10 Most Haunted Places in America – Spooky US Ghost Tours

Haunted Places in America | The veil between worlds seems thinnest in certain locations, where echoes of the past linger and spirits are said to walk among us. From former prisons to grand hotels, these American sites offer a spine-tingling glimpse into the supernatural.

1. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

History & Hauntings: Once a beacon of penal reform, Eastern State Penitentiary, operational from 1829 to 1971, was designed to inspire penitence in its inmates through solitary confinement. Its innovative, wagon-wheel design and individual cells with private exercise yards were considered revolutionary. However, the extreme isolation often led to mental breakdowns, driving many prisoners to madness. Notorious inmates like Al Capone were held here, and the prison’s grim history includes strict discipline, disease, and death.

Today, Eastern State Penitentiary is a haunting ruin, its decaying cell blocks and crumbling walls echoing with the tormented past. Visitors and paranormal investigators consistently report a wide range of phenomena:

• Shadow figures: Dark, fleeting apparitions are frequently seen darting through cell blocks and corridors.
• Disembodied voices: Whispers, screams, moans, and even maniacal laughter are heard from empty cells.
• Unexplained footsteps: The sound of heavy boots or shuffling feet can be heard in various areas, even when no one is present.
• Apparitions: Guards and inmates have reportedly been seen in their original uniforms, going about their spectral routines.
• Al Capone’s Cell: Even the infamous gangster Al Capone claimed to be haunted by a victim of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in his cell.

The sheer volume of human suffering contained within its walls seems to have left an indelible energetic imprint, making it a prime destination for paranormal enthusiasts.

2. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

History & Hauntings: Perched against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, The Stanley Hotel is a grand Colonial Revival hotel that opened in 1909. While its elegant facade suggests a peaceful retreat, it is famously known as the inspiration for Stephen King’s terrifying novel, The Shining. King himself stayed in room 217, where a vivid nightmare reportedly sparked the idea for his iconic horror story.

The hotel has a long-standing reputation for paranormal activity, with numerous guests and staff experiencing unsettling encounters:

• Room 217: The most famous room, where housekeeper Elizabeth Wilson was injured in a 1911 gas leak explosion, is a hotspot. Guests report objects moving, lights flickering, and sometimes feeling a presence tidying their belongings or sitting on the bed.
• Flora Stanley’s Piano: Flora Stanley, the wife of the hotel’s founder, F.O. Stanley, is said to still play the piano in the music room, with melodies heard even when no one is there.
• Children’s Laughter: Playful children’s voices and giggles are often heard in the ballroom and on the fourth floor, even though no children are present.
• Lord Dunraven: The hotel’s original owner, Lord Dunraven, is said to haunt room 401, where guests report items moving and feeling a cold presence.
• Phantom Guests and Staff: Apparitions of historical figures and former employees are frequently sighted throughout the hotel.

Its beautiful but isolated setting, combined with its literary fame, makes The Stanley Hotel an undeniably chilling and popular haunted destination.

3. The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

History & Hauntings: Once a majestic ocean liner that transported royalty, celebrities, and thousands of troops during WWII, the RMS Queen Mary now serves as a docked hotel, restaurant, and tourist attraction in Long Beach, California. Over its decades of service, the ship experienced numerous deaths, from accidents in the engine room to passengers succumbing to illness. Many believe these unfortunate souls never truly left the vessel.

With over 150 documented paranormal encounters, the Queen Mary is considered one of the most haunted places in America:

• Pool Area: The ship’s drained swimming pools are particularly active. The ghost of a young girl named Jackie, who drowned in the first-class pool, is often heard giggling and calling out, while wet footprints inexplicably appear.
• Engine Room: The spirit of a crew member, John Pedder, who was accidentally crushed to death by Door 13 in the engine room, is frequently reported. Visitors hear his cries and whistling.
• Cabin B340: This cabin is so notoriously haunted that it’s no longer rented out. Guests reported poltergeist activity, objects flying, and extreme cold spots.
• “The Lady in White”: A mysterious female apparition in a white gown is often seen dancing in the Queen’s Salon.
• Winston Churchill’s Presence: Some claim to smell cigar smoke in Churchill’s former stateroom, even though smoking is prohibited.

The sheer scale of the ship and the countless lives that passed through its decks contribute to its intense paranormal energy.

4. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky

History & Hauntings: Built in the early 20th century as a tuberculosis hospital, Waverly Hills Sanatorium has a dark and tragic history. The highly contagious and often fatal nature of tuberculosis meant that thousands of patients perished within its walls. Overcrowding, experimental treatments, and the sheer volume of death created an atmosphere of profound suffering, leaving a lasting imprint on the building.

Waverly Hills is widely regarded as one of the most paranormally active locations in the world:

• The “Body Chute”: A 500-foot tunnel was used to discreetly transport deceased patients to avoid alarming those still living. Many report seeing shadow figures and hearing desperate cries from within the tunnel.
• Room 502: This room is notorious for alleged suicides of nurses and is said to be haunted by a nurse who hanged herself and another who jumped to her death. Visitors report extreme cold, disembodied voices, and objects moving on their own.
• Children’s Ward: The spirits of children who died at the sanatorium are said to play in the halls, with reports of balls rolling on their own, distant laughter, and small, shadowy figures.
• Unexplained Noises: Eerie footsteps, disembodied whispers, screams, and groans are common throughout the sprawling facility.
• Shadow People: Dark, indistinct figures are frequently witnessed by those brave enough to explore the abandoned corridors.

The sheer suffering and death toll at Waverly Hills have cemented its reputation as a chilling hotspot for paranormal activity.

5. Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana

History & Hauntings: Nestled in the heart of Louisiana’s plantation country, Myrtles Plantation, built in 1796, is widely known as one of America’s most haunted homes. Its picturesque facade belies a history filled with murder, mystery, and tragedy, making it a hotbed for lingering spirits.

The plantation is said to be home to at least 12 distinct ghosts, with many more reported phenomena:

• Chloe: The most famous resident ghost is Chloe, a former slave who, according to legend, was hanged for poisoning the family. She is often seen wearing a green turban, peering into windows or wandering the grounds.
• Children’s Spirits: The spirits of children who died of yellow fever are reported to play in the house, with sounds of their laughter and footsteps.
• The Murder of William Winter: William Winter, a lawyer who was shot on the property, is said to crawl up the stairs before collapsing, leaving an impression of his struggle.
• The Mirror: A large, ornate mirror in the house is believed to contain the spirits of former residents, with apparitions and handprints appearing on its surface.
• Phantom Music: Guests and staff frequently report hearing phantom piano music and other unexplainable sounds.

The Myrtles Plantation offers a unique blend of Southern charm and chilling supernatural encounters, attracting visitors and ghost hunters alike.

6. The Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

History & Hauntings: “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one.” This infamous rhyme immortalizes the brutal 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, for which their daughter Lizzie was acquitted. The house where the gruesome killings took place is now a bed and breakfast, allowing brave guests to sleep in the very rooms where the events unfolded.

The Lizzie Borden House is permeated with a palpable sense of unease, and many visitors report chilling experiences:

• Disembodied Voices and Footsteps: Guests frequently hear female voices, whispers, and the distinct sound of footsteps in empty rooms, especially on the stairs.
• Apparitions: Shadowy figures and full-bodied apparitions, believed to be the spirits of Andrew and Abby Borden, are reported. Lizzie herself is also said to make appearances.
• Object Movement: Doors opening and closing on their own, and objects being moved or falling are common occurrences.
• Cold Spots: Sudden and unexplained drops in temperature are often experienced throughout the house, particularly in the murder rooms.
• Paranormal Activity in the Basement: The basement, where Andrew Borden was found, is said to be especially active, with reports of unseen hands touching visitors.

Staying at the Lizzie Borden House is not for the faint of heart, offering an immersive and often terrifying glimpse into one of America’s most enduring true crime mysteries.

7. Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California

History & Hauntings: “The Rock,” as Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was known, was an inescapable maximum-security prison from 1934 to 1963, housing some of America’s most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Its isolated location in San Francisco Bay, combined with the harsh conditions and frequent inmate deaths, has given rise to countless tales of hauntings.

Visitors and former guards have reported numerous paranormal incidents on the island:

• Cell Block D (The Hole): This disciplinary segregation unit was infamous for its extreme isolation and darkness. Inmates suffered immensely here, and visitors report feeling intense cold, hearing cries, and experiencing oppressive, negative energy.
• Disembodied Voices and Whispers: The sounds of men talking, screaming, and whispering are heard in empty cells and corridors.
• Cell 14D: This cell is particularly notorious, with claims of an unseen entity that causes extreme cold and a feeling of being watched.
• Phantom Sounds: Jingle of keys, clang of cell doors, and even spectral banjo music (reportedly from Al Capone’s cell) have been heard.
• Shadow Figures: Dark, fast-moving shadows are often seen throughout the cell blocks.

The concentrated anguish and isolation endured by thousands of inmates have left an undeniable imprint on Alcatraz, making it a truly chilling historic site.

8. Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

History & Hauntings: The site of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War in July 1863, Gettysburg witnessed the deaths of over 50,000 soldiers. The sheer scale of human loss and suffering during those three days has firmly established Gettysburg as one of the most intensely haunted locations in the United States. Many believe the spirits of fallen soldiers continue to roam the battleground, trapped between worlds.

Paranormal activity is rampant across the battlefield and in the surrounding town:

• Phantom Soldiers: Visitors frequently report seeing full-bodied apparitions of Civil War soldiers in period uniforms, often re-enacting moments of battle or simply standing sentinel.
• Disembodied Sounds: The sounds of cannon fire, musket shots, distant cries of battle, and even phantom drumbeats are often heard, particularly at dusk and dawn.
• Orbs and Mists: Unexplained light anomalies, including orbs of various colors, and misty figures are commonly captured in photographs and videos.
• Smell of Gunpowder and Blood: Some visitors report the faint, inexplicable smell of gunpowder or decaying flesh in certain areas.
• Feeling of Being Watched: Many describe an overwhelming sense of being observed or a feeling of unease in specific parts of the battlefield, such as Devil’s Den or Little Round Top.

Gettysburg is a poignant and deeply unsettling place, a testament to the enduring presence of those who perished in one of America’s defining conflicts.

9. Hotel Monte Vista, Flagstaff, Arizona

History & Hauntings: Opened in 1927, the Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff has a storied past, hosting numerous celebrities and even a few notorious figures. Its rich history includes Prohibition-era speakeasies and a reputation for unusual occurrences, earning it the title of “one of America’s most haunted hotels.”

The hotel is home to several well-known resident ghosts:

• The Phantom Bellboy: The ghost of a bellboy is said to knock on the door of Room 210 and announce “Room service!” even when no one is there. John Wayne himself reportedly encountered a ghost in his room in the early 1950s.
• The Dancing Couple: A phantom couple is often seen dancing in the cocktail lounge, only to vanish when approached.
• The “Meat Man”: In the hotel’s basement, the ghost of a former bank robber, who was injured and then bled to death in the hotel, is said to leave the smell of fresh meat.
• The Woman of Room 305: A woman who supposedly committed suicide in Room 305 is said to tamper with the television and other electronics.
• Child Spirits: Sounds of children running and playing are sometimes heard on the upper floors.

The Hotel Monte Vista offers a unique blend of vintage charm and spine-chilling encounters, making it a popular spot for those seeking a ghostly overnight stay.

10. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, West Virginia

History & Hauntings: This massive Gothic Revival asylum, operational from 1864 to 1994, was originally designed to house 250 patients but became severely overcrowded, eventually holding over 2,400 patients in deplorable conditions. Its history is rife with reports of inhumane treatments, experimental procedures, and countless deaths. The sheer despair and agony experienced by its former residents are believed to have left a powerful spiritual residue.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is a magnet for paranormal investigators and is renowned for its intense activity:

• Patient Apparitions: Visitors frequently report seeing the apparitions of former patients, sometimes interacting with them or simply observing from the shadows.
• “Lily” in the Children’s Ward: The spirit of a young girl named Lily is said to haunt the children’s ward, often communicating with guests and playing with toys left for her.
• Unexplained Sounds: Disembodied screams, whispers, moans, and the sounds of shuffling feet or chains dragging are common occurrences.
• Poltergeist Activity: Objects are reported to move on their own, and doors open and close mysteriously.
• Shadow Figures: Dark, oppressive shadow figures are frequently seen in various parts of the asylum, particularly in the lobotomy room and the civil war section.
• The Death Mask Room: This room, where patients were often restrained and subjected to extreme treatments, is particularly active, with reports of intense emotional energy and feelings of dread.

The sheer magnitude of human suffering endured within its walls has made the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum one of the most genuinely unsettling and paranormally active locations in the entire country.

Beyond the Veil: Why Do These Places Haunt Us?

The fascination with haunted places in America stems from a combination of factors. The rich, often tragic, history associated with these locations provides a compelling narrative. The suffering, violence, and despair that unfolded in these places seem to have left an energetic imprint, creating an environment ripe for paranormal phenomena.

Furthermore, the human desire to understand what lies beyond death plays a significant role. Visiting these sites allows people to confront their fears, explore the unknown, and perhaps even seek answers about the afterlife. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories and experiences from these haunted locations are undeniably captivating, drawing countless individuals to seek a thrill and a glimpse into the mysterious side of America.

For those eager to explore the supernatural, these ten locations offer some of the most compelling and chilling experiences in the United States. Just remember to bring your courage – and maybe a camera.