7 Most Haunted US Towns to Visit this Halloween
From popular horror movies to actual haunted locations, the United States seems to have a strong attachment to the paranormal. Whether it is ghosts, aliens, cryptids, or anything else that goes bump in the night, it seems that each state has its fair share of spooky places.
Savanah, Georgia is widely considered the most haunted city in the country, and perhaps the entire world, but today, we would like to focus on some of the smaller towns that pack nearly as big of a punch when it comes to historic yet frightening locales. And, what better time to send shivers up your spine than the upcoming spooky season?
See which one of these haunted American towns you can visit this Halloween!
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
To most Americans, Gettysburg captures the zeitgeist of the Civil War and is most closely associated with a major battle in 1863 that took place near the town. With its violent and tragic past, it is widely considered one of the most haunted towns in the United States.
On top of those who come to explore the history of this former battlefield at the Gettysburg National Military Park, this town draws countless visitors seeking a glimpse into its paranormal past, with many ghost stories tied to the aftermath of the bloody three-day conflict that resulted in around 40,00 casualties. The National Military Park, the primary attraction for both types of tourists, is said to be a hotspot for ghostly sightings. Visitors frequently report eerie encounters near sites like Devil’s Den and Little Round Top, where soldiers are said to wander in form... even after the local re-enactors who frequent the fields have left for the day.
The Jennie Wade House, home to the only civilian casualty of the battle who was struck by a stray bullet while in her kitchen, also has a reputation for unexplained activity.
Gettysburg Ghost Tours is a particularly popular service for its storytelling and access to paranormal hotspots that civilians don't normally get to see up close.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States, is steeped in centuries of tales, some of which involve ghosts who still linger from the past. Founded in 1565, this historic town in Florida is a perfect destination for those seeking out paranormal chills in a beautifully warm coastal environment.
The Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century fortress, is a focal point for ghost hunters, with numerous reports of apparitions, strange lights, and mysterious sounds from its walls being reported over the years. The city’s historic district is also home to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, where ghostly figures are said to roam, particularly those of two young girls who allegedly drowned nearby in the 1800s. The Old Jail, now a museum, is another infamous haunt where eerie, chilling sensations and disembodied voices are commonly reported.
St. Augustine is perhaps best explored through one of its many popular ghost tours, like Ghost City Tours of St. Augustine or A Ghostly Encounter, both highly recommended tour hosts in town.
For those interested in history and supernatural intrigue while in a tropical paradise, St. Augustine and its colonial past are well worth an exploration this Halloween season.
Bodie, California
Bodie, a ghost town preserved in the arid hills just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, is one of the most famous haunted locations in the American West. Once a thriving gold-mining town in the late 19th century, Bodie is now a deserted landscape of abandoned buildings, crumbling saloons, and empty streets (but not as empty as many paranormal experts purport)—a perfect setting for ghost stories.
Visitors often report sightings of spectral figures in many of the old homes and hotels. The Cain House, for example, is a Victorian-era home rumored to be one of the most active places for sightings; where the ghost of a maid is said to linger, still upset after a love affair with the owner of the residence led to her suicide. Many believe that some of Bodie's other past residents, from miners to outlaws, still haunt the town, longing to protect their forgotten riches among the ruins.
Bodie is part of the Bodie State Historic Park, and ghost walks led by members of the Bodie Foundation can be booked at various times of the year. On these tours, you will get an in-depth lesson on the iconic ghost town's history and the spirits that may still call it home.
Jefferson, Texas
Jefferson is appropriately known as the “Most Haunted Small Town in Texas.” Established in 1841 as an important riverport town, Jefferson was once a gateway for trade and travel for many souls. Today, its historic homes, hotels, and streets are said to be haunted by some of these souls who decided to stay, even after death.
The Historic Jefferson Hotel, originally built in the 1850s, is a renowned hotspot for ghost hunters and regular guests of the town alike, as it still functions to this day as a place to spend a night. Guests have reported sightings of ghostly apparitions roaming the premises, the sound of children laughing, and unexplained footsteps echoing in the halls.
The Grove, another historic locale, is a home dating back to 1861 and is another well-known place to spot the paranormal. Visitors have experienced everything from cold spots and strange mists to sightings of a mysterious lady in white who regularly walks into the home's powder room before vanishing into thin air. This home’s ghost stories are so numerous it’s been called one of the most haunted houses in the entire state of Texas.
As with many locations on this list, ghost walks are available to book locally, which take you on a guided tour through the town's old streets. You can learn more about Jefferson by yourself as well at the Jefferson Historical Museum dowtown, which is housed in a gorgeous red brick courthouse/post office built in 1888.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
The most haunted town in New York is often considered to be Sleepy Hollow, and yes, it is a real place you can visit that also happens to be under an hour's drive from New York City. This small village in Westchester County has a spooky reputation that stems from Washington Irving’s famous short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," which introduced the iconic figure of the Headless Horseman. This classic character, said in the story to terrify the area around Sleepy Hollow, has become a symbol of the village’s real ghostly past.
Sleepy Hollow is home to numerous reported hauntings. The historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, for example, is where Washington Irving himself is buried, and is known for its common ghost sightings and other strange occurrences that can't be explained. Other haunted locations nearby include the Old Dutch Church, built in 1867 and one of the oldest surviving churches in the state, and nearby Philipsburg Manor, which hosts a popular haunted house event during the month of October but also allegedly houses a number of real ghosts too, stemming from its long-standing past as a Dutch trading hub.
St. Elmo, Colorado
You may have noticed that pretty much all of the places mentioned on this list are in coastal states. Let's take a venture into the heart of the continent then, at what is apparently the town with the most paranormal activity in Colorado.
St. Elmo is another one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the West, and as per usual, is a huge draw for ghost hunters and anyone else interested in the subject. Established in 1880 as a booming mining town, St. Elmo was once home to nearly 2,000 residents. However, after the local mining industry collapsed, the town was abandoned, leaving behind only a handful of residents along with a host of ghostly legends in the coming years.
The town’s most famous spectral resident is Annabelle Stark, the daughter of one of St. Elmo’s original families. After the rest of her family either moved on after the economic collapse or passed away, she reportedly refused to leave the town, living in seclusion before dying in a mental institution at the end of her life. Today, many visitors claim to see her spirit wandering around the town’s deserted buildings, particularly near the general store and the hotel where she spent most of her time in life.
St. Elmo’s weathered buildings and quiet mountain setting create an atmosphere that even the biggest skeptics will have a hard time not feeling a little spooked by. Today, you can explore the remnants of the town’s saloons, homes, and stores, with some of the structures now housing museums and tourist shops. Hiking is another draw in this area of the Rocky Mountains, with trails like Poplar Gulch and Mount Antero located nearby, along with Iron City Campground as an idyllic place to spend the night outdoors (if you're comfortable sleeping beside a haunted town, that is).
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts, is perhaps the most infamous haunted town in the United States, largely due to its association with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The town’s dark history, in which 20 people were executed for witchcraft, has left a lasting mark, both culturally and paranormally.
Today, Salem is a popular destination for those fascinated by witchcraft, haunted history, and just about anything that goes bump in the night. Will you see a ghost witch or fall victim to one of their curses during your trip here? You'll just have to find out...
The Witch House, the former home of witch trial Judge Jonathan Corwin, is one of the town’s key haunted sites and a huge draw for tourists. As one of the few remaining buildings directly tied to the infamous trials, its stark black walls are now said to be the source of strange noises and ghost activity. The Old Burying Point Cemetery, a short walk from the Witch House, is where many early settlers, including witch trial victims, are buried and is one of several popular outdoor spots for ghost hunting in the area.
Visitors in Salem can check out other haunted locations not necessarily related to witches, like the Hawthorne Hotel, and the House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name. Many of these places can be explored and learned about in-depth from tours provided by Salem Ghosts or one of the many other similar services in town.
Find a World of Ghostly Adventure in America
These are just a few of the scariest places to visit in America, regardless of what time of year you come. From abandoned ghost towns to bustling historic districts, a tour of any of these destinations is a sure way to celebrate the spooky season to its fullest extent!
Are any of these notorious towns close to you? If not, what scary tales and urban legends does your area have going around? Even if you aren't a believer, you'd be surprised at the educational value many ghost stories can add to your understanding of local history.
