Top Haunted Locations in the United States Open to the Public

Located in Estes Park, Colorado, this 1909 hotel famously inspired Stephen King's 'The Shining.' Guests can take evening ghost tours or stay overnight to experience reported hauntings by former owner F.O. Stanley and his wife Florence.

Docked in Long Beach, California, this retired ocean liner is considered one of the most haunted ships in the world. Visitors can take night tours or sleep onboard to encounter apparitions from its time as a WWII hospital ship.

This historic prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, held inmates like Al Capone and features eerie cell blocks. Nightly ghost tours explore its decaying ruins, where visitors report hearing screams and seeing shadows in the solitary confinement areas.

Located at 112 Ocean Avenue in Long Island, New York, this house is infamous for the 1975 murders that sparked a major paranormal case. While private property, it is a frequent stop on local haunted house driving tours and attracts significant public attention.

Known as America's most haunted home, this 1857 building in San Diego, California, served as a courthouse and jail. Visitors can take self-guided or guided tours to meet the spirits of Thomas Whaley, his wife, and a hanged prisoner.

The former federal prison in San Francisco Bay is steeped in tragedy and escape attempts. Night tours allow visitors to experience the eerie silence of the cellhouse, where many claim to hear cries for help and strange noises echoing off the walls.

Sedona, Arizona, is renowned for its vortex energy and numerous haunted sites, including the Whiskey Row District. Guided walking tours explore historic saloons and hotels where patrons report sightings of ghosts from the town's wild west era.

This Pennsylvania battlefield saw 50,000 casualties during the Civil War and remains a hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors often report unexplained noises and apparitions in areas like Little Round Top and the cemetery, especially at night.

A legendary luxury hotel in Denver, Colorado, the Brown Palace has been in operation since 1892. The third-floor hallway is notorious for the spirit of a young girl in a white dress, and guests frequently report hearing piano music in the bar.

Actually the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, this sprawling mansion was built continuously for 38 years under Sarah Winchester's direction. The labyrinthine layout and reported hauntings make it a premier destination for paranormal tourists.

While not a bridge, the Chicago-style term often refers to haunted sites like the Chicago Cultural Center or local bars. However, the famous 'Haunted Chicago' tours often highlight the old water tower and pump house, sites of reported poltergeist activity.

Located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, this mansion is linked to Madame LaLaurie, accused of torturing slaves. It has been owned by several celebrities who reported terrifying paranormal events, and it is a staple of New Orleans ghost tours.

George Vanderbilt’s Gilded Age estate in Asheville, North Carolina, is said to be haunted by former residents and servants. Nightly tours and ghost hunts explore the grounds, where visitors report seeing the figure of George Vanderbilt's brother.

In San Francisco, this historic building is part of the Presidio National Park and is known for sightings of a Civil War-era soldier. The area offers guided history tours that include segments on the military's paranormal legends and hauntings.

While a theme park attraction, the actual locations used for inspiration and nearby filming sites in Louisiana and Florida draw real-world ghost hunting interest. Visitors often seek out the 'real' locations behind the movie adaptations for a more authentic experience.

This historic plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is often cited as one of the most haunted homes in America. Guests staying overnight report encounters with Chloe, a house slave who supposedly poisoned children, and the mysterious 'Yellow Girl.'

Note: The Tower of London is in the UK. For US locations, consider the Old State House in Boston or the Freedom Trail sites. Many historic buildings along the Freedom Trail report cold spots and apparitions from Revolutionary War figures.

Beyond the main hotel, the 18-hole course at The Stanley Hotel is also reported to be haunted. Golfers have claimed to hear laughter, see phantom players, and experience unexplained equipment movements during evening rounds in the early days.

Following the 2016 fire, the site of the Ghost Ship in Oakland, California, remains a place of remembrance and investigation. While tours are limited due to safety and investigation protocols, the area attracts paranormal researchers interested in the tragic events.

This historic beachfront hotel in Coronado, California, is home to the spirit of Kate Morgan, who fell from the balcony in 1892. Guests and staff report hearing her footsteps and seeing her in various rooms, particularly on the sixth floor.