19 Haunted U.S. Cities Worth Visiting for Ghost Sightings

Ghost tourism has become a surprisingly popular way to explore America’s cities. For some travelers, the appeal is the chance to join a late-night ghost tour or visit a hotel with a haunted reputation. For others, it is less about proving anything paranormal and more about experiencing the darker side of local history. Old theaters, historic hotels, cemeteries, battlefields, underground tunnels, and former prisons all have stories that make a city feel a little more mysterious after sunset.

Across the country, certain cities have built especially strong reputations for ghost sightings and haunted landmarks. Some are tied to centuries of history, while others are known for tragic events, eerie architecture, or legends that locals have repeated for generations. These destinations draw ghost hunters, history lovers, road-trippers, and curious travelers looking for something a little different from the usual vacation itinerary.

For this list, Seattle Travel looks at American cities known for ghost sightings, haunted tours, and paranormal lore. Each destination includes a look at the stories that helped shape its reputation, along with the haunted hotels, cemeteries, neighborhoods, and landmarks visitors still seek out today.

To compile this list, we reviewed sources including Ghosts of America, Travel Channel, Haunted Rooms America, USA Today, local tourism boards, and regional haunted attraction guides. Here are 19 haunted U.S. cities worth visiting for ghost sightings.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is often called America’s most haunted city, with ghost sightings reported in nearly every historic square. The Sorrel-Weed House and Moon River Brewing Company are staples on ghost tours, making them must-visit stops on your paranormal trip. Tourists also flock to Bonaventure Cemetery, which gained fame in literature and for its eerie atmosphere. The city’s deep history of war, slavery, and tragedy has left lingering spirits throughout its boundaries, making Savannah a favorite for haunted spots.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has voodoo traditions and a long record of hauntings, making it a magnet for ghost seekers. Be sure to explore the LaLaurie Mansion, one of the most infamous haunted homes in America, or walk past centuries-old cemeteries where spirits are said to roam. French Quarter ghost tours frequently report shadowy figures and unexplained voices in some of its most historic bars and buildings. No matter what you see here, the city’s mix of mysticism, history, and nightlife makes it a thrilling haunted destination.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg is forever tied to the bloodshed of the Civil War, and ghost sightings rooted in this era have become a hallmark of the area. Visitors on battlefield tours often describe seeing soldiers in uniform who vanish into thin air. The Jennie Wade House and Sachs Covered Bridge are also among the town’s most haunted sites. For tourists, Gettysburg offers both poignant history and a chilling brush with the paranormal, making it a stop that appeals to many walks of life.

St. Augustine, Florida

As the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States, St. Augustine has centuries of ghost lore woven into its Spanish colonial history. Paranormal enthusiasts frequently report activity at the Castillo de San Marcos, where prisoners were once housed until they perished. The city’s lighthouse is also considered one of the most haunted in the country, drawing ghost hunters year-round.

Salem, Massachusetts

Known for the infamous 1692 witch trials, Salem has become synonymous with paranormal vacations. Visitors to this city often experience unexplained phenomena in sites connected to the trials, such as the aptly-named Witch House. The Hawthorne Hotel is another hotspot for ghost sightings, with reports of apparitions and moving furniture. Head here in October for both historical education and spine-tingling ghost tours.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston’s haunted history is tied to its old churches, cemeteries, and ample antebellum mansions. Visit the Old City Jail, where visitors claim to hear phantom screams from former prisoners. The Dock Street Theatre is also notorious for ghost sightings, including a spirit said to be that of an 18th-century prostitute. For travelers, Charleston combines southern charm with a chilling after-dark atmosphere, giving you plenty to do and experience both day and night.

San Antonio, Texas

Because San Antonio is home to the Alamo, one of America’s most haunted landmarks, this city makes the list. The Menger Hotel is another paranormal place, known for sightings rumored to be Teddy Roosevelt’s ghost. Tourists can join guided tours that highlight the city’s haunted past alongside its rich cultural history, making San Antonio a prime ghost tourism destination.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s turbulent history of crime, fire, and disaster has fueled countless ghost stories for generations. The Congress Plaza Hotel has reports ranging from shadowy figures to strange noises. Visitors also love checking out Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, long known as one of the most haunted graveyards in America. Ghost tours here dive deep into the city’s darker past, making it a compelling haunted stop.

Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is understandably said to be haunted by presidents, soldiers, and political figures. The White House itself has long been rumored to host the spirits of Abraham Lincoln and other leaders, so keep an eye out if you’re near it. For travelers, D.C. offers both political history and a chance to brush shoulders with famous spirits, especially if you spend time in its historic neighborhoods.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is filled with haunted attractions like Eastern State Penitentiary, where eerie voices and apparitions are common. Independence Hall and other historic sites also have ghost stories tied to the Revolution. Ghost tours in the Old City district are popular with visitors, so be sure to book in advance if you’re interested.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston’s Freedom Trail not only tells America’s story but also features sites with paranormal reputations. The Omni Parker House Hotel is one of the city’s most famous haunted landmarks, with reports of Charles Dickens’ ghost. The Granary Burying Ground is also eerie, where Revolutionary-era figures are said to linger.

Portland, Oregon

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels are notorious for ghost sightings tied to the city’s dark past of human trafficking. Shadowy figures and cold spots are commonly reported in the underground passages. The Pittock Mansion is another popular paranormal spot, where visitors claim to encounter former owners. Check it out before returning to the heart of the city to discuss what you saw over some craft beer.

Los Angeles, California

Hollywood’s glamor hides a haunted underbelly that fascinates tourists to this day. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is known for sightings of Marilyn Monroe’s ghost and many other celebs. Other attractions include the Queen Mary ship in nearby Long Beach, where hundreds of paranormal events have been logged, and haunted get-togethers frequently occur.

Savannah, Tennessee

Though smaller than its Georgia namesake, Savannah, Tennessee, has its own ghostly reputation thanks to Civil War battles fought nearby. The Cherry Mansion, once used as a Union headquarters, is said to be haunted by soldiers, as well as Shiloh National Military Park, where apparitions are often reported. For tourists, it’s a quieter but no less chilling destination for paranormal exploration.

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville’s Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a world-famous haunted site, once a tuberculosis hospital with thousands of tragic deaths. Nighttime tours exist here and throughout the city; the Seelbach Hotel is a must-visit and adds to the city’s haunted reputation with reports of spectral guests.

New York City, New York

New York has countless ghost stories, given its history, size, and constant reinvention. The Merchant’s House Museum is one of the most famous, with sightings of the Tredwell family who once lived there. Ellis Island and Greenwood Cemetery are also places where paranormal activity is often reported. In a city that never sleeps, ghost hunters find no shortage of stories.

San Diego, California

San Diego is home to the Whaley House, which is often called one of the most haunted houses in America. Visitors claim to see Thomas Whaley himself, along with children’s spirits playing in the halls. The Hotel del Coronado is another popular haunted attraction, known for the ghost of Kate Morgan. You may not think San Diego has haunts, but it most certainly does!

Galveston, Texas

Galveston’s haunted history is linked primarily to hurricanes and maritime tragedies. For land-based paranormal interactions, the Hotel Galvez is notorious for ghost sightings, especially of a ghost named the Love Lorn Lady. Tourists also visit haunted mansions that survived the devastating 1900 hurricane.

Key West, Florida

Key West is famous for Robert the Doll, one of the creepiest haunted artifacts in the country. You can visit the Fort East Martello Museum to see the doll and hear chilling tales from caretakers, tales that have the potential to convince even the most skeptical. The island also features haunted bars and historic homes with regular ghost sightings, so be sure to plan your trip around the places you can’t miss.