Myrtles Plantation is one of the “most haunted homes in America.” If you believe in ghosts like I do, it’s a must see.

Before visiting Myrtles Plantation, I would have described myself as a fair-weather-fan type of ghost believer. However, having now toured the home, I don’t just believe in ghosts – I know they’re real and that quite a few are trapped in the rooms, stairwells, mirrors and halls of this Louisiana antebellum home.

Unlike most historic mansions, Myrtles Plantation isn’t stuffy. Entering up its curving drive, the home’s wide porches, key lime green shutters and idle Spanish moss give the house a very welcoming feel. But, we couldn’t shake the stillness of the grounds the day we visited.

It’s a hard feeling to ignore, stillness. The unease was amplified by the tree cover, so thick that the shade was more like shadows reaching toward the roof. Each limb stretched out as a long black streak, and the trees seemed unwilling to grow close to the building. In all those branches, I don’t think I heard — or saw — a single bird.

We joined a small tour and entered into the bottom section of the house. Maybe all the historic homes in Louisiana are locked tight, but I didn’t notice any of other guides remaining so fastidious about bolting the doors and rooms as soon as we passed through them. It was almost as if to ensure the secrets of the house stayed within its walls.

Our guide was in a full hoop skirt with black lace neck-to-floor. There was no drawl in her speech; she trotted through story after story, murder after murder that plagued the house for hundreds of years as if she knew she would be able to leave the house again only once its story was told.

In total, we were escorted through six rooms, each rich in family and cultural history. Strung between the stories of life and death were interesting notes about the construction and upkeep of the house since its creation in the 1790s. The intricate crown molding, coal-burning fireplaces and chandeliers (one of which is 300 pounds) set the tone of the tour and only added to the mystery and intrigue of the building itself.

Having come to learn of the supernatural aspects of Myrtles Plantation, one of the highlights was the parlor mirror. Scarred with potentially otherworldly shapes and imprints like faces and hands, we were told that the very large mirror, despite repeated cleanings and resilverings, retains the mysterious outlines.

The tour wrapped up without a spectral sighting. However, our final stop was a photo exhibit that showcased ghost photographs with a story that to me was believable as fact. The guide shared three images of the ghost named Chloe — clear as day. The story itself is very convincing, but it is one you need to hear from the black-lace-lady yourself.

Myrtles Plantation is one of the best historic home tours I’ve ever experienced. It’s succinct and varied, which makes the tour a fresh, fun trip through an admittedly pockmarked history. If you are open to seeing ghosts and learning even more about the house’s haunted history, I’d suggest doing more than stopping by. You can spend the night there, and it’s now officially on my must-stay-bucket-list.

This content was produced in partnership with Louisiana Travel and Travel Mindset.