By Lisa Wells, Food Drink Life
With autumn in the air and Halloween looming, bring some spookiness to your vacation with a haunted itinerary. These chilling destinations offer spine-tingling histories, unexplained phenomena and the chance for an unforgettable ghost encounter.
Scary movies, haunted houses and ghoulish costumes are favorite trappings of autumn, delivering a dose of terror as Halloween draws near. But for those truly looking for a fright this year, plan a vacation to America’s most haunted cities. Steeped in history ranging from the tragic to the macabre, these cities are rich with ghost sightings and scary stories grounded in truth.
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As haunting destinations gain popularity, the options for exploring have expanded. The 2024 Haunt Industry Report from ticketing company Passage indicates visits to haunted attractions continue to grow. As a result, many cities have expanded tourism offerings around the ghostly and paranormal.
In addition to trick-or-treating and pumpkin pie at Halloween this year, dive into bone-chilling history on your travels. Haunted buildings, walking tours, theatrical shows and even haunted restaurants let you explore a city in exciting – and sometimes frightening – ways, often seeing a side of your destination that you might otherwise miss.
Visit with historic ghosts in Atlantic cities
Many of the cities along the Atlantic coast are hundreds of years old, first settled by European explorers as long ago as the 1500s. These centuries of history, adventures and intrigues make for cultural destinations notorious for ghost sightings.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island in Georgia is a beautiful island getaway outside Savannah with sandy beaches and a relaxing local vibe. It’s also known for its hauntings. Ghost walking tours will take you from the historic Carbo House to the island’s paranormal hot spots.
People relax on the beach in Tybee Island, Georgia on April 25, 2020. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Visitors to the Tybee Lighthouse have reported seeing the spirits of the lightkeepers and the ghost of a young girl. Recently restored, Georgia’s oldest lighthouse now hosts an annual Halloween party.
Savannah, Georgia
Some consider nearby Savannah to be one of America’s most haunted cities. Historic walking tours let you explore the darker past of Savannah as well as the city’s beautiful sights. The Sorrel-Weed House, featured on several TV shows, offers ghost tours and paranormal investigations in the house.
Eat among the spirits of seafarers at The Pirate’s House, a restaurant that was once an inn for sailors and pirates. Many hotels and inns around the city have reported ghost residents as well if you are brave enough for an overnight stay in a haunted building.
St. Augustine, Florida
Explore the St. Augustine Lighthouse on a ghost tour to learn about the area’s maritime past and spooky history. A feature of St. Augustine walking tours, Flagler College is said to be haunted by several ghosts. The apparitions include Henry Flagler, the man who built the hotel that eventually became one of the college’s buildings, as well as his wife and mistresses.
Castillo de San Marcos was built by the Spanish to protect their Florida trade route. Today, locals report sightings of the ghosts of Native Americans once imprisoned there, Spanish soldiers and an unfaithful woman who leaves the scent of perfume behind.
Explore the South’s most haunted cities
When it comes to spooky vacations, few destinations have the reputation for active hauntings as those in the South. New Orleans, Louisiana, often ranks as the most haunted city in America while Texas is the most haunted state, according to Forbes.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans brings together tales of witchcraft, voodoo and vampires sure to delight and terrify. The historic French Quarter, founded in 1718, is home to many of the city’s ghost stories. Stay in one of its haunted hotels, such as the Bourbon Orleans, considered one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans. You might encounter an elderly ghost reading a newspaper while smoking a cigar in the lobby or a solitary dancer in the ballroom.
A person smokes outside a voodoo shop in the French Quarter during a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 19, 2023. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
During the day, walking and bus tours can take you to the city’s many graveyards, plantations and haunted houses with their own unique stories. When you need a bite to eat, order Bananas Foster at Brennan’s, a dish invented by Chef Paul Blangé, who now haunts his old restaurant.
San Antonio, Texas
Of all the cities in Texas, San Antonio is one of the best for your haunted vacation. The city is the site of The Alamo, a devastating battle in which nearly 200 soldiers, the entirety of the Texan troops, lost their lives against Mexican forces. Reported sightings of ghostly guards at the fort started soon after the battle.
Ghost tours in San Antonio often visit The Alamo and The Menger Hotel, known as one of the most haunted hotels in America, along with haunted churches, parks, and other historic buildings. You can also enjoy a haunted pub crawl through the city’s historic and haunted pubs and taverns.
Haunted hotels and racetrack in California
From silver screen ghosts in Old Hollywood to gold miners in the Sierra Nevadas, California has its own ghost stories. San Diego, in particular, is ideal for those looking for haunted hotel stays. In the Victorian era Gaslamp Quarter, the Horton Grand is home to the ghost of card cheat Roger Whitaker. On Coronado Island, the luxurious Hotel Del Coronado continues to host Kate Morgan, a young woman who took her life at the hotel.
An outrider waits to lead horses to the track prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint race at Del Mar racetrack on November 5, 2021 in Del Mar, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Southern California’s Del Mar racetrack is said to be haunted by George Raft, a 1940s actor and dancer, according to Mac McBride, Director of Media for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Raft, a close friend of track founder Bing Crosby and an avid racing fan, was reportedly seen standing in line to buy a ticket long after his death.
Others have reported paranormal experiences at the track, including voices in empty bars, laughter and drink orders, strange apparitions in hallways and cold spots with subtle drafts in closed areas. Those hoping to encounter spirits can visit Del Mar starting Halloween when the fall Bing Crosby Racing Season begins.
Enjoy a chilling fall vacation at these haunted hotspots
Whether you take a ghost tour around the city or dare to stay in a haunted hotel, a ghost-hunting vacation – or just a few stops at your destination’s spooky locales – is the perfect way to get in the spirit of fall. Wherever your ghostly getaway takes you, be sure to take lots of photos and study them carefully when you return. You never know what frights you might find.
Lisa Wells is a travel, food and lifestyle writer and photographer who has traveled across 37 countries. As the founder of Coastal Wandering, she shares her love for laid-back beach living with stories, recipes and tips for a relaxed coastal lifestyle.