Step into the haunted history of New Orleans with a guided ghost tour at the Pharmacy Museum. Discover eerie tales and artifacts from a bygone era—perfect for October’s spooky season.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
No special fitness level required; comfortable walking needed
Wildlife
History
Established in 1823, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is a National Historic Landmark that played a pivotal role in medical practices before modern pharmaceuticals. Its haunted reputation has grown from stories passed down through generations.
Conservation
The museum actively promotes preservation of historical artifacts and aims to maintain its haunted ambiance responsibly, contributing to local heritage tourism.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Step into the haunted history of New Orleans with a guided ghost tour at the Pharmacy Museum. Discover eerie tales and artifacts from a bygone era—perfect for October’s spooky season.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum interprets the history of pharmacy and medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, through guided tours, seasonal events, and curated exhibits. Located in the French Quarter, the museum offers floor-by-floor access including first-floor displays, a courtyard, and second-floor exhibitions that explore 19th-century remedies and medical practices.
Visitors can book standard guided tours that examine historical treatments — leeches, opium, potions — and learn about local figures and sites tied to medical and herbal traditions. The museum hosts limited-time, themed experiences in October, such as Mostly Ghostly, a ghost-focused guided tour that blends medical history with reported hauntings, and The Spirited Salon, an after-hours program featuring stories, refreshments, and themed costumes.
The Magic of Medicine tour expands interpretation beyond the building to nearby historic sites, including the home of America’s first licensed pharmacist and streets associated with herbalist Marie Laveau. Community engagement includes annual fundraising and preservation events. The museum’s Viva Las Vegas fundraiser celebrates the institution’s 75th anniversary with a casino-themed evening of gaming, a live auction, food, and drink. Ticketed programs, timed entries, and special events are available for advance reservation.
Explanatory labels, period artifacts on display, and guided narration help contextualize 19th-century remedies and cultural practices. The museum emphasizes education, historic interpretation, and preservation while offering visitors a range of experiences from daytime guided tours to seasonal and fundraising events.
Trained staff and docents provide narrated tours rooted in documented sources, and the museum encourages advance reservations to manage capacity and protect fragile artifacts for future visitors and educational outreach.
Location
New Orleans, LA
In the heart of the French Quarter
Seasonal Events
October seasonal
Limited-time Halloween experiences
Anniversary
75 years
Celebrated at the Viva Las Vegas fundraiser
Tours Offered
5 experiences
Guided tours, special events, and fundraisers
Book guided tours, October ghost walks, The Spirited Salon, The Magic of Medicine, or the Viva Las Vegas fundraiser — limited availability, reserve in advance.
Arrive early
Get there at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour to secure your spot and get comfortable.
Dress warmly
October evenings can be cool; bring a light jacket or sweater.
Bring a flashlight
A small flashlight helps illuminate dark corners and enhances the spooky experience.
Respect the ghosts
Listen attentively and behave quietly to fully enjoy the supernatural stories.
Comfortable walking shoes
Necessary for exploring the historic building comfortably and safely.
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Light jacket or sweater
Provides warmth during cooler October evenings.
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Small flashlight
Helps illuminate dark areas and adds to the spooky ambiance.
Notebook or phone for notes
Optional for jotting down favorite stories or images.