From abandoned prisons where tortured inmates still roam to hotels with permanent ghostly guests, America's haunted places offer spine-chilling encounters with the paranormal. These locations, steeped in tragic history and unexplained phenomena, continue to terrify visitors and paranormal investigators alike.
America's landscape is dotted with places where the veil between our world and the supernatural seems particularly thin. From historic buildings where tragic events unfolded to abandoned institutions with dark pasts, these haunted locations continue to chill the bones of even the most skeptical visitors. The paranormal activity reported at these sites ranges from disembodied voices and inexplicable cold spots to full-bodied apparitions and objects moving of their own accord.
Whether you're a dedicated ghost hunter or simply curious about the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding, these 13 haunted places across the United States offer compelling glimpses into the paranormal. Each location carries its own tragic history and unique supernatural phenomena that have been documented by countless witnesses over the years.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Eastern State Penitentiary operated from 1829 to 1971 and pioneered the "separate incarceration" system where prisoners lived in complete isolation. This psychological torture led many inmates to mental breakdown, and today, their tortured spirits are said to haunt the crumbling cellblocks.
Visitors and staff regularly report hearing eerie whispers, disembodied footsteps echoing down the corridors, and seeing shadowy figures darting between cells. Cell Block 12 is particularly notorious for paranormal activity, with many experiencing overwhelming feelings of dread and being watched by unseen eyes.
The penitentiary's most famous ghost is reportedly that of Al Capone, who was imprisoned there in 1929. Guards claimed to hear him conversing with someone in his cell, though he was kept in isolation. Today, visitors to his restored cell sometimes report feeling a cold presence or hearing phantom banjo music-Capone's favorite instrument.
The Stanley Hotel
The inspiration for Stephen King's "The Shining," the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, has earned its reputation as one of America's most haunted hotels. Built in 1909 by F.O. Stanley, founder of the Stanley Steamer automobile company, the hotel's paranormal activity began shortly after his death in 1940.
The most active area is reportedly the fourth floor, where staff and guests report hearing children laughing and running down the hallways when no children are present. Room 217, where King stayed and which inspired his novel, is said to be haunted by the hotel's former head housekeeper who was injured in an explosion there.
The hotel's grand ballroom often produces unexplained piano music, attributed to F.O. Stanley's wife Flora, who was an accomplished pianist. Guests frequently report seeing the apparition of F.O. Stanley himself in the lobby and bar, apparently still keeping watch over his beloved property.
Winchester Mystery House
This architectural oddity in San Jose, California, was built by Sarah Winchester, widow of rifle magnate William Winchester. Following the deaths of her husband and infant daughter, Sarah consulted a medium who told her she was cursed by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. The only way to appease them, supposedly, was to continuously build a house for them.
Construction continued 24 hours a day for 38 years until Sarah's death in 1922, resulting in a 160-room mansion with staircases leading to nowhere, doors opening to walls, and windows overlooking other rooms. The labyrinthine design was meant to confuse evil spirits.
Visitors report hearing footsteps in empty hallways, doors slamming shut, and cold spots throughout the house. Maintenance workers have reported tools disappearing and reappearing in different locations. The most commonly spotted apparition is Sarah herself, often seen in her bedroom or the front gardens, still overseeing construction of her never-ending project.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
During the tuberculosis epidemic of the early 20th century, Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky, saw thousands of deaths. The facility, which operated from 1910 to 1961, had its own morgue and a "death tunnel"-a body chute used to discreetly remove deceased patients without demoralizing others.
Room 502 is infamous for paranormal activity after a nurse allegedly hung herself there in 1928. Visitors report seeing shadowy figures, hearing disembodied screams, and feeling unseen hands touching them. Electronic voice phenomena (EVP) recordings have captured what sound like patients crying out for help.
Perhaps most disturbing are encounters with "the creeper," a dark entity that crawls along the floors and walls, leaving visitors feeling intense dread. The sanatorium's death tunnel is also highly active, with visitors reporting the sensation of being pushed by unseen forces while descending its steep passage.
The Queen Mary
Once a luxury ocean liner and now permanently docked in Long Beach, California, the Queen Mary is reportedly home to over 150 documented spirits. During its service as a passenger ship from 1936 to 1967, the vessel saw numerous deaths from drownings, a split boiler room, and a child drowning in the pool.
The ship's engine room is particularly active after a crew member was crushed to death by Door #13. Many visitors report hearing his screams and feeling cold spots near the door. The first-class swimming pool, closed for decades, continues to echo with the sounds of splashing and children's laughter.
Stateroom B340 is so notoriously haunted that for years the ship's hotel refused to rent it out. Guests reported bedsheets being pulled off, faucets turning on by themselves, and the ghost of a murdered purser appearing in the bathroom mirror.
The Myrtles Plantation
Built in 1796 near St. Francisville, Louisiana, the Myrtles Plantation has been called "one of America's most haunted homes." The most famous ghost is Chloe, a former slave who allegedly poisoned the plantation owner's family. Wearing a green turban to hide an ear her master had cut off as punishment, Chloe's apparition has been photographed numerous times.
Another frequently reported phenomenon involves a grand piano that plays by itself, repeating the same haunting melody. The plantation's notorious mirror is said to contain the trapped spirits of the poisoned family, whose handprints allegedly appear on the glass despite repeated cleaning.
Guests staying overnight at the plantation-turned-inn report furniture moving, children crying, and bedsheets being pulled off in the middle of the night. Many awaken to find themselves locked out of their rooms, with keys mysteriously missing or moved.
Villisca Ax Murder House
On June 10, 1912, eight people-including six children-were brutally murdered in their sleep in this unassuming white frame house in Villisca, Iowa. The killer was never identified, and the house has since become a focal point for paranormal activity.
Visitors report hearing children's voices, laughter, and crying throughout the house. Objects move on their own, and doors open and close without explanation. Many experience the sensation of being watched or followed as they move through the rooms.
Those brave enough to spend the night often report being awakened by the sounds of children playing in the empty house or feeling invisible hands touching them. Several paranormal investigation teams have captured EVPs of children asking for help or pleading with an unknown entity to "stop."
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
This imposing Gothic structure in Weston, West Virginia, operated from 1864 to 1994. Originally designed to house 250 patients, it eventually held as many as 2,400 in severely overcrowded and inhumane conditions. Thousands died within its walls from disease, mistreatment, and failed experimental procedures.
The most haunted area is reportedly the fourth floor, where violent patients were housed. Visitors describe being scratched, pushed, and having their hair pulled by unseen forces. Apparitions of former patients are frequently spotted wandering the halls or staring out windows.
One of the most commonly encountered spirits is a little girl named Lily, who reportedly died in the asylum at age nine. Visitors often bring toys for her to play with, only to find them moved to different locations. Her disembodied giggle has been captured in numerous audio recordings.
Gettysburg Battlefield
The site of the Civil War's bloodiest battle, where approximately 50,000 soldiers died over three days in July 1863, Gettysburg in Pennsylvania is considered one of the most haunted battlefields in the world. Soldiers' apparitions are frequently spotted across the 6,000-acre battlefield, particularly near Little Round Top and Devil's Den.
Visitors report hearing phantom cannon fire, drums, and the screams of wounded soldiers, especially around the anniversary of the battle. The smell of gunpowder inexplicably fills the air in areas where no reenactments are taking place.
The Sachs Covered Bridge, used by both Union and Confederate troops during the battle, is particularly active. Three Confederate soldiers were hanged there for desertion, and many visitors report seeing their apparitions or feeling a rope-like pressure around their necks when crossing the bridge.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Standing sentinel over America's oldest city since 1874, the St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida has accumulated numerous ghost stories. The most famous involves the daughters of Hezekiah Pity, the construction superintendent. In 1873, the girls drowned when a cart they were playing in broke and slid into the water during lighthouse construction.
Visitors frequently report hearing children's laughter and seeing a small girl in a blue dress standing on the catwalk. The lighthouse keeper's quarters are also said to be haunted by a former keeper who still maintains his watch, with the smell of cigar smoke sometimes permeating the rooms.
Lighthouse staff and guests have witnessed tools moving by themselves and doors slamming shut. Many report feeling unseen hands on the lighthouse's 219 steps, particularly near the top where several keepers fell to their deaths over the years.
Bachelor's Grove Cemetery
Despite its small size and remote location near Chicago, Bachelor's Grove Cemetery has earned a reputation as one of America's most haunted graveyards. Abandoned since the 1960s and frequently vandalized, the cemetery has generated over 100 documented reports of paranormal activity.
The most famous ghost is the "White Lady" or "Madonna of Bachelor's Grove," a woman in a white dress who wanders the cemetery holding an infant on moonlit nights. In 1991, a member of the Ghost Research Society captured what became one of the most famous ghost photographs of all time-a semi-transparent woman sitting on a gravestone.
Other phenomena include a phantom farmhouse that appears and disappears, a ghostly farmer and his plow horse who were reportedly drowned in a nearby pond, and the spirits of monks who drift among the tombstones. Many visitors report feeling extreme temperature drops and seeing orbs of light hovering over graves.
The Crescent Hotel
Built in 1886 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Crescent Hotel has a particularly dark chapter in its history. In the late 1930s, it became a hospital run by Norman Baker, a charlatan who claimed to have a cure for cancer. Many patients died under his care before he was exposed as a fraud with no medical training.
Room 218 is considered the most haunted after a stonemason named Michael fell to his death there during construction. Guests report seeing his apparition, feeling their bed shake, and hearing strange noises from the ceiling. The ghost of a nurse pushing a gurney is frequently spotted on the third floor.
Perhaps most disturbing is the hotel's basement, once Baker's morgue, where visitors report feeling nauseous and lightheaded. The apparition of Baker himself, dressed in a purple shirt and white suit, has been seen walking the halls and standing at the foot of guests' beds in the middle of the night.
The Whaley House
Designated as an official haunted house by the U.S. Commerce Department, the Whaley House in San Diego, California, was built in 1857 on the site of a former gallows. The first documented ghost was "Yankee Jim" Robinson, who was hanged there before the house was built and whose heavy footsteps are often heard throughout the property.
Thomas Whaley, the original owner, is frequently seen on the upper landing, while his wife Anna has been spotted in various rooms. Their daughter Violet, who committed suicide after a painful divorce, is often sensed in the house by her lavender perfume and the sound of her weeping.
Visitors report hearing a phantom ball bouncing down the stairs (attributed to the ghost of a Whaley child) and seeing the family's ghostly dog running through the halls. The house's former courtroom is particularly active, with the sounds of a gavel pounding and murmuring voices when the room is empty.
Frequently Asked Questions About 13 Most Terrifying Haunted Places Across America You Shouldn't Visit Alone
Are these places open to the public for ghost hunting?
Most of these locations offer some form of public access, though regulations vary widely. The Myrtles Plantation, Stanley Hotel, and Crescent Hotel operate as hotels where you can stay overnight. Eastern State Penitentiary, Waverly Hills, and Trans-Allegheny offer guided ghost tours. Others like Gettysburg Battlefield have public areas accessible during daylight hours. Always check official websites for current visiting policies and whether special permits are required for paranormal investigations.
What is the best time of year to visit haunted places?
Fall, particularly October, is traditionally considered the best time for paranormal activity as the veil between worlds is said to thin near Halloween. However, anniversary dates of tragic events at specific locations often produce increased activity. For example, Gettysburg experiences more phenomena around July 1-3 (battle anniversary), while the Villisca Ax Murder House is particularly active around June 10.
What should I bring to a haunted location?
Besides ghost hunting equipment like EMF meters and recorders, bring practical items: flashlights with extra batteries, first aid kit, water, appropriate footwear for potentially uneven surfaces, and layered clothing (haunted locations often have temperature fluctuations). Most importantly, bring respect-these places have tragic histories and many investigators believe disrespectful behavior can provoke negative experiences.
Which location has the most credible documentation of paranormal activity?
Eastern State Penitentiary and Waverly Hills Sanatorium have some of the most extensively documented paranormal evidence, with thousands of EVP recordings, photos, and consistent witness accounts over decades. The Queen Mary's hauntings are also well-documented, with the ship's management maintaining records of paranormal reports since the 1960s. Gettysburg's phenomena have been consistently reported since the battle itself ended in 1863.
Have any scientific studies been conducted at these locations?
Several locations, particularly Eastern State Penitentiary, Waverly Hills, and the Queen Mary, have hosted controlled scientific investigations using equipment like infrared cameras, environmental monitoring, and controlled EVP sessions. The Rhine Research Center and other parapsychological organizations have conducted studies at Gettysburg. While these studies haven't provided conclusive proof of ghosts by scientific standards, they've documented unexplained phenomena that correlate with reported haunting patterns.
Are there any safety concerns when visiting these haunted places?
Physical safety concerns often outweigh supernatural ones. Many historic haunted locations have deteriorating structures, uneven floors, poor lighting, and potential hazards like asbestos in older buildings. Always stay with guided tours where required, follow safety instructions, and never trespass on closed properties. Some visitors report feeling physically drained after visits, so having a designated driver who remains outside during investigations is advisable.
