America's Most Haunted: 13 Places That'll Give You The Utter Chills (2024)

America's Most Haunted: 13 Places That'll Give You The Utter Chills (1)

You’ve seen it in films and read about it in books, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to walk through a ghostly old mansion or investigate an abandoned asylum yourself?

The United States is strangely home to some of the most haunted locations in the world. After two years of vanlifing across the United States, I had my own weird floating light situation near Area 51 and in empty ghost towns that would send chills down anyone’s spine.

Whether you believe in the paranormal or are just looking for a spooky travel adventure, dare to check out these haunted places in the US. If you’re brave enough to explore the darker corners of the West,they’re sure togive you goosebumps and maybe even a story or two to tell back home!

1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado

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The Stanley Hotel is perhaps one of the most iconic haunted houses in America, made famous by Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Opened in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, this grand hotel among the beautiful Rocky Mountains has a history of high-society glamour paired with chilling tales of ghostly encounters. King’s spooky stay in Room 217 is said to have inspired the novel, but thehotel’s haunted reputation extends far beyond fiction.

Paranormal Reports:Guests and staff have reported many eerie experiencesover the years. Freelan Stanley’s spirit is often seen in the lobby or Billiard Room, while his wife Flora is known to play the piano in the Music Room. The fourth floor appears to be the most active area, with guests reporting sounds of children laughing and running through the halls late at night. Room 217 remains a focal point for paranormal activity, with mysterious movements, lights flickering, and objects being rearranged.

How to Visit:Just an hour and a half away, the Stanley Hotel is a perfect day trip from Denver. There are day tours that focus on its haunted history, or you can stay overnight in one of its many historic rooms.

2. Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, California

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Alcatraz Island, often referred to as “The Rock,” is a historical relic of America’s penitentiary past and one of the most chillingly haunted spots in the country. Located in San Francisco Bay, it once housed infamous criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. Operational from 1934 to 1963, its isolated location and inescapable reputation made it a nightmare for inmates.

Paranormal Reports:Many have reported cold spots, unexplained screams and crying, clanging metal doors, and whispers in empty cells. The most notorious area is “Cell Block D,”also known assolitary confinement or “The Hole.” Here, guests have felt unseen hands grab them or seen ghostly apparitions in the dimly lit corridors. Some even claim to hear the ghostly banjo music of Al Capone echoing through the cell blocks.

How to Visit:Catch a ferry from Pier 33 to go to Alcatraz. I thought it was one of the coolest things to do in San Francisco. The island is open for tours year-round, or you can pick up an audio guide while night tours ramp up the spook factor. Book tickets in advance as the ferries fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist season.

3. Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California

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The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most bizarre architectural structures in the United States. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the firearm magnate William Winchester, this mansion was continuously constructed over 38 years, from 1886 to 1922.

Its oddities, like staircases to nowhere and doors opening into walls, stem from Sarah’s belief that these features would help her evade spirits killed by Winchester rifles.

Paranormal Reports:From mysterious footsteps to cold spots and apparitions, many believe Sarah’s spirits still roam the corridors. One frequent sighting is Sarah Winchester herself, a dark, shadowy figure wandering the house with melancholy.

How to Visit:Located in San Jose, California, the Winchester Mystery House is easily accessible for a day tour. The property has various themed tours, including evening candlelight tours.

4. Queen Mary – Long Beach, California

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The RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ocean linerthat now servesas a hotel and tourist attraction in Long Beach, California. Originally launched in 1934, this grand ship transported passengers, including celebrities and soldiers, across the Atlantic until decommissioned in 1967.

Paranormal Reports:The ship’s engine room, for one, is said to be haunted by a young sailor who was tragically crushed by a door during a routine drill. The first-class pool area, now dry, is a hotspot for sightings.Many report women in 1930s bathing suits with footprintsappearingon the wet deck.Eerie forms of children have also been heard playing and laughing in the nursery.

How to Visit:The Queen Mary can be visited year-round, with various tours highlighting its haunted history. You can even stay overnight in one of the ship’s historic staterooms. Located in Long Beach, it’s a convenient detour from Los Angeles.

5. Goldfield Hotel – Goldfield, Nevada

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The Goldfield Hotel is a decaying relic from Nevada’s gold rush era. Constructed in 1908, this once-opulent hotel once offered luxuries like crystal chandeliers and Italian marble to the elite. Goldfielditselfwas a booming mining town at the time, attracting prospectors and celebrities alike. However, as the gold veins dried up, so did the town’s prosperity, leaving behind the eerie remnants of its glory days.

Paranormal Reports:Room 109 is said to be haunted by Elizabeth, the mistress of the hotel’s original owner, who died tragically within those walls. Witnesses report seeing her apparition and smelling her perfume. From the basement, many hear unsettling sounds and feel suddendrops in temperature. Flickering lights, mysterious whispers, and even shadowy figures have been documented throughout the building.

How to Visit:In the small town of Goldfield, Nevada,this historic landmark isn’t on the usual tourist trail.Although the hotel is notcurrentlyoperational, guided tours are available, especially around Halloween.

6. The Whaley House – San Diego, California

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The Whaley House is widely regarded as one of the most haunted houses in America. Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, the house has been a family home to a granary, a court, and even San Diego’s first commercial theatre. Its complex history includes public executions on the property and the untimely deaths of several family members.

Paranormal Reports:The ghost of Thomas Whaley himself is often seen standing on the second-floor landing or sitting at his desk. His wife, Anna Whaley, sometimes appears in the garden or wanders through the rooms. The kitchen is said to be haunted by the spirit of “Yankee Jim” Robinson, who was hanged before the house was built. Guests report hearing children running and laughing or seeing objects moveon their own.

How to Visit:The Whaley House is open year-round fortours, both day and evening.It’s easily accessible, making it a perfect stop on your San Diego itinerary.

7. Hotel Monte Vista – Flagstaff, Arizona

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Along Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff, the Hotel Monte Vista has been a cornerstone of hospitality since 1927. Funded by local citizens to accommodate the roaring influx of travelers and dignitaries, the hotel quickly became a central hub in the community. Over the decades, it has hosteda myriad offamous guests, from Hollywood stars like John Wayne to eccentric musicians and writers.

Paranormal Reports:Room 306, also known as the “Rocking Chair Room,” has had repeated reports of the chair rockingon its own. Guests in room 220 have been awakened by a phantom bellboy knocking on their door with an eerie message. The ghost of a woman in Room 305 is often described as a former prostitute who met a tragic end.

How to Visit:Easily accessible off Route 66, visitors can book rooms and even request to stay in one of the famously haunted ones.

8. Virginia City – Nevada

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Virginia City, Nevada, is a Wild West mining town founded in 1859 after the discovery of the Comstock Lode, the richest silver deposit in the United States. This town quickly grew into a mining hub with multi-storied brick buildings, wooden sidewalks, and old saloons.

Paranormal Reports:The Victorian-designed Silver Queen Hotel is said to be haunted by a woman named Rosie, who committed suicide in Room 11. Guests often describe hearing phantom footsteps and seeing shadowy figures at the Washoe Club, a former social club for affluent miners.

How to Visit:Virginia City is just a day trip from Reno, Nevada, and there are plenty of guided ghost tours to explore the old mines or walk through haunted hotels. The town hosts special events around Halloween.

9. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, California

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Steeped in glamour and Hollywood history, the Roosevelt Hotel has been a landmark since 1927. Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, this opulent hotel quickly became a hotspot for the rich and famous, hosting the first Academy Awards in its Blossom Room. Marilyn Monroe resided here for two years early in her career, and you’ll find Clark Gable and Carole Lombard among the many illustrious guests who frequented the hotel.

Paranormal Reports:This place has been the set for many TV shows and films, including American Horror Story and Roseanne. The most famous ghost story involves Marilyn Monroe’s spirit,who has beenseen in the full-length mirror in her oldsuite. The apparition, believed to be Montgomery Clift dressed in a tuxedo, has been seen pacing the halls of the ninth floor, where he stayed while filming “From Here to Eternity.”

How to Visit:On the busy Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is a fascinating stop on any LA itinerary. The hotel has tours of its public spaces and a “haunted hallway” that focuses on its ghostly legends. You can even stay in the suite where Marilyn Monroe once lived.

10. Bodie State Historic Park – Bodie, California

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In the mountainous region of Northern California, Bodie State Historic Park is a deserted mining town frozen in time. Founded in 1859 after discovering gold, Bodie quickly grew to over 10,000 residents. Once thriving with saloons, hotels, and even a red-light district, the town started to decline by the early 20th century, becoming a ghost town by 1942.

Paranormal Reports:Common sightings include a woman in a red dress, thought to be Evelyn Myers, wandering near her old home. Phantom children play around the schoolhouse. Many also talk about the ghostly figure of a miner still trying to retrieve his lost fortune, appearing near the old mine shafts.

How to Visit:Bodie State Historic Park is open to the public year-round, althoughaccess may be limited in winter due to snow. Situated about 75 miles southeast of Lake Tahoe, it’s a worthwhile detour for anyone traveling through the region. You can do a self-guided tour, but rangersalsoprovide guided tours during the summer.

11. San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio, Texas

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San Fernando Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, has seen centuries of historical events, from the Battle of the Alamo to modern-day celebrations. The cathedral’s architecture uniquely blends Spanish Colonial and Gothic Revival styles.

Paranormal Reports:Among the most chilling accounts are sightings of shadowy apparitionsbothinside the cathedral andinthe adjacent square.A ghostly figure of a man dressed in black, who some believe to be a monk, has been spotted often. The cathedral is also said to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers linked to the historic battles fought in San Antonio.

How to Visit:The cathedral is a popular San Antonio tourist destination open daily for visitors to see the interior and attend mass.Join one of San Antonio’s renowned ghost tours,which often include a stop at the cathedral.

12. The Old Idaho Penitentiary – Boise, Idaho

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Established in 1872, the Old Idaho Penitentiary once housed some of the West’s most notorious criminals. For over a century, thepenitentiarywas home to notorious figures, including bank robbers and serial killers, until it finally closed its doors in 1973.

Paranormal Reports:Some claim to have seen the specter of Raymond Snowden, often called “Idaho’s Jack the Ripper,” who was executed on-site in 1957. Other phenomena include objects movingon their own, unexplained footsteps, and shadowy figures glimpsed at the corners of one’s vision.

How to Visit:A short drive from downtown Boise, the prison is open year-round for self-guided tours, guided tours, and special events. Thepenitentiaryalso hosts night tours and paranormal investigation events.

13. Columbia Gorge Hotel – Hood River, Oregon

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On the cliffs overlooking the Columbia River, the Columbia Gorge Hotel is a historic establishment built in 1921 by timber tycoon Simon Benson. The hotel epitomized luxury, cementing its reputation as the “Waldorf of the West.”

Paranormal Reports:Common sightings include an elderly woman in a long gown from the 1930s, seen near windows or in guest rooms. Visitors report cold spots, lavender perfume smells, flickering lights, and eerie footsteps in empty hallways.

How to Visit:Located in Hood River, Oregon, the Columbia Gorge Hotel is open year-round and offers day tours and overnight stays.

Cat Xu

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Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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America's Most Haunted: 13 Places That'll Give You The Utter Chills (2024)

FAQs

America's Most Haunted: 13 Places That'll Give You The Utter Chills? ›

One of the most haunted places in the U.S. is Savannah, Georgia. Founded in 1733, locals report that Savannah's many Civil War-era buildings and cemeteries are said to be home to ghosts, hauntings and paranormal activity.

What is the most haunted place in America to visit? ›

One of the most haunted places in the U.S. is Savannah, Georgia. Founded in 1733, locals report that Savannah's many Civil War-era buildings and cemeteries are said to be home to ghosts, hauntings and paranormal activity.

What is America's #1 haunted attraction? ›

Field of Screams – “America's #1 Haunted Attraction”

What is the most intense haunted house in America? ›

Among all of the dark tourism destinations and haunted houses is a different type of horror experience you may have heard of: McKamey Manor. The controversial, personalized operation lies at the center of a new documentary on Hulu titled Monsters Inside: America's Most Extreme Haunted House.

What is the most haunted state in the United States? ›

Coming in at the top of the list as the most haunted state in America is Texas, with 13,710 cemeteries, 7,517 ghost sightings, 925 haunted locations and 158 paranormal investigators.

What haunted town is illegal to visit? ›

Dudleytown is an abandoned settlement, located in a valley known as the Dark Entry Forest, in northwestern Connecticut in the United States, best known today as a ghost town.

What is the haunted house where they gag you? ›

McKamey deducts $500 from the prize for every failed challenge or use of profanity. During the tour, employees of the Manor may physically assault patrons, waterboard them, force them to eat and drink unknown substances, have them bound and gagged, and engage in other forms of physical and psychological torture.

What is the scariest haunted house in the world? ›

McKamey Manor in Summertown, Tennessee is being called "The World's Scariest Haunted House," and for good reason! According to UPI, the haunted attraction is unlike anything you've ever experienced. Before you can even think about stepping foot inside, there are several requirements.

Does the McKamey Manor still exist? ›

However, the McKamey Manor remains open. McKamey originally operated the manor out of San Diego before relocating to Lawrence County in 2017. In his letter, Skrmetti claimed McKamey relocated to Tennessee after his haunted attraction was shut down due to “public outcry.”

What is the scariest manor in America? ›

McKamey Manor describes itself as "an extreme haunted experience" where guests are promised the most terrifying and mentally exhausting 10+ hours of their lives. There have been petitions published calling it "a torture chamber under disguise." One petition published in 2019 received nearly 200,000 signatures.

How much does McKamey Manor cost? ›

How much does McKamey Manor cost? McKamey Manor's admission fee is literally just a bag of dog food for McKamey's pets. However, according to The Washington Post, if you curse during any part of the process, he'll dock you $500 each time, as well as $500 for every activity that you "fail" to complete.

What is the most hidden state in the United States? ›

Total attractions: 2,823

Known for its dramatic landscapes featuring icy glaciers and fjords, Alaska is famously the most remote US state. This remoteness means that many parts of the state are very hard to get to, meaning that it's packed full of lesser-known places waiting to be discovered.

What is the largest ghost town in the United States? ›

NORTH AMERICA

The hardy souls that remained, promoted Jerome as a historic ghost town and in 1967 Jerome was designated a National Historic District by the federal government. Today the mines are silent and Jerome has become the largest ghost town in America.

What is America's most haunted city? ›

About your walking tour in Savannah, GA

When people hear Savannah lays claim to the expression, “America's Most Haunted City®”, it leaves them asking “WTH?” (What The Haunted?)

Where is the most haunted place on Earth? ›

1. Petra, Jordan. The area around Petra has been inhabited since 7000BCE, but these rock-cut ruins date back to the Nabataean Kingdom of the 1st Century. Bedouin nomads have long associated the valley with spirits known as Djinns.

What's the most haunted hotel in America? ›

America's Most Haunted Hotel is in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Officially known as the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, its legend has been formed from the many “guests who check out but never leave”. Have you heard about the Baker Burial Site?

What is the most haunted county in the United States? ›

While Greene County, Pa. is home to bucolic streams and rivers and lush rolling hills of farmland, its convention and visitors' bureau also tells its visitors about another side to the county, that “underneath is … a supernatural reality brimming with ghosts, aliens and unknown creatures.”

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