The Mortuary or New Orleans Nightmare

Question

We have been to The Mortuary haunted house twice and each year we love it (each year it’s different). I just found out that there is a second haunted house in Nola called New Orleans Nightmare. Could anyone recommend one over the other? I am bringing my two daughters this year and I can’t decide which one to visit.

Answer

Both The Mortuary and New Orleans Nightmare are fantastic haunted houses, but they offer different experiences, and the choice depends on what kind of experience you're looking for. Since you've already been to The Mortuary twice, you’re familiar with the thrill it provides, so I’ll give you a rundown of both attractions to help you decide which one might be the best fit for your family this year.

The Mortuary Haunted House is a local favorite and has been a staple in New Orleans for years. It’s known for its large, elaborate sets, interactive scare zones, and ever-changing themes. Every year, they change up the design and storyline, so even if you’ve been before, there’s always something new to experience. The Mortuary is housed in an actual, historic building (a former funeral home), which gives it an authentic, eerie vibe. It’s also one of the larger haunted houses in New Orleans, with multiple rooms and levels of scares. If you and your daughters enjoy a big, theatrical experience with detailed sets and a mix of jump scares, The Mortuary is a great choice. It’s more immersive and typically has a variety of scare actors, so it’s very hands-on and intense. That said, it can be a little more "scary" and intense for younger children, so keep that in mind if your daughters are sensitive to that type of experience.

New Orleans Nightmare is another exciting option and a bit newer to the scene compared to The Mortuary. It’s located in a different part of the city and features a series of themed haunted houses that are also known for their creativity. One standout feature of New Orleans Nightmare is its "haunted attractions," which include several smaller experiences within the main event, such as a haunted forest and a clown house. They focus heavily on the atmosphere and immersive experiences. The scares are a bit more personal and direct, with actors who are trained to give chase, grab you, or engage with you more closely. They also tend to lean more into dark humor and psychological horror, so it might be slightly less intense in terms of traditional "jump scares," but still very unsettling. New Orleans Nightmare is also known for its elaborate special effects, which might appeal if your daughters are more into those kinds of thrills rather than pure frights.

The Mortuary: Best for a large, traditional haunted house experience with a mix of set design, scares, and a wide variety of actors. It’s intense and thrilling, perfect if you enjoy big, dramatic haunted houses.
New Orleans Nightmare: Offers a slightly more interactive and varied experience with several mini haunted attractions. It’s a bit less intense but more focused on atmosphere, and it might be a bit less scary for younger or more sensitive children.
Intensity: If your daughters enjoy more intense, dramatic scares, The Mortuary might be the better choice. If they are more into quirky or psychological thrills, New Orleans Nightmare could be a fun, slightly less frightening option.

Given that you’re bringing your daughters, I’d recommend considering their preferences when it comes to scares. If they love big, scary haunted houses and are up for a thrilling, immersive experience, The Mortuary might be the way to go. If they prefer a variety of scares and more interactive, fun experiences without too much intensity, New Orleans Nightmare could be the better option.

Ultimately, both attractions are great, and both will give you a fun, spooky time in New Orleans. Either way, you’re in for a memorable experience!