Top 10 Haunted Houses in America

Hi there, I’m Emily and I’m a big fan of all things spooky. Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year and I love visiting haunted houses. Today, I’m excited to share with you my top 10 list of the most haunted houses in America. Let’s get started!

Curiosities, Statistics, and Facts

The Winchester Mystery House in California has 160 rooms, 2,000 doors, and 10,000 windows.
The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans is said to be haunted by the ghosts of slaves who were tortured and killed there in the 1800s.
The Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana is believed to be built on an Indian burial ground and has been featured on numerous paranormal TV shows.
The Lizzie Borden House in Massachusetts is where Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother were brutally murdered with an axe in 1892.
The Villisca Axe Murder House in Iowa is where an entire family and their two guests were murdered with an axe in 1912.
The Stanley Hotel in Colorado inspired Stephen King’s novel, The Shining.
The Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania was once home to notorious criminals such as Al Capone and is said to be one of the most haunted places in America.
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky was a tuberculosis hospital in the early 1900s and is now a popular destination for ghost hunters.
The Congress Plaza Hotel in Illinois is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of Al Capone and other notorious gangsters who used to stay there.
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia was a mental hospital that operated for over 100 years and is said to be one of the most haunted places in America.

10. The Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California

The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling mansion that was built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of the inventor of the Winchester rifle. Legend has it that Sarah believed the ghosts of those killed by the rifle were haunting her and that she needed to build a house to appease them. The mansion has many strange features, such as staircases that lead to nowhere and doors that open onto walls. It’s said that Sarah held nightly seances to communicate with the spirits and that she continued building onto the house until her death in 1922.

I visited the Winchester Mystery House last year and it was a truly eerie experience. The house is massive and labyrinthine, with many hidden passageways and secret rooms. The tour guide told us stories of strange occurrences, such as doors slamming shut and footsteps in empty hallways. It definitely gave me the creeps!

9. The LaLaurie Mansion – New Orleans, Louisiana

The LaLaurie Mansion has a dark history. It was once the home of Madame Delphine LaLaurie, a wealthy socialite who was known for her cruel treatment of her slaves. In 1834, a fire broke out in the mansion and firefighters discovered a torture chamber in the attic, where slaves were shackled and left to die. Madame LaLaurie fled the city and her fate is unknown. The mansion has since been the site of many paranormal encounters, including apparitions and disembodied screams.

I took a ghost tour of New Orleans a few years ago and the LaLaurie Mansion was one of the stops. The guide told us about the horrors that happened there and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness and disgust. It’s hard to imagine how someone could be so cruel to another human being.

8. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, Louisiana

The Myrtles Plantation is a beautiful antebellum home that is said to be one of the most haunted places in America. Legend has it that the house was built on an Indian burial ground and that the ghosts of the Native Americans still haunt the property. The plantation was also the site of a brutal murder in the 1800s, when a slave named Chloe poisoned the family and was subsequently hanged. Visitors to the Myrtles have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises.

I visited the Myrtles Plantation on a road trip through the South and it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. The house is stunning and the grounds are beautiful. We took a tour of the house and the guide told us many spooky stories. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I definitely felt a sense of unease.

7. The Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, Massachusetts

The Lizzie Borden House is where Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother were brutally murdered with an axe in 1892. Lizzie was put on trial for the murders, but was ultimately acquitted. The house has since been turned into a bed and breakfast and is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the murdered couple. Visitors have reported hearing strange noises and seeing ghostly apparitions.

I stayed at the Lizzie Borden House a few years ago and it was definitely a unique experience. The room we stayed in was the same room where Lizzie’s stepmother was killed and I have to admit, I was a little freaked out. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did hear some strange noises in the middle of the night.

6. The Villisca Axe Murder House – Villisca, Iowa

The Villisca Axe Murder House is where an entire family and their two guests were brutally murdered with an axe in 1912. The killer was never caught and the house has since become a popular destination for ghost hunters. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, such as children’s laughter.

I visited the Villisca Axe Murder House last year and it was definitely a creepy experience. The house has been preserved to look exactly as it did on the night of the murders and it’s a sobering reminder of the tragedy that occurred there. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did feel a sense of unease.

5. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado

The Stanley Hotel is a beautiful hotel that inspired Stephen King’s novel, The Shining. King stayed at the hotel in 1974 and was inspired by the eerie atmosphere and isolation. The hotel is said to be haunted by several ghosts, including the former owner, F.O. Stanley, and his wife, Flora. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, such as children’s laughter.

I visited the Stanley Hotel a few years ago and it was definitely a unique experience. The hotel is beautiful and has a lot of history. We took a ghost tour of the hotel and the guide told us many spooky stories. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did feel a sense of unease.

4. Eastern State Penitentiary – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Eastern State Penitentiary was once home to notorious criminals such as Al Capone and is said to be one of the most haunted places in America. The prison was known for its harsh treatment of inmates and many died there. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, such as footsteps and moaning.

I visited Eastern State Penitentiary last year and it was definitely a creepy experience. The prison is massive and has a lot of history. We took a tour of the prison and the guide told us many spooky stories. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did feel a sense of unease.

3. Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Louisville, Kentucky

The Waverly Hills Sanatorium was a tuberculosis hospital in the early 1900s and is now a popular destination for ghost hunters. The hospital is said to be haunted by the ghosts of patients who died there. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, such as coughing and moaning.

I visited the Waverly Hills Sanatorium a few years ago and it was definitely a creepy experience. The hospital is massive and has a lot of history. We took a ghost tour of the hospital and the guide told us many spooky stories. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did feel a sense of unease.

2. Congress Plaza Hotel – Chicago, Illinois

The Congress Plaza Hotel is believed to be haunted by the ghosts of Al Capone and other notorious gangsters who used to stay there. Guests have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, such as footsteps and knocking.

I stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel a few years ago and it was definitely a unique experience. The hotel is beautiful and has a lot of history. We didn’t have any paranormal encounters, but it was still a fun stay.

1. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was a mental hospital that operated for over 100 years and is said to be one of the most haunted places in America. Patients were subjected to brutal treatment and many died there. Visitors have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, such as screams and moaning.

I visited the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum last year and it was definitely the creepiest place I’ve ever been. The hospital is massive and has a lot of history. We took a ghost tour of the hospital and the guide told us many spooky stories. I didn’t see any ghosts, but I did feel a sense of unease.

FAQs

Are these haunted houses open to the public?

Yes, all of these haunted houses are open to the public. However, some require reservations or tickets in advance.

Are these haunted houses safe to visit?

Yes, these haunted houses are safe to visit. However, they can be scary and may not be suitable for young children or those with heart conditions.

Are there any other haunted houses in America worth visiting?

Yes, there are many other haunted houses in America worth visiting. Some honorable mentions include the Sallie House in Kansas, the Whaley House in California, and the Crescent Hotel in Arkansas.

Do you believe in ghosts?

As a fan of all things spooky, I definitely believe in the possibility of ghosts. Whether or not they actually exist is up for debate, but I think it’s fun to imagine.

Which of these haunted houses is your favorite?

It’s hard for me to pick a favorite, as they are all unique and spooky in their own way. However, I think the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was the creepiest and most memorable.