The United States is filled with fascinating cities. From coastal retreats with immediate access to miles of white sandy beaches to inland empires lined with towering wonders, visitors are spoiled for choice. Amidst the usual lively vacation destinations, though, there is a subset of cities that appeal to a more open-minded crowd. Be it a curiosity about the afterlife or an attraction to all things dark and sinister, these morbidly-minded travelers are always on the hunt for truly thrilling getaways.
The following cities may attract a diverse crowd of history buffs, foodies, or relaxation experts, but their bounty of frightening ghost stories makes them ideal for eerie expeditions. Whether you’re drawn to the morose, love an intersection of history and the unusual, or want to improve your chances of a spectral run-in, the following five cities make up the most haunted cities in the United States to take a ghost tour.
Annapolis, Maryland
A cute college town on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is already on the map for many. It oozes charm and offers a variety of activities, both on land and off. With roots in the 17th century, it’s also primed for an excursion into the unknown. Beneath its endearing allure is a history flowing with tales of tragedy, like the forlorn bride of The Maryland Inn, or the horrors of American history, like the enslaved who still seek retribution for a lifetime of torment.
An Annapolis ghost tour gives an uncensored view of the city’s weirder side. Travelers enjoy a taste of the city’s history, which ties directly into the haunting tales of lost souls and wandering spirits. From the wicked roots of the Brice House to eerie happenings of the Maryland State House, visitors will hear of Annapolis’ most active spirits during a walking tour through time and realms.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The mistake people make when traveling to Gettysburg is only focusing on the city’s historical aspects. There are plenty, of course, as the Civil War battleground still wears the wounds of its greatest conflict, but those bullet marks and blood-stained floorboards tell so much more of the unspoken history. A ghost tour really dives into the tragedies of the Civil War, like the accidental death of the Union Army’s bread-making guardian, Jennie Wade. As part of a ghost tour, visitors will hear of Wade’s efforts to supply the Union and the bullet that struck her down in her sister’s kitchen.
Beyond the tragedy of Jennie Wade, a Gettysburg ghost tour may explore charged sites like the Devil’s Den, where Confederate and Union soldiers clashed until exhaustion set in. At the Brickhouse Inn, a local tour guide will introduce you to the shimmering red call bell, a relic from the lodging’s past known to summon a peculiar spirit, while the nearby Welty House still smells of gunfire.
Gettysburg is one of the nation’s most haunted cities, and there’s no shortage of spooky locations to thrill and frighten on a detailed and history-rich ghost tour.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a culturally rich city with an abundance of reasons to visit. If you’re a foodie, you can get lost in the culinary delights scattered throughout the French Quarter. Does music appeal to your soul? You’ll surely get your fill in The Big Easy. Then, of course, there’s the long history of death, Voodoo, and sinister characters that contribute to the thrills and chills of a walking ghost tour.
The city oozes with ghostly activity to the point where it feels like every building and alleyway is home to apparitions and visions of the past. Legendary locations like the mansion of Madame Delphine LaLaurie flow with spirit energy, a product of the horrors that unfolded within. A tour will also touch on the rich history of the benevolent Voodoo Queen herself, Marie Laveau. From mansions where devoted house servants still oversee the property to a convent thought to have ties to European vampirism, New Orleans is as haunted as a city can get.
While you can just take a stroll and come upon an iconic haunted location, a ghost tour of NOLA ensures you don’t miss the most active dark tourism destinations.
Savannah, Georgia
Similar to New Orleans, Savannah is a city to visit when you want to be absolutely immersed in history. Every building has a story, and every cobblestone pathway leads to a legendary location deeply ingrained in the city’s past. Many of these timeless structures house mysteries and forgotten secrets preserved by the otherworldly entities bound within. Consider the Sorell-Weed House, a Savannah antique watched over by a towering shadow figure that roams the basement.
Residuals of the Revolutionary War still replay today, like memories burned forever into Savannah’s very fabric. Colonial Park Cemetery is not without its Colonial-age spirits, some lingering to protect the land. Catching up on the haunted chronicles of Savannah’s most haunted locations is best done through a ghost tour. Attendees will hear stories that even time forgot, like the 19th-century murder on Abercorn Street or the nameless souls who stalk Bonaventure Cemetery.
As one of the nation’s most haunted cities, Savannah is primed for a ghost tour sure to deliver chills and unforgettable memories.
Williamsburg, Virginia
When it comes to the most historically important cities in the United States, Williamsburg ranks high among them. The city embraces this history, too, emphasizing its role in the American Revolution through reenactments and preservation of local artifacts. Take the Wren Building, for example. This former hospital aided the wounded French during the Revolution, its halls now filled with the whispers and pained screams of the fallen.
If it’s a ghostly encounter you’re looking for, a trip to Williamsburg all but guarantees an eerie run-in. Apparitions of soldiers are most common, though, as you’ll find at the Peyton Randolph House, war isn’t the only thing to imprint on the city. Here, members of the tragic Peachy family remain, forever plagued by the bout of terrible luck that befell them.
On particularly quiet nights, you may hear the sounds of canonfire, as the battlefield for the Battle of Williamsburg surges to life with energy. Its grounds soaked in the blood of many soldiers, it’s a haunting ground brimming with activity.
A trip to Williamsburg unravels important moments in the nation’s history, often retold by the souls who lived it.
