We’ve all been to places where you walk in, and something just feels off. America has many of these eerie places, including haunted houses and old prisons, and they’ve all got some spooky history about them. Here are 18 of the most terrifying places in the United States.
Alcatraz Island, California
Alcatraz is an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay that’s probably most famous for previously being a maximum-security prison. It held the worst of the worst criminals, although it’s entirely empty now. The only things left behind are the prison and the horrid memories. It’s no wonder that people say it’s haunted.
Salem, Massachusetts
We’ve all heard of the 1692 Salem witch trials, where people’s fear and suspicion ran wild. Today, you can visit the town and watch reenactments or museums that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. But when the sun goes down, that’s when things feel extra creepy, and you might see a few shadows in the corner of your eye.
Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is where one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War took place, and thousands of soldiers lost their lives in just three days. To nobody’s surprise, many people believe the spirits of fallen soldiers haunt the battlefield. If you visit, you might even catch a glimpse of one or even hear the faint sounds of battle cries at night.
The Stanley Hotel, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel is the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining,” and it’s not hard to see why. Visitors and staff swear they’ve heard phantom piano music and seen ghosts walking through the halls. Unless you’re looking for a sleepless night, you should probably avoid room 217 at all costs.
The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana
The Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana looks like it came straight from a Southern Gothic story. Legend says it’s built over an ancient Native American burial ground and has a long history of both tragedy and death. Apparently, at least 12 ghosts are there, so it’s perfect for anyone who wants to see some supernatural things.
The Bell Witch Cave, Tennessee
The Bell Witch Cave’s story is the reason why it’s so terrifying. Rumor has it that an evil spirit tormented the Bell family, and this cave was at the center of it all, which is why it’s become a creepy spot for a visit. Even if you don’t go in, standing by the cave is enough to make your skin crawl.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary is a creepy mix of cellblocks and guard towers, which are made all that scarier when you learn about its history of strict solitary confinement. Plenty of ghost hunters and curious visitors walk through the halls here, and some claim they can still hear the whispers of previous inmates. You definitely don’t want to be left alone here.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky
Like many places on this list, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium is another place that was abandoned many years ago and has a horrible history. It used to be a tuberculosis hospital, and thousands of people died within its walls. If you’re looking for a haunting, there’s no place quite as creepy as this one, especially the infamous “Death Chute,” where hospital workers discreetly remove bodies.
Lizzie Borden House, Massachusetts
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts, is where Lizzie’s parents were brutally murdered, allegedly by Lizzie herself. Whether she did it or not, the house where it all happened is now open for tours and overnight stays. Visitors here have reported all kinds of spooky happenings, including cold spots and ghostly whispers.
St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida
According to the stories, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is haunted by the daughters of a former keeper who died when it was being built. People claim they’ve seen the ghosts of these girls playing or at least heard their laughter. It’s certainly a beautiful place during the day, but when night falls, you’ll start to wonder who or what might be lingering just out of sight.
Villisca Axe Murder House, Iowa
Over a hundred years ago, a whole family was gruesomely hacked to death in the Villisca Axe Murder House, which is where it got its name. The police never found the killer, and the house has become a creepy tourist attraction where people claim they’ve experienced intense paranormal activity. Sometimes, they couldn’t even stay the whole night because it was that bad.
The Winchester Mystery House, California
Many years ago, Sarah Winchester, the widow of a gun magnate, built the Winchester Mystery House, but this wasn’t an ordinary home. She added all kinds of strange features, like doors leading to nowhere and staircases that run into the ceiling, to confuse the spirits she believed were haunting her. It’s certainly an eerie and confusing place.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia
Like most former lunatic asylums, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is spooky. During its heyday, it was one of the most overcrowded and brutal places around, so there are so many rumors about it being haunted today. The Asylum’s tragic history and creepiness are the main reasons ghost hunters and tourists visit.
The Queen Mary, California
The Queen Mary is a boat that’s taken on a new life as a floating hotel that’s apparently haunted. There are rumors of sailors who died on board who are still around, as well as passengers who never checked out. If you decide to visit, be prepared because some guests have dealt with more than just a little history during their stay.
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, Illinois
Tucked away in the suburbs of Chicago is Bachelor’s Grove, a forgotten cemetery known for having a lot of paranormal activity. In fact, some people call it the most haunted graveyard in America. There are all kinds of creepy stories about this place, including floating orbs and phantom vehicles, which are enough to turn the biggest skeptic into a believer.
Point Lookout Lighthouse, Maryland
As beautiful as the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay views might be from the Point Lookout Lighthouse, there’s much more going on here than meets the eye. It used to be a hospital during the Civil War and later became a prisoner-of-war camp. During the dead of night, you might even see the ghosts of soldiers and prisoners haunting the lighthouse.
The Whaley House, California
The Whaley House is in the heart of San Diego and has a reputation that’ll terrify you. It was built on a former gallows and is now a museum, where visitors claim they’ve seen the Whaley family ghosts. Even with all these supernatural goings on, it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in the city’s history.
The LaLaurie Mansion, Louisiana
Humans can be true monsters, and the LaLaurie Mansion is the perfect example of that. It’s an infamous place, thanks to the horrors that Madam LaLaurie committed against her slaves during the 1830s, and it has become an important part of the French Quarter. Sometimes, it’s what humans can do that’s more terrifying than anything.
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