The United States has many destination cities, each with unique adventures. They all have something to offer, from San Francisco to New York, Baltimore to Butte, Albuquerque to Atlanta. But many travelers don't stop to think about what happens in these cities when the sun goes down.
I'm not talking about the nightlife, the bustling bars and nightclubs, the endless nights that blend into the light of the following day. But the spirits of grizzly murders and vicious betrayals that turn the day's pages into the dark night.
These ghastly apparitions tell the story of America's finest and worst moments. Every city has them, but it is unclear how they got there. Unless you know where to look. Here are the five most haunted cities in the United States. So, the next time you go out looking for the ghosts of this nation's past, beware, you may find them.
Table of Contents
Haunted Cities
New Orleans
New Orleans is an incredible destination for those seeking a thrilling and spooky adventure. Renowned for its vibrant party scene and a rich history spanning over three centuries, it is full of hauntings around every corner.
One of the most well-known haunted places around the world is the LaLaurie Mansion, where a cruel woman brutally murdered and tortured dozens of her former slaves. They say her house is full of these tormented spirits and that it's even cursed.
The French Quarter is full of fascinating haunts and stories like this one. Visit the Ursuline Nun Convent, the birthplace of North America's first vampire story, or follow the trail of the Axe Man at the Haunted Hotel.
Breathe new life into your Big Easy adventure while walking under the gas lamps of the Quarter and stop at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop. They claim to be the oldest bar in America and are haunted by the ghost of the famous pirate Jean Lafitte!
Savannah
Savannah is in a heated contest with New Orleans for the title of the most haunted city in the United States. There is no shortage of paranormal beauty or wonder in Savannah, and the spirits see to it. They watch over the Antebellum town with a spine-chilling gaze.
The beautifully designed Bonaventure Cemetery Park has been a common meeting ground for Savannahians, both alive and dead, since 1846. Victorian walkways lead you under drooping Spanish moss hanging from the sturdy branches of the Live Oak trees. The ghost of Little Gracie Watson often appears alongside her delicately carved tombstone to ensure her grave’s beauty stays intact.
Baltimore
Baltimore is often overlooked, but it easily holds its value as one of the spookiest cities in America because the famous Gothic author Edgar Allan Poe once called it home.
The Horse You Rode In On Saloon was the last place he was seen alive. Now, the chandeliers of this 1775 establishment swing to and fro, and many blame the famous Victorian author. Whiskey shots are often left out for him and disappear without a trace.
Elsewhere in Baltimore, the city’s marine history bleeds through. The Admiral Fell Inn is one of the many haunted hotels across Maryland that hold on to their Naval traditions. Inside are the spirits of lone sailors and their wallowing widows waiting for their return.
Room 413, where a grizzly murder took place, is rumored to be the most haunted in the building. Guests in this room have felt phantom hands on their shoulders and strange voices in the air.
Related: The Best Haunted House in America
Boston
The Cradle of Liberty is a highly sought-after destination for those looking to explore the nation's foundations. Freedom Trail is one of the most sought-after adventures in this New England destination, but watch out! You may run into more than just a dressed-up Boston tour guide.
Boston Common, the oldest public park in America, has a fascinating history that began in 1634 as a communal grazing space for livestock.
Many visitors and locals share intriguing stories of unique sights and feelings, especially near the area where the majestic Great Elm, affectionately called “Boston's oldest inhabitant,” used to thrive. But this nickname came with a dark story. Hangings and executions took place at this local landmark for two hundred years before it fell in the winter of 1876.
Unsurprisingly, there are loads of ghost stories to be discovered in Boston Common. A weeping woman is said to haunt the tree that has seen anyone from Native Americans to Pirates strung up by the neck.
San Francisco
San Francisco's past and tendency to attract a strange crowd have made it a haunted destination only for the most adventurous souls. We'll count the living and dead in that category because some of the ghosts here live up to the city by the bay's bewildering reputation.
Many visitors to San Francisco choose to spend their time in the leisurely and verdant Golden Gate Park. Perhaps they are there to see the Buffalo or the Japanese Tea Gardens. Whatever their intentions, they are lucky to avoid the lady of the lake. She haunts Stow Lake with a vengeance, forever searching for her drowned baby.
Meanwhile, The Curran Theatre is one of the places where the strange mixes eloquently with the more illustrious side of San Franpsycho. This 1922 theater was the site of a seemingly random act of violence whose paranormal residue has seeped its way into our world in disturbing ways. The ghost of a murdered ticket taker has been seen on the streets and in the theater's mirrors.
There are many more haunted cities across the United States. The country's rebellious and often violent history lends to it. But these five are undoubtedly the places to go if you are looking for an adventure into the paranormal world.
_____
This story is brought to you in partnership with US Ghost Adventures.
Matthew Bartels is a writer and musician from California. He has worked in the spooky business for five years, three of those years as a tour guide in New Orleans.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.