The Most Haunted Cities to Visit this Halloween
Halloween is widely celebrated all throughout the United States, with big cities and small towns offering a vast number of attractions, haunted houses, trick-or-treat options, and other fun ways to get the most out of this festive fall holiday.
How Halloween Came to America
The roots of Halloween began outside of the U.S., starting with the Celts of Britain and Ireland more than two thousand years ago. These people celebrated the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, which marked the end of the harvesting season and the beginning of winter.
The celts believed during this season, the veil between the living and dead became very thin, allowing both sides to communicate with each other and possibly even cross over.
As many Irish immigrants made their way to America during the mid-1800s, they brought their traditions and customs along with them. It wasn’t long before their traditions combined with American culture, which led to the Halloween holiday we celebrate today.
Which U.S. Cities are the Best to Visit During Spooky Season?
Every city in the U.S. has a spooky tale or two that has been passed down for generations. There may be a haunted house on the street where you grew up or a local hotel that has been around for centuries where tragic deaths occurred, enticing dark spirits to stick around.
But out of all the towns in our nation and the urban legends attached to them, these five cities tend to be the most popular when it comes to ghostly encounters and strange occurrences, making them some of the best places to visit during the Halloween season.
Gettysburg, PA
The Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1st through the 3rd in 1863. It was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, where approximately 51,000 soldiers were killed or injured. Makeshift hospitals were set up at local churches and schools to house the wounded; however, many soldiers didn’t survive.
With so many traumatic deaths occurring at one time, it is no surprise that Gettysburg is believed to be one of the most haunted cities in the country.
Some of the places you should visit while in Gettysburg for Halloween include:
The Jennie Wade House
Among some of the most historic and haunted places in Gettysburg is the Jennie Wade House Museum. This modest brick home is where one of the biggest tragedies of the Civil War occurred.
During the Battle of Gettysburg, 20-year-old Jennie Wade was in her kitchen preparing bread for the Union soldiers. Suddenly, a stray bullet from the battle struck through the door and into Jennie’s chest, killing her instantly. Jennie’s tragic death is the only known civilian casualty of the battle.
Today the home is a museum where visitors can learn more about the historic battle, as well as Jennie’s life and tragic death. The same door the fatal bullet pierced through is still in place, and there are bloodstains on the floor of the kitchen where Jennie stood that day.
Several visitors to the museum have reported that the building is haunted, claiming that they’ve heard strange whispers, felt drops in temperature in different areas, and have even seen the apparition of Jennie’s ghost.
Sachs Covered Bridge
The Sachs Covered Bridge over Marsh Creek is a structure that will instantly take you back into years past. The old wooden bridge provided passage for both Union and Confederate forces during the Battle of Gettysburg. It was also an execution site for at least three Confederate soldiers who were hanged for the crime of impersonating Union soldiers.
Those brave enough to walk through the covered bridge today have witnessed unsettling events such as noticing the phantom smell of cigar smoke, feeling the touch of an invisible force, or hearing the sound of gunfire or the blast of a cannon in the distance. Some have even mentioned seeing the disturbing image of bodiless heads floating through the mist.
The National Homestead Orphanage
Located on Baltimore Street, this former orphanage is a stark reminder of the casualties of war and the souls who were tormented as a result.
Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the National Homestead Orphanage was opened as a place to care for children who were left parentless by the war. It was a safe space in the beginning but soon turned into a dark and sinister place of torture.
What was once a sanctuary for the youth became a place ruled by a vicious and uncompassionate woman named Rosa J. Carmichael. There are many stories of children being chained for days in the basement as a form of punishment, as well as other harrowing details on what life was like for the children who lived there.
Visitors of the orphanage have talked about hearing echoes of cries from the basement below and seeing glimpses of small children running through the shadows. Some have reported seeing orbs of light, while others have heard faint laughter, as well as the heartbreaking sound of quiet sobbing.
Williamsburg, VA
Around 400 years ago, the area we now know as Williamsburg, VA was home to the Powhatan nation, a Native American tribe who named the area “Tsenacommacah” which meant “densely inhabited land.”
After the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, the colonial settlement of Williamsburg was established in 1638, on the same land that was appropriated from the natives.
Williamsburg is said to be the most haunted city on the East Coast. While no one is quite sure why the town is so haunted, some locals feel it is because the town was established on the Powhatan’s sacred burial ground.
Some of the best places to visit while in Williamsburg for Halloween include:
The Wren Building
On the historic College of William and Mary campus, you will find the Wren Building, the oldest college building in the U.S. The building has been used as both a classroom and a dormitory over the years and is believed to be haunted because it was built over a crypt. The crypts were once used as a burial site for many of Williamsburg’s most prominent residents. During the Civil War, they were looted by Union soldiers, disturbing the human remains.
People have reported seeing spirits of young Native American boys walking through the hallways. They have also heard screams and strange noises, including cries and unexplainable footsteps following behind them. Students and faculty have also reported hearing the sound of furniture being moved around in vacant rooms.
The Public Gaol
The Public Gaol (pronounced “jail”) was built in 1704 in Williamsburg to hold prisoners as they awaited trial. It was a small building only meant to hold a few convicts and was not a very humane or sanitary place to be. Many of the prisoners who were kept there became very ill and later died from poor health. There were also some who were executed nearby.
Visitors have reported seeing strange movements in the shadows and chains on the walls moving and swinging on their own. Some have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of unease and sadness upon entering the jail, and others have heard banging on the walls from inside the cells.
Williamsburg Historic Public Hospital
The historic public hospital was opened in 1773 and originally known as the Public Hospital for Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds. It was one of several early mental healthcare facilities in the U.S., but it was more akin to a prison than a place to treat patients. There were bars on the doors and windows, restraining devices, and doctors who used very primitive tactics.
Things began to turn around for the Public Hospital when Dr. John Minson Galt became the new supervisor. Dr. Galt was determined to put a stop to the barbaric treatments the patients received and treat them with the respect they deserved.
But when Union forces took over the building to be used during the war, the doctor was relieved of his duties. He became so upset about no longer having protective authority over the patients that he took his own life inside the hospital.
Visitors of the historic location say they hear screams and disembodied voices in the distance, see ghostly apparitions of former patients, and feel a general sense of dread as soon as they enter the building.
Salem, MA
Salem, MA is synonymous with Halloween because of the historic 1692 events known as the Salem Witch Trials. The sites associated with the trials, such as Proctor’s Ledge, The Witch House, and the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, are all highly recommended places to visit during the Halloween season. But there are several other historic and haunted places to visit in town that you may not know about.
Hawthorne Hotel
Often referred to as one of the creepiest places to stay in Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel is filled with a mix of history and horror, where guests and staff members have experienced many encounters with the supernatural.
The hotel was built in the early 1800s and is named after the Salem native and novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. Since it opened its doors to guests, people have reported several eerie experiences, especially in rooms 612 and 326. Those who stay in those rooms have mentioned lights flickering, hearing strange noises at night, and doors opening on their own.
One guest who stayed on the third floor of the hotel woke up in the middle of the night and saw that their door was open to the hallway.
In 1990, guests at the hotel held a séance in the Grand Ballroom in hopes of trying to contact the ghost of magician Harry Houdini; however, they were unsuccessful.
Ropes Mansion
Located on Essex Street in Salem, the Ropes Mansion is a popular place to visit during Halloween, especially for fans of the 90s film Hocus Pocus. The location was used in the filming of the movie as the home for one of the characters, Allison Watts.
But that’s not the only reason why you should visit this spooky and historic mansion. The home is also believed to be haunted by more than one spirit.
Ropes Mansion was built in 1727 for Samuel Barnard, a merchant who died inside the home due to contracting smallpox. There was also another tragic death that occurred at the mansion: a young woman named Abigail who died in the 1830s after her dress caught on fire.
Abigail suffered from third-degree burns that covered most of her body. It is believed that both Abigail and Samuel’s ghosts haunt the mansion based on multiple encounters reported by visitors.
People believe that both spirits are vengeful, especially Abigail, who will often push or shove anyone who explores the home. Some have noticed cold spots in different rooms as well as the distinct odor of smoke in the air.
Old Salem Jail
A tour of the Old Salem Jail provides a profound look into Salem’s past. It was built in 1813 and served as a detention facility for the town for more than a century before it closed its doors in 1991. When it shut down, the jail had no running water or electricity, making it an inhumane place to house prisoners.
The old jail was well known for its harsh living conditions, and many believe that contributed to why it is considered to be haunted now. One paranormal investigator who has visited the jail since she was a child said that she saw and felt things inside that she didn’t see in many other places. She said she felt a great sense of despair and loneliness every time she entered the building.
These days the investigator explores the property using an EMF reader, and she says the indicator will remain red the entire time she’s inside, letting her know that there is spiritual energy all around her.
New Orleans, LA
The City of New Orleans is filled with rich history and culture, with more than three centuries of haunted ghost tales and mysterious legends. It is a great place to visit any time of the year, but it is especially fun during spooky season when the spirits of NOLA come out to play.
Here are some of the top haunted places to visit while staying in New Orleans.
Muriel’s
Muriel’s Hotel at Jackson Square dates back to the 1700s, before the Great Fire of New Orleans. There have been several traumatic deaths occurring at this historic location, making it a hot spot for those who love a good haunting.
There is one tale of a previous owner who restored the building meticulously, making it as glorious as possible, but his addiction to gambling got the best of him one night, and he ended up losing the property in a poker game. He was so distraught over losing his prized hotel that he hung himself in one of the guest rooms on the second floor. Today, there is a séance-themed lounge in the location where it is believed he died.
The current owners of Muriel’s honor his memory by leaving one of the tables in the hotel’s restaurant set for him, welcoming him to come dine with them any time he wants.
There have also been several reports of mischievous ghosts pulling pranks on guests in the lower courtyard bar and other guest rooms. Some people have witnessed objects being moved when no one was in the room, heard footsteps following behind them, and even seen glasses fall off the shelves and counters in the bar.
Dauphine Orleans Hotel
If you want to have a very spooky Halloween, you need to book your stay at this location. Known as the most haunted hotel in New Orleans, the Dauphine Orleans Hotel has a very haunted history and a full cocktail bar providing you with the best of both types of spirits.
This hotel is highly recommended for ghost hunting, and there are reportedly several haunted rooms to explore. Over the years there have been several ghostly encounters, including people seeing the apparition of a Civil War soldier, ladies of the night from the Red Light District, the spirit of a lady who dances in the courtyard, and the ghost of a heartbroken bride named Millie.
Millie’s story is perhaps the most well-known by those who work at the hotel. According to the legend, Millie was the sister of a bordello operator and former owner of the hotel named May Baily. To be free from the bordello life, Millie became engaged to a man she truly loved. But on their wedding day, her fiancé was killed in a fierce gambling brawl.
The ghosts of Millie and her fiancé, who was a Civil War soldier, often haunt the hotel grounds. Millie is dressed in her wedding gown, while her fiancé is dressed in his uniform.
LaLaurie Mansion
LaLaurie Mansion is another historic haunted location on our list that has been featured on screen. This building was featured on the FX anthology series American Horror Story during the show’s third season, titled Coven. On the show, Kathy Bates played the role of Madame Delphine LaLaurie, who was well known for her grace and beauty within the elite circles in New Orleans in the 1800s. But behind closed doors she was a completely different person.
Madame LaLaurie was a slave owner, and rumors of her cruel and heartless treatment toward her slaves began to circulate, casting a dark shadow over her undefiled reputation. But the truth about her grotesque behavior wasn’t revealed until 1834, when a fire broke out at the mansion.
When firefighters responded to the fire, they found a disturbing chamber in the attic where slaves had been tortured and abused, subjected to barbarous conditions. It was a shock to the people of New Orleans who were once a part of Madame LaLaurie’s circle, and it continues to be a disturbing part of NOLA’s past that haunts locals today.
Because of the traumatic events that occurred at the mansion, there are many who are convinced it is haunted. Visitors have reported disturbing sounds of moans and screams, strange movements in the shadows, and an overall disgusted feeling of discontent upon entering the building.
Galveston, TX
The City of Galveston has a long history of tragic deaths, natural disasters, and devastating epidemics. The historic 1900 hurricane that swept through the island is known as the deadliest storm in our history. It’s been said that there was so much death following the storm that it practically turned the island into a vast cemetery.
With so much death and destruction happening in one location, Galveston has gained a reputation for being home to an abundance of supernatural activity.
There are several locations in town considered to be haunted.
Ashton Villa
The Ashton Villa is a two-story Antebellum-style building in Galveston that was built for James Brown in 1861, who was one of the richest men in Texas at the time. The historic home features elaborate architecture, as it was built to show off the excessive wealth of the Brown family. When James passed away in 1895, he left the villa to his oldest daughter, Bettie.
The home has withstood the Civil War, the 1900 Hurricane, and the threat of demolition. It is said that there is a great residual energy within the home that has caused several entities to linger there for more than a century.
According to stories shared by visitors to the home, the ghost of Bettie Brown has been seen at the villa. Several people have seen her in the Gold Room or at the top of the staircase watching over the space below. Some have even mentioned that they can feel her presence whenever she’s nearby.
It’s also been said that residual energy from Bettie is attached to many of her former belongings that remain in the home. Her bedroom furniture, such as her old chest of drawers, will lock and unlock on its own, even though the key has been missing for many years.
Hotel Grand Galvez
If you have your doubts about ghosts being real, a trip to the Hotel Grand Galvez could change your mind. This historic hotel is one of the top places to stay in Galveston and one of the most haunted. It has been featured on several ghost hunter television shows, including Ghost Stories on the Travel Channel and Ghost Lab on the Discovery Channel.
One spirit that is popular at the hotel is the Ghost Bride, who is known to haunt guest room 501. According to the story, in the mid-1900s, after Audra, a 25-year-old bride-to-be, learned that her fiancé was lost at sea, she hanged herself in that same room in the west turret. But the story takes an unfortunate turn when her fiancé later returned to the hotel looking for her and learned of her tragic death.
Those who have stayed at the hotel claim to have seen Audra still dressed in her wedding gown. They’ll feel a sudden chill in her presence or hear doors slamming when no one is around. Electronics such as TVs and radios will turn on and off on their own, and a housekeeper once noticed a strange light emitting from room 501 while it was known to be vacant.
Guests have also witnessed objects moving on their own, as well as hearing the sound of children running through the hallway
Old City Cemetery
The Old City Cemetery located in Galveston is the oldest burial ground in town. With its many mausoleums and tombs dating back to the 19th century, this graveyard has a very haunted history that includes pirates, murderesses, and even a few cannibals.
Some of the Galveston residents buried there include Elize Roemer Alberti, who was referred to as “The Demented Mother” after murdering her four children. Oddly enough, Alberti shares the same burial plot as her children, and it’s one of the few instances where a murderer has been interred with their victims.
Additionally, with such a high death toll following the 1900 hurricane, the graveyards in town became so overcrowded that there are some graves at the Old City Cemetery that are three bodies deep.
Locals have been convinced for decades that this old graveyard is haunted by several spirits. Some say the ghost of the Demented Mother has been seen, while others have witnessed apparitions of the Alberti children running throughout the maze of tombstones.
For a full tour of Galveston’s haunted side, make sure to hop on a Galveston ghost tour while you’re in town. You will get a chance to visit some of Galveston’s most haunted spots, such as the Tremont House Hotel, and learn about their haunted histories.