The Most Haunted Places You Can Visit This October
Halloween is all about 3 things: costumes, candy, and haunted places. One of the biggest attractions every Halloween are haunted house, mazes, and haunted hayrides, just to name a few. This Halloween, take the haunting up a notch at visit some of the most haunted places in the world! Do you live near one? Find out now!
California
The Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
There’s just something about old ships that make you shiver, and The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, is the poster child for creepy vessels.
The Queen Mary is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world, and this October, you can experience it for yourself! The Queen Mary knows how to do an excellent ghost tour with several available to the public. Visit paranormal hotspots on the ship and hear haunting stories from the crew.
The Queen Mary also does a haunted attraction called Dark Harbor starting in September. Experience frightful mazes and attractions, along with a fantastic atmosphere!
If you’re visiting from out of town or if you want the full experience, stay in one of the 346 rooms onboard. If you’re brave enough, book room B340 as it is said to be the most haunted room onboard!
Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Winchester Mansion (San Jose, California)
The Winchester Mansion truly is a mystery and anomaly. Dubbed an architectural wonder and historic landmark of San Jose, California, the mansion continues to puzzle people to this day.
The home was owned by Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the heiress to a large part of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. After her husband and daughter passed away in the late 1800s, Sarah moved to the farmhouse and began a never-ending construction project.
For 36 years, construction on the home never stopped, and the eight-bedroom home turned into 160 room mansion. If this house were to be recreated today, it would cost nearly $71 million. The construction finally came to an end in 1922 when Sarah passed away.
What makes this house such a mystery is why Sarah never stopped building. Many people believe Sarah was being tormented by spirits of those who died at the hand of a Winchester Riffel while others find a psychic urged Sarah to never stop building.
Sarah’s creation is now open to the public, and you can visit it and experience the anomaly for yourself! Take a tour of the 24,000 acre home or visit the museum located inside the house (yes, it’s that big.)
Address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (San Fransisco, California)
If you’re going to San Fransisco, everyone will tell you the one thing you need to do is visit Alcatraz.
Alcatraz had been many things over the years, but the most famous is a federal prison. Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was a maximum-security prison located on Alcatraz Island. To get to the island, you need to take a 15-minute ferry ride as the island is entirely surrounded by water.
Alcatraz held some of the most notorious criminals in history including Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. During the 36 years of operation, no prisoner was successfully able to escape alive.
As you can imagine, Alcatraz has seen many fatal incidents making this one of the most haunted penitentiaries to date. Many people on the staff have claimed to see spirits and psychics say they feel ghost energy while there. Whether or not this is true, the prison does have a creepy quality to it, and ghost tours take place in October, so you can find out for yourself!
Whaley House (San Diego, California)
Haunted houses are a considerable part of Halloween. Why? Because they’re spooky. But usually, we’re able to tell ourselves it’s all made up. When it comes to Whaley House in San Diego, California though, the comforting words we tell ourselves might not apply.
Whaley House is said to be the most haunted home in San Diego and for a good reason. Before the home was even built, it seems like it was destined to be haunted. The house was built on top of the of San Deigo’s most famous execution of Yankee Jim Robinson.
Soon after the Whaley family moved in, tragedy struck when their 18-month-old son passed away from scarlet fever. A couple months after this, a fire destroyed part of the house and returned to the home 5 years later. Disaster seemed to live in the house with them when Anna Whaley was held at gunpoint in the home, and Violet Whaley committed suicide years later.
Over the years, the family members began to pass away, and it is said that their spirits still linger on the Whaley House grounds. Visitors report seeing a young woman roaming the second floor of the home while others report smelling a French perfume worn by one of the Whaley women. It is also said that lights turn themselves on and off and music will play on its own.
Don’t believe these sightings? See for yourself and take a tour of the home!
Address: 2476 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Colorado
The Stanley Hotel (Estes Parks, Colorado)
One of the most iconic Halloween movies is The Shining, so what better place to visit this October than the hotel that inspired the book the film was made after?
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado served as Stephan King’s inspiration for The Outlook Hotel in his classic novel and is said to be haunted. The hotel takes full advantage of its reputation by offering ghost tours and plays The Shining on a loop on one of the television channels.
There have been many ghost sightings including a cowboy in room 428 who sits on the corner of the bed waiting for guests… yikes… Others have reported seeing ghostly figures in pictures they’ve taken inside the hotel.
This October is the best time to visit The Stanley Hotel, however, because of all the fun Halloween-themed events the hotel puts on called The Twin Terror Weekends! These weekends include a murder mystery dinner party, the Shining Ball, and a Halloween Masquerade Party! But if you’re looking to do something a little more low-key, the hotel offers nightly ghost tours for you to experience!
Address: 333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
New England
Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Similarly to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is said to be one of the most haunted prisons in the world. Eastern State Penitentiary used to be one of the best, but now, the abandoned penitentiary stands in ruins with apparent spirits lurking in the shadows.
This October, visit Eastern State Penitentiary for their annual event Terror Behind the Walls on select nights. Terror Behind the Walls has been called America’s largest haunted house and is deemed the #1 haunted attraction by many news outlets. The best part is all proceeds go to maintaining this historic landmark, so the education side of the experience can continue for years to come!
Address: 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Lizzie Bordon House (Fall River, Massachusetts)
One of the most tragic and disturbing murder scenes is now a Bed and Breakfast, and you can stay there this October.
The home of Lizzie Bordon, the main suspect in the axe murders of her father and stepmother, is open to the public in Fall River, Massachusetts making this house a real-life haunted one. To this day, people question the murders even though they happened over a century ago. Did Lizzie really do it? What drove her to brutally murder her family? People have their suspicions, but who’s right?
This October, you can make your own decision and participate in a paranormal night run by the house staff or stay in one of the rooms if you dare…
Address: 2006, 230 2nd St, Fall River, MA 02721
City of Salem (Salem, Massachusetts)
We obviously can’t have a list of haunted places and not include Salem, Massachusetts.
Many people are familiar with the Salem witch trials, but many don’t realize the horrors that brought to the town of Salem. The witch trials were a literal witch hunt during the 1600s that targeted men and women who were supposedly practicing witchcraft. Over 200 people were accused of witchcraft, 19 of whom were found guilty and were executed.
The witch trials brought mass hysteria and terror to the people of Salem. As you can image, trust was out the window, and no one was safe. Today, the witch trials are a thing of the past, but the town of Salem still hasn’t forgotten.
This October, visit the town of Salem and experience an authentic Halloween experience. Visit one of the many museums the city has to offer and take a ghost tour if you’re brave enough!
West Virginia
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (Weston, West Virginia)
It’s clear that Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is no longer in business by its name alone, but it’s a good thing it is closed due to the horrendous things that happened there.
Formally known as Weston State Hospital, the psychiatric hospital was in practice from 1864 to 1994, which means it closed only 25 years ago. The hospital was initially built to hold 250 people but became overcrowded with over 24,000 patients in the 1950s; as you can imagine, living conditions weren’t the best.
During the time of operation, mental illness wasn’t researched and as well known about as it is today, so everyone battling an illness was just labeled as insane. If you’re familiar with American Horror Story, this asylum looked a lot like the one in season 2 of American Horror Story.
Thankfully, mental illness is handled immensely better today, and “lunatic asylums” are no longer practiced. But if you’re curious to learn more and go behind the terrors in the walls, the hospital now offers paranormal and ghost tours for you to experience this October!
Address: 71 Asylum Dr, Weston, WV 26452
Georgia
Forsyth Park Inn (Savannah, Georgia)
Many would argue that the entire town of Savannah, Georgia, is haunted, making it the perfect city to visit this October! But if you’re looking for a place to stay and something a little more specific, Forsyth Park Inn has you covered!
Stories have circulated that a little girl named Lottie’s ghost walks the hallways of the inn and visits those who stay there. The story of Lottie is a rather disturbing one that goes along the lines of poisoning her “stepmother” only to find it was her real mother. After driving herself insane with guilt, Lottie spent many of her days in an asylum.
But not to worry, Lottie’s ghost is not evil, nor is she angry. Lottie enjoys having company and is rather happy considering her story. Visit the inn and hear a little girl laugh and run around the grounds. It has also been said that Lottie loves the fountain in the courtyard and can be seen there often!
Address: 102 W Hall St, Savannah, GA 31401
Canada
Casa Loma (Toronto, Canada)
Casa Loma in Toronto is one of Canada’s most haunted places you can visit. This fantastic castle literally translates to “Hill House,” and for those of you who watched The Haunting of Hill House, you might understand how spooky that is!
Both the staff and guests of Casa Loma have their fair share of stories from hearing voices in the hallways, seeing apparitions, and seeing things that aren’t really there. Many have reported seeing a woman in white or seeing and hearing a grouchy old man in the hallways. All of this and more have given Casa Loma the title of a paranormal hotspot.
To experience this for yourself, Casa Loma offers ghost tours and paranormal tours open for the public. Hear stories from the staff members and leave with a few stories of your own!
Louisiana
The Haunted LaLaurie House (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Believe it or not, many of the storylines of American Horror Story are inspired by actual events, making them all the more terrifying. The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans seen in season 3 of American Horror Story is no different, and you can visit it this October!
The story behind the mansion is an absolute horror story, and if you’ve seen American Horror Story, you know just how bad it was. Delphine LaLaurie was a New Orleans Creole socialite and serial killer who tortured and murdered her slaves in the 1800s. As you can imagine, the mansion is said to be filled with spirits and is one of the most haunted places in the world with one of the worst stories behind it.
Today, the mansion is open to the public for paranormal and ghost tours, but it is also open for educational purposes.
Address: 1140 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Myrtles Plantation (Francisville, Louisiana)
New Orleans is said to be one of the most haunted towns in America, but Myrtles Plantation is said to be one of the most haunted homes. It is said that the house was built on top of a Native American burial ground which, if you’ve ever read Stephan King, you know, is a recipe for disaster.
While the plantation itself is gorgeous, it is also said to be very haunted with a notable Native American woman’s spirit roaming the land. The good news is, the property hasn’t gone to waste, and the plantation is now a bed and breakfast that you can stay in! However, if you’re not lookin’ for a new buddy, maybe avoid this B&B as there are at least 12 ghosts on the property that have been reported. It has also been said that many bizarre accidents have occurred, but if you watch your step, you should be just fine!
The plantation also offers tours for those of you who want to see the haunted estate but don’t want to stay the night!
Address: 7747 US-61, St Francisville, LA 70775
Europe and the UK
Catacombs de Paris (Paris, France)
How can an ossuary with the remains of over six million people not be haunted? If you’re feeling up for the flight and the chills you’ll receive, definitely check out the catacombs in Paris, France.
The catacombs in Paris were initially created to help with sanitary concerns with the intention of moving cemeteries into the catacombs. During this time, many believed that the fumes the cadavers expelled would lead to infection and illness so the bodies would have to be transferred. As a result, millions of bones fill the catacombs, and you can take a tour of them!
The catacombs themselves are undeniably eerie and not for the faint of heart, but if you can handle it definitely consider visiting this historic site.
Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Hoia Baciu Forest (Cluj-Napoca, Romania)
From the beginning of time, we have seen scary forests from Hansel and Gretel to Little Red Riding Hood. While those are fairytales, there are forests to seem to be slightly sinister, and Hoia Baciu Forest in Romania is one of them.
The Hoia Baciu Forest’s alternate title as the most haunted forest in the world has earned its second name, and if you’re looking for a real scare, this is the place to go. This forest has a reputation for extreme paranormal phenomena and unexplained events, often being called the “Bermuda Triangle of Romania.”
People have reported seeing everything from ghosts to extraterrestrial activity, including UFOs. Even if you don’t see anything, the feeling you may experience can be quite intense. People have reported feeling extreme anxiety and say that they feel like they’re being watched, all of which come on suddenly and without warning. Other report experiencing flu-like symptoms suddenly, coming back with burns and scratches, and experiencing unusual sensations. Whether this is all in their heads or real, we can’t be sure.
While this is a terrifying place to visit, you can take tours with people who are very familiar with the area and potential to avoid these bizarre feelings. It is always recommended to go with an expert into forests such as these to avoid getting lost and have a fun and spooky experience instead of a terrifying and unenjoyable one.
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (Chernobyl, Ukraine)
Ever since HBO’s Chernobyl, there has been a resurgence of tourism to Ukraine.
The story behind the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is a tragic one that occurred in 1986 when a nuclear exploded, causing the world’s worst nuclear disaster in history. Because the explosion was so sudden, many people weren’t able to escape the radioactivity in time.
To this day, the radioactivity is still very high, leaving the town deserted, and it looks the same as the day the reactor exploded. You can, however, take a tour of the city and explore the ghost town. Many people report seeing spirits and unusual activity. It is imperative, though, to take a tour with a professional to remain safe!
