The Best of Haunted USA: Spooky Sites You Can’t Miss

Discover the scary side of America with our expert guide to the best of the haunted USA.

There’s a pulse beneath America’s surface, an unspoken rhythm that beats in its haunted mansions, shadowed alleys, and eerie woodlands. However, this scary underside is rarely explored by tourists or natives. Here’s what you need to know about the haunted USA.

Haunted USA: Top Cities

Let’s start with a brief overview of the most haunted cities in the US. 

• Salem, Massachusetts: Infamous for the dark mark on American history known as the Salem witch trials, Salem has never been able to shake its haunted past. Some haunted places in Salem include the Salem Witch House, haunted by the ghost of Jonathan Corwin, the judge who sentenced women to their deaths on charges of witchcraft, and Ropes Mansion, which featured in the film Hocus Pocus. 
• New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans – featuring historic haunted houses like the LaLaurie Mansion where Madame Delphine LaLaurie brutally tortured her slaves – is a unique city, but it is also one filled with legends of vampires, voodoo, and unearthly spectres. Visit the Old Ursuline Convent, where locals believe that vampires (brought by the so-called “casket girls” to French Louisiana) are still shuttered away in the attic. 
• Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: The Battle of Gettysburg has left its scars on the city, and it manifests in Gettysburg’s haunted historic battlefields and inns. Don’t miss the Brickhouse Inn, Welty House and the Jennie Wade House. 
• Savannah, Georgia: Savannah is one of the oldest cities in the south and has a plethora of haunted houses and hotels, like the 17Hundred90 Inn, where a bride who committed suicide after her lover left her still haunts the halls.
• Williamsburg, Virginia: This old colonial city is home to all manner of the unknown. In addition to the many tours exploring Williamsburg’s colonial past, there are others devoted to uncovering the city’s spooky side, visiting haunted places such as the Bruton Parish Church and the George Wythe House. 
• Annapolis, Maryland: This quaint, charming city – which briefly served as the capital – is full of picturesque views. However, its soothing waterfront area obscures its sordid past, with haunted hotels like the Maryland Inn and haunted bars like the Middleton Tavern dotting its landscape.

Iconic Haunted Houses and Hotels

Let’s continue with an overview of the most haunted hotels in the US. 

The Maryland Inn (Annapolis, Maryland)

The Maryland Inn is haunted by the ghost of a bride who killed herself when her fiancé, a certain Charles Campbell, was killed in a carriage accident in front of the hotel just as he was returning to see her. Long-dead Union soldiers also roam the halls and sing battle songs in the dead of night. 

The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)

The Stanley Hotel is said to be haunted by numerous spirits, including that of a former maid who set off a massive gas explosion, a cowboy, and various others. It became Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining after the dreadful nightmares he experienced there. 

The Lizzie Borden House (Fall River, Massachusetts)

The Lizzie Borden House is the site of the infamous murders of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother, who were brutally killed with an axe. And while Lizzie Borden was arrested and tried, she was later acquitted, and the murders remain unsolved. 

The Villisca Axe Murder House (Villisca, Iowa)

The Villisca Axe Murder House was the site of eight horrific axe murders – including six children – in 1912. The killers were never found. 

The Brickhouse Inn (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)

The Brickhouse Inn was located at the centre of the fighting during the Battle of Gettysburg, and the phantom soldiers who roam the halls attest to its haunted nature. 

Must-Try Ghostly Experiences

Ghost Tours

Standard ghost tours are the perfect choice if you want a brief 1-2 hour tour exploring a city’s most haunted locations. They also tend to be family-friendly, so they’re great if you’re travelling with kids. They usually visit 7–10 spots and give you a solid overview of the haunted history and nature of a city. Some tours may offer an extended version that allows you to see even more, including hidden gems that most tourists don’t see.

Haunted Pub Crawls

Haunted pub crawls, such as this Boston haunted pub crawl, combine bar hopping with spookiness. Sip on some liquid courage and prepare yourself for a ghostly night of booze and boos. Haunted pub crawls are great for travellers looking to meet new people. 

Ultimate Dead of Night Ghost Tours

These ghost tours – like the DC Ultimate Dead of Night Ghost Tour – turn up the dial. They usually start later than a standard ghost tour and continue until midnight. These tours tend to be a bit spookier, giving you the ultimate ghostly experience. If you’re hoping to witness a ghostly apparition yourself, you’re much more likely to come across one on one of these tours! 

Private Ghost Tours

Private ghost tours or haunted pub crawls are great for corporate team-building events, bachelorette and bachelor parties, or for those travelling with a large group of friends. Private ghost tours also make fun school trips, since they offer a great opportunity to learn about the undiscovered history of a city.

Other Tours

In some cities, you can find unique ghost tours that explore a certain aspect of the city’s history. For example, in Williamsburg, you can take the Colonial Ghosts of Christmas Past tour around Christmastime to learn about centuries-old tales veiled by the jolly sound of Williamsburg’s Christmas bells. 

and enjoy a farewell meal with an international flavour to end your journey on a delicious note. This also allows for a stress-free morning and a smooth journey home.

More Information

For more information, check out the Bradt guide to travelling the USA by rail.