Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America

From eerie prisons and haunted hotels to ghostly mansions and cursed bridges, these are the top 10 most haunted places in America where history refuses to rest. Discover the chilling stories, mysterious sightings, and supernatural legends that make these destinations a must for brave travelers.

From abandoned asylums to centuries-old mansions, the United States is full of places where history and the supernatural seem to intertwine. Ghost stories echo through dark hallways, mysterious footsteps are heard when no one’s there, and cold spots send shivers down the bravest spines.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, exploring the most haunted places in America is sure to send a chill down your spine as you uncover the dark legends and eerie tales that haunt the nation’s past.

Before venturing into America’s most haunted places, it helps to plan your route and stay connected. This quick Guide to US Travel will help you explore safely, find the best tours, and make the most of your spooky adventure.

Here are ten spots where history refuses to rest and where the past just might reach out to greet you.

1. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The towering walls of Eastern State Penitentiary hold more than a century of fear and misery. Once a revolutionary prison known for its strict solitary confinement, it has since become one of the most haunted places in America. Visitors claim to hear eerie whispers, echoing footsteps, and ghostly laughter from the long-abandoned cellblocks. Many paranormal experts list it among the top 10 most haunted places in America, and even skeptics admit the atmosphere is chilling.

The prison’s decaying corridors and isolation cells tell dark stories of suffering, despair, and death, making it one of America’s scariest places. Today, it stands as both a historic site and a haunting reminder of human cruelty, drawing thrill-seekers and history buffs.

Tips for Visiting: Visit during Halloween for the “Terror Behind the Walls” event or join a guided night tour. Bring a flashlight, dress warmly, and be ready for sudden chills, both from the cold air and from what you might hear in the dark!

2. Bonaventure Cemetery – Savannah, Georgia

With its moss-covered oaks and weathered headstones, Bonaventure Cemetery blends beauty and mystery like no other. It’s a serene yet unsettling space, often listed among the most haunted places in America. The spirit of “Little Gracie,” a child who died in the 1800s, is said to appear near her statue, while visitors report ghostly laughter and moving shadows.

The cemetery's peaceful yet eerie atmosphere makes it one of America’s scariest places, and one of the top 10 most haunted places in America for lovers of Southern Gothic history. The mix of sorrow and splendor gives Bonaventure an unforgettable presence among haunted places in USA.

Tips for Visiting: Go early in the morning or near dusk for atmospheric lighting. Take a guided walking or ghost tour to hear local legends, and always remain respectful—this is an active cemetery as well as a historic landmark.

3. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is one of the most haunted places in America, notorious for its chilling past. Built in the mid-1800s, it once held thousands of patients, many subjected to inhumane treatments. Ghostly figures, cold spots, and eerie voices have been reported in its wards, earning it a top spot among the top 10 most haunted places in America. Paranormal teams consider it America’s scariest place, where sorrow and fear seem to linger. Those who visit often describe a heaviness in the air and sudden bursts of unexplained activity. It’s an unmissable stop for anyone who dares to explore haunted places in USA.

Tips for Visiting: Book a guided ghost hunt or historical tour. Both are available year-round. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a flashlight, and prepare for temperature drops in certain rooms. Photography is encouraged, but don’t be surprised if something extra shows up.

4. Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado

Nestled in the Rockies, the Stanley Hotel is an elegant yet chilling destination famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining. This grand property is one of the most haunted places in America, where guests report laughter echoing through empty halls and pianos playing by unseen hands. Some say it’s the most haunted place in America, especially in Room 217, known for its ghostly encounters. The Stanley’s haunting charm has secured its place among the top 10 most haunted places in America and America’s scariest places. It’s a mix of luxury, history, and supernatural mystery that draws thrill-seekers from around the world.

Tips for Visiting: Stay overnight for the full experience and ask about haunted room bookings. Join a guided night tour or a ghost-hunting session offered by the hotel. Keep your camera handy, you might capture more than just the mountain views!

5. Hotel Monte Vista – Flagstaff, Arizona

Built in the 1920s, Hotel Monte Vista exudes vintage charm and a heavy dose of mystery. It’s one of the most haunted places in America, known for rooms where radios turn on by themselves and ghostly guests check in but never leave. Paranormal experts include it in the top 10 most haunted places in America, and many say it’s America’s scariest place for overnight stays. Guests often report voices, phantom bellboys, and eerie sensations, especially in Room 305. This historic hotel remains one of the most fascinating haunted places in USA, combining Old West hospitality with otherworldly encounters.

Tips for Visiting: Ask staff about the hotel’s ghostly history before booking your room. Stay on the third floor for the best chance of supernatural activity, and enjoy a drink at the bar.

6. St. Augustine Lighthouse – St. Augustine, Florida

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is a beacon of beauty by day, and one of the most haunted places in America by night. Tragic accidents during its construction left lingering spirits that many visitors claim to see or hear. Disembodied laughter, swinging lanterns, and sudden cold gusts make it one of America’s scariest places. Paranormal investigators list it among the top 10 most haunted places in America, and locals swear it’s the most haunted place in America. Its blend of seaside charm and spine-chilling stories makes it a must-see among haunted places in USA.

Tips for Visiting: Join a “Dark of the Moon” nighttime ghost tour for the full effect. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the lighthouse climb is steep, and bring a flashlight for exploring the keeper’s quarters.

7. LaLaurie Mansion – New Orleans, Louisiana

Few places embody horror like the LaLaurie Mansion. Once owned by Madame Delphine LaLaurie, whose cruelty shocked 19th-century New Orleans, this elegant home hides unspeakable tragedy. Today, it’s one of the most haunted places in America, where visitors claim to hear moans, screams, and whispers from long ago. Some paranormal experts rank it one of the scariest places in America. The place draws tourists and ghost hunters eager to uncover its grim secrets.

Tips for Visiting: Public tours only pass by the mansion, as it’s privately owned. Take a guided French Quarter ghost tour at night for the full story, and never trespass - this is one of America's most haunted places, best admired from afar!

8. Emily’s Bridge – Stowe, Vermont

Emily’s Bridge, also called the “Haunted Bridge,” tells a tragic tale of lost love. Legend says a bride-to-be named Emily took her life here after being left at the altar, and her spirit still roams the bridge. Drivers report scratches on their cars, strange mists, and ghostly figures at night. It’s one of the most haunted places in America, often ranked among the scariest places in America for paranormal activity. Peaceful by day, it transforms into one of the most chilling haunted places in USA after dark.

Tips for Visiting: Visit in the evening if you’re feeling brave, but be cautious, as it’s a public road. Bring a friend, park safely nearby, and avoid crossing alone at night. Locals recommend keeping cameras ready; strange orbs often appear in photos.

9. House of the Seven Gables – Salem, Massachusetts

In the heart of Salem stands the House of the Seven Gables, a masterpiece of colonial architecture and one of the most haunted places in America. Famous for inspiring Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, it’s said to be home to several restless spirits. Visitors report whispers, cold drafts, and glimpses of figures in old-fashioned clothing. The mansion’s dark connection to the Salem Witch Trials cements its place among the top 10 most haunted places in America and America’s scariest places. It’s one of the most atmospheric haunted places in USA, where history and hauntings meet.

Tips for Visiting: Book a guided tour to learn both the literary and ghostly history. Visit in the late afternoon for beautiful light and perhaps a few eerie surprises. Cameras are allowed, but no flash inside the mansion.

10. The Mark Twain House – Hartford, Connecticut

Once the home of literary legend Mark Twain, this Gothic Revival mansion holds more than just history. Many believe it’s one of the most haunted places in America, where Twain’s spirit still roams the halls. Visitors have reported flickering lights, strange voices, and ghostly footsteps. The house’s combination of grandeur and mystery places it among America’s scariest places and the top 10 most haunted places in America. Even skeptics admit an uncanny energy lingers here—perhaps Twain’s creative spirit never left. For fans of literature and the paranormal, it’s a must-visit among haunted places in USA.

Tips for Visiting: Join a “Graveyard Shift Ghost Tour,” offered seasonally. Visit during twilight for the most atmospheric experience, and explore the museum exhibits before your tour begins.

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FAQs

What is the most haunted place in America?

While there are countless contenders, many paranormal experts name the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia as the most haunted place in the country. Once a psychiatric hospital filled with tragic stories, it’s now known for chilling encounters, shadowy figures, and ghostly voices. Visitors claim to feel intense cold spots and even see apparitions roaming the halls. Its disturbing history and lingering energy make it stand out among America’s most haunted places, attracting ghost hunters from around the world.

Where is the haunted town in America that is illegal to visit?

Centralia, Pennsylvania, is the infamous haunted town in America that’s now off-limits to most visitors. Once a thriving coal-mining community, it was abandoned after an underground fire ignited in the 1960s and continues to burn today. Smoke, sinkholes, and toxic gases forced residents to leave, turning Centralia into an eerie wasteland. Though not officially a ghost town attraction, its empty streets and smoldering ground make it one of the scariest places in America, and trespassing is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

What are the top 5 haunted houses in America?

The top five haunted houses in America each have chilling tales of their own: the Winchester Mystery House in California, the LaLaurie Mansion in Louisiana, the Amityville House in New York, the Whaley House in California, and the Mark Twain House in Connecticut. Each is famous for restless spirits and strange occurrences that have fascinated visitors for decades. From secret stairways to eerie apparitions, these historic homes continue to define America’s most haunted places, drawing thousands of brave travelers each year.

What is the #1 haunted place in the world?

Many ghost hunters believe the Tower of London holds the title of the #1 haunted place in the world. Its thousand-year history includes executions, betrayals, and royal tragedies. Tourists have reported ghostly figures like Anne Boleyn wandering the corridors at night. The site’s deep history and terrifying legends easily rival the scariest places in America, proving that true hauntings know no borders.

What is America's biggest ghost town?

Bodie, California, is widely regarded as America’s biggest ghost town, frozen in time since the late 1800s. Once a booming gold-rush settlement, it was abandoned after resources dried up, leaving behind over 100 preserved buildings filled with relics of the past. Visitors often describe eerie silence and an unsettling presence throughout the town. Its untouched streets and chilling stillness make Bodie one of America’s most haunted places, and a fascinating yet haunting window into frontier life.

Who owns the scariest house in America?

The title of the scariest house in America often goes to the McKamey Manor in Tennessee, owned by Russ McKamey. Known for its extreme, interactive horror experience rather than traditional hauntings, the manor pushes visitors to their limits with psychological terror. Though it’s not haunted in the ghostly sense, its reputation for fear and controversy makes it one of America’s most haunted places by legend and lore.