Today, every historic city in the U.S. has a ghost tour to satisfy our curiosity for real-life supernatural encounters.

👻 Haunted hotels, restaurants, parks, and even airports are said to be inhabited by lingering spirits, often tied to tragic past events.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, visiting these haunted locations offers a unique way to explore America’s dark and fascinating history.

Here, we explore 10 of the most haunted places in America, where you might just have a spine-tingling encounter and return home with your own ghost story.

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1. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is often hailed as one of the most haunted cities in America. With its rich history of voodoo, jazz, and cultural fusion, it’s no surprise that spirits seem to linger here.

The French Quarter is filled with haunted sites, from St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where the famous Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is buried, to the Old Absinthe House, a bar frequented by ghostly figures like Andrew Jackson and pirate Jean Lafitte.

The city’s spectral residents include the spirit of William Faulkner, who is sometimes seen at his former home-turned-bookstore, Faulkner House Books.

2. Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Pawleys Island may be known for its serene beaches, but it also harbors a darker side. This quiet town is home to the legend of the Gray Man, a ghostly figure who was said to have appeared before devastating storms, warning residents to flee.

Those who see the Gray Man are believed to be spared from the wrath of hurricanes. For a complete ghost-hunting experience, visitors can stay at The Pelican Inn, rumored to be haunted by its former owner, a Confederate soldier.

Nearby, All Saints Church, with its 18th-century graves, is where the spirit of Alice Flagg, a young girl who died of a broken heart, is said to wander. Visitors often leave tokens on her grave to make a wish.

3. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s haunted history is as deep and complex as the city itself. From the tragic fire at the Iroquois Theater in 1903, where hundreds perished, to the notorious crimes of serial killer H.H. Holmes, the Windy City is full of ghostly tales.

Holmes’s “Murder Castle” may be long gone, but the site is now occupied by a post office, where strange occurrences have been reported in the basement.

Another chilling spot is the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre site, which is linked to Al Capone.

4. Pine Barrens, New Jersey

The Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey are shrouded in mystery. They are most famously known as the home of the Jersey Devil.

This legendary creature, described as a bat-winged demon with hooves, is said to have been born to a local woman in the 18th century. Over the years, tales of the Jersey Devil have persisted, with reports of attacks on livestock and people.

The Pine Barrens is also home to abandoned towns and factories, adding to its eerie reputation.

The area is further haunted by the ghost of a Mexican pilot who died in a plane crash in 1928, his spirit said to wander the site of the tragedy.

5. Savannah, Georgia

The city is often cited as one of the most haunted in America, with numerous ghost stories tied to its past.

The Moon River Brewing Company is said to be the most haunted spot in town, with guests reporting sightings of a lady in white and mischievous spirits playing tricks on staff.

The Pirates’ House, now a family-friendly restaurant, was once a notorious boarding house where sailors were kidnapped, and their spirits are said to linger.

The Marshall House, a hotel that was a Civil War hospital, is known for ghostly apparitions and the sound of children running in the halls.

6. The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

The Queen Mary, now a permanently docked hotel in Long Beach, California, has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted places in the United States.

This former ocean liner, which sailed from the 1930s to the 1960s, is said to be home to numerous spirits.

Visitors have reported encounters with ghostly figures in the engine room, boiler room, and the first-class swimming pool, where many of the ship’s eerie tales are centered.

The hotel offers ghost tours that take guests through the ship’s most haunted areas, making it a must-visit for paranormal enthusiasts.

7. St. Augustine, Florida

As the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States, St. Augustine is rich in history—and ghostly activity.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is a hotspot for paranormal encounters, with visitors reporting sightings of the spirits of two young girls who drowned there in the 1870s.

Castle Warden, now home to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum is another haunted location where guests have experienced unexplained phenomena.

These ghost tours of St. Augustine take visitors through the city’s most haunted spots, offering a glimpse into the darker side of this historic town.

8. Shoshone Ice Caves, Idaho

Located in the remote backcountry of Idaho, the Shoshone Ice Caves are known for their stunning natural ice formations—and their paranormal activity.

These caves, which stretch over four miles underground, were once a sacred site for the Shoshone tribe.

Visitors to the caves have reported hearing mysterious footsteps and voices in the darkness, with some believing the spirit of a Shoshone princess still lingers there.

9. Portland, Oregon

Portland’s vibrant culture and eclectic atmosphere extend into the supernatural realm, with the city’s haunted history drawing ghost hunters from around the country.

The Shanghai Tunnels, a network of underground passages once used to smuggle goods—and people—are among the most haunted sites in Portland.

According to legend, unsuspecting bar patrons were kidnapped and taken through the tunnels to waiting ships, never to be seen again.

Today, the spirits of these victims are said to haunt the bars above ground, adding a ghostly chill to Portland’s nightlife.

10. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel is one of America’s most famous haunted destinations, and it inspired Stephen King’s novel The Shining.

King’s stay in Room 217 led to the creation of one of the most iconic horror stories ever.

The hotel has its own haunted history, with reports of a former housekeeper who enjoys unpacking guests’ luggage and a ghost named Paul who haunts the concert hall.

The Stanley offers night tours that delve into the hotel’s paranormal past, making it a must-visit for horror fans and ghost hunters alike.

11. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle, Gettysburg, is often regarded as one of the most haunted places in the world. The battlefield, where thousands of soldiers lost their lives, is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who died there.

Visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures in uniform, hearing the sounds of battle, and even smelling gunpowder.

The local inns and nearby farms also have a reputation for being haunted, and ghost tours offer an in-depth look at Gettysburg’s history and hauntings.

12. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles, California

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with its glamorous history and tragic tales, is a hotspot for ghostly encounters.

Marilyn Monroe, who lived in Suite 1200 for an extended period, is said to occasionally appear in the room’s mirror. Other famous ghosts include Carole Lombard, Errol Flynn, and Montgomery Clift.

🏨 The hotel’s most famous non-celebrity ghost, Caroline, is a young girl who roams the halls looking for her mother.

The Hollywood Roosevelt’s mix of old Hollywood charm and paranormal activity makes it a unique destination for those seeking a supernatural experience.

13. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., with its rich history and political intrigue, is also home to numerous ghost stories.

The White House is considered one of the most haunted houses in America, with sightings of President Lincoln’s ghost in the Lincoln Bedroom and reports of other past presidents and first ladies lingering in the residence.

Ghost tours in D.C. take visitors through other haunted locations, including the National Building Museum, the Congressional Cemetery, and several official government buildings, offering a different perspective on the nation’s capital.