America is full of spooky destinations that are perfect for thrill-seekers and those who love eerie tales. These haunted sites around the U.S. offer unforgettable experiences for those drawn to the supernatural. Whether you’re visiting as a skeptic or a believer, each location’s chilling history and haunting atmosphere are sure to leave a lasting impression. From historic haunted hotels to eerie asylums, here are 20 of the scariest places you can visit in the U.S., complete with backstories, highlights, and tips for an unforgettable experience.
Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Details: Once home to notorious criminals like Al Capone, this prison is known for its haunted cells and chilling atmosphere. Closed in 1971, it’s famous for reported ghost sightings and eerie cellblocks.
Tip: Visit during Halloween for their “Terror Behind the Walls” event.
Carol M. Highsmith
The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Details: Inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining, this grand hotel is famous for ghost sightings, especially in room 217.
Tip: Book a haunted history tour and stay overnight in one of the reportedly haunted rooms.
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Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia
Details: Opened in the 1800s, this asylum was home to overcrowded and mistreated patients. Now a hotbed for paranormal investigators.
Tip: Join one of their ghost hunts, which range from daytime tours to overnight investigations.
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Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
Details: This bizarre mansion was built continuously for 38 years, featuring staircases to nowhere and endless hallways. Rumor has it Sarah Winchester was trying to appease the ghosts of those killed by her family’s rifles.
Tip: The Friday the 13th flashlight tours add an extra layer of fright.
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St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – New Orleans, Louisiana
Details: The oldest cemetery in New Orleans is the final resting place of voodoo queen Marie Laveau. Known for its above-ground tombs and paranormal sightings.
Tip: Guided tours are recommended, as the cemetery is only accessible with a tour guide for safety.
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The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
Details: Known as one of America’s most haunted homes, the Myrtles Plantation is said to be haunted by several spirits, including a former slave named Chloe.
Tip: Stay overnight in one of the guest rooms and explore the grounds after dark.
Bogdan Oporowski
Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Louisville, Kentucky
Details: A former tuberculosis hospital, it is believed to be haunted by former patients. The “body chute” used to dispose of bodies is especially eerie.
Tip: Book a spot on an overnight ghost tour for a full haunted experience.
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Salem Witch House – Salem, Massachusetts
Details: The only structure in Salem directly connected to the witch trials of 1692, this house belonged to a judge who sentenced many alleged witches.
Tip: Visit during October for the Halloween festivities in Salem.
Rachel Christ
The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
Details: This retired ocean liner is reportedly haunted by former passengers, including a “lady in white” and children’s ghosts.
Tip: Take the evening ghost tour for a spine-chilling experience on the ship.
Barbara Redding
Bell Witch Cave – Adams, Tennessee
Details: Site of the famous Bell Witch haunting, where an entity terrorized the Bell family in the early 1800s.
Tip: Go on a guided cave tour and explore the legend of the Bell Witch.
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Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts
Details: This is the infamous location where Lizzie Borden was accused of ax-murdering her parents in 1892. Now a bed and breakfast, guests report hearing voices and seeing apparitions.
Tip: Stay overnight to experience the full atmosphere. The B&B offers an eerie murder mystery dinner.
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Gettysburg Battlefield – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Details: This historic Civil War battlefield is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of fallen soldiers.
Tip: Evening ghost tours take you through some of the most haunted spots on the battlefield.
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Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery – Midlothian, Illinois
Details: Known for paranormal sightings, including mysterious lights and ghostly figures, this small cemetery near Chicago is notoriously haunted.
Tip: Visit in the early evening to catch glimpses of the eerie orbs and strange figures.
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Bodie Ghost Town – Bodie, California
Details: This abandoned gold mining town is perfectly preserved in a state of “arrested decay,” with rumors of hauntings in its historic structures.
Tip: Visit around dusk to feel the eerie quiet of the deserted town.
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Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, California
Details: Formerly a high-security prison, Alcatraz is believed to be haunted by former inmates. The cells and hallways echo with mysterious sounds and sightings.
Tip: The night tour adds an extra layer of fear as you explore the infamous prison in low light.
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The Whaley House – San Diego, California
Details: Built on a former execution ground, this house is said to be one of the most haunted in America, with ghost sightings going back to the 1800s.
Tip: Night tours delve into the ghostly legends and reported encounters.
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Villisca Axe Murder House – Villisca, Iowa
Details: The site of a gruesome, unsolved 1912 murder, this house is believed to be haunted by the victims.
Tip: Stay overnight if you dare—many visitors report chilling experiences.
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Hotel Monte Vista – Flagstaff, Arizona
Details: Known for its haunted rooms, especially Room 305, where guests have reported eerie sightings and sounds.
Tip: Book a stay in one of the haunted rooms and take a self-guided ghost tour of the hotel.
routemagazine
Old Charleston Jail – Charleston, South Carolina
Details: This jail held Civil War prisoners and notorious criminals, and visitors report sightings of restless spirits.
Tip: Evening ghost tours delve into the dark history of this haunted prison.
Liz Banfield
The Ridges – Athens, Ohio
Details: Once a mental asylum, the building’s history of overcrowding and mistreatment has led to ghostly tales, including a patient’s body outline still visible on the floor.
Tip: Explore the grounds, especially the old cemetery, but keep in mind that trespassing in restricted areas is not allowed.
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