With dark tourism on the rise and expected to be a major travel trend in 2025, new research has revealed the most haunted spots in the US for those eager to explore the phenomenon.
Dark tourism is about visiting morbid destinations where some of the darkest events have occurred, giving travellers that sense of thrill and intrigue.
The trend is expected to grow to account for a market value of $38.64 billion by 2030.
With this in mind, The travel experts at North America travel specialist Journeyscape have uncovered the USA’s most haunted destinations that will set the perfect tone for a spooky season getaway.
The must-see haunted hotspots
Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Louisville, Kentucky
Once a tuberculosis hospital, Waverly Hills saw over 60,000 deaths, leading to its notorious reputation, with many believing the restless spirits of those who passed remain. Visitors often report experiencing ghostly figures, shadow people, and even the ghost of a young girl wandering its eerie halls.
There were plans to turn the Sanatorium into a hotel and re-open it to the public, however these plans have since been abandoned. The location has left a lasting impression on the public with around 320 monthly searches.
Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
Sarah Winchester built this architectural maze with staircases leading to nowhere and secret rooms, hoping to confuse the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. The eccentric design reflects her deep fear of vengeful ghosts, and today, visitors report eerie sensations, disembodied whispers, and sudden cold spots.
The lore surrounding Sarah Winchester and the Winchester Mystery House inspired famous horror writer Stephen King’s miniseries Rose Red. The destination is searched 2,400 times every month on Google.
Gettysburg Battlefield – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The bloodiest battle of the Civil War left thousands dead, and many believe their spirits remain trapped on the battlefield. Phantom gunfire, the smell of gunpowder, and full-bodied apparitions of soldiers are common occurrences for visitors, especially around Devil’s Den and Little Round Top.
Over 1.5 million people visit the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg every year according to data from the National Park. Around 1000 people every month search for the Gettysburg Battlefield on Google.
Salem, Massachusetts
The infamous 1692 witch trials have left a lasting supernatural mark on Salem. Many claim that the spirits of the accused witches still haunt Gallows Hill and the old cemeteries. Apparitions, cold spots, and unexplainable voices are common in this town steeped in tragic history.
Salem’s impact on popular culture is undeniable with the town attracting nearly one million visitors each year during Halloween season. Unsurprisingly Salem also had the highest monthly search volume of any haunted hotspot, with around 6,600.
Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, California
Alcatraz’s isolated cells housed some of America’s most dangerous criminals, and its haunting stories have endured. Visitors and former guards have reported disembodied voices, sudden chills, and apparitions, particularly around the dungeon-like “D Block” where the most violent prisoners were kept.
No trip would be complete without a visit to cell 14-D, one of the notorious “holes” where rebellious inmates were confined in total isolation and widely considered to be the most haunted spot in the entire prison. Alcatraz Island’s popularity earns it around 3,600 searches every month.
The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Best known for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining, the Stanley Hotel is a hotspot for ghostly encounters. Guests have reported hearing phantom piano music played by Flora Stanley, ghostly figures wandering the halls, and even spectral children giggling at night in the corridors.
The hotel is still in full operation, making it the perfect pitstop on any tour of the US’s most haunted destinations and currently sees around 3,600 searches a month.
Marie Laveau’s Voodoo House – New Orleans, Louisiana
Marie Laveau, the renowned “Voodoo Queen” of New Orleans, practised her craft in the heart of the French Quarter. Her former home is now a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts, with visitors reporting encounters with her ghost, often appearing in her iconic tignon (headscarf).
The house exudes an air of mysticism, with many feeling a strong spiritual presence. Legend says she still grants favours to those who leave offerings at her nearby tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where visitors often experience strange, unexplained phenomena.
