Paranormal tourism: 20 US cities that serve as home to ghosts

Tourism can encompass various experiences: cultural, gastronomic, active, and even mystical. Travelers intrigued by the latter often seek out cities with mysterious histories and local legends that immerse them in the supernatural, sparking belief in extraordinary phenomena.

Are you drawn to this aspect of tourism, eagerly listening to mystical tales that send shivers down your spine? Travel + Leisure's selection can assist you in deciding on and selecting a mystical city in the United States worth visiting for a spine-chilling encounter with ghosts.

New Orleans

As the largest city in Louisiana, New Orleans serves as a hub for all things mystical. Visitors here encounter references to vampires and eerie tales of former residents haunting apartments and houses. Additionally, the city offers insights into voodoo practices, which are believed to animate corpses into living puppets.

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

On one hand, it's a picturesque destination for vacationers and beach enthusiasts. On the other hand, it's known for sightings of the Gray Man. Locals claim this ghost appears on the beach prior to a severe storm, approaching individuals and warning them of impending danger.

Chicago

In 1903, a devastating fire engulfed the Iroquois Theater, claiming hundreds of lives. Chicago also gained notoriety as the home of the nation's first documented serial killer, responsible for the deaths of numerous women. Additionally, it served as a stronghold for mafia clans, notorious for orchestrating the Valentine's Day Massacre. These tragic events have left an indelible mark, imbuing the city with an eerie and oppressive energy.

Pine Barrens, New Jersey

Legend has it that a malevolent demon, born in the 18th century from a local woman, still lurks in secret, terrifying the area. Additionally, this place is believed to be a hotspot for the supernatural, where encounters with the ghosts of individuals who died under various circumstances are not uncommon.

Savannah, Georgia

The city has earned a reputation as a veritable haunt for ghosts inhabiting old buildings, restaurants, and the Moon River Brewing Company. Moreover, ghosts are said to roam the former hospital, utilized during the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemic. Presently, the Marshall House Hotel stands on the site of the former hospital.

Queen Mary, Long Beach, California

Once a liner that sailed for three decades from the 1930s to the 1960s, the Queen Mary is now renowned as the hotel with the highest concentration of ghosts in America. Visitors can listen to numerous astounding stories and embark on haunted tours during their stay.

St. Augustine, Florida

Here, you can explore the Verdun Castle and visit the lighthouse, which is rumored to be haunted by girls who drowned there in the 1870s. Haunted tours are also available, where tourists use electromagnetic radiation detectors to detect paranormal activity.

Shoshone Ice Caves, Idaho

Discovered in the 1880s, an ice cave in this location has been associated with paranormal activity, including the sounds of voices and footsteps.

Portland, Oregon

The Shanghai Tunnels, utilized for both legal and illegal transportation of goods, are considered the main mystical attraction here. Locals believe that abducted individuals were taken through these tunnels, and their spirits linger underground.

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado

This establishment inspired author Stephen King to pen his renowned novel "The Shining" after his stay at the hotel. However, the hotel has its own eerie history unrelated to the novel. Night tours are offered, during which visitors can learn about the ghosts of the housekeeper and a specter that reportedly urges guests to leave.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

This location witnessed the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. It is believed that the presence of ghosts in military uniforms, who have not found peace, can still be heard and seen here.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles

Iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe resided in room 1200 of this hotel. Legend has it that her reflection, along with those of other stars of the era such as Carol Lombard, Errol Flynn, and Montgomery Clift, can sometimes be glimpsed in the mirrors.

Washington, DC

The White House is rumored to be one of the most haunted buildings in the United States. It is said that sightings of President Lincoln's ghost occur in his former bedroom, along with apparitions of President William Henry Harrison, who passed away in the official residence, as well as the ghosts of First Ladies Dolley Madison and Abigail Adams.

USS Lexington, Corpus Christi, Texas

This aircraft carrier played a significant role in World War II and has been associated with numerous events. It is believed that those who perished during that time may have found refuge there. Every October, tourists visit this museum to attend the Haunted House event.

San Francisco

In this city, you can find sites like the USS Hornet, the Mare Island Navy Yard, and Alcatraz, all of which are often mentioned in the context of the paranormal. However, it is the infamous Alcatraz Island Prison that is most renowned among ghost enthusiasts. It is believed that the spirit of Al Capone roams here.

Biltmore Mansion, Asheville, North Carolina

This mansion was built by the Vanderbilt family in 1895. Legend has it that the ghost of its former owner, Edith Vanderbilt, still wanders the corridors, calling out to her husband George, whose apparition has also been sighted in the house.

Salem, Massachusetts

Many are familiar with the Salem witch trials, during which women were accused of witchcraft for various reasons. Nineteen women were tortured and executed during that time, and it is believed that their souls still haunt the city.

Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland

This site witnessed a bloody confrontation during the Civil War, resulting in the deaths of over 3,500 soldiers. Visitors to this location report experiencing the smell of gunpowder, witnessing apparitions of soldiers in uniform vanishing into thin air, and encountering other strange occurrences in areas where many bodies were buried.

San Antonio, Texas

The Battle of the Alamo occurred here, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. Nearby is the Emily Morgan Hotel, formerly a hospital. It is said that in this location, one can sense a presence and encounter the ghost of a woman dressed in white.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii

Legend has it that this airport is haunted by the ghost of "Chepkina." According to the story, the girl was abandoned by her fiancé, who boarded an international flight, leading her to take her own life. Locals claim that the ghost of the unfortunate bride roams the premises, awaiting the return of her lover. Additionally, eyewitnesses have reported instances of toilets flushing by themselves and experiencing a sensation of suffocation, as if something were sitting on their chest.