The 5 Spookiest US Cities for Ghost Tours

With Halloween approaching, now is the perfect time to plan a ghost tour. The US has numerous haunted cities, and ghost tours are the ideal way to peek into our country’s spooky past. Let’s take a look at some of America’s most haunted spots for ghost seekers.

Disclaimer: This post was written and sponsored by US Ghost Adventures. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly love 🙂

Haunted Cities in the United States

It’s spooky season! Let’s dive into some of the most haunted cities in the US and what to expect on a ghost tour!

1. Boston

Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution, is a city haunted by battles and bloody skirmishes. Our independence is closely linked with the uprisings that took place in Boston, and the haunts of Boston’s past still haven’t let go of their hold on this city. 

Lurking in the city’s shadows are the ghosts of Quakers, rebels, and freedom fighters who were hanged in Boston. Visit the King’s Chapel and Burying Ground or the Old Granary Burial Ground, two cemeteries where famous figures were laid to their final rest — or not. Unknown, restless spirits allegedly awaken at night, and if you’re lucky, you might get a fleeting glimpse of them. 

2. Salem

The dark history of Salem’s past is closely intertwined with its spooky present. Known for the infamous Salem witch trials, in which alleged witches were hunted and hanged during a period of mass hysteria, Salem just can’t seem to shake its past. 

Visit the Salem Witch House (pictured above), a 17th-century building that was the former home of Jonathon Corwin, the judge who sentenced innocent people to death during the Salem trials. Legend has it that the judge can’t forgive himself for what he did, and his spirit haunts his former abode, wailing with guilt in the darkness of night, seeking atonement in his grief. 

Ropes Mansion is another scary haunt that’s worth a visit. The original owner of this mansion, which was built in 1720, had three wives. They all died within the walls of the mansion, and it has been haunted ever since. 

3. Gettysburg

Gettysburg was a strategic city during the Civil War. More than 46,000 soldiers died during the Battle of Gettysburg, and many of their souls have yet to find solace. Haunted by the bloody battles and gruesome sights that they saw, their spirits seek fleeting relief at night while looking for their former comrades. 

At the 1898 Brickhouse Inn, reports of the echoes of unseen gunfire abound. Thirty soldiers died on its grounds. The story has it that their lonely, tortured souls have decided to stay at the inn permanently, perhaps seeking comfort in the company of its visitors. 

Another spooky haunt is the Farnsworth Inn House, which was repurposed as a Confederate hospital during the war. The ghosts of midwives, nurses, and patients still return to this place on occasion. 

4. Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is a place with a rich history, full of tragedy, that has left scars to this day. Many of the first colonial settlers either died of disease or starved to death in Virginia’s brutal winters. Some must-visit spots in Williamsburg for ghost hunters are the Bruton Parish Church, where Thomas Jefferson and George Washington attended services, and the Peyton Randolph House. 

Both of these structures served as hospitals for wounded soldiers. Their walls were witness to immense pain and suffering, and many tortured souls remain today, looking for respite. 

As you walk down Colonial Williamsburg’s ancient cobblestone streets, the stories of the people who lived there hundreds of years ago will come alive.

If you love pub crawls, the Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by Colonial Ghosts gives you a chance to experience the best nightlife of this ancient, bustling city while also exploring its eerie nooks and crannies. 

5. Savannah

Soaked in sorrow, Savannah is one of America’s spookiest cities. The Siege of Savannah in 1779 killed 240 people, but the tragedies didn’t stop there. 

In 1820, a yellow fever epidemic ravaged the city, killing a tenth of Savannah’s population. In the same year, a deadly fire burned through Savannah, destroying 500 businesses and leaving utter devastation in its wake. 

One of Savannah’s creepiest haunted houses is at 432 Abercorn Street, an address whispered in hushed tones by locals. In 1959, three sisters were murdered there. Their bodies were contorted into a triangle, and their organs were removed. However, this house was haunted long before that. 

Around a century prior, the owner of the house, Benjamin Wilson, left his young daughter to die, locked in her room, as a punishment. Her death wasn’t his intention; he had been distressed since his wife died due to yellow fever and had a habit of taking it out on his daughter with harsh punishments. Incredibly distraught and upset at what he had done, he killed himself. Legend has it that his soul has been unable to enter the heavenly realm and continues to seek refuge in his old house.

Ghost Tours in the USA

Regardless of your destination this Halloween season, going on a ghost tour is a great way to experience an often unexplored side of American cities. It’s also a great date idea if you want to impress someone you’re taking on vacation!

Which ghost tour will you take next?!