Top 15 Most Haunted Cities In The US

America’s most haunted cities blend rich history with chilling ghost stories. From historic cemeteries and battlefields to old hotels and misty harbors, these destinations offer plenty of spooky sights and well-known local legends, especially for those who enjoy nighttime walking tours and exploring historic prisons.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans’ French Quarter and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 are popular spots for ghost tours, with the cemetery’s unique above-ground tombs adding to the eerie atmosphere. The LaLaurie Mansion attracts visitors interested in its dark history and the tales of those who once lived there. In the Garden District, tours showcase beautiful historic homes and detailed information about their past. Many tours also visit the Old Ursuline Convent, which holds centuries of historical records.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery comes alive at night with guided tours among its ancient oak trees and impressive monuments. For those interested in haunted history, the Sorrel Weed House offers detailed tours focusing on its past owners and reported paranormal activity. Moon River Brewing Company also provides tours, specifically of its basement and its historical uses. And the city’s squares, like Wright and Madison, reveal fascinating stories of military and medical events from the past.

St. Augustine, Florida

The Castillo de San Marcos holds tales of battles and conflicts from colonial times. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is known for documented stories of its keepers and daring sea rescues. Walking tours include visits to the Old Jail and Tolomato Cemetery, where you can find historical dates, names, and well-preserved objects. Many tours also follow the original Spanish streets, which still reflect the city’s layout from the 1500s.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The park’s roads lead visitors past important locations from the three-day battle, marked with monuments and showing where units fought. Popular evening destinations include Sachs Covered Bridge and Devil’s Den. At the Farnsworth House Inn, you can see exhibits and records detailing the uniforms and regiments involved. During evening programs, licensed battlefield guides share information from official battle reports.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem’s Old Burying Point Cemetery and the Witch House offer glimpses into the lives of those connected to the witch trials through historical documents and family burial plots. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial honors the victims by listing their names and providing a space for thoughtful remembrance. You can explore the Old Town Hall and surrounding houses on tours that use trial records and property information to tell the story. These historic locations are easily accessible and connect to the harbor, which recalls Salem’s history of privateering.

San Antonio, Texas

The Alamo offers a glimpse into the mission period and shares stories from the famous battle that took place there. Nearby, the historic Menger Hotel has guest books and a small museum highlighting visits from important people. Local legends tell of a story connected to a train accident near the old railway tracks. And along the river, the missions themselves hold church records and centuries of local history.

Charleston, South Carolina

Explore Charleston’s history with tours of the Old City Jail, where you can learn about past inmates and see how the building was updated in the 1800s. Discover stories of prisoners from the Revolutionary War at the Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and view its original brick walls. Wander through the historic churchyards on Meeting and Tradd Streets to find burial records and the graves of prominent citizens. The scenic Battery promenade links these sites, offering views of forts and Charleston’s harbor defenses.

Galveston, Texas

As a film critic, I’ve always appreciated a good backstory, and Galveston’s got one of the most compelling. The devastating 1900 storm isn’t just history here; it *is* the story. You can literally see the impact on the streets – the entire grade of the city was raised after the disaster, and walking tours point it out. Historic spots like Hotel Galvez and Ashton Villa aren’t just beautiful buildings, they’ve preserved incredible accounts in their guest books and family records. Even the old Strand District warehouses whisper tales of survival, with guides sharing shipping manifests and accounts of how the area weathered the storm. And if you venture inland to the cemeteries, you’ll find markers and notes detailing the lives lost and the families who rebuilt, making it a truly immersive and haunting experience.

Key West, Florida

The Fort East Martello Museum is home to Robert the Doll and a collection of letters written about him. At the Ernest Hemingway Home, guides share stories from staff records and the Hemingway family history. The Key West Cemetery offers tours highlighting famous graves and unusual inscriptions, both during the day and at night. And along Whitehead and Duval Streets, you’ll learn how the lighthouse connects to the area’s naval past.

Chicago, Illinois

Researchers visit Bachelors Grove Cemetery to document the dates on the tombstones and create maps of the grounds. The Congress Plaza Hotel keeps records of its history organized by room number and events from the early 1900s. Riverfront tours include the site of the Eastland disaster, sharing passenger information and details about the memorial. Local walking tours also explore old theaters, the former stockyards, and surviving fire department records.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston’s Freedom Trail includes stops at the Granary Burying Ground, where early political leaders are buried, and the Omni Parker House hotel, which has a rich history of owners and famous visitors. Boat tours take people to Fort Warren on Georges Island, sharing information about its Civil War past. Walking routes through Beacon Hill and the North End highlight beautifully maintained churches and historic meeting halls.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Eastern State Penitentiary lets you explore cellblocks and read original records about prisoners and guards. The Powel House and surrounding homes preserve collections that help tell their history. At Christ Church Burial Ground, you can find dates and names on evening lantern tours. And throughout Old City, you’ll discover printing shops and historic workshops, each marked with informative plaques.

Jerome, Arizona

Jerome, once a bustling mining town, still showcases remnants of its past – including historic headframes, old assay offices, and the winding streets built on the hillsides. The Jerome Grand Hotel now exhibits artifacts and photos from when it served as a hospital. Even the jail is a unique landmark, having slid from its original location due to shifting ground. Local museums gather documents like old payrolls and mining claims, offering a glimpse into how quickly the town rose and fell with the industry.

Portland, Oregon

Explore Shanghai’s Old Town and discover the historic tunnels, learning about the city’s past as a bustling port and the lives of its waterfront workers. Visit the Pittock Mansion to see what life was like for the family who lived there, and how the house has been preserved. Throughout the city, plaques detail the river’s importance to early trade and industry. Walking tours also showcase historic theaters and hotels, complete with guest books and records of their renovations.

New York City, New York

The Merchant’s House Museum showcases the belongings and documents of a single family, tracing their history through time. The Morris Jumel Mansion tells the story of the Revolutionary War era and how the property changed hands. On Staten Island, you can explore the Kreischer Mansion, which holds records from its construction and old newspaper articles. Guided walks through cemeteries in Queens and Brooklyn highlight specific areas and the stories of those buried there.

Tell us about the cities and places you’ve visited in the comments! Let’s share tips and discover new spots together.

2025-10-17 19:02