For those intrigued by the paranormal, the United States offers numerous sites where the past seems to echo into the present. Here are some of the most haunted tourist attractions in the USA, each with its own eerie legend and reported ghostly encounters.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Perched in the Rocky Mountains, The Stanley Hotel is renowned not only for its stunning architecture but also for its spectral residents. Built in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, the hotel gained fame as the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining. Guests and staff have reported numerous paranormal occurrences, particularly in Room 217, where King himself stayed.
The spirit of a former housekeeper, Elizabeth Wilson, is said to linger, with reports of lights turning on and off and belongings being mysteriously unpacked. The hotel’s haunted reputation has been featured in various paranormal investigations and media.
2. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Once a pioneering model for prison reform, Eastern State Penitentiary now stands in ruin, its crumbling cellblocks echoing with tales of hauntings. Opened in 1829, the prison implemented solitary confinement, a practice believed to have driven many inmates to madness.
Visitors and staff have reported shadowy figures, eerie whispers, and sudden cold spots. Cellblock 12 is particularly notorious for disembodied laughter and ghostly apparitions. The penitentiary’s haunted history has made it a focal point for ghost tours and paranormal investigations.
3. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
The RMS Queen Mary, a retired British ocean liner, now serves as a hotel and museum in Long Beach. During her years of service from 1936 to 1967, the ship was the site of several deaths, including crew members and passengers. The engine room is a hotspot for paranormal activity, with reports of apparitions and unexplained sounds.
The spirit of a “lady in white” has been seen dancing in the ship’s salon, and ghostly children are said to play near the pool area. These tales have cemented the Queen Mary’s reputation as one of the most haunted places in America.
4. The Whaley House – San Diego, California
Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, this house has a storied history, serving as a family home, courthouse, and theater. Before the house’s construction, the site was a gallows where criminals were executed, including the infamous “Yankee Jim” Robinson.
Visitors have reported seeing the apparitions of Thomas Whaley and his wife, Anna, as well as hearing footsteps and disembodied voices. The Whaley House’s haunted reputation has made it a popular destination for ghost tours in San Diego.
5. The Sallie House – Atchison, Kansas
This unassuming house is reputedly haunted by the spirit of a young girl named Sallie. According to legend, Sallie died during a botched appendectomy performed in the house. Visitors and former residents have reported scratches, apparitions, and objects moving on their own.
Some believe that the entity may be something more malevolent than a child’s spirit. The Sallie House has been featured in numerous paranormal investigations and television shows.
6. St. Augustine Lighthouse – St. Augustine, Florida
Standing tall since 1874, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has been the site of numerous tragedies, including the deaths of several children during its construction. Visitors report hearing children’s laughter, spotting shadowy figures, and experiencing unexplained cold spots. The lighthouse’s haunted reputation draws countless visitors eager to experience its eerie ambiance.
7. Dock Street Theatre – Charleston, South Carolina
Originally opened in 1736, the Dock Street Theatre has a tumultuous history, having been destroyed by fire and hurricanes multiple times. The spirit of Nettie Dickerson, a 19th-century woman struck by lightning on the theater’s balcony, is said to haunt the premises. Actors and patrons have reported sightings of Nettie’s apparition and unexplained phenomena during performances.
8. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
Built in 1796, the Myrtles Plantation is rumored to be home to at least 12 ghosts. The most famous is Chloe, a former slave who was allegedly killed after poisoning the plantation owner’s family. Visitors report seeing Chloe’s apparition, hearing footsteps, and witnessing objects moving inexplicably. The plantation’s haunted reputation has made it a popular destination for ghost hunters.
9. Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Louisville, Kentucky
Once a tuberculosis hospital in the early 20th century, Waverly Hills Sanatorium saw thousands of deaths during its operation. The “Death Tunnel,” a chute used to transport bodies discreetly, is a focal point for paranormal activity. Visitors report shadow figures, disembodied voices, and sudden cold spots throughout the building. The sanatorium offers guided tours for those interested in its haunted history.
10. The Lemp Mansion – St. Louis, Missouri
Home to the ill-fated Lemp family, this mansion has a history of tragedy, including multiple suicides. Guests and staff report apparitions, poltergeist activity, and feelings of dread. The mansion now operates as a restaurant and inn, offering ghost tours to curious visitors.
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Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.