Shock yourself into having an adrenaline-pumping adventure at these chilling haunted locations nearby. From haunted hotels to terrifying prisons, these paranormal hotspots will get your pulse racing and your adrenaline racing!
Cold areas, strange shadows and the feeling of being watched are common occurrences at this haunted hotel. Additionally, many have reported hearing faint rustle of muskets and drums in the background.
1. Eastern State Penitentiary
Since 1829 and up until 1971, when this prison first opened its doors and operated until 1971, numerous stories of paranormal activity have come from its walls and corridors. Prison inmates, guards and visitors all reported strange happenings since 1940s.
Penitentiaries can be particularly frightening at night, with many reporting seeing shadows moving around inside. Cell Block 12 in particular has been noted as a source of footsteps or whispers emanating from this area.
The penitentiary is a popular target of paranormal investigation teams and has even been featured on television programs dedicated to haunted locations such as Ghost Hunters or Travel Channel’s Most Haunted, both recording an unexplainable figure near them and hoping for spirit manifestations during live broadcasts from there.
2. Hotel Bethlehem
Hotel Bethlehem isn’t just a popular tourist attraction; it’s also one of Pennsylvania’s most haunted hotels. This historic Moravian hotel has hosted some notable guests like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill; moreover, its ballroom was often host to big band concerts featuring notable performers like Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey performing.
Hotel guests have reported seeing many ghostly figures at this hotel, such as an angry former landlady who haunts its restaurant for revenge. There have also been sightings of an 1800s stage star singing and dancing in the lobby and an unidentified female in period clothing who has been seen dining there; guests have even reported hearing an unseen piano in one of its lower lobbies!
3. Carnton Plantation
Carnton Plantation is an eye-opening tourism site that sheds light on America’s Civil War. On November 30, 1864, Battle of Franklin took place nearby this home – it was one of the bloodiest days ever witnessed by Americans, and thousands died. Carrie McGavock graciously allowed her home to serve as field hospital and spent many hours tending to wounded soldiers as her two surviving children Winder and Hattie pitched in as caregivers as well.
Blood-stained floors remain visible at this home and ghostly apparitions have been seen roaming its property. A cannon ball damaged the south wall resulting in an indentation still present today; and once belonged to General Nathan Bedford Forest – the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
4. Orpheum Theater
The Orpheum Theater opened in 1926 and initially featured vaudeville shows as well as film screenings. Like most old theaters, the Orpheum has its share of ghost tales; employees at the theater have reported hearing and feeling mysterious occurrences like footsteps walking across floors and doors shutting on their own.
One such ghostly figure is known as Pete, believed to haunt projection booths. Many projectionists have felt his presence and believe he is an affable spirit.
Memphis’ long and sometimes violent history makes Memphis full of haunted locations that will send chills down your spine, from Harry Houdini’s gravesite to an unnerving mental health facility that resembles Manhattan skylines.
5. Cape Henlopen State Park
Cape Henlopen State Park draws visitors from near and far for its natural beauty, year-round historical programming, and haunted past, including being the site of a Civil War hospital and Confederate sharpshooters’ bunker. But in addition to these attractions, it may also feature hauntings.
Rhodes Hall, once owned by the founder of Rhodes Furniture company, has long been said to be haunted. There have been reports of lights flickering, moaning voices, and toilets flushing themselves, among other eerie happenings there.
Maggie’s Bridge in Delaware is another supposedly haunted location. According to legend, it was the site of an unfortunate car accident which claimed the life of an expecting mother who later drowned there. If you visit at night and shout “Maggie I Have Your Baby”, sobbing will echo back at you if you shout out this phrase.
