1. The LaLaurie Mansion – New Orleans, Louisiana
Nestled in the French Quarter, the LaLaurie Mansion looks like another beautiful piece of antebellum architecture. But in the 1830s, Madame Delphine LaLaurie was exposed as a sadistic torturer who brutalized enslaved people in her home, Carolyn Morrow Long of 64 Parishes explains. When a fire broke out, rescuers discovered a hidden chamber filled with people in horrific conditions. Today, it’s privately owned—but people still claim to hear screams echoing from the walls at night.
Even if you’ve walked past it with a beignet in hand, chances are you had no clue about its grisly past. Nicolas Cage even owned the mansion for a brief time, but lost it to foreclosure (maybe the spirits weren’t thrilled with his company). It’s considered one of the most haunted locations in the U.S. Tour guides often lower their voices when passing it—and not just for dramatic effect.
2. The Dakota – New York City, New York
Right off Central Park West, The Dakota is known for its celebrity residents—including John Lennon, who was murdered right outside the entrance, Nicole Briese of PEOPLE explains. But long before that, it had a reputation for being unnervingly eerie. Built in 1884, the Gothic structure has been the site of numerous strange occurrences, including sightings of ghostly children and an adult spirit in a cloak.
The creepiest twist? Roman Polanski filmed “Rosemary’s Baby” there—yeah, the movie about Satanic cults and cursed pregnancies. Some believe the location itself added to the film’s cursed aura. People have reported hearing unexplained music and footsteps in the halls. So next time you stroll past on your way to Strawberry Fields, maybe give it a second glance.
3. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
You’ve probably driven through Philly without realizing you passed one of the most terrifying former prisons in America, as Chai Woodham of Smithsonian Magazine describes it. Eastern State Penitentiary pioneered the idea of solitary confinement—which sounds humane in theory, but turned out to be psychologically devastating. Prisoners lived alone, ate alone, and even wore hoods to avoid seeing others.
Built in 1829, the place was infamous for experimental punishments like water baths in winter and the “iron gag.” Now, it’s a museum and haunted attraction, but even in daylight, the crumbling cell blocks feel unsettling. Ghost sightings, shadow figures, and unexplained sounds have been reported for decades. It’s no wonder Ghost Hunters and countless paranormal teams have made pit stops here.
4. The Villisca Axe Murder House – Villisca, Iowa
If you ever find yourself driving through rural Iowa, you might pass a simple white house that was the scene of one of America’s most gruesome unsolved crimes. In 1912, eight people, including six children, were murdered with an axe while they slept. The killer was never found, and the house was never quite the same, according to Hadley Mendelsohn of House Beautiful.
Visitors today say they feel physically ill inside, with some reporting scratches and voices. The house is open for tours—and even overnight stays if you’re brave (or reckless) enough. Locals tend to avoid it after dark, and it’s not hard to understand why. It’s one thing to read about unsolved murders… it’s another to sleep in the room where they happened.
5. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
This picturesque hotel inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. But it’s not just the setting that’s spooky—the Stanley has its own paranormal pedigree. Built in 1909, the hotel has long been associated with eerie piano music playing by itself and ghostly figures wandering the halls.
Staff and guests have reported seeing apparitions of former owners Freelan and Flora Stanley, especially around Room 217 (where King stayed). And if you’re feeling brave, you can take a nightly ghost tour through the property’s creepiest corners. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, there’s something chilling about how quiet it gets once the sun goes down. That long, empty hallway might just play tricks on your eyes.
6. Fort Mifflin – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tucked along the Delaware River, Fort Mifflin is often overlooked—even though it played a vital role in the Revolutionary War. But the battles weren’t the only bloody history left behind. It’s considered one of the most haunted forts in America, with tales of soldiers, a screaming woman, and even a ghostly blacksmith.
The most famous spirit is that of “The Screaming Lady,” believed to be Elizabeth Pratt, who reportedly hanged herself in the fort after a personal tragedy. Her cries are so loud, police have been called by locals who thought a real person was in distress. Day tours show the history, but night investigations really highlight the creep factor. It’s amazing how easy it is to drive past and not realize the centuries of sorrow tucked behind the walls.
7. The Hollywood Sign – Los Angeles, California
Sure, it’s an icon of fame and glamour, but the Hollywood Sign also has a dark history. In 1932, Peg Entwistle, a struggling actress, jumped to her death from the “H” after failing to catch a break in the film industry. Ever since, people have reported seeing a woman in 1930s clothing walking the trails near the sign.
She vanishes before anyone gets close, but hikers have felt cold spots and an overwhelming sense of sadness near the spot. Some even smell gardenias—Peg’s favorite perfume. Next time you’re on a scenic drive through Griffith Park, remember: even the brightest dreams cast long shadows. That famous sign has seen as much heartbreak as it has Hollywood magic.
8. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation is often labeled “one of America’s most haunted homes,” but from the road, it just looks like another Southern estate. Built in 1796, it was the site of several tragic deaths, including the poisoning of a family by a former enslaved woman named Chloe (though her story has become steeped in myth). People have reported seeing apparitions in 19th-century clothing and children playing on the veranda.
One photo, taken in the 1990s, appears to show a ghostly figure standing between buildings—still unexplained. The mirror in the parlor is also said to trap spirits; people have seen faces appear in it. While you might admire the moss-draped trees and columns from your car, know that many believe the spirits never left. It’s charm with a chilling twist.
9. The Bell Witch Cave – Adams, Tennessee
Driving through the Tennessee countryside, you might not suspect that a cave near a family farm is ground zero for one of America’s most infamous hauntings. The Bell Witch legend dates back to the early 1800s, when John Bell’s family reported poltergeist activity and violent encounters with an unseen entity. Even President Andrew Jackson allegedly investigated—and reportedly fled.
The cave on the property is believed to be where the spirit now resides. Visitors report eerie whispers, unexplained touches, and an oppressive presence. Local lore says taking a rock from the cave will curse you (and yep, people have mailed them back). It’s a classic rural roadside stop with a sinister reputation.
10. Archer Avenue – Chicago, Illinois
You might have driven this winding road southwest of Chicago without realizing it’s considered one of the most haunted roads in America. Archer Avenue is home to Resurrection Mary, the classic “vanishing hitchhiker” ghost. Since the 1930s, drivers have picked up a young woman in white, only for her to disappear as they pass Resurrection Cemetery.
The legend ties into a real woman who died tragically after a dance nearby. Her spirit is said to still wander, trying to find her way home. Even skeptics admit the stretch feels unnerving at night, especially in the fog. It’s a spot where urban legend and history crash head-on.
11. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia
Driving through West Virginia, you might pass what looks like an old, oversized college or government building. But the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum has a chilling past that’s anything but academic. Opened in 1864, it housed thousands of patients in often inhumane conditions, especially during the peak of overcrowding in the 1950s. Electroshock therapy, lobotomies, and solitary confinement were just part of daily life for many inside.
The asylum was meant to hold 250 people but at one point exceeded 2,400—leading to chaos, violence, and death. After it closed in 1994, ghost hunters and history buffs flocked to its massive, echoing halls. People have reported voices, apparitions, and sudden cold spots during tours, especially in the old women’s ward and Civil War wing. It’s a landmark you might’ve driven past without realizing it’s one of the most haunted places in the country.
12. Devil’s Den – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
You’ve probably passed this rocky outcrop without realizing it was the site of one of the Civil War’s bloodiest skirmishes. Known as Devil’s Den, this terrain played a key role in the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, and countless soldiers died in brutal close combat there. Tourists today often report malfunctioning electronics, eerie voices, and sightings of ghostly soldiers.
One recurring figure is a barefoot man in a floppy hat who reportedly shows up in photos and gives directions—then vanishes. Photographers have claimed their cameras refused to work until they left the area. It’s a place that feels heavy, even under blue skies. Ghost stories or not, it’s impossible to ignore the weight of history here.
13. Clinton Road – West Milford, New Jersey
You might’ve zipped down this lonely stretch of road in northern New Jersey and just thought it was poorly lit. But Clinton Road is legendary for its bizarre paranormal and urban legend activity. From ghost children to phantom vehicles and strange creatures in the woods, this road has it all.
The most famous tale? Throw coins into the “Ghost Boy Bridge,” and a child’s ghost may return them. Satanic rituals and KKK gatherings have also been rumored in the area’s ruins. Whether it’s haunted or just creepy due to isolation, it’s not a road most locals love to travel at night.
14. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery – Midlothian, Illinois
It’s just off a busy road outside Chicago, but this tiny, abandoned cemetery is notorious among ghost hunters. Dating back to the 1840s, it’s been plagued with vandalism, desecration, and eerie phenomena. People have seen glowing orbs, phantom farmhouses, and even ghost cars.
One of the most chilling tales involves a woman in white holding a baby, often seen sitting on a tombstone. In 1991, a photo taken during a paranormal investigation appeared to show her clearly—despite no one being there. Despite its small size, Bachelor’s Grove has a big reputation in the supernatural world. It’s proof that even forgotten corners can be charged with chilling energy.
