1. St. Augustine Lighthouse – St. Augustine, Florida
The St. Augustine Lighthouse has a long history dating back to the 1800s, and locals believe it’s haunted by former keepers. Visitors often report footsteps in the stairwell when they’re alone. Some even claim to see figures climbing the stairs or peering out from the top. The surrounding grounds have been the site of multiple tragic accidents over the years.
Night tours are especially popular, as locals say the spirits are more active after dark. Some guests report strange lights and shadows that seem to move independently. Paranormal enthusiasts believe the lighthouse is a hotspot for spectral activity. It’s a place where history and hauntings feel intertwined in every corner.
2. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous prison in the world, known for its radical solitary confinement system. Locals warn visitors that the isolation and suffering left behind restless spirits. Tourists often report hearing footsteps echoing down empty corridors. Shadows moving just out of the corner of your eye are a common story among guests.
The prison now hosts ghost tours, especially around Halloween, which makes the hauntings part of the draw. The prison’s infamous inmate, Al Capone, allegedly still roams certain cells. Some visitors claim to hear his laughter or whispering when no one else is around. Even the architecture seems to add to the eerie atmosphere, with long, empty cellblocks and barred windows.
3. Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts
The Lizzie Borden House is the site of the infamous 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Locals say Lizzie’s spirit hasn’t left, and visitors report cold spots, slamming doors, and unexplained footsteps. Some guests even claim to see ghostly figures resembling the victims. The house has been turned into a bed-and-breakfast, making overnight stays a spine-chilling experience.
Tour guides share firsthand accounts from previous guests to give a shiver-worthy warning. People who stay overnight sometimes report items moving on their own. Paranormal investigators have captured unexplained noises on tape in certain rooms. For thrill-seekers, it’s an experience locals describe as “haunted history you can touch.”
4. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner now docked as a hotel, but locals whisper that it’s far from retired in the spirit department. Guests often claim to hear voices and footsteps in empty hallways. Some report doors opening and closing on their own, as if someone unseen is checking in. The ship’s history includes tragic deaths, which locals believe fuels the hauntings.
Paranormal tours aboard the Queen Mary are so popular that reservations often fill weeks in advance. Certain areas, like the engine room and the first-class pool, are notorious for ghost sightings. Guests say they’ve seen shadowy figures in the corners of rooms late at night. Even skeptics admit to feeling a strange presence in certain hallways.
5. Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Louisville, Kentucky
Waverly Hills Sanatorium once treated tuberculosis patients in the early 1900s, and locals say the suffering left its mark. Visitors report hearing anguished moans and seeing shadowy figures in abandoned hallways. The sanatorium’s “body chute,” used to discreetly remove bodies, adds a grim historical weight. Paranormal investigators flock to the site hoping to capture evidence of lingering spirits.
Tours have turned the site into a paranormal hotspot, particularly around Halloween. People often report sudden drops in temperature in certain rooms. The hospital’s history of mistreatment and isolation is said to amplify the ghostly activity. Locals say you can’t visit without feeling the eerie atmosphere creeping in.
6. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation is a historic home with a reputation as one of America’s most haunted houses. Locals claim the spirit of Chloe, a former slave, still roams the property. Visitors report hearing children laughing when no children are present. Some even see ghostly figures in mirrors or floating through the hallways.
Paranormal tours often point out the plantation’s dark history, including multiple deaths and tragedies. Guests have shared stories of unexplained cold drafts and objects moving on their own. Local folklore has grown over the years, making the hauntings a major part of the area’s identity. It’s a place where history and ghost stories merge into a chilling experience.
7. The Whaley House – San Diego, California
The Whaley House is often cited as the most haunted house in America. Locals warn that its past as a gallows site and home to multiple tragedies has left restless spirits behind. Visitors report hearing doors creak and footsteps echoing throughout the house. Some even claim to see figures appearing and disappearing in the windows.
The house is a museum now, but overnight ghost tours add an extra layer of eeriness. Guides recount stories of the Whaley family and the executions that took place on the property. Paranormal investigators say the energy in the home is unlike any other historic site. Even skeptics often leave feeling uneasy after a tour.
8. The Amityville Horror House – Amityville, New York
The house in Amityville is infamous for the alleged mass murder of the DeFeo family in the 1970s. Locals insist that the supernatural claims aren’t just legend. Visitors say the energy inside the house feels heavy and oppressive. Reports include strange smells, cold drafts, and sudden noises when no one else is around.
The story became globally famous after books and movies, but locals still treat it with caution. Paranormal investigators continue to study the property. Some claim to see moving shadows or objects levitating without explanation. Even people driving past the house say it has an unsettling aura.
9. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel is famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining, but locals swear the creepiness isn’t just fiction. Visitors report ghostly piano music drifting from empty halls and sudden cold spots in rooms that seem otherwise normal. Employees say the spirit of F.O. Stanley, the original owner, still wanders the hotel. Guests even claim to see apparitions of children running through the hallways at night.
Paranormal tours have become a staple, and many locals treat them as a fun warning for thrill-seekers. The hotel’s history of sudden deaths and tragic events seems to fuel the stories. Room 217, in particular, has a long reputation for being haunted. It’s a place where even skeptics can’t help feeling a chill when the lights flicker.
10. Crescent Hotel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The Crescent Hotel, built in 1886, is known as “America’s most haunted hotel” by locals. Guests have reported shadowy figures, unexplained noises, and even ghostly apparitions in their rooms. Some claim to feel a sudden chill or see items move on their own. The hotel’s long history includes tragic deaths and mysterious occurrences.
Paranormal tours highlight the hotel’s dark past, including deaths from disease and accidents. Visitors often leave with stories of strange happenings they can’t explain. Locals enjoy sharing these tales, especially around Halloween. The combination of beautiful architecture and ghostly legends makes the Crescent unforgettable.
11. Bell Witch Cave – Adams, Tennessee
The Bell Witch Cave is linked to the infamous Bell Witch legend, where locals say a spirit tormented the Bell family in the early 1800s. Visitors report hearing eerie sounds and seeing shadowy figures in the cave. Some even claim to feel sudden touches or a presence nearby. The story of the Bell Witch is so famous that locals use it to warn adventurous tourists.
Tours often share the dark history and encourage respectful exploration. Paranormal enthusiasts claim the cave remains active to this day. Visitors describe a sense of unease, as though the spirit is aware of intruders. The legend continues to make the cave a must-see for thrill-seekers.
12. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum housed thousands of patients under harsh conditions, and locals say spirits linger. Visitors often report hearing whispers, screams, or footsteps where no one is present. The asylum’s dark history of overcrowding and mistreatment adds to the chilling atmosphere. Paranormal tours give guests a firsthand sense of the asylum’s haunted reputation.
Many claim to feel sudden temperature drops in certain rooms. Some report seeing shadowy figures that vanish when approached. Locals warn that it’s a place where the past feels painfully alive. Even the architecture—with long hallways and empty wards—adds a ghostly vibe.
13. The Ridges (Athens Lunatic Asylum) – Athens, Ohio
The Ridges, formerly the Athens Lunatic Asylum, has a reputation for being one of the most haunted locations in Ohio. Locals say the spirits of former patients still roam the grounds. Visitors report eerie noises, cold spots, and shadowy figures appearing unexpectedly. The asylum’s history of experimental treatments and tragic deaths fuels the ghost stories.
Ghost tours are a popular attraction, particularly at night when the atmosphere is at its peak. Some visitors claim to hear faint cries or whispers echoing through empty corridors. Paranormal investigators continue to document unusual occurrences. Locals often tell newcomers to keep their eyes open—you never know what you might see.
14. The Omni Parker House – Boston, Massachusetts
The Omni Parker House is famous for its historic charm, but locals say it has a ghostly side. Guests report hearing voices, footsteps, and even seeing apparitions of former staff and guests. Some claim to see a lady in white gliding through the hallways. The hotel’s long history of deaths and historic events seems to contribute to its haunted reputation.
The hotel embraces its spooky side with ghost tours and stories shared by staff. Visitors often report small objects moving or sudden temperature changes in certain rooms. Paranormal enthusiasts say the spirits are mostly playful but occasionally mischievous. Locals warn that staying overnight could mean encountering something you won’t forget.
This post 14 U.S. Tourist Spots That Locals Claim Are Haunted to Scare Visitors was first published on American Charm.
