Myrtles Plantation

The Myrtles is the plantation that Louisiana ghost lovers know by name. Built in 1796 by General David Bradford, the house sits among old oaks and crepe myrtles in St. Francisville, and its gallery, with lacy ironwork and deep porches, looks exactly like the spooky Southern house of fiction. The evening mystery tour takes you inside after dark, with a guide who tells the legends: stories of a woman in a green turban, mirrors that seem to hold images and footsteps on staircases. The house has been featured in television programs and books about the paranormal, and it markets itself on that reputation. Not every tale is verified, and good guides separate documented history from folklore. You will also hear about the families who lived here, the Civil War era and the enslaved people whose labor sustained the plantation.

The tour is atmospheric more than frightening. Expect dim rooms, creaking floors, candlelit corners and a guide who enjoys a pause before a punch line. Evening is also the pleasant time to see the grounds, when the heat has eased and the oaks look best in the low light. The property also operates as an inn, so some guests stay overnight in the main house or in separate cottages, and there is a restaurant on site.

For a day trip from Baton Rouge, schedule an early arrival in St. Francisville, spend the afternoon at Rosedown and Oakley, have dinner in town and finish with the Myrtles tour. The drive back to the city takes roughly forty-five minutes, and the road is well lit in the main stretches. If you want to stay in the area, consider a room at the inn or in town.

To get the best experience, arrive a little early to walk the grounds before the tour begins, when the light is soft and the porches look their most photogenic. Dress for the weather, since part of the tour is outdoors, and keep a phone or camera ready if you want to try your luck with photographs.

Ask the guide how the legends developed and what historians have found, because the best guides are happy to separate documented facts from entertaining stories. The property's long history includes families, wartime events and the lives of enslaved people, and a thoughtful tour acknowledges them.

If you enjoy atmosphere, consider dinner at the on-site restaurant before the tour or a night at the inn afterward. Skeptics often enjoy the evening as much as believers, because the architecture, the oaks and the storytelling are good in their own right. If you are traveling with a group, ask about private or larger group arrangements, which can be easier to schedule than a single seat on a busy night and may allow a more relaxed pace.