The Most Haunted Places in America, From Historic Mansions to Ghost-Filled Ships

Autumn means a lot of things when it comes to travel. Foliage is on full display for hikers and road trippers, cabins beckon with overwhelming coziness, and shoulder-month prices make it easier to squeeze in more trips than during the summer or holidays. But for a very specific brand of travelers, fall really means one thing: Spooky season has finally arrived.

Whether you’re a true believer or a supernatural agnostic, there’s no denying the appeal of haunted destinations, especially around Halloween. Ghostly lore actually provides historical depth to a lot of places, adding some dark-but-fun layers to attractions that might otherwise get overlooked. And with more and more tourism boards fully leaning into their eldritch reputations—everything from hotels with resident psychics to cities offering year-round ghost tours—haunted travel has practically become its own industry.

The best part? There’s no shortage of unearthly sites right here in the US, meaning you don’t need a passport or plane ticket to get a proper scare. Here, we’ve rounded up the most haunted places in America, ones that both scratch that witchy itch and offer plenty of charm beyond the supernatural. Though if you do end up running into some reanimated dolls during your vacation, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.