15 Most Haunted Places in the US

Across the United States, you can find fascinating historic locations – from old prisons to once-luxurious hotels with dramatic histories. People visit these places to admire their buildings, learn about the events that happened there, and feel connected to the past. Each site offers something unique, whether it’s a spooky nighttime tour, an informative museum, or beautifully preserved architecture, and they all share a common ability to captivate visitors.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary, which opened in 1829, was a groundbreaking prison known for isolating inmates – a system that became a model for prisons around the world. It once held famous criminals like Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Now, it’s a museum where visitors can take guided or self-guided tours to learn about the building’s history, the prison’s attempts at reform, and what life was like for those inside.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky

Originally constructed in the early 1900s to care for people with tuberculosis, this building once housed many patients during local epidemics. It includes long hospital wards and a unique feature – a hidden chute used to remove bodies discreetly. Today, visitors can take guided tours to learn about the history of the building, the medical treatments used, and how it’s being preserved.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, West Virginia

Built in the mid-1800s, this hospital is one of the largest buildings constructed with hand-cut stone in the United States. Its historical records reveal how mental health care evolved and how the hospital dealt with periods of being overcrowded. Today, visitors can take daytime tours that explore the building’s unique architecture, what life was like for patients, and the ongoing efforts to restore it.

St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida

This lighthouse, built in the 1800s, is still in operation and serves as the centerpiece of a maritime museum. Inside, you can learn about shipwrecks, how sailors navigated the seas, and the daily lives of lighthouse keepers. Visitors can climb the 219 steps to the top for beautiful coastal views and explore the historic buildings where lighthouse families once lived.

The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel, opened in 1909 by inventor F.O. Stanley, originally welcomed visitors exploring the Rocky Mountains and played a key role in developing tourism in the region. Today, the hotel retains its historic charm with original interiors and offers daily tours detailing its famous past and ongoing preservation efforts. Its location near the national park provides a beautiful setting for both the hotel and its carriage house.

The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

I recently toured the Queen Mary, and it’s truly a fascinating piece of history. Originally launched in the 1930s, this grand ship spent years as a luxurious way to cross the ocean, but then served our country during World War II transporting troops. Now docked in Long Beach, it’s been beautifully preserved and operates as a hotel and event space. You can even take tours of the incredible engine rooms and walk the decks where celebrities once strolled. The exhibits really bring the ship’s past to life, covering everything from the impressive naval engineering to its vital role in the war and the famous faces it carried.

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

Built over many years by Sarah Winchester, this Victorian mansion is famous for its quirky design, including staircases that lead nowhere and rooms with no obvious function. The house features beautiful, detailed woodwork and unconventional layouts. Tours highlight how it was built in the past, how it was updated to withstand earthquakes, and the extensive work done to preserve it over time.

Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

This unassuming house became famous in American true crime history because of a double murder in 1892. Today, it’s a museum and bed and breakfast where you can see how the home looked during that time and learn about the investigation. Tours explore the details of the case as reported in the original court documents and news articles.

The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana

This historic home, built before the Civil War, showcases beautiful Creole design and is surrounded by impressive live oak trees. Tours reveal the stories of the families who owned the house, the enslaved people who lived and worked there, and what daily life was like in the 1800s. Visitors are welcome to stay overnight in cozy rooms and cottages and explore the house and gardens at their leisure.

Villisca Axe Murder House, Villisca, Iowa

This small house remains exactly as it was when a family was tragically murdered there in 1912 – a crime that shocked the nation. Visitors can step back in time with furniture and photos that match the period and help explain how detectives pieced together the events. Daily tours cover the details of the investigation, and researchers can even book overnight stays to study the house more closely.

LaLaurie Mansion, New Orleans, Louisiana

This house in the French Quarter gained a dark reputation when a fire in 1834 exposed the cruel treatment of enslaved people who lived there. The building you see today has been updated and privately owned since then. Local walking tours share the documented history of what happened, the legal consequences, and how the property was rebuilt.

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California

Alcatraz Island was once a famous federal prison, holding some of America’s most notorious criminals. Beyond its prison history, the island also features historic Civil War forts and a lighthouse. An audio tour details daily life inside the prison, including stories of attempted escapes and its eventual closing in the 1960s. Today, visitors can also learn about the Native American occupation that lasted from 1969 to 1971, and the efforts to restore the island’s natural environment.

Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

This historic site commemorates a key battle of the Civil War. Today, you can explore preserved farms, monuments, and the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. The National Park Service offers roads and trails that follow the paths taken by soldiers during the battle. A museum and a large, immersive painting called the cyclorama help visitors understand what happened during the three-day battle and its consequences.

Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Built in 1886, this resort on a hill later became a hospital where Norman Baker offered cancer treatments that weren’t scientifically proven. Historic photos and exhibits tell the story of the building. Now restored as a hotel, it offers tours that showcase its original construction, Baker’s controversial medical practices, and the careful work done to renovate it.

Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona

This historic building operated during the silver rush and once served as a theatre, saloon, and gambling hall – it was even active around the time of the famous O.K. Corral gunfight. Remarkably, much of the original interior remains, including fixtures and walls still bearing bullet holes. Today, guided tours explore the building’s lively past, the culture of the old mining town, and the efforts to preserve its original stage and seating areas.

Tell us about your favorite haunted place, or share any tips you have for visiting historical sites, so others can enjoy them too!

2025-10-17 18:15