13 Most Spooky Places in the US
We all know America as the “Land of Opportunities,” but it’s also the land of ghosts. And I’m talking ghosts beyond the cliche white sheets floating around.
Some places are just “ghost stories” people share while roasting marshmallows on a camping trip. However, some places are more; they are portals into the past, each with its unique twisted history.
Whether you’re a dedicated ghost hunter or love a good scare, take a look at the 13 lesser-known, spooky places in the U.S. And don’t forget your flashlight.
1. The Devil’s Tramping Ground, Chatham County, North Carolina
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Unlike other forests, the remote woods of Chatham County, North Carolina, are more than a patch of earth. A perfectly round barren spot lies in the clearing, which is completely barren. Legend has it that this is where the Prince of Darkness paces in frustration, mulling over his next evil scheme.
The story goes that anything left within the circle overnight mysteriously disappears, including people. Understandably, locals prefer to stay away after dark, lest they accidentally join the Devil’s latest game of hide-and-seek.
2. The Ridges, Athens, Ohio
Originally known as the “Athens Lunatic Asylum,” now called the Ridges, it is a large complex of buildings that overlooks the Ohio University campus. In the 1800s, this institution was the setting for some grisly medical practices. Lobotomies and electroshock therapy were par for the course.
The most famous ghost here? Margaret Schilling, whose body left a stain that even the best Ghostbusters couldn’t scrub out. Rumors say she still roams the halls, perhaps searching for the peace she never found. Or she’s just really, really lost.
3. Pythian Castle, Springfield, Missouri
Yes, this place has a Disney-esque name, but don’t be fooled! This castle’s history includes stints as an orphanage and a POW (prisoner-of-war) camp. With such history, it’s no surprise that the Pythian Castle has a haunted reputation.
Unexplained voices, sudden chills, shadowy figures, and doors with a mind of their own have been reported many times. The most famous tale is that of a former servant named Emily, who still attends to duties she can’t quite let go of.
4. The Palmer House Hotel, Sauk Centre, Minnesota
Although this cozy-looking hotel may not have many bad reviews on TripAdvisor or Google, it’s teeming with ghostly inhabitants. The building is said to stand on the site of a former brothel. Some of Palmer House’s see-through residents include Lucy, a former working girl who still lingers around, and Emily, a maid dressed in old-fashioned clothes.
And then there’s Ben, a cheerful little boy named Ben, who likes to play tricks on the residents. People staying nights report doors opening and closing by themselves, the sound of children’s laughter, and ghostly figures in their rooms.
5. The Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona
The Bird Cage Theatre is a throwback to Tombstone, Arizona’s wild days of the American West. It featured a saloon, a gambling hall, and a brothel, which led to attraction from all sorts of shady characters, including cowboys, gamblers, and working girls.
Ghostly encounters are almost a given here. The ceilings and walls are filled with bullet holes. Visitors and staff report hearing music, footsteps, and laughter as in the saloon’s heyday. Some even claim to see visions of cowboys and women in old-fashioned dresses roaming the halls.
6. Rolling Hills Asylum, East Bethany, New York
Rolling Hills started its life in the 1800s as a poorhouse and soon earned a darker reputation as an asylum. And let me tell you, it’s not just the maze-like hallways that’ll give you the chills. Over 1,700 documented lives were lost here.
If you thought ghosts were scary, imagine bumping into a seven-foot ghost. Enter Roy Crouse. Visitors claim to have seen his towering shadow and heard his heavy footsteps thumping along the old wooden floors of the Rolling Hills Asylum. Always ready with a smile, or at least, that’s the story of those who’ve made it out.
7. The Sorrel-Weed House, Savannah, Georgia
At the Sorrel-Weed House in Savannah, Georgia, the only thing scarier than the ghost stories is the questionable decor choices. The tale of the house includes Matilda Sorrel, who met her tragic end after discovering her husband’s affair with a servant named Molly.
Today, both these ladies are said to haunt the Sorrel-Weed House. Visitors have reported figures peeking at them from behind corners, whispers, and objects moving on their own. And thanks to the rumors, the Sorrel-Weed House is a prime location for Ghostbusters.
8. The Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts
The Lizzie Borden House is one of America’s most infamous unsolved murders. Legend has it that Lizzie Borden, an American woman, was famously accused of bludgeoning her father and stepmother with an axe. As grim as it may sound, she was later acquitted due to a lack of supporting evidence.
The famous house now functions as a bed and breakfast and is open to visitors and guests. However, the real fun of the experience involves staying in the room of Lizzie’s deceased victims. Guests brave enough to stay in the room report odd noises, flickering lights, and an unsettling feeling of being watched.
9. The Witch’s Castle, Portland, Oregon
This ruined stone structure in Forest Park, Portland, Oregon, named “The Witch’s Castle,” is not really connected to witches. However, the name comes from local legends, which paint a somewhat spooky picture of the site. The story goes that a pioneer family was cursed and accused of using witchcraft, which led to their tragic end.
The crumbling ruins and dense forest are the cherry on top. Visitors often report seeing shadowy figures darting around in the trees nearby. Whether it’s nature messing with them or something more sinister, the Witches Castle is one of America’s spookiest places.
10. The Bennington Triangle, Vermont
This spooky yet beautiful patch of wilderness appeared on the radar in the 20th century when a string of mysterious disappearances baffled the locals. Between 1945 and 1950, five people vanished without a clue, leading to speculations about who or what might be behind them.
Hikers and visitors frequently report strange lights, unexplained sounds, and strange figures in the trees. Although the trails are lush and inviting, there’s always a sense of something lurking just out of sight.
11. The Shanghai Tunnels, Portland, Oregon
The Shanghai Tunnels are that part of Portland where the city’s history turns dark and twisted. These infamous tunnels were used for all types of unsavory activities, ranging from kidnapping and smuggling unsuspecting sailors and laborers.
Legend has it that the tunnels are haunted by the restless spirits of the victim. Visitors claim to have seen disfigured faces in the tunnels’ old, crumbling walls and heard echoes through the damp, narrow passages. It’s almost as if the ghosts of the past are still trying to escape their underground prison.
12. The Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
In its heyday, the Congress Plaza Hotel served many figures, from politicians to notorious gangsters and homeless people. Like every haunted hotel, it has a “special” room, room 441. The ghost of “Peg Leg” Johnny, a homeless person who is said to have lost his life in the hotel, carries the hotel’s ghostly roster.
Guests have reported elevators stopping on haunted floors, blankets being pulled off at night, and hearing whispers underneath their beds. There’s also a movie about it, though the film’s IMDb ratings might be more scary than the room itself.
13. The Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The Crescent Hotel is famously called “America’s Most Haunted Hotel,” for good reason. Originally a “cancer hospital” run by a dubious doctor who promised to cure all ills, it is now a sleepover for the restless spirits of his victims.
Guests report seeing a ghostly nurse who enjoys pushing an invisible gurney through the halls. And let’s not forget Michael, the ghost of a young boy known for giggling in the dark and moving objects to scare the life out of guests. His laughter still echoes through the halls of the Crescent Hotel.
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