share of ghostly residents and guests.

The hauntings reported at the Dauphine Orleans range from Civil War soldiers to "ladies of the evening." Their presence might be explained by the fact that the hotel bar, May Baily's Place, once was a bordello in the red-light district known as Storyville.

A team of female paranormal investigators recently visited the hotel and found "higher than average paranormal activity in May Baily's." Among the legends the investigators explored was the story of a woman's spirit who rearranges the bottles in the bar at night. Another was that of a male spirit wearing a military uniform who makes his way through the courtyard.

In fact, the courtyard seems to be a very popular place with ghosts. Over the years guests have said that they caught a lightning-fast glimpse of a woman dancing across the area.

Most of the guests and the hotel personnel take the stories of sightings with good humor.

In fact, one hotel spokesperson said he intends to "continue to investigate the paranormal phenomenon recorded at the Dauphine Orleans in the hopes of unveiling more psychic echoes from the past, particularly our former female residents."

And if guests should miss the ghosts in this spot, there are plenty of other opportunities to catch a glimpse of a visitor from the other side. The Dauphine Orleans is located in the heart of the French Quarter, just blocks from many other locales that have reported hauntings - the French Opera House, the LaLaurie Mansion, the Beauregard-Keyes House and St. Louis Cathedral.

The hotel recently completed a total renovation of guest rooms and public spaces. Because some people believe that renovation or change "stirs up" spirits, the Dauphine Orleans might just be the Halloween hot spot this year.

To get into the mood for the upcoming haunting holiday, the hotel is launching its "Haunted Hotel" package this month.

Lynn Edge is author of three books on travel in Alabama as well as other books. E-mail her at quicktrips@bellsouth.net

THE DETAILS

The Haunted Hotel package includes a two-night stay at the hotel, two tickets to the Ghosts & Spirits Nighttime Walking Tour, continental breakfast daily, welcome cocktail for two and beignets and beverages for two at Cafe Du Monde. The price is $369.

The Ghosts & Spirits Nighttime Walking Tour is conducted by Gray Line Tours. It visits several haunted sites, recounting stories featured on The History Channel and The Discovery Channel. It also explores the "singing rain" legend of the French Quarter and a chance to meet the ghosts that inhabit Bourbon Orleans Hotel, formerly a theater, a ballroom, an orphanage and a convent. Two pieces of advice - bring your camera and wear comfortable walking shoes.

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to New Orleans, take I-20 West/59 South to I-59 South. Take I-59 South to I-10. Take I-10 West to New Orleans. Getting to the Dauphin Orleans, located at 415 Dauphine St., from I-10 can be a little tricky. The best way is to take Exit 235A (Orleans/Vieux Carre). At the end of the ramp, turn left at the light onto Orleans Avenue. Stay on Orleans (you'll go back under I-10) until you reach a "U-turn."

This will be just before St. Louis Street and there will be a sign that reads "N. Rampart via Toulouse." Make the U-turn. This will put you on Basin Street. Merge into the right lane and turn right onto Toulouse. Go three blocks and turn right onto Dauphine. The hotel is two blocks down on the right. It is about 345 miles from Birmingham.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

About the Dauphine Orleans, call 800-521-7111 or go to www.dauphineorleans.com. About New Orleans, call 800-672-6124 or go to www.neworleansonline.com.