Real Haunted Houses in the US To Explore, if You Dare
It’s good to be ghoulish! Halloween is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to pick your costume, carve your pumpkin, and get ready for all the terrible fun the spooky season has in store. While we love all the decorations, parties, cider doughnuts, and caramel apples, nothing is quite as scary as a bona fide haunted house.
And no, we’re not talking about an Airbnb with strobe lights, a fog machine, and ominous music playing from a Bluetooth speaker. The places we’ll be focusing on today are as close as you’ll probably ever be to a genuine haunting. So get ready, and let’s dive into the otherworldly experiences you can enjoy this Halloween.
And while you’re here, check out our residential storage options to help you keep all your ghostly gear ready for the festivities.
Are Ghosts Real?
Full disclosure: we cannot attest to the validity of any supernatural activity in the locations we’ll be discussing today. However, every haunted place we’ll explore has a real history behind it, with stories that, true or not, have been passed down for generations. Some details may have been added over time, and others may have been lost, but it is up to you to explore these famous haunted houses and attractions to discover their true nature.
We can’t tell you if ghosts are real, but if you want to find out, we recommend you start here.
Historical Haunted Homes
Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA
The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most famous destinations for haunted house tours the USA offers. This sprawling mansion was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Winchester, founder of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. After the death of her husband and infant daughter, Sarah Winchester became convinced that her family was cursed by the spirits of those killed by the famous Winchester rifle. To appease these spirits, she began constructing her home in San Jose, CA, in a bizarre fashion, continuously expanding and adding on to it for nearly 40 years.
The Winchester Mystery House became a labyrinth of dead-end hallways, stairs that lead to nowhere, and hidden rooms, all designed, it is said, to confuse the vengeful spirits. Sarah believed that by never finishing the construction, she could avoid the spirits’ wrath. Today, the house remains a popular tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year who are eager to explore its eerie halls and learn about the strange life of its former owner.
The Joshua Ward House in Salem, MA
Considered one of the scariest haunted houses U.S. history has to offer, the Joshua Ward House in Salem, MA, holds a chilling place in American folklore. This brick house was one of the first of its kind built in Salem, commissioned by Joshua Ward in the 18th century. However, its notoriety stems from a darker chapter of history.
The home sits on the site where George Corwin, the notorious sheriff who presided over the Salem Witch Trials, lived. Corwin was responsible for the executions of many accused witches, including Giles Corey, who was crushed to death by heavy stones after refusing to enter a plea. It is said that Corey’s spirit haunts the house to this day, a spectral reminder of the horrors of the witch trials.
Friendly Ghosts at Pittock Mansion in Portland, OR
Built between 1909 and 1914, Pittock Mansion in Portland, OR, is a beautiful piece of architecture with oddly welcoming occupants. The mansion, commissioned by Henry Pittock, a successful businessman and newspaper owner, boasts 46 rooms and a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. However, the Pittock family’s time in the home was tragically brief. Henry Pittock and several of his family members passed away shortly after moving in, leaving the grand estate largely unoccupied.
Despite the somber history, reports of ghostly activity at Pittock Mansion are not as frightening as one might expect. Visitors and staff have claimed to see apparitions of family members walking calmly through the upstairs halls, while others report hearing the sounds of the former groundskeeper going about his daily tasks. These spirits are often described as friendly or even protective of their former home, making Pittock Mansion a uniquely peaceful haunted house.
The White House in Washington, D.C.
You may not immediately think of the White House when listing haunted homes, but this historic residence has seen its fair share of paranormal activity. Over the centuries, numerous presidents, first ladies, and staff members have reported strange encounters.
Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, is said to still walk through the East Room, while Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the most famous ghost of the White House, has been spotted by numerous visitors and residents, including Winston Churchill. Even in Lincoln’s time, the house had a haunted reputation. His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, claimed to hear the ghost of Andrew Jackson stomping through the halls. So perhaps this famed home embodies the spirit of America in more ways than one.
Best Haunted Attractions in the US
R.M.S. Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA
The R.M.S. Queen Mary, now permanently docked in Long Beach, CA, is a fascinating piece of history and is said to be one of the most haunted attractions in the U.S. Once one of the largest and fastest passenger ships in the world, the Queen Mary sailed across the Atlantic Ocean for decades as a luxury liner for the Cunard Line before serving as a troop transport during World War II.
Throughout its long service, the ship saw several tragic accidents. Some souls are said to still be haunting the decks, including a young sailor who was crushed to death by a door and a crew member who was murdered in cabin B340. Today, the Queen Mary operates as a hotel and restaurant, giving you the rare opportunity to stay overnight in an actual ghost ship.
Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, SC
Originally built in 1736 as a warehouse and later converted into a theater, the Dock Street Theatre is home to several ghostly inhabitants. The most famous is Nettie Dickerson, an aspiring dancer known as the Lady in Red, after the striking dress she wore. Stories of her death vary, with some saying she died on stage while others claim she was struck by lightning outside the theater. However she passed, her specter is said to haunt the upper gallery, sometimes appearing on stage during performances.
Another ghost is Junius Brutus Booth, a well-known actor, and father of John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Visitors and staff have reported sightings of Booth’s ghost in the dressing rooms as if he is still preparing for a performance that will never come.
Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield in Gettysburg, PA
The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most pivotal and devastating battles of the Civil War, with tens of thousands of soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The sheer magnitude of destruction at this site has led to countless reports of paranormal activity. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly soldiers from both sides roaming the fields, searching for their fallen comrades.
Park officials are quick to remind visitors that while you may not encounter a ghost, you are guaranteed to find deer ticks, so it’s best to bring bug spray on your tour of this haunting and historically significant battlefield.