Halloween is my favorite holiday: dressing up in wild costumes, enjoying the fresh fall weather, eating loads of candy… I never feel too old to partake in the celebration.
I especially love finding ways to make this time of year extra scary, whether it's creating a DIY spooky light show or learning how to transform into a particularly creepy ghoul to greet trick-o-treaters.
But when I saw how these folks were spending their Halloween? Let's just say I was beyond terrified.
That's because for the right price, you can stay in some of the most haunted places in America! These spooky spots have some seriously scary backstories, guaranteed to keep you up all night with a case of the chills.
So bring your flashlight, blanket, and bravest friends, because we're about to go "ghost hunting" in a few of the most terrifying places in America (and beyond).
Would you explore these spooky spaces? Let us know in the comments below!
The Villisca Axe Murder House — Iowa
Located in the small town of Villisca, Iowa, this home is the site of a truly tragic tale: an entire family was brutally murdered here in 1912.
While the killer was never captured, paranormal investigators believe that the house is haunted by many dark spirits.
For $428, you and your friends can rent out the entire house and even stay in the rooms where the murders took place. Terrifying!
The Shanley Hotel — New York
If you find yourself in Naponoch, New York, this Halloween, the Shanley Hotel is the perfect paranormal place to rest your weary head.
With hidden rooms, a creepy basement, and an old bordello, ghost hunters have captured endless unexplained incidents.
At $85 per room, it's the right price to do some exploring yourself. Just make sure to bring your flashlight and steel will!
Waverly Hills Sanatorium — Kentucky
This list of spooky spots wouldn't be complete with a haunted sanatorium!
Located in Louisville, Kentucky, this insane asylum was constructed to treat tuberculosis patients during the early 1900s.
Unfortunately, thousands of patients died in the process — their deaths becoming so commonplace they had to create a tunnel to discreetly move the bodies.
Though you can't stay overnight, Waverly Hills does offer paranormal tours at $100 a pop. But be warned: this is one of the most active haunted buildings in America, so proceed with caution.
The Cecil Hotel — California
The Cecil Hotel, located in Los Angeles, is available to the public any day of the year — but if you want to stay in a place with a truly horrifying past? Well, this is the hotel for you!
With at least three murders and a suicide under its belt, it's no wonder why the hotel has made an attempt to rename and rebrand.
The suicide of Elisa Lam, however, was particularly gruesome. When guests complained of a "weird taste" in the water, the community was shocked to find Lam sealed inside the hotel's water tank. Bizarre!
The Queen Mary — California
Want to stay on a haunted boat this Halloween? Well, here's just the perfect spot for you.
Supposedly one of the 10 most haunted places in America, The Queen Mary has countless tales of hauntings and unexplained ghostly sightings. Famous ghosts include a "woman in white" as well as the spirits of children who drowned in the ship's eerie pool.
You can stay in The Queen Mary year-round, but they do host a special Halloween party every year that celebrates the ship's creepy history! Climb aboard.
The Stanley Hotel — Colorado
Does this hotel look familiar? Perhaps it's because you'll recognize the Stanley as the haunted hotel from Stephen King's The Shining.
The author himself claims to have heard mysterious children playing in the hallway during his brief stay at the hotel. Other guests have even witnessed a piano playing itself. Spooky!
The employees, however, tell a different tale, refuting that ghosts are mostly friendly and encouraging you to book your next trip here (for around $200 per night)!
LaLaurie House — Louisiana
Let's journey to New Orleans: a city that's rich with history and hauntings.
The LaLaurie House is one such spot, hiding a dark and twisted past. After tragedy struck ages ago, the ghosts of tortured former servants have been haunting the stately home ever since.
Even famous owner, Nicolas Cage, abandoned the house after purchasing it a few years prior, citing "unexplained events" as the reason for his change of heart.
For the right price, you could be its next "master of the house." Are you prepared for the fright of your life?
The Historic Anchorage Hotel — Alaska
For just $109, you too can stay in this ghostly hotel in Anchorage, Alaska.
General manager, Terri Sussi, shared: “Last Halloween Eve, we had two different psychics here. They told us we have 32 spirits. The magnetic energy was pulling them in! I nearly dropped!”
“One guest who told us he could not get out of bed because someone was on top of him. The man had such vivid details,” Russi said. Hotel employees say this particular ghost is the spirit of a child who loves to play games.
As you can imagine, the Anchorage Hotel takes Halloween very, very seriously, so reserve your room today.
Edinburgh Castle — Scotland
Find yourself traveling abroad this Halloween? Look no further than Edinburgh, Scotland.
This haunted spot is more than a house; it's an entire castle in one of Europe's most notoriously spooky cities!
So what will you experience in Edinburgh Castle? A phantom piper and headless drummer fill the air with music, while prisoners from the Seven Years War and the American Revolutionary War appear to castle visitors. Terrifying!
The Skirrid Inn — Wales
If you're staying "across the pond," you may also want to check out the Skirrid Inn, located in Wales.
This spooky spot has a truly gruesome past: nearly 200 people have been hanged from a beam on the staircase in the last 900 years.
And ghost sightings? Let's just say people have seen anything from faces in the windows and glasses flying across the room to people feeling a noose tightening around their neck. Enter at your own risk!
Do you love to be scared on Halloween? Let us know in the comments.
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