If you live in south Louisiana, you’ve heard the rumors about The Myrtles. It bills itself as one of America’s most haunted homes. We recently made the drive up to St. Francisville to see if it actually lives up to the hype.
To be clear: this is not a Halloween production with teenagers jumping out of closets. It’s a beautifully preserved 1796 historic home that just happens to have a very long, highly documented history of strange things happening. Whether you believe in ghosts or just want an excuse to get out of the house for the day, here is how to tackle it with kids.
Is it actually scary?
If you take the standard daytime tour like we did, no. Honestly, I spent half the time just looking at the antebellum architecture. Everything is bright and sunny, and the experience feels like a standard historical walk-through that heavily leans into creepy lore. You’ll hear about the infamous hallway mirror where a woman’s profile supposedly refuses to wash off.
That said, the weirdness is real. I have a friend who spent the night here and lost an earring—which is exactly one of the things the guides warn you might happen—and she even found “orbs” in the photos she took during broad daylight. If you want to actually be scared, book one of the evening mystery tours.
The Logistics
The actual guided tour inside the house is surprisingly short. You walk through about six rooms on the first floor, listen to the history, and then you are sent outside with a map to roam the sprawling grounds on your own.
Because the structured part is brief and fast-paced, it’s a highly digestible dose of history for older kids who don’t have the patience for a three-hour museum crawl. Plus, the massive courtyard gives them plenty of room to burn off energy before you get back on the interstate.
The Food
Usually, restaurants attached to tourist attractions are an overpriced trap. Restaurant 1796, which is located right on the property, is the exact opposite. We grabbed a table after we finished wandering the grounds, and it was genuinely fantastic. The menu is built around a massive wood-fired hearth, and the vibe is great. It completely elevates the trip from a quick history tour to a really solid afternoon out. It is a popular spot for locals, so if you’re going on a weekend, it doesn’t hurt to make a reservation.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 7747 US-61, St. Francisville, LA 70775
- Cost: $20 adults, $15 kids (Day tours)
- Drive: 1.5 hours
- The Catch: The ghost stories told by the guides explicitly involve murder, poisoning, and a mistress. It isn’t told in a gory way, but it is absolutely PG-13 material. It’s a fantastic trip for a middle schooler, but you will be fielding some awkward questions on the ride home if you bring a 7-year-old.
