Discover America’s Most Haunted Cities | Top Destinations for Ghostly Encounters 

Have you ever wondered which is the most haunted city in America is? With the Halloween season upon us, we’ll delve into the archives in search of spooky tales and mysterious locations in our guide to the most haunted cities in America. 

From the creepy tales of The Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah to the tortured souls of The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, if you’re interested in the supernatural, then these haunted cities make for the perfect Halloween vacation getaways. 

Explore the Eerie Depths of Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels 

Kickstarting our countdown in search of the most haunted city in America, we head to the paranormal hotspot of Portland, Oregon.  

As one of the oldest cities in the United States, there are countless haunted venues to choose from, but the one that stands out that is still in use today is the Crystal Ballroom music venue. Here, visitors and staff have reported mysterious sounds, including people talking, laughing, and footsteps echoing throughout the venue, but without a soul in sight. Adding to the venue’s peculiar goings-on is the freaky elevator activity which move up and down without a button being pressed.  

Yet, Portland’s most infamous ghoulish location is reserved for the haunting Shanghai Tunnels. Sitting below the bustling streets of the city above. The Portland underground tunnels were once a connected highway for transporting goods around the city, but it’s also believed to be where alleged kidnap victims were forced into labor working on the ships. Nowadays, visitors to the Shanghai Tunnels report whispering voices and even horror stories of ghostly hands grabbing clothing as they stroll through the connecting tunnels. 

Uncover the intriguing backstory of this haunted city before settling in for a cozy night’s sleep at the Hotel Eastlund, BW Premier Collection in Portland, Oregon. 

Reveal the Sinister Past of Charleston’s Old Charleston Jail 

Next on our countdown of the most haunted cities in the US, we find ourselves in Charleston, South Carolina, which has seen its fair share of wars, slavery, disease, and natural disasters since it was founded in 1670. 

Our first stop on our Halloween-themed tour of Charleston focuses on The Dock Street Theatre, which started life as a hotel back in 1809. Still a living, breathing theatre venue, there are, in fact, two ghosts that are said to haunt The Dock Street Theatre. The first is believed to be Junius Brutus Booth, a 19th-century actor, but the most frequent ghostly apparition is the specter of Nettie Dickerson. Often seen throughout the building, sightings depict her wearing a tattered yet vibrant red dress on the spot near where Nettie met her demise after being struck by lightning outside the theatre. 

However, from the vast number of ghost stories available, it’s safe to say that Charleston’s prime eerie attraction is the Old Charleston Jail. Originally built in 1802, it held Charleston’s most notorious criminals, including pirates, Civil War prisoners, and murderers, for over 137 years. Despite the repeated reports of jailhouse figures, unexplained noises, and cold spots throughout the jail, it’s the sighting of the spirit of Lavinia Fisher that people hope to witness, who was believed to be America’s first serial killer who still haunts the old jail today. 

Delve into the mysterious history of this fascinating haunted city before retreating for a restful night’s sleep every night at the Best Western Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. 

Unveil the Chilling Secrets of Savannah’s Sorrel-Weed House 

Our next haunted metropolis is Savannah, Georgia. Famed for its rich cultural history, southern hospitality, picturesque setting, and, of course, its bounty of ghost-infested landmarks. 

As one of the most haunted cities in America, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to which creepy locations you’ll want to visit, but the Moon River Brewing Company is a must. Originally built as the City Hotel in 1821, it is now home to one of Savannah’s most popular brewing companies. However, its tragic and often violent past can still be seen and heard today, as the building is notorious for hosting several evil spirits, including ‘Toby,’ who is believed to haunt the basement, and James Stark, who was shot and killed on the staircase of the second floor. 

Yet, the most popular site for frequent strange goings-on is the notorious Sorrel-Weed House, which beholds a tragic past and is now a landmark museum. First built in 1840, this haunted house is believed to have a collection of resident ghosts, including Francis Sorrel, his wife Matilda, and their teenage house servant Molly. Visitors to the museum report seeing shadowy figures darting from room to room, ghostly handprints, and otherworldly apparitions in all of the house’s mirrors. 

Embrace the paranormal activity found throughout this incredible haunted city before settling in for an excellent night’s sleep at the Best Western Central Inn in Savannah, Georgia. 

Delve into the Dark Tales of Salem’s Witch Trials  

A shortlist of the spookiest cities in America wouldn’t be complete unless we included the tragic events of Salem, Massachusetts. 

Home to the Salem Witch Trials held between 1692 and 1693, where a series of controversial hearings and prosecutions were held for people accused of conducting witchcraft, the youngest of which included four-year-old Dorothy Good. As a result, 20 people were hanged or crushed to death, and five others died in custody, and the ghosts of many of these are believed to still haunt the sites where the trials took place. 

Likely to be the most popular location for Salem ghost tours is The Witch House, known locally as the most haunted house in town, which is not surprising as the building is over four hundred years old. Other chilling sites known to be frequented by ghosts are the Burying Point Cemetery and Howard Street Cemetery, as well as Proctor’s Ledge, believed to be the site of the hangings themselves. 

Explore the eerie past of this bewitched city before winding down for a peaceful night at the Best Western Plus North Shore Hotel in Danvers, Massachusetts. 

Discover the Haunted History of New Orleans’ French Quarter 

We’ve saved the best until last as we head to New Orleans, Louisiana, easily the most haunted city in America, packed with an abundance of haunted houses and ghoulish Halloween ghost stories. Famous for its City of the Dead cemetery, ties to voodoo culture, and tales of resident vampires, the French Quarter of New Orleans is a hotbed of paranormal activity.  

Popular amongst tourists is Muriel’s Jackson Square restaurant, which is said to be frequented by several ghosts, but most prominently that of former owner Pierre Phillipe de Marigny. Having lost his house in a poker game, his untimely death shortly afterward is said to account for the shadowy figures and whispering voices often seen and heard around the establishment. Perhaps most notably, on three occasions since 2001 alone, glasses have been thrown across the courtyard, shattering against the brick wall without a soul in sight. 

Nevertheless, the French Quarter is also home to one of the most infamous haunted houses in the world. The LaLaurie Mansion is known by New Orleans residents simply as ‘The Haunted House,’ which tells of a dark and mysterious history. Countless stories are told of the constant reporting of sensations, mysterious sounds, and sightings of apparitions, believed to be the souls of Delphine LaLaurie’s slaves, who she starved, tortured, and kept chained in the attic. 

Immerse yourself in the mystical wonders of this haunted City and enjoy a tranquil night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus St. Christopher Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.