14 TV Series Filming in Real Haunted Locations

TV shows often spend a lot of money building detailed sets to create a spooky and unsettling mood. However, some filmmakers prefer to shoot in real places with creepy pasts and ghost stories. These old buildings and abandoned spots already feel tense, and actors often say they can sense it while filming. The shows below took advantage of locations known for actual paranormal activity to make the on-screen horror even more frightening.

‘The Shining’ (1997)

Stephen King chose The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, as the filming location for his television series based on his popular novel. He first visited the hotel in the 1970s, and it sparked his imagination, becoming the basis for the Overlook Hotel in his story. Many visitors and employees have reported seeing ghosts and hearing unexplained piano music, particularly in the music room. The crew filming the miniseries also encountered unusual events at this historic landmark.

‘Prison Break’ (2005–2017)

The first season of this intense drama was filmed at the real Joliet Correctional Center in Illinois, a maximum-security prison that had been closed for three years. While filming in the prison cells, the cast and crew experienced unsettling things, like cold spots and unexplained banging sounds coming from empty areas. The prison, which once held notorious criminals like John Wayne Gacy, had a distinctly heavy and eerie atmosphere that added to the show’s impact.

‘American Horror Story’ (2011–Present)

The third season of this horror series filmed at the Buckner Mansion in New Orleans, which served as Miss Robichaux’s Academy. The historic house is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman named Miss Josephine. While filming, the crew captured the mansion’s atmospheric beauty, but also had to contend with its reputation for being spooky. Locals believe Miss Josephine’s spirit still lives there and sometimes interacts with people who visit.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

The famous Kingsroad from the show was filmed at the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland. This beautiful path of beech trees is also known for being haunted by the Grey Lady, a ghost said to appear at twilight. Locals believe she’s the spirit of a young maid who died tragically near the area. The eerie setting perfectly captured the mood when Arya Stark fled King’s Landing.

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020)

The long-running paranormal show filmed many episodes at Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam. This former mental health facility is a popular filming location in Canada, and is also known for reports of actual paranormal activity. People who used to work or provide security there have described hearing footsteps and seeing shadows, even when no one was around. It’s a place where the show’s characters hunted fictional ghosts, but many believe the building itself is haunted.

‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)

Highclere Castle, a famous British period drama’s main location, is reportedly haunted. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, who own the castle, admit there are ghosts, including a ghostly servant. Actors and crew members have experienced unusual things while filming there, like feeling watched or sensing strange presences in the castle’s lavish rooms. With a history stretching back hundreds of years, the castle has naturally become the source of many ghost stories.

‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013–2019)

The outside of Litchfield Penitentiary in the show was filmed at the Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center in New York. This old, mostly empty building is said to be haunted, and its rundown condition added to the show’s dark and depressing feel. Many people who explore abandoned places visit the center hoping to find proof of the ghostly stories.

‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

Filmed partly at the infamous Kingston Penitentiary in Ontario, this psychological thriller takes place within the walls of a former maximum-security prison known for its dangerous inmates and reported ghost sightings. The production team utilized the prison’s imposing stone structure – where staff have even claimed to see the ghost of a murdered prisoner – to create a truly unsettling atmosphere for this adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel.

‘Doctor Who’ (1963–Present)

As a huge Doctor Who fan, I always get a thrill when I recognize a location, and Caerphilly Castle in Wales is a fantastic one! It’s been used in a few episodes, and honestly, it’s the perfect setting. The castle itself is steeped in history and local legends – they say it’s haunted by the Green Lady, who’s still waiting for her love on the castle walls. Walking those old stone corridors, you can almost feel the tragic stories and maybe even a ghostly presence! It adds such a dramatic and eerie vibe to the Doctor’s adventures.

‘Twin Peaks’ (1990–2017)

The Kiana Lodge in Washington State served as the location for the Great Northern Hotel in Twin Peaks, specifically where Laura Palmer was discovered. Local Suquamish people consider the land to be sacred, and many visitors have reported feeling an unexplained presence there. The lodge’s misty atmosphere and old-fashioned buildings greatly enhanced the show’s eerie and dreamlike quality. David Lynch skillfully used the natural, mysterious beauty of the Pacific Northwest, choosing a place already steeped in spiritual significance.

‘Nashville’ (2012–2018)

The Ryman Auditorium plays a key role in this musical story and is a famous landmark in real life. Many believe it’s one of Nashville’s most haunted places, with stories of the ghost of Hank Williams singing on stage. Performers filmed scenes in the same historic space where country music legends have performed and ghostly tales abound. The Ryman’s special, almost reverent atmosphere – earning it the nickname “The Mother Church of Country Music” – made the performance scenes feel incredibly real.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

The Empire Hotel is a key location in the series, serving as the base for Chuck Bass’s business dealings. The hotel, a famous landmark in New York City, is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a past owner who supposedly still keeps watch from the upper levels. Guests have claimed to see a ghostly figure in the lobby and notice strange flickering lights. The show cleverly used the hotel’s actual luxurious atmosphere and spooky history to portray the world of Manhattan’s wealthiest residents.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009–2017)

Much of the filming happened in Covington, a town famous for its many haunted places. The scenes at Lockwood Mansion were filmed at Worthington Manor, where the owners have experienced unexplained noises and objects moving on their own. The actors worked for years in a town that embraces its spooky past and offers ghost tours. These authentic, historic buildings added to the show’s distinctive Southern Gothic atmosphere.

‘True Blood’ (2008–2014)

The first episode of the show used the Rosalie Mansion in Natchez as the exterior for the Compton family’s house. This historic mansion has a troubled past connected to the Civil War and is rumored to be haunted. People who visit often report feeling cold spots and unexplained touches. While the show later filmed on sound stages, the mansion’s eerie atmosphere helped set the tone from the very beginning.

2025-12-11 04:45