12 Haunted Places to Visit During Spooky Season
As the leaves turn golden, the nights grow longer, and a chill creeps into the air, it can mean only one thing: Halloween is on the horizon. For thrill-seekers and lovers of the supernatural, there's no better way to embrace the spirit of the season than by embarking on a spine-tingling journey to haunted places. From abandoned asylums to eerie graveyards and haunted houses, these locations come alive with a supernatural aura that's amplified during the Halloween season.
I personally love history so these places are always interesting to me despite the unsettling encounters, ghostly apparitions, and the legends that have shrouded these places in mystery for centuries. Although the latter does have some exciting perks, right? It doesn’t take a seasoned paranormal investigator to get the very most out of haunted locales that will send shivers down your spine. To get the most out of spooky season, aka the greatest time of the year, I went in search of some of the most interesting (and haunted!) places around America.
Are you ready to embrace the unknown, wander through shadowy corridors, and listen for whispers in the darkness?
The Grand Hotel
Jerome, Arizona
North of Phoenix lies Jerome, a historic mining town with its own share of eerie attractions. For a truly spine-tingling experience, look no further than the Grand Hotel. Formerly known as the United Verde Hospital, it was one of Arizona’s finest medical facilities in the early 20th century. But, the hospital’s third floor, home to the operating room, is notorious for supernatural occurrences, likely due to the numerous fatalities it witnessed. Room 32 has a reputation for being particularly unsettling with rumors of suicides from its private balcony. Today, the Grand Hotel offers visitors a glimpse into the past with period furnishings and exhibits on the hospital’s history. It is a must-visit for those seeking encounters with lingering spirits who also love a spectacular sunset view.
Note: When I visited The Grand Hotel, I did not experience anything supernatural, however, the Asylum is a delicious restaurant with stunning views. Plus, if you’re lucky you might have a special guest joining you at the table.
Salem Witch House
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts is a place steeped in history, where the witch trials of 1692 cast a dark shadow. The Salem Witch House stands as a testament to that time, once the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates who presided over the witch trials. This well-preserved structure is not only a historical relic but is known for its hauntings, with numerous reports of eerie occurrences. Explore its halls and step back in time to an era of pure fear, hysteria, and superstition. Salem is on my list of future Spooky Season visits for sure!
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Nestled in the picturesque village of Sleepy Hollow, New York, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is not merely a name - it’s a place steeped in history, culture, and the eerie allure of the supernatural. It serves as the final resting place of Washington Irving, the mastermind behind “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Beyond its literary connections, it houses the remains of Civil War veterans, notable businessmen, and local heroes, offering insights into the region’s history. The cemetery is a living exhibit of 19th-century funerary art and design, with intricate structures and grave markers reflecting the craftsmanship of the past. Whether you’re drawn to its literary heritage, intrigued by the paranormal, or simply seek a tranquil retreat, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery promises a memorable and potentially hair-raising experience.
Lost Dutchman State Park
Superstition Mountains, Arizona
Only 40 miles east of Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park is nestled in the Superstition Mountains and holds a treasure trove of stories and urban legends. In the 1800s, this land belonged to the Apache people. It was here that the Peralta family from northern Mexico discovered a wealth of gold. Their final expedition ended in an ambush by the Apaches, sealing the area’s grim reputation as the “Massacre Grounds.” Since then, the pursuit of hidden gold has led to numerous deaths and disappearances, turning this place into a hotbed of supernatural tales.
The Stanley Hotel
Estes Park, Colorado
Known as the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park has a bit of a darker claim to fame. The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909 and inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining.” This sprawling hotel is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the country with restless spirits like Flora Stanley, who plays the piano in the dead of night. For a special encounter with the supernatural, join a Stanley Hotel Spirited Night Tour. The tour will help you delve into the mysteries that lurk within this famous establishment.
The Grave in the Middle of the Road
Indiana
This is one of the wildest places on the list and has an even more wild origin story. Whether or not ghosts actually appear here is irrelevant because just seeing a grave in the middle of the road is jarring enough. The Grave in the Middle of the Road is a quick but incredibly eerie stop in Indiana. The grave marks the final resting place of Nancy Kerlin Barnett who was buried in the middle of the road per her dying wish. It’s a small yet hair-raising destination for those who love a good story and have a penchant for the macabre.
Vulture Gold Mine
Wickenburg, Arizona
Travel back in time to Vulture City, a once-thriving town that prospered thanks to its gold mine. Although it thrived from 1862 to 1942, the town was abandoned during World War II. Just 14 miles from Wickenburg, northwest of Phoenix, you can now explore the remnants of this abandoned city. But be wary of the ghosts that linger. Many of them were rough gunslingers and thieves in search of gold. One spirit, Jimmy Davis, met a gruesome end in the mines and is said to still haunt the mine shafts, with his blood-curdling screams echoing through time.
Custer House
Mandan, North Dakota
The Custer House at Ford Abraham Lincoln not only holds historical significance but also ghostly tales. Legend has it that it houses the spirit of Libbie Custer, waiting for her husband’s return after he fell at the Battle of Little Bighorn. While open-year around to visitors, October adds an extra layer of spookiness as the entire fort transforms into one of the scariest haunted attractions in the state. Those with nerves of steel can visit the Haunted Fort which features actors and genuinely hair-raising moments. Don’t forget to visit the fort’s windows and quieter areas: sightings of a woman looking out from the top floor and unexplainable sounds from the Custer Home are not uncommon.
The Lizzie Borden House
Fall river, Massachusetts
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, is a unique and chilling tourist attraction that offers visitors a glimpse into a grisly chapter of American crime history. This Victorian-era home gained notoriety due to a gruesome axe murder in 1892, and it was the residence of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of the shocking and still-unsolved crime. Today, the house is a museum and bed and breakfast which allows guests to explore the rooms where the crimes occurred, learn about the infamous trial, and even book an overnight stay for a more immersive experience. Due to its dark past, the house is rumored to be haunted, attracting ghost enthusiasts in search of paranormal encounters.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Louisville, Kentucky
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is not your typical tourist destination. This historic medical facility, dating back to the early 20th century, offers visitors a unique journey into the past and the paranormal. Know for its chilling history and frequent appearances on ghost-hunting shows, Waverly Hills is a place where you can explore the eerie remnants of a once bustling tuberculosis hospital. The guided tours provide a haunting glimpse into the building’s past from the medical treatments of the time to the reports of unexplained phenomena that have given it a reputation as one of the most haunted places in America.
The Mortuary
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a city steeped in history, voodoo, and ghostly tales. It ranks among the most haunted places in the United States. It is a paranormal enthusiast’s dream. The Mortuary was once a funeral home for over eight decades where morticians prepared over 20,000 dearly departed souls for their final journey. It has left a lasting mark on the city’s haunted history and was even featured on Ghost Adventures. It is a place where the boundary between the living and dead blurs. Tours are available year-round, but the spookiest experience definitely comes during Halloween. The Mortuary adds to the spooky season by turning into a Haunted Mansion. There are impressive animatronics, detailed sets, and even snakes, bats, and roaches. It is a destination that will send shivers down your spine.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In the heart of Philadelphia, there is one of the most spine-chilling destinations in the United States, Eastern State Penitentiary. The abandoned 10-acre prison, once known for its harsh treatment of inmates, has evolved into one of the country’s most terrifying Halloween attractions. Its crumbling ruins house five “haunted” areas, themed bars, and live entertainment, making it an exciting place for all who dare enter it. There is a historical tour that delves into its grim past and there is even an excursion to the Hospital Block to see the haunted operating room. For those with a fascination with mobster lore, Al Capone’s former cell is now a speakeasy. Be prepared for unscripted sightings at this spot that is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, paranormal investigators, or anyone seeking an eerie adventure.
