1. Galveston, Texas
To most, Galveston is a beachy getaway—but locals know it’s one of the most haunted spots in Texas, according to Kathleen Maca from Authentic Texas. The Great Storm of 1900 killed thousands, and many believe the spirits of the dead never left. The Hotel Galvez is notorious for ghost sightings, especially of a woman known as the “Lovelorn Lady” who allegedly took her life while waiting for her fiancé to return from sea. Staff and guests alike report flickering lights and strange noises.
Many homes in the East End Historical District are rumored to have hauntings as well. Longtime residents talk of footsteps echoing in empty halls and faces appearing in second-story windows. The Sealy Mansion, in particular, gives off a vibe that locals avoid discussing too openly. It’s easy to forget the tragic past while enjoying the surf—unless you know where to look.
2. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston might charm visitors with cobblestone streets and pastel houses, but locals know the city is steeped in ghost stories, according to Anne Tate from Garden & Gun. One of the most famous haunts is the Old City Jail, where criminals like Lavinia Fisher—the first female serial killer in the U.S.—were held. Residents say her spirit still lingers, especially on stormy nights. Ghost tours are popular, but most casual tourists don’t realize how deep the supernatural lore really runs here.
There’s also Dock Street Theatre, a gorgeous playhouse that many say is haunted by former performers and a mysterious woman in red. Locals often say the energy shifts noticeably once the last curtain call is done. Tourists usually snap photos and leave without knowing they might’ve just caught a ghost in the frame. It’s that eerie charm that makes Charleston unforgettable—for more than one reason.
3. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine proudly claims to be the oldest city in America, and with that age comes some serious ghost baggage. Tourists often walk through its historic district unaware that many of the buildings—like the Spanish Military Hospital and the Castillo de San Marcos—are said to be haunted. Locals often swap stories about the moaning sounds from empty rooms and shadowy figures near the fort walls. Some even say they avoid certain streets after dark altogether.
The Huguenot Cemetery is a particularly creepy site just outside the old city gates. Legend has it that the gatekeeper, Judge Stickney, was buried there—and his ghost is none too happy about being disturbed over the years. He’s been spotted pacing near the cemetery wall, glaring silently at the living. Meanwhile, tourists are usually too busy buying fudge or snapping selfies to notice.
4. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is beautiful, no doubt—but locals will be the first to tell you that the entire city feels like it’s built on a ghost story, according to David Duran from Country Living Magazine. The Sorrel-Weed House is a hotbed of paranormal activity, with guests reporting cold spots, disembodied voices, and even faint screams. Bonaventure Cemetery also has an eerie reputation, especially around the grave of Gracie Watson, a little girl who died tragically young. Her statue is said to cry tears on certain nights.
While tourists pack River Street for bars and boutiques, locals quietly keep an eye out for apparitions said to wander the waterfront. Many believe the spirits of enslaved people who passed through here still remain. Even the inns and B&Bs boast their own haunted histories—something staff might only mention if you ask directly. Savannah doesn’t just look old; it feels old in the bones.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
Everyone knows New Orleans has a mystical side, but even seasoned tourists often miss just how haunted it really is, according to Jenny Adams from Garden & Gun. The infamous LaLaurie Mansion in the French Quarter is said to be cursed, thanks to its gruesome history of torture and death. Locals claim to hear wailing and dragging chains coming from the upper floors. Many refuse to even walk on that side of the street.
Even City Park, often filled with picnickers and joggers, has a haunted reputation, particularly around the old dueling oaks. Then there’s St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, resting place of the legendary Voodoo queen Marie Laveau, whose tomb draws offerings—and strange occurrences. People claim to hear whispers and feel touches on their backs when no one is there. Tourists sip hurricanes, oblivious to the spiritual layers beneath their feet.
6. San Antonio, Texas
Sure, the Alamo is the top attraction in San Antonio—but ask locals, and they’ll tell you it’s also a prime haunting site. After the infamous battle, many believe the spirits of soldiers still roam the grounds. Visitors have reported eerie photographs, cold spots, and strange mists. And that’s just the beginning of the city’s paranormal reputation.
The Menger Hotel nearby is also reportedly crawling with spirits, including a chambermaid and Teddy Roosevelt himself. Locals know to avoid certain wings after dark, especially the third floor. Even the River Walk, so lively by day, takes on a creepier tone at night when shadows seem to flicker just out of view. Tourists may not notice—but San Antonians feel the past alive all around them.
7. Portland, Oregon
You might not associate hip, coffee-loving Portland with ghosts, but locals will point you straight to the Shanghai Tunnels. These underground passages were used in the 1800s to kidnap people and force them into labor—an already dark history that many believe left spiritual scars. The tunnels are said to be haunted by those who never made it out. Visitors report heavy air, ghostly whispers, and unexplained touches.
Then there’s the White Eagle Saloon, one of the city’s oldest bars, where both staff and patrons have seen ghostly figures walking the halls. The bar embraces its spooky side, but locals say it’s not all for show. People have felt icy hands on their shoulders and seen bottles fall for no reason. Tourists might come for the craft beer, but they leave with an uneasy feeling they can’t quite place.
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly’s got a lot of history—and according to residents, more than a few lingering spirits. Eastern State Penitentiary is the crown jewel of creepy, with cellblocks said to echo with phantom footsteps and shadowy figures. Tourists love the haunted house attraction during Halloween, but locals know the real fear comes from unscheduled encounters. It’s the kind of place that sticks with you long after you leave.
Independence Hall and Washington Square are also reportedly haunted, often by Revolutionary War-era ghosts. Some say the park’s trees whisper at night, a nod to the mass graves beneath. Nearby, the Powel House hosts regular ghost tours that barely scratch the surface of the paranormal stories passed down for generations. Philly’s ghosts aren’t shy—you just have to know where to listen.
9. Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is best known for the witch trials, but its haunted reputation goes far beyond tourist attractions. Locals talk about The Hawthorne Hotel being a hotspot for spectral guests, especially in Room 325. Visitors have reported lights turning on and off, faucets running on their own, and even seeing ghostly women in period clothing. It’s spooky enough to send some guests packing early.
Then there’s the Old Burying Point Cemetery, which dates back to 1637. Locals claim that spirits tied to the witch trials still linger near the graves. You might see ghost-hunters quietly conducting EVP sessions even when no tours are around. Salem plays up the kitsch, but behind the theatrics, many say the hauntings are all too real.
10. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs looks like a Victorian postcard—but ask around, and you’ll hear whispers about the Crescent Hotel. Dubbed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” it was once a fake cancer hospital run by a con man named Norman Baker. People claim to see ghostly nurses, patients, and even Baker himself stalking the halls. The basement, once used as a morgue, is considered especially active.
Locals also mention haunted springs and caves in the area, where Native American legends mix with modern ghost stories. Many believe the land itself holds energy that draws spirits. You might not notice anything unusual on a casual stroll, but longtime residents often avoid certain areas after dark. It’s the kind of place where even skeptics start to wonder.
11. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel is a favorite among locals—not just for luxury, but for its haunted history. Guests have reported ghost sightings, especially in Room 904, where a woman supposedly took her life and never checked out. Staff have heard piano music when no one is playing and seen shadowy figures in the halls. The hotel doesn’t advertise the hauntings, but Denverites know the lore well.
Cheesman Park, built on a former cemetery, also has a seriously spooky vibe. It’s beautiful by day, but many locals report ghostly figures walking at dusk. Some claim they’ve felt watched or heard sobbing near the old burial ground. Tourists usually just enjoy the view, unaware of the bodies still beneath the grass.
12. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is known for its mountain views and creative scene, but the city also has a haunted heartbeat. The Grove Park Inn is reportedly haunted by the Pink Lady, a spirit said to be the ghost of a woman who fell to her death in the 1920s. Guests in Room 545 often report flickering lights and sudden cold drafts. Staff say she’s more playful than scary—but definitely real.
Locals also point to Helen’s Bridge, where a woman allegedly took her life after her daughter died in a fire. The legend says her ghost will sometimes disable car engines or appear weeping in the road. It’s a popular dare among teens—but few return without a story. Asheville wears its haunted history lightly, but it runs deep.
13. Key West, Florida
Sun, sand, and… curses? Key West locals swear by the haunted legend of Robert the Doll, currently residing at the Fort East Martello Museum. Once owned by a local boy named Eugene Otto, the doll is said to move on its own, cause misfortune, and curse anyone who mocks it. Visitors are warned to ask Robert for permission before taking his picture—or else.
The whole island has an eerie undertone, from the ghost of a woman in white seen walking Duval Street to tales of haunted mansions like the Artist House. Many buildings have secret histories tied to shipwrecks and plagues. Locals nod knowingly when asked about hauntings—but most tourists stay blissfully unaware. It’s a tropical paradise with a dark side.
14. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is so steeped in history that it’s no surprise ghosts might feel at home here. The Omni Parker House Hotel is especially active, with guests hearing whispering voices and seeing apparitions of Charles Dickens and Harvey Parker, the hotel’s founder. Elevators operate on their own, and lights flicker without cause. Locals treat it like an open secret.
There’s also the Central Burying Ground, where musicians from the nearby theater were buried in the 1700s. People have reported phantom music late at night and even ghostly faces in the trees. Then there’s the Boston Common, where public executions once took place—some say you can still hear the screams. Tourists may walk right over these spots without knowing what lies beneath.
15. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis might not scream haunted at first glance, but it has a few well-kept spectral secrets. The Wabasha Street Caves—originally used by gangsters during Prohibition—are rumored to be haunted by mobsters who never left. Workers claim to see men in fedoras vanishing into the walls. Some even hear gunshots echoing in the tunnels.
Then there’s the Palmer House Hotel in nearby Sauk Centre, where ghost sightings are a regular thing. Author Sinclair Lewis worked there, and many say the creative energy—and spirits—still linger. Locals report cold spots and whispers in otherwise empty rooms. It’s not a famous haunted hub, but those who live nearby know better.
