If you’re scared of ghosts, then don’t count these 20 most haunted places in America!

If you’ve ever felt drawn to the mysterious world of ghosts, spirits, and haunted landmarks, the United States offers an endless list of chilling destinations. While many travelers flock to sunny beaches, vibrant cities, or historical monuments, there are others who crave something darker—an encounter with the unknown. From abandoned asylums and eerie battlefields to haunted hotels and lighthouses, America is full of stories that blur the line between history and the supernatural.

In this article, we’ll explore the 20 most haunted places in America, uncovering their dark pasts, paranormal encounters, and why they continue to draw both ghost hunters and curious travelers year after year.

Haunted History in America

The United States has a long and often violent past, making it the perfect breeding ground for ghost stories. Battles, tragic accidents, unsolved murders, and centuries of human suffering have left behind traces of energy that many believe still linger today. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted places in America offer an unforgettable experience that mixes history with the thrill of the supernatural.

1. Castillo de San Marcos — St. Augustine, Florida

As America’s oldest masonry fortress, Castillo de San Marcos has a 350-year history marked by tragedy, warfare, and imprisonment. Visitors report seeing glowing orbs and hearing whispers along its cold stone corridors. Its history of conflict ensures this site remains one of the most haunted landmarks in the U.S.

2. Morris-Jumel Mansion — New York, New York

Built in 1765, the Morris-Jumel Mansion is Manhattan’s oldest surviving house. It was once George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War and later became notorious for scandal and death. Visitors claim to see the ghost of Eliza Jumel, its most infamous resident, wandering its Georgian Colonial halls.

3. Lizzie Borden House — Fall River, Massachusetts

Known for one of America’s most infamous unsolved murders, the Lizzie Borden House is now a bed-and-breakfast. Guests who stay overnight often report hearing whispers, footsteps, and feeling a heavy presence in the very rooms where Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally killed in 1892.

4. The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California

Dubbed the most haunted ship in America, the Queen Mary has more than 150 documented ghost sightings. Once a luxury ocean liner and WWII troop ship, it’s now a floating hotel where guests have reported shadowy figures, phantom voices, and unexplained cold spots.

5. Winchester Mystery House — San Jose, California

This bizarre mansion, built by Sarah Winchester, is filled with staircases leading nowhere, sealed rooms, and endless corridors. Sarah believed constant construction would appease the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. Today, visitors describe ghostly encounters and chilling sounds that echo through its 160 rooms.

6. Hotel del Coronado — San Diego, California

Built in 1888, the Hotel del Coronado is famous for its beauty—and its resident ghost. Kate Morgan, who mysteriously died there in 1892, is said to haunt her old room and the hotel’s corridors. Guests often report flickering lights, cold drafts, and unexplainable voices.

7. The Driskill — Austin, Texas

This 1886 hotel combines luxury with eerie legends. The Driskill Hotel is said to be haunted by its founder, Colonel Jesse Driskill, and the ghost of a little girl who tragically died there. Guests have reported hearing giggles, phantom footsteps, and even smelling cigar smoke.

8. Whaley House — San Diego, California

Known as one of the most haunted houses in America, the Whaley House has been a family home, courthouse, and theater. Built in 1857, it has seen numerous deaths. Visitors report seeing Thomas Whaley himself and hearing footsteps echoing across empty rooms.

9. The Alamo — San Antonio, Texas

The Battle of the Alamo left hundreds dead, and many believe their spirits never left. Ghostly soldiers, eerie cries, and spectral apparitions are frequently reported at this historic site, keeping alive the phrase “Remember the Alamo.”

10. Bell Witch Cave — Adams, Tennessee

One of the most famous legends in American folklore, the Bell Witch haunted the Bell family in the early 1800s. Today, visitors to the Bell Witch Cave report strange voices, apparitions, and overwhelming feelings of dread inside its dark tunnels.

11. Villisca Axe Murder House — Villisca, Iowa

In 1912, eight people were brutally murdered in this small Iowa home. Unchanged for over a century, the Villisca Axe Murder House is now a paranormal hotspot. Overnight guests claim to hear children’s laughter, see moving shadows, and feel an eerie heaviness.

12. Gettysburg Battlefield — Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, Gettysburg is said to still echo with the cries of fallen soldiers. Visitors frequently report hearing phantom cannons, ghostly footsteps, and even apparitions of soldiers marching across the fields.

13. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum — Weston, West Virginia

This massive asylum, opened in 1864, became infamous for its overcrowding and mistreatment of patients. Today, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is a top destination for paranormal enthusiasts, offering ghost tours and overnight stays where shadows and screams are not uncommon.

14. St. Augustine Lighthouse — St. Augustine, Florida

The St. Augustine Lighthouse, built in 1874, is another Florida hotspot for ghost hunters. Visitors often hear children’s laughter, see shadowy figures, and feel cold spots while climbing its winding staircase.

15. Waverly Hills Sanatorium — Louisville, Kentucky

Originally opened to treat tuberculosis patients in 1910, Waverly Hills Sanatorium became notorious for mistreatment and thousands of deaths. Known for its “body chute,” this site is now one of the most terrifying paranormal attractions in America.

16. The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado

Made famous as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining, the Stanley Hotel is filled with chilling tales. Guests report ghostly piano music, children laughing, and strange shadows in the hallways.

17. The Witch House — Salem, Massachusetts

The only surviving structure directly tied to the Salem Witch Trials, the Witch House was home to Judge Jonathan Corwin. Visitors report feeling a heavy presence and seeing ghostly figures, a grim reminder of Salem’s tragic past.

18. West Virginia Penitentiary — Moundsville, West Virginia

This prison, active from 1876 to 1995, witnessed countless executions and inmate violence. Today, the West Virginia Penitentiary is infamous for shadow figures, unexplained noises, and terrifying energy within its crumbling walls.

19. Eastern State Penitentiary — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Built in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary pioneered solitary confinement but quickly became a place of misery. Ghostly whispers, footsteps, and shadowy apparitions have made it one of the most visited haunted sites in America.

20. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery — Bremen, Illinois

Known for one of the most famous ghost photographs ever taken, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery is a small graveyard with a big reputation. Visitors report glowing orbs, phantom cars, and the ghostly woman in white sitting on tombstones.

Why Haunted Places in America Remain Popular

From historic battlefields to forgotten prisons, these haunted locations in America attract thrill-seekers, ghost hunters, and history buffs alike. They serve as reminders of the past while offering a chance to confront the unknown. For some, it’s about the adrenaline rush; for others, it’s about connecting with history in an unforgettable way.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a firm believer in ghosts or simply curious about the stories that linger in America’s darkest corners, these 20 most haunted places in the U.S. promise an experience like no other. From the echoing halls of the Winchester Mystery House to the eerie silence of Gettysburg, each destination has its own chilling tale to tell.

So, if you dare, pack your courage and explore these haunted landmarks—you might just encounter something you can’t explain.