America’s Haunted House Guide: Real Haunted Houses You Can Visit

The Scariest Real Haunted Places You Can Tour in the U.S.

Important: Updated 10/20/2026. Tour times, prices, and access rules change often, especially in October. Always confirm with each site before you go.

Cold spots. Footsteps on empty stairs. A figure in the window of a house nobody lives in anymore. If that sounds like your idea of a fun fall night, this haunted house guide is for you. Below you’ll find real haunted houses in America that you can actually tour (and a few you can even sleep in), plus the legends behind them, what each visit is like, and tips to plan a trip that’s spooky without being a waste of money.

👻 Want a lighter scare? Browse our Halloween deals, recipes, and DIY projects, or check out our guide to family friendly haunted houses near you for kid-approved spooky fun.

What Is the Most Haunted House in America?

There’s no official answer, but the Whaley House in San Diego is the place most often called America’s most haunted house, and it even uses that phrase as a registered trademark. Other top contenders that you can tour today include the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, and The Myrtles in Louisiana. All four have documented histories, long-running ghost stories, and regular public tours.

My Own Haunted Experience Near St. Louis

I live in the St. Louis area, which happens to be one of the spookiest regions in the country. Here’s my one real brush with a local legend:

“Back in the early 2000s, a few friends and I explored Zombie Road in Wildwood, Missouri. We went in October — the air was perfectly chilly, the atmosphere was eerie, and it felt every bit the spooky legend we’d heard. We didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary, but it was unforgettable and a great reminder of how much local lore adds to the season’s chills.”

— Stacy Maines, COO of Fabulessly Frugal

Today, the old Zombie Road area is part of the Rock Hollow and Al Foster trails on the Meramec Greenway. St. Louis County Parks closes those trails before sunset and asks people not to go wandering the woods at night, so plan a daytime hike if you want to see it for yourself.

Real Haunted Houses You Can Tour

Every place in this section is open to the public in some form, whether that’s a daytime museum visit, an evening ghost tour, or an overnight stay. I put the most visitable (and most famous) spots first.

Lemp Mansion — St. Louis, Missouri

The legend: The Lemps were St. Louis beer barons whose lager brewery dated to 1840. The family’s fortune faded, and several family members died by suicide, including William Lemp Sr. inside the mansion in 1904. Guests and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, slamming doors, and sightings of a woman nicknamed the “Lavender Lady.”

Visiting today: The mansion runs as a restaurant, inn, and museum, with spirit tours, a paranormal hunt called The Lemp Experience, murder-mystery dinners, and overnight rooms. The family that has owned it since 1977 has put it up for sale, but it’s scheduled to stay open through December 31, 2027. Since it’s practically in my backyard, this is the one I’d tell any St. Louis reader to put at the top of their list before the ownership changes.

Learn more: Lemp Mansion (official site)

Whaley House — San Diego, California

The legend: Thomas Whaley built this two-story brick home in 1857 on land once used for public hangings. Over the years it served as the family home, a general store, the county courthouse, and San Diego’s first commercial theater. Visitors report heavy footsteps, windows unlatching on their own, and sightings of Thomas and his wife, Anna.

Visiting today: You can walk through on a self-guided daytime tour, book a guided evening ghost tour, or join a two-hour after-hours paranormal investigation. At the time of this update, daytime tickets started around $15 and evening tours around $20. The museum notes the evening tour may not suit kids under 13.

Learn more: Whaley House (official site)

Winchester Mystery House — San Jose, California

The legend: Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, kept building onto her home for 38 years until her death in 1922. Popular lore says she built nonstop to confuse the spirits of people killed by Winchester rifles, which is how the mansion ended up with stairs that lead to the ceiling and doors that open onto walls.

Visiting today: The guided Mansion Tour covers 110 of the 160 rooms in about an hour, and add-ons open up the basements and attic. Every fall the estate hosts a Halloween haunt (ages 13 and up), so check dates if you want a quieter history visit. The inside of the house isn’t wheelchair accessible, but an ADA tour option is available.

Learn more: Winchester Mystery House (official site)

The Myrtles — St. Francisville, Louisiana

The legend: This late-1700s plantation home is often called one of America’s most haunted homes. Its best-known story centers on Chloe, a woman enslaved on the property, though historians have questioned how much of that tale is true. Visitors have also reported footsteps, a piano playing itself, and figures in old photographs.

Visiting today: The Myrtles is open seven days a week for guided and self-guided tours of the main house, offers evening mystery tours, and rents rooms if you’re brave enough to spend the night.

Learn more: The Myrtles (official site)

Willard Library — Evansville, Indiana

The legend: A custodian first reported seeing the “Grey Lady” in the late 1930s. Since then, staff and patrons have described cold spots, the scent of perfume, and items moving on their own.

Visiting today: This is still a working public library, which makes it one of the easiest (and cheapest!) haunted spots on this list to visit. Just be respectful of people who are there to read and research.

Learn more: Willard Public Library (official site)

Bannack Ghost Town — Bannack, Montana

The legend: Bannack boomed after Montana’s first major gold strike in 1862 and briefly served as the territory’s first capital. Its ghost stories include a young woman in a blue dress said to have drowned nearby and the outlaws hanged during the town’s rough early years.

Visiting today: Bannack State Park preserves more than 50 historic buildings along Main Street and is open year-round. The park’s annual Ghost Walk, with live actors portraying figures from Bannack’s past, runs October 23–24, 2026 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and reservations are required.

Learn more: Bannack State Park (Montana FWP)

Nevada Governor’s Mansion — Carson City, Nevada

The legend: Acting Governor Denver Dickerson’s family moved into the newly built mansion in July 1909, and their daughter June remains the only child ever born in the home. Staff and visitors have connected unexplained activity to the Dickerson family for decades.

Visiting today: The mansion is still an official residence, so access is limited to special events. Your best bet is Carson City’s seasonal Ghost Walk, which includes the mansion among its stops.

Learn more: Nevada Governor’s Mansion history (National Park Service)

Local Legends to Read About (Not Tour)

These two stories are part of our original infographic and still make great campfire tales, but neither is a public attraction. Please don’t trespass or stop on a roadway to look for ghosts.

• Oxford Middle School — Oxford, Kansas: Local stories say a ghost named Anne Marie lingers near the old gym balcony. The building is not open to visitors.
• Lydia’s Bridge — Jamestown, North Carolina: According to legend, a young woman killed in a 1920s car crash still appears by the underpass asking drivers for a ride home, then vanishes. It’s a roadside legend, not a tourist stop.

What Makes a Place “Haunted”?

Most famous haunted houses share three ingredients: a real history (often a tragedy), sensory details that are easy to notice in an old building (drafts, creaks, dim light), and a story that gets retold until it becomes part of local culture. Many of the places above are also historic landmarks, which is a big reason they’re still standing. You can look up the history of almost any old home through the National Register of Historic Places before you visit.

Safety & Money-Saving Tips for Visiting Haunted Places

• Book October tours early. Evening ghost tours sell out fast in the fall. Daytime tours are usually cheaper and easier to get into.
• Look for bundles. Several of these sites sell day-and-night combos or add-ons that cost less than buying separately.
• Check age limits. Evening and paranormal tours often have minimum ages or “not recommended for young kids” notes.
• Dress for old buildings. Wear sturdy shoes for steep stairs and uneven floors, and bring a flashlight only if the site allows it.
• Respect the history. Some of these places are tied to real human suffering. Follow posted rules and be kind to staff.
• Stay off private property. If a site isn’t open to the public, enjoy the story from home.

Looking for Family-Friendly Haunted Houses?

Not everyone in the family is ready for full-on ghosts 👻. If you’ve got little ones, or you just prefer a lighter scare, our guide to family friendly haunted houses near me shows you how to find no-scare events, daytime hours, and kid-approved Halloween fun in your area.

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• Halloween Restaurant Deals: Free and Cheap Food
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• Easy DIY Halloween Decorations Kids Can Make
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• Candy-Free Halloween Handouts

Frequently Asked Questions About Haunted Houses in America

Can you stay overnight in a real haunted house?

Yes. The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis and The Myrtles in Louisiana both rent rooms to overnight guests. Book well ahead for October dates.

Are these haunted houses open to the public?

Most of the places in our “tour” section are museums, inns, libraries, or state parks with regular hours. The Nevada Governor’s Mansion is the exception, with access mostly limited to special events and ghost walks. Always check official hours before you go.

What’s the difference between a haunted attraction and a real haunted place?

A haunted attraction is built for seasonal scares with actors and props. A real haunted place is a historic site with documented history and long-standing ghost stories attached to it. Some, like the Winchester Mystery House, offer both.

Are real haunted houses OK for kids?

Daytime history tours are usually fine for school-age kids. Evening ghost tours and paranormal investigations often carry age recommendations, such as the Whaley House noting its evening tour may not suit children under 13.

Can I ghost hunt at these sites?

Some sites, including the Whaley House and the Lemp Mansion, offer guided paranormal investigations. Others don’t allow it at all, so check each official site before bringing equipment.

Final Thoughts

Whether you believe in ghosts or just love a good story, these real haunted houses are a fun way to learn some history and get a few goosebumps. If you live near St. Louis like I do, don’t miss the Lemp Mansion while it’s still open under its longtime owners.

Have you visited a haunted house on this list, or do you have a local legend I should add? Tell me about it in the comments below. I read every one!

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About the Author

Stacy Maines has been helping families save money and celebrate holidays for 15+ years. She loves fall decorating, Halloween traditions, and sharing practical tips that make spooky season more fun and frugal.