At haunted hotels and historic sites, there’s sure to be something eerie that will keep you on edge this Halloween. Take a ghost tour, learn history with an unnerving twist, or simply go on an eerie history excursion! All these destinations promise an exciting Halloween adventure.
This former Civil War field hospital now plays host to ghosts who reportedly cause childish laughter, while guests have reported hearing piano music by either Beethoven or Elton John – although their identities remain uncertain.
1. St. Augustine
St. Augustine is America’s oldest city and boasts an enthralling past filled with tragic events, ghostly sightings and paranormal experiences. A trip to this charming coastal town can provide the opportunity to explore this mysterious realm; whether your aim is spooky thrills or more knowledge about local history – St. Augustine offers plenty of ways for visitors to get their fix!
Walking tour of St. Augustine’s historic streets are an excellent way to experience its haunted history first-hand, led by an experienced guide and history expert who can share tales about ghosts and spirits who reside within old buildings. Additionally, adding an additional cemetery tour provides even greater insight into our past.
St. Francis Inn offers ghostly tours that take visitors through Lily’s Room – said to be one of the most haunted rooms in the building and where guests have reported experiencing unexplained phenomena. Furthermore, due to a 19th-century tragedy involving young lovers at this inn and its history featuring their ghostly spirits lingering, along with those from Castillo de San Marcos (nation’s oldest masonry fort), which has seen battles, deaths and tragedies that include ghostly children who used this fort as their playground – making this fort renowned.
2. San Marcos
San Marcos boasts many haunted attractions for visitors looking for thrills. Visitors can explore residential Historic Districts or explore local history at the LBJ Museum of San Marcos. Furthermore, this town houses Texas State University as well as a few haunted locations both on and off campus.
Visitors who enjoy all things creepy should stop by Thompson Island Bridge. According to legend, it is said to be haunted by an unseen Confederate soldier killed while fighting across Big Thicket in 1861 and still haunting this location.
Yorktown Memorial Hospital in San Marcos offers another place of interest – it looks just like your classic haunted house from the outside, with its creepy granite and concrete exterior and overgrown bushes pressing against windows. Once inside, visitors often report sighting full-body apparitions, mysterious music and doors opening and closing on their own – not to mention guided tours costing $25; photography/video shoots cost $100 an hour while overnight investigations run $500.
3. New Orleans
No city in America boasts as much culture, cuisine and joie de vivre as New Orleans. With a vibrant nightlife scene that spans 24 hours per day and lively live music scene featuring local talent as well as unique cuisine influenced by French, African and American cultures; historic houses, streets and neighborhoods serve as touchstones to this complex past.
The Historic New Orleans Collection museum preserves many maps, paintings and historical artifacts from New Orleans’ rich past, like maps, paintings and historical artifacts from Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest celebrations. Additionally, Newcomb Art Museum provides another excellent way to learn about its arts and culture while featuring beautiful works of art from New Orleans as well as exhibits that encapsulate its heritage.
New Orleans boasts many unique and fascinating roadside attractions to see. Learn about New Orleans’ voodoo traditions at the Backstreet Cultural Museum; watch parade floats being created at Mardi Gras World; sip cocktails at The Sazerac House or learn about New Orleans style medicine at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum; enjoy cocktails at The Sazerac House or explore New Orleans style of medicine at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum; New Orleans cemeteries also offer plenty to see; many feature above-ground tombs reminiscent of Paris’ Pere Lachaise Cemetery – many also feature above-ground tombs that look reminiscent of Paris’ Pere Lachaise Cemetery!
4. San Antonio
San Antonio is a vibrant city filled with cultural riches and unique architecture, yet also harbors a dark past. Souls that perished at The Alamo as well as victims of murders, executions and accidents still wander its streets today – many visitors claim hearing strange screams and ghostly whispers at landmarks such as The Alamo or feeling an eerie presence while touring Spanish Governor’s Palace; others report hearing clown-like laughter that would make Pennywise shudder at Freeman Coliseum while others claim feeling something elseworldly present on their hands – they feel it all very strongly when visiting San Antonio!
San Antonio is home to many supernatural stories, from ghostly sightings at Menger Hotel and murder cases involving chambermaids to sightings of cryptids at 13th Floor Haunted House where Red Riding Hood plays out her new role as Keeper of The Grymm book which comes to life when opened under a Blood Moon. Discover these and more with a River City Ghosts Tour.
5. Newport
Rhode Island is famed for its picturesque coastline, historic Gilded Age architecture, and vibrant shopping scene – but what many don’t realize is that this maritime state also holds many hidden stories and hauntings.
There are colonial taverns where guests never returned, mansions whose previous inhabitants are now peacefully resting, graveyards where ghostly spirits, including Abraham Lincoln himself, are said to haunt, and tours that offer heart-stopping tours through haunted areas such as Newport’s 90-minute lantern-led Olde Town Ghost Walk that takes visitors through all of Newport’s most haunted spots.
Newport ghost tours at the Artillery Company of Newport are among the most popular. As one of the Nation’s oldest militia still operating under its original charter, this building is said to be haunted by soldiers who died during battle or succumbed to disease and other tragedies; visitors have reported hearing mysterious voices, feeling chills from unknown causes and even seeing shadowy figures moving about the grounds.
Experience an adventure-filled paranormal journey during a Newport Ghost Investigation that offers a four-hour group ghost hunt at Artillery Company of Newport. Participants should bring their own ghost hunting gear and collaborate in teams to identify some of its more haunted spots.
6. Fort Adams
Fort Adams in Newport provides an immersive history experience within reach. As the largest coastal fortification in America, Fort Adams stands as an essential piece of our nation’s past and is open to public visits for viewing advances in military technology and architecture. Tours of Fort Adams feature visits to officers’ quarters as well as panoramic views of Narragansett Bay from its top level vantage points.
Fort Monroe features several ghostly figures, such as Junius Brutus Booth – father of John Wilkes Booth who shot Abraham Lincoln – and Nettie Dickerson, an 18th century courtesan struck by lightning. Nearby Oak Alley Plantation can also provide strange sights: staff have seen ancient live oak branches reaching out from windows or heard what sounds like horse and carriage pulling up to the house.
DeRidder’s Gothic jail is said to be haunted, having seen two men executed for hiring and murdering a taxi driver. Joe Genna and Molton Brasseaux were hanged on the third-floor gallows for murder in 1928; other spirits have also been reported at this location – including that of an upturned 7-year-old girl as well as that of an ever-crying baby.
7. Eureka Springs
When most think of Eureka Springs, they imagine an idyllic Victorian town with an active arts scene and paranormal activity galore. Others see an area rife with ghostly activity.
Early settlers were drawn to Eureka Springs by Native American legends of its healing springs. Judge JB Saunders then claimed his crippling disease had been healed by its waters; due to this promotion of Eureka Springs as a tourist destination.
Visit Arkansas to experience ghost tours! Among them is one at Crescent Hotel, known as America’s Most Haunted Hotel; tours are offered year round and guests may even opt to spend the night in one of its haunted rooms!
Eureka Springs offers other haunted sites worth visiting, including the Basin Park Hotel – a favorite haunt of paranormal investigators – where they conduct paranormal investigations. Join them on a spine-chilling investigation through this haunted hotel known as home to many spirits over time such as Joe Parkhill (known for being haunted) and Michael (classified poltergeist who inhabits room 218)!
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge provides shelter to rescued big cats. You can even explore caves like Cosmic Cavern and War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake which offer guided tours.