No matter your opinion on ghosts or paranormal activity, these unsettling destinations will give you goosebumps! From Sydney’s first psychiatric hospital to Salem’s haunted sites from witch trials – these unnerving spots will give you goosebumps!
Waverly Hills Sanatorium or Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado – inspired by Stephen King’s novel “The Shining”. Other haunted hotels to stay include Winchester Mystery House in Eureka Springs Arkansas and Kehoe House located close by.
New Orleans
Haunted destinations offer thrill-seekers a thrilling and spine-tingling experience, regardless of whether they believe in paranormal phenomenon. From abandoned asylums to Renaissance castles with underground dungeons, haunted destinations are sure to send chills down your spine.
New Orleans is an ideal city for supernatural travel. Its nightlife and vibrant live-music scene give New Orleans a supernatural feel, but what really gives it chills is its haunted past – such as LaLaurie Mansion serving as Union Army headquarters, gambling house, home for Nicolas Cage before its eventual haunted status and now known for moaning footsteps and flickering lights.
Savannah’s history of yellow fever and slave trade adds an unnerving air. At 1892 Kehoe House in Savannah, Georgia, Annie Palmer–who died from yellow fever after killing three husbands–is said to haunt this Queen Anne brick structure, while its oldest cemetery has become home to hauntings including President Andrew Jackson himself!
Salem, Massachusetts has earned itself quite the eerie reputation thanks to its annual October Witch Trials festival and other paranormal occurrences, like 1692 Old Salem Church and Museum; Old Salem Village; and an 18th-century governor’s chateau. You’re sure to find more spooky spots here too!
Europe is also known for its ghosts; from those roaming London’s Tower to Quebec City’s Fairmont’s Chateau Frontenac to Quebec City’s Catacombs where centuries-old skulls and bones line tunnel walls and provide urban legends and ghost tales, Europe offers no shortage of supernatural activity.
Salem
Salem is an attractive tourist destination that draws people from across the country and abroad with its rich history of witch trials, picturesque foliage, clam chowder, and picturesque streets. However, many other visitors come for more insight into Salem’s darker history that helped create its current landscape.
Salem’s 1692 Witch Trials led to the deaths of 20 innocent people. A good place to begin exploring this topic is at the Witch Museum, which covers its origins as well as evolving depictions of witches throughout time. Also, visit The Witch House; its historical building directly related to these trials offers self-guided tours that offer a window into early Salem with all its superstitions, sins and trials process that led nineteen individuals up the gallows.
For those wanting to go beyond the kitschy and explore Salem’s real history, lantern-lit ghost tours with local guides provide an engaging journey. Guides will share true tales of paranormal activity, century-old murders, and much more.
Gardner-Pingree House is another haunted destination not recommended for the faint-hearted, as its legend claims that its spirit lingers here from Giles Corey who was executed for witchcraft in 1696 and Sheriff Corwin (who used to arrest witches and other suspects of crimes). Edgar Allen Poe was inspired to pen “The Tell Tale Heart” after visiting this home!
London
Nothing says Halloween like a haunted destination, and England boasts some of the scariest haunted sites around. Even those without strong beliefs in paranormal activity will find these spots terrifying – these places have the power to scare even those most resistant.
The United Kingdom is home to many haunted castles, churches, pubs and even ghost stations that may give off ghostly vibes. One such site may be Tudor-era Berry Pomeroy Castle which reportedly hosts more than 20 regular spectres while sitting atop an ancient pagan burial ground. Furthermore, nearby there is also a Victorian school known as Regent’s Canal which may also contain remnants from former students that haunt it with their shrieks of terror!
Of course, no list of haunted destinations would be complete without London. When thinking of haunted locations in London, most people picture the Tower of London; an ancient medieval fortress used as a Royal Family stronghold and for executions. Over ten different ghosts have been sighted here including Anne Boleyn.
Old Queen’s Head Pub in Highgate is another haunted locale, said to be haunted by two dead bodies: a little girl and man in a Cavalier uniform who were both brutally killed there. Ominous happenings at this pub include hearing crying and banging doors at night from one girl; seeing men in Cavalier uniforms roaming about; an apparition draped in white clothing who often visits for work purposes; as well as hearing an unknown flusher who haunts their women’s restroom! For an intense experience visit one of their frequent fright nights!
Queen Mary
The RMS Queen Mary was once an impressive luxury ocean liner that carried celebrities, heads of state, and royalty across the Atlantic Ocean. However, she also harbored secret passageways which remain haunted today; making her one of the world’s top haunted destinations to visit.
Queen Mary offers numerous ghost tours and events that allow guests to experience paranormal activity on board this legendary ship, including sightings of apparitions that vanish, cold spots, noises they didn’t understand, power surges and power outages. Rumor has it that she may also be haunted by a woman who committed suicide in one of its first-class swimming pools or where her escort ships collided during World War II – making this ship quite haunted indeed!
Guests have reported encountering John Pedder, an engine room mechanic who was crushed to death behind watertight door 13. When seen, John can often be seen wearing coveralls and carrying his wrench, often making inquiries as to where his tools may have fallen when encountered. Pedder can sometimes even whistle or inquire whether the tools are nearby when met up with.
The Queen Mary has become a popular site for YouTubers and podcasters conducting paranormal investigations, such as YouTuber Jake Webber in 2023 who documented his experience on his channel while true crime and paranormal podcast And That’s Why We Drink spent one night aboard in 2020.
The Queen Mary is an ideal location to experience something otherworldly and learn more about its rich history, but be wary of ghost stories that seem outlandish or that have no historical basis – they may just be marketing tactics used as bait!
McRaven House
Vicksburg’s McRaven House is one of the state’s most haunted destinations to visit and has been described by National Geographic magazine as the “time capsule of the South.” This architectural marvel takes visitors on an enjoyable journey through three distinct periods; rooms showcase Mississippi pioneer era architecture styles; Empire architecture styles; and Greek Revival architectural styles with period antiques lending further authenticity to each period experience.
The Murray family dwelt in their home until 1911, when William Murray succumbed to yellow fever and both daughters Ella and Annie succumbed. Both girls died within months, leaving no living members within the household and earning them a reputation for ghost stories and rundown looks of the home.
McRaven House served as a field hospital for Confederate troops when the Civil War broke out, being situated so close to battles that it endured cannon fire from both sides. Mrs. Bobb was shot just 100 yards from McRaven by Union soldiers – her spirit still lives at McRaven where she enjoys time spent with her family once more.
Andrew Glass, a highwayman who used the house as a hideout after robbing travelers along Natchez Trace, continues to haunt its original back rooms and harass female docents while playing pranks on guests who tour it. Mary Elizabeth Howard stands out amongst McRaven house spirits; her apparition has been seen throughout its rooms while visitors often wear her wedding shawl when visiting and have reported hearing her voice as well as experiencing it firsthand during historic tours and evening candlelight tours offered daily and nightly respectively. This haunted destination can also offer daytime historic tours as well as candlelight tours on historic tours during daytime historic tours or candlelight tours during evening candlelight tours for visitors!