"A Haunted Plantation which is Hauntingly Beautiful" Myrtle Grove Plantation by LaurenAnita

After you pass through the gates declaring the name of the plantation, you drive through a beautiful winding lane, lined by wild oaks. Oak Alley has some breathtaking grounds as far as plantations go, but Myrtle Plantation, known more for its haunted history, gives it a run for its money.

Aside from the trees, the home itself is beautiful- and according to popular rumor, any photo you take may turn up with ghosts inside. I didn't take the history tour, but from what I've gleaned, the slave who worked at the plantation poisoned the children with oleander, and has shown up in a picture the current owner took of the property. Magazines such as Nat Geo even sent experts in to examine the photo hoping to myth bust, but the photo has not been debunked- in fact, aspects of the ghostly figure have given credence to the paranormal suspicions.

the haunted mirror at the Myrtle Plantation

Also on the grounds, enjoy the gift shop, and the pagoda surrounded by a small pond, very scenic. Tours are available, including special Halloween events centered around the supernatural. I cannot remember the exact price, I suppose you could to go their website for a detailed description...

Photos are not allowed inside, with the exception inside the foyer- of the haunted mirror. According to antebellum custom, whenever there was a death, all of the mirrors in the house were covered up. Back in those days, there were no such things as funeral parlors, and bodies were kept inside the home until the time of burial. The spirits would escape the bodies and wonder away, but if the mirrors were not covered, the spirits may become trapped inside the mirrors forever.

The mirror inside the plantation is considered so spectacular because although the face has been changed many times, the same ghostly stains appear on it every night.

As I said, I don't know a lot of the history- it is a very interesting story, probably very easy to google ;)

Gazebo on the grounds of the Myrtle Plantation

Seeing plantations and exploring Louisiana does not have to be so expensive; once you've seen the inside of most plantations, you've seen them all, though the Myrtle Plantation has the niche for the haunting ;) Like I said, a great tour, great tour guides- but if you're strapped for cash, just come to stroll these gorgeous grounds- for free.

Oak Alley is known for its amazing lanes of wild Oaks, but the drive into this plantation is not dull itself. A winding road is lined with these fabulous trees- and the little gazebo is very pleasant on a nice day.

• Pros:Gorgeous, with a famous historical horror story behind it- guides are knowledgable, grounds are beautiful.
• Cons:Off of a busy road, sometimes hard to access
• In a nutshell:Hauntingly beautiful ;)