17 Of The Scariest Places In The US That'll Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Are you scared yet? 😱

In honor of Halloween, we've rounded some of the creepiest destinations in the US. Whether a place has a reputation for being haunted or just celebrates all things scary, there are plenty of spots sure to send shivers down your spine.

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Check them out below:

1. Winchester Mystery House — San Jose, California

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If you thought your home renovation took a long time, wait until you hear the story of the Winchester Mystery House. It was the home of Sarah Winchester, widow of William Wirt Winchester and heir to a big chunk of the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune. After her infant daughter and husband died, Winchester moved out to an eight-bedroom farmhouse in San Jose, California. From there, construction continuously went on at the house from 1886 to 1922, turning it into a 24,000-square-foot mansion with 10,000 windows, 160 rooms, 52 skylights, 13 bathrooms, six kitchens, and more.

It's rumored that the constant building was due to Winchester's fear of being haunted by those who were killed by Winchester guns or because a psychic instructed her to do so. Whatever the case, the truly bizarre layout of the house will send shivers down your spine as your try to navigate every twist and turn.

Check out: These Guys Spent The Night In The Winchester Mystery House And Lived To Tell About It

2. Eastern State Penitentiary — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Eastern State Penitentiary was in operation from 1829 to 1970, and it became a US National Historic Landmark in 1965. It's now an eerie Philadelphia site with aging cellblocks that once housed notorious names like Al Capone. Lots of people believe it's haunted; over the years there have been reports of shadows, phantom voices, and footsteps roaming the crumbling grounds. The Penitentiary is often touted as one of the most haunted places in the country and has been featured on tons of TV shows, such as Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and A&E and Syfy’s Ghost Hunters.

Check out: 25 Things Everyone Should Do In Philadelphia Before They Die

3. Pittock Mansion — Portland, Oregon

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Originally built in 1914, Pittock Mansion is perched on a hill with sweeping views over Portland and the Willamette River. It was the home of influential couple Henry and Georgiana Pittock, who died only a few years after moving in. It's since been converted into a historic house museum, and the couple allegedly haunt the property. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, catching objects moving on their own, and hearing footsteps caused by heavy boots.

4. The Myrtles Plantation — St. Francisville, Louisiana

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The Myrtles Plantation dates back to 1796 and is allegedly haunted by a ghost named Chloe. Her apparition was supposedly photographed on the property in 1992. Other strange happenings include hearing footsteps, a creepy tune coming from the grand piano, and the sound of kids playing.

5. Moon River Brewing Company — Savannah, Georgia

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Constructed in 1821, this property has served as a post office and hotel, and it's now home to the Moon River Brewing Company. While you're enjoying an ice-cold pint, you can ponder creepy stories from employees and visitors who have encountered unexplained happenings like bottles being thrown, people being pushed by invisible forces, and apparitions on the upper levels.

6. The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California

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Various spirits have been reported aboard the Queen Mary, including phantom children and a lady dressed in white. Stateroom B340 is believed to be the most haunted room on the ship, with guests claiming to witness the bathroom lights and taps turn on by themselves, unexplained knocking on the door during the night, and covers being pulled off the bed. The cabin was off-limits for guests for 30 years, but in 2018 it reopened for overnight stays, which include a Ouija board, tarot cards, and more. Time Magazine also named the ship one of the "Top 10 Most Haunted Places on Earth."

Note: As of October 2020, reservations are currently on hold due to COVID-19.

7. The LaLaurie Mansion — New Orleans, Louisiana

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One of the most haunted houses in the French Quarter, the LaLaurie Mansion is a go-to stop on ghost tours in New Orleans. Built in 1832, it was once home to Delphine LaLaurie, a notorious serial killer known for her cruel mistreatment of slaves. The former slaves are said to haunt the grounds to this day.

The lavish mansion and the story of LaLaurie were key talking points in American Horror Story: Coven. Actor Nicholas Cage also briefly owned the house after purchasing it in 2007, but lost it two years later to foreclosure.

8. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum — Weston, West Virginia

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The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was built in the mid-1800s and once served as a psychiatric facility called Weston State Hospital. The property was originally designed to "house 250 souls," but at one point recorded an occupancy of over 2,400 patients who were forced to live in poor, overcrowded conditions. It ended up closing in 1994 after changes to mental illness treatments. Visitors have reported ghost sightings and other paranormal activity on the grounds, and the property was also featured on A&E and Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures.

9. Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum — Las Vegas, Nevada

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If you're a fan of Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures, the name Zak Bagans will likely ring a bell. In 2017, Bagans (host of the show) opened The Haunted Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. The museum features over 30 themed rooms that are all about the paranormal, with terrifying exhibits ranging from the Dybbuk Box to the Demon House staircase. And it'll probably come as no surprise that the property, which dates back to 1938, is also said to be haunted itself.

10. Lemp Mansion — St. Louis, Missouri

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This property was constructed in the early 1860s and bought by William J. Lemp, a prominent brewer in St. Louis. The mansion is said to be haunted by members of the Lemp family including William, who died on the property. Reports of hauntings include footsteps, orbs showing up in photos, and the sound of knocking. Today, the property serves as a restaurant and inn.

11. One if by Land, Two if by Sea — New York City, New York

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This West Village restaurant is not only known for its romantic ambiance, but also for its paranormal activity. One if by Land, Two if by Sea is believed to have 20 ghost that call the property home. Strange happenings, including mysterious cold drafts and plates flying in the air, have been reported by diners and staff members alike.

12. The Gettysburg Battlefield — Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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Once the site of the American Civil War's bloodiest fight, it's no surprise that the Gettysburg Battlefield is thought to be haunted by fallen soldiers. Thousands died during the 1863 battle, and many were never given a proper burial. Paranormal activity, like ghostly apparitions and the sounds of Civil War music, have been reported on the grounds.

13. Waverly Hills Sanatorium — Louisville, Kentucky

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Set in a Tudor Gothic Revival-style building, Waverly Hills Sanatorium was opened in in July 1910 as a treatment center for patients with tuberculosis. It operated as such until 1961, then later served as a geriatric facility before shutting down for good in 1981. The grounds were abandoned until 2001 when it was bought by a couple of historical and paranormal fanatics, Charles and Tina Mattingly, who have focused on restoring it over the years. Guests have reported activity like eerie sounds, spirit sightings, and phantom footsteps.

14. Museum of Death — New Orleans, Louisiana

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After being founded in California in 1995, the Museum of Death eventually opened a second location in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's home to a variety of bone-chilling exhibits including serial killer artworks, a skull collection, and coffins.

15. The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado

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After staying a night in The Stanley Hotel’s Room 217 back in 1974, author Stephen King was inspired to write his horror novel, The Shining. Room 217 is known for unusual activity and is one of the most requested rooms on the property. It’s believed that the hotel's original builder Freelan Oscar Stanley and his wife Flora haunt the grounds to this day. If you don't mind the ghostly company, you can brave booking an overnight stay in Room 217 just like King did.

16. The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast / Museum — Fall River, Massachusetts

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This Massachusetts house is synonymous with the infamous 1892 murders of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother, Andrew and Abby Borden. Lizzie was accused but not found guilty of the gruesome murders. Today, the property serves as a B&B and museum, where guests can stay overnight and possibly experience paranormal activity themselves.

17. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum — St. Augustine, Florida

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The St. Augustine Lighthouse has been in operation since 1874, but dates back to the late 1500s. It has a long reputation of being haunted, with both staff members and visitors reporting eerie occurrences, such as music boxes playing by themselves, things moving on their own, and spotting the apparition of a tall man. In more recent years it's expanded into a museum, and it was also featured on A&E and Syfy’s Ghosthunters.

Do you know of some other creepy places? Share your faves in the comments!

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