No matter your opinion of paranormal phenomenon, haunted places are an enormous draw for tourists. From ghostly apparitions to heavy footsteps, haunted sites have so much lore associated with them that they have even been featured on numerous paranormal programs.
Waverly Hills Sanatorium served as a tuberculosis hospital during the early 20th century, where thousands of people died from tuberculosis. Now, it is famous for being home to paranormal activity including sightings of ghostly figures and crying voices – even today apparitions and ghostly voices can still be found there!
1. A place with a dark history
haunted places captivate both believers and skeptics, drawing their interest with verifiable historical events or questionable reports that strain credibility. Their menacing atmosphere and presence may seem menacing from outside, with unusual noises, mist, shadows and torn curtains that seem menacing from outside.
The Gribble House in Savannah, Georgia is infamous for being the site of one of its most heinous murders. According to legend, their souls remain trapped there even today and paranormal teams have reported seeing vivid light anomalies and hearing disembodied voices within its walls.
The Whaley House in San Diego, California, was once owned and occupied by John. While building his house he discovered evidence of devil worship and ritual sacrifice. Following this incident he was later executed for these crimes and since then numerous reports have surfaced regarding hearing baby cries or heavy footsteps upstairs when no one is there; there have also been mysterious smells and clanging chains heard while no one is around.
2. A place with a lot of noise
Sound can often be the source of paranormal experiences, yet may also have rational explanations such as creaky floors, rodents or drafts. Before concluding that a location is haunted it’s essential to rule out all possibilities before declaring anything as haunted.
Places may be considered haunted if there has been a history of supernatural events or ghost sightings, though specific cities appear more susceptible to hauntings than others, such as Chicago where ghostly spirits of gangsters and Civil War soldiers are said to roam freely; Gettysburg where ghosts of fallen Union and Confederate troops still can be heard; and Alcatraz prison, where Al Capone himself may reside as one ghostly presence among many more.
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado has long been considered haunted due to being used as inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining. Visitors have reported hearing cries for help from beyond and footsteps crunching on their clothing at nighttime.
3. A place with a lot of light
Haunted places can be terrifying because their spirits seem to linger there, with real or imagined history of tragedy there, so old houses, historical sites and properties with such histories often believed to be haunted.
Haunted house designers and actors employ various tactics to generate fear and suspense in guests, including designing twists and turns in the layout, which allow actors to surprise guests and scare them, as well as including hiding spots to sneak up on unwitting visitors.
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is famously haunted and served as an inspiration for Stephen King’s 1977 book, The Shining. However, people have reported witnessing shadowy figures, hearing whispers in the hallway and feeling as if someone is watching them from its very first days as being haunted.
4. A place with a lot of activity
Reports of haunted places indicate that people have encountered paranormal activity at that location, including feelings of being watched, banging noises, footsteps in empty rooms, doors slamming shut and even the sound of children crying out in fear.
Rolling Hills Asylum was a 19th-century poorhouse that provided shelter to thousands of lunatics, paupers, and vagrants. Later it served as an infirmary, tuberculosis hospital, and nursing home. Many believe the ghosts of those who died within its walls still haunt its visitors today.
Mark Twain’s former residence, The Dakota, is widely known for being haunted in New York. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, experiencing heavy breezes and even witnessing John Lennon playing piano apparitions while visiting this building.
