Travel to the Most Haunted Places in the U.S.
Last updated on 03/27/2023
America is home to many haunted places. Gruesome historic incidents at many homes, hotels, and other buildings have left their impression on these locations. Visitors frequently report seeing apparitions and experiencing other paranormal phenomena. Whether or not you believe travelers really see ghosts when they visit these haunted locations, their histories are enough to give anyone chills. Read more about the history and haunting of these famous places in the U.S.
The Whaley House
The Whaley House is also called the "Most Haunted House in the U.S." It is located in San Diego, California and was built by Thomas Whaley in 1857 partially on top of an old cemetery. As soon as the Whaley family moved into the house, they believed it was haunted due to the sound of heavy footsteps that they heard in their home. James "Yankee Jim" Robinson had been hanged on the property, and the Whaley family thought it was his ghost they heard walking throughout the residence. The house is now said to be haunted by members of the Whaley family as well as the original ghosts.
History of the Whaley Family and House – Details the history of the home and the stories of those who died there.
Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is located in San Jose, California. The estate was owned by Sarah and William Winchester. Construction began in 1884 and was guided by Sarah Winchester. She requested constant construction and new building on the home. Sarah believed that her home and family's fortune were haunted and thought the constant new additions to the house would keep the ghosts from inhabiting it. Many additions to the home seem nonsensical in construction, such as stairways and doors that lead to nowhere. Sarah thought these would confuse the ghosts. Today, it is believed that these ghosts still haunt the house, including Sarah herself.
Winchester Mystery House – About Sarah Winchester's home, construction, and haunting.
The White House
One of the most recognized houses in the United States is also thought to be haunted by numerous ghosts. Abigail Adams, the wife of second president, John Adams, has supposedly been seen in the East room of the house where she used to hang the laundry to dry. Abraham Lincoln's wife claimed to have heard the ghost of Andrew Jackson while residing in the house. Harry Truman also wrote about seeing Jackson's ghost. Abraham Lincoln's ghost is the most frequently reported sighting. Eleanor Roosevelt and Winston Churchill have both reported seeing his ghost.
Ghost Stories Haunt the White House – Multiple residents of the White House claim to have heard and seen ghostly inhabitants.
The Forgotten Ghosts of the White House – A brief overview of the less famous ghosts that linger through the President's home.
Villisca Axe Murder House
The Villisca Axe Murders took place in 1912 in Villisca, Iowa in the Moore family's residence. Two guests staying in the house as well as the other six members of the family were found dead early in June. All died from axe wounds to the head. The crime was never solved even though there were several suspects. The dead family now haunts the home. It is said that most of the paranormal activity occurs at 2 a.m. - the time when a train drives through Villisca. The sound of the train causes a repeat of the murder night's events; it has been assumed the murderer or murderers used the sound of the train to cover up their activity.
Axe Murder House – Paranormal investigations of the Axe Murder House.
The Sultan's Palace
Also known as the Gardette-LePrete Mansion, this house was the scene of a gruesome mass murder. It is located in the French Quarter of New Orleans and was owned by Jean Baptiste LaPrete as a vacation home. LaPrete used the home as a rental property and found a renter from Turkey known as "the Sultan." Soon after the Sultan rented out the home, a passerby noticed blood dripping down the stairs in front of the house. All the occupants had been murdered and the Sultan's body was buried in the backyard.
The Sultan's Ghost – All about the murders at the Gardette-LePrete Mansion and its current ghostly inhabitants.
Jacob’s Well
Texas is hot, but the cold water of Jacob’s Well has lured victims to its depth for centuries. Take the daring dive from a nearby ledge, but aim carefully. The opening to this well is only a mere measure of yards and plunges you to depths over 100 feet. Jacob’s Well has claimed the life of more than one explorer, but are you bold enough to venture below the surface?
Jacob's Well – History and visitor information for the unique artesian spring.
Marshall House
Savanah may be the most haunted city in America. The whole area is rich in history, war, and rebuilding. The Marshall House was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and then again as a place of refuge and treatment during two yellow fever outbreaks. There are horror movies with the same plot! You can imagine how October would be a busy time for the hotel, but you just may find yourself in luck. The scariest part may be the rates, which are spine-tinglingly affordable.
Marshall House – History, directions, and tour information.
More Haunted Places & Spooky Vacation Ideas
- Haunted Pittsburgh – The University of Pittsburgh's campus is home to many historical buildings who house some ghosts.
- Most Haunted Places in the U.S. – A list of places in the United States with a sinister history and have been recorded as being haunted.
- America's Most Haunted Places – A guide to finding the most haunted places in the United States.
- Haunted Places of New York City – A list of NYC's haunted hotels, houses, restaurants, and other scary locations.
- The Bell Witch Haunting – Tells the story of the Bell Witch Haunting, a famous story from Tennessee.
- The Haunting of Alcatraz – A history of the haunted island of Alcatraz.
Get out there and have a frightfully good time! Halloween only comes once a year, so pick one of these spooky vacations to celebrate.