The Most Haunted Places in America (Ultimate Ghost Travel Bucket List)
- Desirae-Haunted Traverse
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
If you are drawn to haunted cities, historic battlefields, abandoned prisons, or whispered legends that refuse to die — America offers no shortage of paranormal destinations.
From centuries-old colonial streets to Civil War battlegrounds and infamous crime scenes, these are the most haunted places in America that belong on every ghost hunter’s bucket list.
Whether you’re planning a paranormal road trip or booking your first ghost tour, this guide will help you decide where to begin.
Most Haunted Places in America
🪦 Salem, Massachusetts
Why it’s haunted:The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 left behind fear, injustice, and tragedy — the kind of emotional imprint many believe lingers.
Ghostly highlights:
The Witch House
Old Burying Point Cemetery
The House of the Seven Gables/ Historic Turner-Ingersoll mansion
Many ghost tours in Salem sell out during peak October season.
⚜️ New Orleans, Louisiana
Why it’s haunted:Voodoo folklore, above-ground cemeteries, and tragic fires shape this city’s spiritual identity.
Ghostly highlights:
LaLaurie Mansion
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
French Quarter hauntings
New Orlean's Ghost Tours are Best for:
• First-time ghost tour guests
• True crime enthusiasts
• Couples
🕯️ Savannah, Georgia
Why it’s haunted:Built atop battlefields and burial grounds, Savannah’s beauty conceals centuries of violence and tragedy.
Ghostly highlights:
Colonial Park Cemetery
The Sorrel-Weed House
Moon River Brewing Company
Savannah's Ghost Tours are Best for:
• Civil War Enthusiasts
• True crime enthusiasts
• Ghost Hunters
⚔️ Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
I spent a week exploring the haunted locations of which two I spent the night in during my stay in Gettysburg. I had several paranormal phenomenon present including SLS Camera work of a person standing on the stairway that leads to the attic at the Farnsworth House.
A women spoke to myself and two other investigators in the middle of the night at the Tillie Pierce House. One of my investigators saw, who we believe to be Tillie, standing at the end of the bed moments after three investigators heard her speaking.
There is so much much to tell so watch this space as I write or vlog on my Youtube Channel about these experiences.
Why it’s haunted:Over 50,000 soldiers died here during the Civil War. Many believe some never left.
Ghostly highlights:
Gettysburg Battlefield
Devil’s Den
Farnsworth House Inn
Gettysburg Ghost Tours are Best for:
• First-time ghost tour guests
• Civil War Enthusiasts
• History Enthusiasts
🕯️ Savannah, Georgia
🌴 St. Augustine, Florida
Why it’s haunted:America’s oldest city carries centuries of conquest, imprisonment, and mysterious deaths.
Ghostly highlights:
Castillo de San Marcos
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Old Jail
🌆 New York City (Greenwich Village)
Why it’s haunted:Hidden beneath modern Manhattan are former gallows grounds and forgotten cemeteries.
Ghostly highlights:
Washington Square Park
Merchant’s House Museum
The House of Death
🌆 Boston, Massachusetts
One of the more popular ghost stories passed from generation to generation in Boston, is that of the Lady in Black of Fort Warren. A tale of tragic love from the Civil War Era and what that love would drive a wife to do to rescue her husband.
It is thought the haunting is the spirit of Mrs. Melanie Lanier. A confederate soldier's wife who tried to disguised herself and rescue him from capture at the fort. Unfortunately, she was captured and hanged at the fort on February 2, 1862 in a black dress.
Now visitors and soldiers tell of seeing a woman in black, holding a candle who walks the ramparts in search of her husband, whom she failed to rescue.
Why it’s haunted:Revolutionary violence, maritime tragedy, and centuries of unrest.
Ghostly highlights:
Omni Parker House
Boston Common
King’s Chapel Burying Ground
🤠 San Antonio, Texas
Why it’s haunted:The Alamo and its surrounding grounds remain one of America’s most emotionally charged battle sites.
Ghostly highlights:
The Alamo
Menger Hotel
Spanish Governor’s Palace
San Antonio's Ghost Tours are Best for:
• First-time ghost tour guests
• Old West Story Lovers
Planning a Haunted Road Trip?
If you’re not ready to book a tour just yet, consider bookmarking this page.
Tour schedules, seasonal access, and specialty investigations change throughout the year. Saving this guide makes it easy to return when you're ready to plan your haunted adventure.
Paranormal Gear for Curious Investigators
Reading about haunted destinations often inspires visitors to investigate further.
For beginners, simple tools that can help document unusual activity without overcomplicating your experience such as:
EMF meters
Digital voice recorders
Night vision cameras
Explore More Haunted Destinations
Continue your paranormal travel journey:
Final Thoughts on The Most Haunted Places in America (Ultimate Ghost Travel Bucket List)
America’s most haunted places share a common thread:Tragedy, transformation, and memory. There are so many locations that could have made The Most Haunted Places in America (Ultimate Ghost Travel Bucket List) that readers will definitely want to sign up for my Haunted Traverse Crone Newsletter to stay up to date. I will be adding more haunted places to visit to this website.
Whether you believe spirits linger or simply appreciate historic storytelling, visiting these destinations connects you to something larger than yourself.
The question isn’t whether these places are haunted.
The question is which one you’ll explore first.
Thank you for visiting this article!
Wishing You Safe and Spirited Travels, my Dear Readers. ~Dez
Let's Explore More if You Have Time!
I explore the emotional and personal side of haunted travel and spiritual curiosity in my Substack reflections->Substack Here 🌙
More Haunted Destinations to Explore
Haunted travel doesn’t stop here. I’m continuing to explore some of the most paranormally active destinations across the U.S., including Savannah, Salem, Charleston, and beyond.
Explore More Paranormal Topics
If haunted travel draws you in, these destinations are known for their ghost tours, paranormal history, and unexplained encounters.
For those drawn to paranormal symbolism and spiritual meaning, I create art and tools inspired by the unseen in my Haunted Traverse shop.
Planning a paranormal trip?
Save this guide to Pinterest for future reference.
Thank you for reading! Links provided may be affiliate links where if my readers click and buy, I do receive some funding-at no cost to themselves- to keep fun and informative articles such as this being manifested into the known. Thank you for your support.
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