thrill-seekers, history enthusiasts and those who appreciate a good scare alike will surely relish visiting one of America’s haunted places. So grab an EMF meter and a crew and prepare yourself for one of the most terrifying experiences of your life!
From an old asylum to cemeteries, here are America’s most haunted places.
1. Eastern State Penitentiary
Philadelphia-based Eastern State Penitentiary has long been considered one of America’s most haunted locations, regularly appearing on paranormal TV shows and drawing thousands of tourists annually.
Many infamous prison inmates, such as Al Capone (a mob boss who served time there), are said to still roam its halls, with hospital block being particularly haunted.
This castle-like structure first opened its doors in 1829 and became one of the first places to use solitary confinement to reform prisoners. Today it stands as a National Historic Landmark where visitors can take tours through its halls and peek inside cramped cells.
This site hosts several special events throughout the year, from art installations and tours of its most haunted spaces to Terror Behind the Walls – an annual haunted house fundraiser event during Halloween season.
2. San Fernando Cathedral
San Fernando Cathedral stands out as an especially terrifying haunted location in America, believed to be home to spirits of victims who perished during its long and bloody history, as well as numerous claims of paranormal activity there.
Construction workers attempting to renovate the church in 1936 discovered nails, bones and torn uniforms near its altar that they believed to be remains from soldiers who perished at the Alamo, including Davy Crockett and John Bowie.
Over time, visitors to this church have reported witnessing strange apparitions on its rock walls resembling human-shaped shadowy figures with gaping mouths and sunken eyes. There have also been sightings of shadowy figures and bright orbs inside its building as well as reports of men dressed in monk-like clothing roaming its grounds.
3. Hotel Arizona
Tales of an unwed bride and eerie ghosts haunt this downtown Phoenix hotel. Guests have reported hearing footsteps and voices in the halls as well as an unusual rustling noise coming from above them.
This hotel was once home to many notable figures, such as Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. Unfortunately, its building also witnessed a shocking murder wherein an elderly woman was fatally shot in the head by her husband; tragically, her ghost is said to still haunt the property today.
Other supernatural occurrences at Hotel Arizona have included reports of children playing and crying in hallways; staff have heard mysterious moaning from the basement; and a man yelling at women to leave him alone. Many believe the ghosts at Hotel Arizona may be victims of Spanish Flu pandemic; others consider them spirits of children who died at Myrtles Plantations where Chloe poisoned her master’s daughters to kill them off.
4. Eastern State Penitentiary
The castle-like structure was constructed under an innovative new concept: prisoners would earn their freedom through reforming. While not every inmate benefited, infamous criminals like Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton served their time here. Over time, however, staff and visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, shadow figures, screams, and even sadistic laughter at this prison.
Terror Behind the Walls, an annual Halloween haunted house experience at the penitentiary, runs every fall and offers haunted prison tours that include ghostly corridors and cramped cells of Chicago gangster Al Capone (his cell still contains furniture like desk and lamp); furthermore there are five separate haunted houses each featuring its own backstory and set of character actors; guests may opt in to be touched and scared by wearing special badges that tell over 200 performers that they want to be touched or led into hidden passageways by wearing special marks that let performers know if they want to touch or lead them.
