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Murder documentaries, terrifying disappearances, and haunted stories have become the new normal for the average thrill seeker. But can you visit these haunted places in the U.S. in real life?
The answer is yes. We’ve found 15 of the most haunted places in the U.S. If you’re a thrill seeker, you’ll want to add these to your must-visit list. Most locations on this list offer guided tours that allow visitors to experience the paranormal firsthand, while others remain eerily abandoned.
These places aren’t just haunted. Some are rich in culture, history, and architecture. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
1. Thomas House Hotel — Tennessee
This architectural brick masterpiece in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, had its fair share of fires back in the day. The original structure, built in 1890, was burned to the ground in 1924. The infamous fire, along with other deaths within the hotel, has earned it a reputation for being very haunted.
None of the locals are surprised by the dark figures and noises in the hotel. Some visitors even claim to feel their beds moving at night.
2. Red Ash Cemetery — Tennessee
Located in Caryville, this cemetery is one of the most haunted locations in Tennessee. At night, spirits supposedly wander around the graveyard. Many believe the ghosts are the deceased locals of Red Ash, a former coal town.
At night, visitors report hearing the sounds of women crying and seeing haunting blue lights and red eyes. If an eerie voice tells you to leave, it’s best to go as quickly as possible.
3. Waverly Hills — Kentucky
In the 50 years that Waverly Hills was functional, more than 6,000 people died inside the building. The abandoned tuberculosis hospital in Louisville is large enough to house more than 600 patients.
Inside the large, empty structure, every visitor feels uneasiness. Objects may roll across the floors, and flashlights mysteriously stop working the second they step inside.
4. Sallie House — Kansas
This house in Atchison, Kansas, was originally home to a physician and is now open for visits and overnight stays. The hauntings supposedly began after the physician failed to save a child named Sallie.
In 1993, a couple residing in the house was attacked repeatedly. Every day, there were scratches on the husband. No wonder visitors must sign a waiver in case of personal injuries.
5. Mount St. Helens — Washington
A volcanic eruption blew out the old forest service roads surrounding this mountain in Skamania County, Washington. All the signs are melted, and the streets are overgrown.
Adventurous people take their jeeps out on these roads for a thrill. Even with full headlights and a bright moon, people can hardly see more than 50 feet ahead. The muddy trails and darkness will have everyone’s heart beating fast.
6. Everglades National Park — Florida
At first sight, the Everglades National Park in Florida is a marvelous wonder of nature. It’s difficult to imagine some of the stories that took place within this lush green landscape.
Many bodies were found on Edgar Watson’s property in the Everglades, and planes seem to disappear there frequently. One resident, Carl Tanzler, even went so far as converting a dead woman into his human doll.
7. Goldfield — Arizona
There seems to be a direct correlation between old mining towns and paranormal activities. Goldfield, near Apache Junction, Arizona, is no different. Entering the ghost town seems to make time pause.
The TV show Ghost Adventures seemed to capture paranormal activity in the basement of the Goldfield Hotel. Just seeing that video will give anyone chills, even if they never visit the town.
8. Whittier — Alaska
It’s hard to choose just one scary location when an entire town has a haunting history. Ghosts have been seen everywhere.
It’s not the ghosts that are scary, but the stories behind each, which are rooted in facts, are. With accidents in the warehouse and the murders in Turnbull Canyon, every spot has a story.
9. Lemp Brewery — Missouri
There was a time when the Lemp Brewing Empire in St. Louis was a successful brewery. Unfortunately, it was forced to shut down and was abandoned.
As days went by, the dark corners of the building and its underground tunnels grew darker and creepier. Many people claim the unexplored basements are haunted. Tours are offered to explore the building’s history and horrors.
10. The Stanley Hotel — Colorado
Believe it or not, the famous Stephen King novel The Shining (1977) was based on the existing Colorado hotel in Estes Park. During his stay at the hotel, he had awful nightmares and felt like he was being watched.
Room 401 is believed to be the most haunting and is inhabited by a dangerous male ghost. The hotel offers nighttime spirit tours to visitors.
11. Gettysburg National Military Park — Pennsylvania
The battlefield looks harmless during the day, but just wait until the sun goes down. The birds stop singing as soon as the sun disappears, and the sounds of snapping branches surround the field.
Visitors cannot help but feel like they’re being watched in the fields. People believe it’s the ghosts of all the soldiers buried or left there.
12. The LaLaurie House — Louisiana
Discussing the hauntings in New Orleans without mentioning the LaLaurie House is impossible. The house was very influential in one of the American Horror Story seasons, which resulted in its greater popularity.
The house belonged to Delphine LaLaurie, who reportedly tortured the workers who lived on the property. One of the rooms was used to hold her unfortunate victims, and screams of pain can still be heard.
13. Mansfield Reformatory — Ohio
The Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield was originally a prison for young offenders, and more than 200 people died in the prison, including two guards.
Currently, the prison offers tours and escape rooms where people can attempt a harrowing escape. The tourists can’t decide whether the screams are just props or actual ghosts.
14. Congress Plaza Hotel — Illinois
There are many haunted hotels in Chicago, but none are comparable to the Congress Plaza Hotel. Some of the guests of the hotel drowned in the lake nearby, while others actively took their lives.
This streak of death continued until 1966 when an attorney was found murdered. Paranormal investigations are common in the hotel.
15. The Athens Lunatic Asylum — Ohio
Now known as The Ridges, this mental hospital in Ohio opened in 1874. Patients there endured horrifying treatments common at the time. Some of these included lobotomy, electroshock therapy, and hydrotherapy.
Many patients didn’t survive these procedures and supposedly still haunt the halls of the asylum.
16. Bird Creek Church — Oklahoma
Anyone who has heard of the Skinwalkers has heard of this church in Sasakwa. The Native Americans believe the Skinwalkers surround the entire church.
The locals don’t mention the word, for they’re afraid it’ll haunt them. Dark, looming figures have been seen in the woods surrounding the church.
True Haunts or Coincidence
If you consider yourself a thrill seeker and paranormal enthusiast, you may want to add some of these destinations to your next road trip. Are these unexplained and horrific stories or recollections of true events or just a way to pass the time? You’ll have to decide, but remember – we warned you!
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One of my favorite things about this country is the differences in each state. A cross-country road trip can take you from the mountains to the desert, coast, and swampland, with each region representing its unique charm and culture. I’m an avid road tripper and have spent some time in these small towns. They left their mark on me in the best way possible.
12 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations You Thought You Couldn’t Afford
Just because you’re watching your money doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trip abroad. All it takes is a little sifting through countries with the lowest exchange rates. Located in the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa, these hot spots offer dynamic cities to explore and stunning landscapes to escape it all.
These exotic locations allow you to splurge without blowing a stack of cash. These destinations were chosen by sorting through the lowest exchange rates for each country against the U.S. dollar. Then, the final selection was made by examining features, including safety, the quality of cultural and outdoor activities, and easy accessibility to natural beauty, such as mountains, rivers, and the ocean.
So, if you’ve avoided international travel due to cost, we think the places on this list represent a great opportunity you probably didn’t know about.
