1. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
It’s hard to think of a more iconic haunted spot than the Stanley Hotel, famously known as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Despite its luxurious appearance and breathtaking mountain views, this historic hotel has a reputation for eerie happenings. Guests report hearing ghostly piano music coming from empty rooms, and some even claim to see the mischievous spirit of F.O. Stanley himself still roaming the halls. The hotel’s grand staircase and the fourth floor are particularly known for unexplained chills and strange noises shares Travel + Leisure.
But what really makes the Stanley Hotel a must-see for ghost hunters is its long, haunted history. The spirits of former staff members and guests are said to linger, with many visitors experiencing an overwhelming sense of dread or a sudden drop in temperature. Some even report seeing figures in the windows of the building’s upper floors, which are supposed to be uninhabited. With so much paranormal activity, it’s no wonder the Stanley continues to be a favorite for ghost tours and spooky adventures adds Roadtrippers.
2. The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
A luxury ocean liner turned hotel, The Queen Mary’s haunting tales are enough to send chills down your spine. Built in the 1930s, the ship was once a royal vessel before being retired and transformed into a hotel in the 1960s. Over the years, countless guests have reported strange noises, cold spots, and sightings of apparitions in the ship’s old first-class areas and engine rooms. One particularly active area is the pool, where some guests say they’ve encountered the ghost of a young woman who drowned there shares PEOPLE.
But it’s not just the pool that’s haunted. The Queen Mary is home to various spirits, with many visitors feeling watched or hearing footsteps when no one else is around. Stories of crew members who died onboard during its years of service add to the ship’s mysterious atmosphere. Whether you’re dining in one of the grand halls or wandering through the ship’s labyrinth of corridors, you’re bound to feel like you’re not alone explains Cruise.blog.
3. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern State Penitentiary was once home to some of the country’s most notorious criminals, but it’s now better known as one of the most haunted locations in the U.S. This once-state-of-the-art prison, built in 1829, was designed to impose solitary confinement on its inmates, a practice that had some horrifying results. Over the years, countless prisoners reportedly went mad from isolation, and some believe that their spirits still haunt the grim stone walls. Visitors often report hearing voices and seeing shadowy figures lurking in the darkened cell blocks.
What makes Eastern State even more unsettling is the reputation of its former inmates, like Al Capone, who spent time in its infamous corridors. Many believe their restless souls have never left. Visitors have also experienced sudden temperature drops, eerie whispers, and the feeling of being touched by invisible hands. Walking through its echoing halls, it’s easy to see why so many consider this place a hotbed for paranormal activity.
4. The Catacombs, Paris, France
Beneath the City of Lights lies a labyrinth of tunnels and crypts filled with the bones of over six million people. The Catacombs of Paris were created in the late 18th century to alleviate the overcrowded cemeteries above ground. While they’ve been open to the public since the 1800s, they’re still a creepy place to visit. People who venture into the dark underground corridors report feeling uneasy, with many claiming to hear whispering voices, footsteps, and distant cries from the long-deceased.
The real fear of the Catacombs, however, is its haunting history. The bones of so many individuals stacked in an eerie arrangement give the space an undeniable sense of foreboding. Some have even said they’ve experienced feelings of being watched or followed. It’s no wonder that the Catacombs continue to draw those intrigued by both its gruesome history and its supernatural reputation.
5. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Weston, West Virginia
This massive former mental hospital, which operated from 1864 to 1994, is notorious for its disturbing history and its claim to being one of the most haunted places in America. The asylum was once home to thousands of patients, many of whom were subjected to horrific treatments. Visitors today report hearing disembodied voices, experiencing cold spots, and even witnessing apparitions of former patients. Some claim to feel a strong sense of unease in certain rooms, especially the former lobotomy rooms.
The hospital’s unsettling past, filled with overcrowding and the use of barbaric methods like electroshock therapy, has left an imprint that many believe has never truly faded. Ghost tours often highlight the experiences of both patients and staff, with some spirits allegedly still lingering, waiting for something—though no one knows quite what. The asylum has long been a favorite for thrill-seekers, with many claiming they’ve felt the spirits trying to communicate, perhaps more urgently than they’d like.
6. The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation is famous not only for its beauty but for its chilling history and the numerous hauntings that have been reported over the years. The plantation, built in 1796, is said to be built on a former Native American burial ground, which some believe is the source of its restless spirits. Visitors often experience the feeling of being watched, while others have seen unexplained figures, like the ghost of a former slave named Chloe, whose tragic story adds to the plantation’s haunted lore.
But it’s not just Chloe’s ghost that visitors claim to see. Many have reported strange noises, such as the sound of footsteps or the faint voice of a child. There are also reports of objects being moved or lights flickering without explanation. Whether you’re walking through its opulent rooms or enjoying a meal in its dining hall, the Myrtles Plantation is an unnerving place where history and the supernatural intersect.
7. The Paris Opera House, Paris, France
This iconic Parisian landmark is known for its stunning architecture and history, but it’s also home to one of the most famous ghost stories in the world. According to legend, the Phantom of the Opera, the subject of Gaston Leroux’s novel, haunts the building’s catacombs and grand staircases. But while the story may have been fictionalized, many believe the opera house is indeed haunted. Visitors have reported hearing strange noises, feeling cold drafts, and even seeing mysterious figures in the shadows.
The opera house’s vast network of underground tunnels and hidden spaces is a perfect setting for ghostly sightings. Many of the staff and visitors claim to have experienced sudden cold spots, unsettling noises, and unexplained movements in the building. The theater’s long history and its grandeur only add to the sense that something supernatural might be lurking behind its velvet curtains.
8. The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina
The Biltmore Estate is one of America’s most impressive mansions, but it also has a dark and mysterious side. Built in the 19th century by George Washington Vanderbilt II, the estate is a sprawling 250-room mansion that’s rumored to be haunted by several spirits. One particularly notable ghost is that of the lady of the house, Cornelia Vanderbilt, who passed away unexpectedly. Visitors often report hearing her footsteps or feeling her presence in the halls.
But it’s not just Cornelia’s spirit that haunts the estate. Many guests and staff have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling an overwhelming sense of unease while touring certain rooms. The combination of its rich history, the estate’s opulent grandeur, and the eerie atmosphere make the Biltmore a fascinating and unnerving place to visit.
9. The Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
The Winchester Mystery House is an architectural oddity, a sprawling mansion with stairways that lead nowhere and doors that open into walls. Built by Sarah Winchester, widow of the inventor of the rifle, the house was designed with the belief that the spirits of those killed by her husband’s invention were haunting her. The eccentric design was intended to appease these spirits, with continuous construction on the mansion for nearly 40 years. Visitors have reported strange occurrences, like doors opening and closing on their own and lights flickering.
The real mystery, however, lies in the house’s bizarre layout. The labyrinthine corridors, hidden staircases, and rooms that don’t seem to make sense add to the eerie atmosphere. Many believe the house is still haunted by the spirits of those lost to gun violence, with some guests feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding as they wander through the mansion’s maze-like interior.
10. The Bell Witch Cave, Adams, Tennessee
The Bell Witch Cave is one of the most chilling sites in American folklore, linked to the infamous Bell Witch haunting of the early 19th century. The Bell family was tormented by a poltergeist entity, which became a local legend and a source of terror. The cave itself is said to be the source of many of the supernatural occurrences. Visitors who venture into the cave report hearing strange sounds, feeling cold spots, and experiencing sudden drops in temperature.
The eerie happenings associated with the Bell Witch are not limited to the cave, though. Many people claim to have seen the spirit of the witch, who is believed to have tormented the Bell family for years, lingering near the entrance. The combination of the cave’s dark, oppressive atmosphere and its historical ties to one of America’s most famous ghost stories make it a truly spine-tingling place to visit.
11. The Old Charleston Jail, Charleston, South Carolina
The Old Charleston Jail, which operated from 1802 until 1939, has long been a source of paranormal intrigue. It housed some of the most notorious criminals of its time, including the notorious pirate Stede Bonnet. Visitors today report hearing ghostly footsteps, witnessing shadowy figures in the windows, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread when exploring its crumbling halls. Many of the spirits are believed to be former inmates who suffered horrific fates behind the bars.
The jail’s chilling atmosphere is compounded by its dark history, including violent executions and disease outbreaks. Some visitors claim to have felt cold hands or even seen a figure standing in their way, only for it to vanish upon closer inspection. Whether you’re taking a tour during the day or night, the Old Charleston Jail is an unnerving site that truly feels like it holds the lingering souls of its past.
12. The Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy
Poveglia Island is often referred to as one of the most haunted places in the world, and for good reason. Once a quarantine station for the bubonic plague, the island became home to thousands of sick and dying individuals, many of whom are believed to have perished there. Today, the island is abandoned, yet people who venture there report hearing strange voices and seeing apparitions. Some even claim to have witnessed ghostly figures roaming the ruins of the old hospital.
The island’s tragic past is what gives it such a terrifying reputation. Visitors often describe an overwhelming sense of dread and claustrophobia, even before setting foot on the island. It’s believed that the souls of the countless plague victims, as well as the tormented spirits of those who died there, still haunt Poveglia Island today, making it a chilling place to visit.
13. The Tower of London, London, England
One of the most famous historic sites in the world, the Tower of London is not just a symbol of British power but also a hotspot for ghostly encounters. Over its 1,000-year history, the Tower has served as a royal palace, prison, and execution site. The spirits of many former prisoners, including Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, are said to haunt the grounds. Visitors have reported seeing her apparition, dressed in a white gown, near the Tower Green, where she was executed.
But Anne is far from the only spirit said to linger. The Tower has a rich history of executions, including those of traitors and political prisoners. Some guests claim to hear phantom footsteps in the halls, and many describe an eerie sense of being watched. Whether you’re exploring the Bloody Tower or the medieval walls, the Tower of London is a place where the past seems to never truly fade away.
14. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky
Once a tuberculosis hospital, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium is one of the most notoriously haunted places in the United States. Opened in the early 1900s, it treated thousands of TB patients, many of whom sadly never left. The facility’s history of death and suffering has left behind an overwhelming sense of sadness and fear. Today, those who visit report hearing disembodied voices, feeling inexplicable cold spots, and witnessing shadowy figures moving through the hallways.
One of the most chilling aspects of Waverly Hills is its “death chute,” a long, sloping tunnel used to transport the bodies of those who died from tuberculosis. This area, along with the old patient rooms, is considered a hotspot for paranormal activity. Some visitors claim to have been touched by unseen hands, while others experience strange, unexplainable noises. It’s a place where the line between the living and the dead feels incredibly thin.
15. The LaLaurie Mansion, New Orleans, Louisiana
The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans has an infamous history that makes it a prime destination for those intrigued by the supernatural. Once home to Delphine LaLaurie, a wealthy socialite, the mansion became the site of horrific abuse and torture of enslaved individuals in the 19th century. After a fire broke out in the mansion, authorities discovered the gruesome details of LaLaurie’s cruel treatment of her slaves, and she fled the city in disgrace. The mansion, now abandoned, is believed to be haunted by the tormented souls of those who suffered there.
People who visit the LaLaurie Mansion report hearing strange noises and even the sounds of chains rattling in the dead of night. Some claim to have seen ghostly figures or experienced a deep sense of unease while walking past the property. Given the mansion’s tragic and disturbing past, it’s no surprise that many consider it one of the most haunted places in New Orleans. The dark history of this house lingers in the atmosphere, making it an unnerving spot for those brave enough to take a look.