The 10 Most Haunted Places in the U.S. You Can Actually Visit This Halloween

From eerie prisons to haunted hotels, the United States is full of places where history and the supernatural collide. If you’re looking for a spooky adventure this Halloween, these destinations offer ghost tours, overnight stays, and chilling atmospheres where legends come alive.

1. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why It’s Famous

Once the most expensive and radical prison in the world, Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829. Its design of solitary cells was meant to reform inmates through reflection, but it often drove them to despair. After years of overcrowding, disease, and hardship, it closed in 1971.

Paranormal Activity

Echoing voices in Cellblock 12, shadowy figures in Cellblock 6, and ghostly faces in Cellblock 4 are just a few of the reported hauntings. In the 1990s, a maintenance worker claimed unseen hands grabbed him inside a cell, while spectral faces pushed through the stone walls.

Visiting Today

Eastern State is now a museum with both daytime history tours and Halloween-themed night time experiences. Wandering through its crumbling stone corridors, it’s easy to see why it’s called one of the most haunted places in the U.S.

Visitor Tips

• Book Halloween Nights tickets early—they sell out fast.
• Dress warmly; the stone walls stay cold.
• Evening tours heighten the eerie vibe.

2. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

Why It’s Famous

Built in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, this grand hotel in the Rockies gained fame when Stephen King stayed there and later wrote The Shining. Its isolation and elegant but unsettling atmosphere make it a must for paranormal fans.

Paranormal Activity

Room 217 is legendary. In 1911, a gas explosion injured housekeeper Elizabeth Wilson. Guests say her spirit lingers—tucking people into bed, moving objects, and flickering lights. Other spirits include Flora Stanley, whose piano still plays, and a ghost named Paul in the basement lounge.

Visiting Today

The Stanley offers nightly ghost tours and overnight stays. Creeping along its creaky floors and long hallways feels like stepping into a horror novel.

Visitor Tips

• Reserve haunted rooms months in advance.
• Evening tours are the spookiest.
• Combine your visit with autumn hikes in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.

3. Franklin Castle, Cleveland, Ohio

Why It’s Famous

Built in 1881 by Hannes Tiedemann, this Victorian mansion is filled with turrets, hidden passages, and stained-glass windows. It gained notoriety after multiple tragedies in the Tiedemann family, including the deaths of several children.

Paranormal Activity

Locals call it “Ohio’s most haunted house.” Reports include children’s cries, flickering lights, and shadowy figures in the windows. Its maze-like architecture—with secret rooms and staircases—only fuels the ghost stories.

Visiting Today

Franklin Castle is privately owned but occasionally opens for tours and events, especially around Halloween.

Visitor Tips

• Check local listings for public access dates.
• Guided tours give access to secret rooms.
• Twilight visits are most atmospheric.

4. McRaven House, Vicksburg, Mississippi

Why It’s Famous

Dating back to 1797, McRaven House is considered one of the most haunted homes in Mississippi. It served as a Confederate field hospital during the Civil War and has seen more than its share of tragedy.

Paranormal Activity

Visitors report cold spots, self-opening windows, and apparitions of soldiers and civilians. Guides often recount footsteps, glowing lights, and whispers in empty rooms.

Visiting Today

McRaven House is open for history and ghost tours, particularly popular during October.

Visitor Tips

• Combine your visit with a Vicksburg ghost walk.
• Bring a flashlight—some rooms are dim.
• Evening tours add to the haunting feel.

5. Octagon House, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Why It’s Famous

Built in 1856 by Isaac Brown, this unusual eight-sided house includes hidden chambers and escape routes. Its odd design has long been tied to eerie tales.

Paranormal Activity

People have reported footsteps, strange lights, and figures in the attic. Some say its angles and many windows create unsettling illusions that feel supernatural.

Visiting Today

The Octagon House is sometimes open for historic tours and seasonal Halloween events.

Visitor Tips

• Look for local haunted house events in October.
• Guided tours reveal hidden passageways.
• Go near dusk for maximum spook factor.

6. The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana

Why It’s Famous

Built in 1796, this plantation has a bloody history tied to slavery and violence. It’s often ranked among the most haunted houses in America.

Paranormal Activity

The most famous ghost is “Chloe,” an enslaved woman said to linger in the halls. Guests have also reported ghostly children, a haunted mirror, and phantom footsteps.

Visiting Today

You can tour the plantation or even stay overnight in its guest rooms. Many visitors report strange sounds while trying to sleep.

Visitor Tips

• Overnight stays are the boldest way to experience it.
• Book early around Halloween.
• Ask guides about Chloe’s legend—it’s central to the lore.

7. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, West Virginia

Why It’s Famous

This massive psychiatric hospital opened in 1864 and operated until 1994. Its history includes overcrowding, mistreatment, and tragedy.

Paranormal Activity

Ghost tours highlight spirits of former patients, shadowy figures in long hallways, and unexplained voices. Paranormal investigators often list it as one of the most active sites in the U.S.

Visiting Today

The asylum offers history tours by day and ghost hunts by night.

Visitor Tips

• Ghost hunts are best for thrill seekers.
• Wear comfortable shoes—the building is huge.
• Day tours focus more on history than hauntings.

8. Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts

Why It’s Famous

In 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused (and acquitted) of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. The case remains one of America’s most infamous mysteries.

Paranormal Activity

Guests have reported cold spots, phantom footsteps, and apparitions of the Borden family. Some say the energy is especially heavy in the bedroom where Abby Borden was killed.

Visiting Today

The house is now a bed-and-breakfast and museum. You can book tours or spend the night.

Visitor Tips

• Overnight stays sell out, especially near Halloween.
• Tours are family-friendly during the day, spookier at night.
• Expect a mix of true crime and ghost lore.

9. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky

Why It’s Famous

Built in 1910, Waverly Hills housed tuberculosis patients at the height of the epidemic. Thousands died here, and its infamous “body chute” only adds to the unsettling atmosphere.

Paranormal Activity

Reported sightings include shadow people, disembodied voices, and ghostly figures in the halls. Room 502 is especially infamous for its tragic stories.

Visiting Today

Guided tours and overnight investigations are available. Paranormal teams from around the world come here to investigate.

Visitor Tips

• Overnight tours are intense—bring a flashlight.
• History tours are available if you prefer less fright.
• Dress for the weather—parts of the building are open-air.

10. The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

Why It’s Famous

This retired ocean liner, launched in 1936, carried troops in World War II before becoming a luxury hotel and museum. It’s widely considered one of the most haunted ships in the world.

Paranormal Activity

Guests report voices and apparitions in the pool area, engine room, and first-class cabins. Many claim to see a “lady in white” drifting along the decks.

Visiting Today

The Queen Mary now offers tours, exhibits, and overnight stays. Special ghost tours run year-round, with extra events at Halloween.

Visitor Tips

• Stay overnight for the full experience.
• The engine room is a must for ghost seekers.
• Check ahead—some areas may be under restoration.

Final Thoughts

Whether you believe in ghosts or just love spine-chilling history, these haunted places offer unforgettable Halloween adventures. From the abandoned corridors of Eastern State Penitentiary to the eerie elegance of the Stanley Hotel, every site blends folklore with real tragedies.

Travel Tips Before You Go:

• Book tours and haunted stays early in October.
• Dress warmly—many of these sites are drafty.
• Go with an open mind… and maybe a flashlight.

This Halloween, dare to explore the most haunted places in the U.S.—you might just walk away with a ghost story of your own.