8 Creepiest Abandoned Places in the U.S. You Can Visit Today
The United States may be famous for its bustling cities and stunning landscapes, but it’s also home to some of the creepiest and most mysterious abandoned places.
These sites, haunted by the past, are magnets for thrill-seekers, history buffs, and those who want a brush with the supernatural. From old ghost towns to eerie cemeteries, these places are shrouded in eerie tales and dark histories that still haunt the grounds today.
What makes them even more exciting? You can visit them right now and feel the spine-chilling atmosphere yourself. Here’s a dive into eight of the creepiest abandoned places in the U.S. you can explore:
1. Bodie, California
Once a booming gold rush town in the 1870s and ’80s, Bodie is now a ghost town preserved in a state of “arrested decay.” With homes, shops, and personal items left untouched, Bodie offers a unique glimpse into the past.
Visitors have reported ghost sightings, strange noises, and even music playing from abandoned bars. There’s also a legend that taking anything from Bodie, even a small rock, brings bad luck. It’s a perfect spot for those seeking an eerie yet historical experience.
Travel Tip: Since there are no modern facilities like food shops or gas stations at Bodie, be sure to plan ahead and bring all essentials with you.
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2. Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the most haunted places in the South, draped in Spanish moss and filled with Victorian monuments. The eerie atmosphere only intensifies with the ghost stories attached to this place.
One of the most famous figures here is Gracie Watson, a little girl whose life-size statue marks her grave. Visitors often leave toys by her statue, and some have reported seeing her ghost roaming the area. With tales of weeping sounds and statues that seem to move, this place is both beautiful and spooky.
Travel Tip: The Bonaventure Historical Society offers guided tours for visitors, making it easier to navigate the cemetery’s many notable graves.
3. Cahawba, Alabama
Alabama’s first state capital, Cahawba, is now a ghost town filled with empty streets and decaying buildings. Abandoned after the Civil War, its eerie atmosphere is enhanced by paranormal stories and its long-forgotten history.
One of the most famous stories involves “Pegues’s Ghost,” a luminous orb seen floating through the old garden maze. Cahawba offers ghost tours, and its silent cemeteries and deserted homes create the perfect backdrop for ghostly encounters.
Travel Tip: The nearest city to Cahawba is Selma, about a 20-minute drive away. Plan your visit to include time for some historic sightseeing nearby.
4. Calcasieu Courthouse, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Toni Jo Henry, the only woman to be executed in Louisiana’s electric chair, is said to haunt the courthouse where she stood trial.
Employees have reported hearing strange noises, feeling her presence, and even catching the smell of burning hair. Doors mysteriously lock on their own, and equipment often malfunctions in her presence. For history buffs and ghost hunters alike, this courthouse is a chilling spot to visit.
Travel Tip: If visiting ghostly sites isn’t your thing, Lake Charles also offers natural beauty with North Beach, a lovely inland stretch of white sand perfect for a peaceful retreat.
5. Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Known as one of the most haunted hotels in America, the Crescent Hotel has a dark history. Built in 1886, it became a cancer “hospital” in 1937 under a fraudulent doctor.
Many patients died here, and their spirits are said to still wander the halls. Visitors can even stay in the infamous Room 218, known for paranormal activity. From strange sounds to sightings of ghosts in Victorian clothing, this hotel offers a spooky stay for the brave.
Travel Tip: If you want a paranormal adventure, book Room 218. For the faint of heart, the hotel also offers luxurious spa treatments and stunning views of the surrounding Ozarks.
6. Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, South Carolina
The Dock Street Theatre is a historic site with over two centuries of haunted history. The most famous ghost here is Nettie Dickerson, who was struck by lightning while on the hotel’s balcony.
Visitors have reported seeing her shadow glide across the second floor in a red dress. Along with other ghostly figures from Charleston’s past, this theater is rich with both history and haunting experiences.
Travel Tip: Located in Charleston’s French Quarter, you can pair your ghost tour with some of the best restaurants and hotels in the area.
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7. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This massive prison, which was once home to the notorious Al Capone, is one of the most haunted places in the U.S.
With its chilling history of solitary confinement, inmates are said to still linger here, making their presence known through ghostly footsteps, strange laughter, and shadowy figures. The penitentiary also hosts a Halloween festival, turning the prison into a creepy, fun experience for thrill-seekers.
Travel Tip: Plan your visit in October for the full haunted experience during their annual Halloween event.
8. Emily’s Bridge, Stowe, Vermont
Emily’s Bridge, a quaint covered bridge in Stowe, Vermont, has a dark reputation. According to legend, a young woman named Emily took her life on this bridge after being abandoned by her lover.
Today, visitors report hearing strange sounds, including footsteps and unexplained banging, while crossing the bridge. Some have even claimed to feel scratches on their skin, believed to be Emily’s ghost reaching out from beyond.
Travel Tip: Visit Emily’s Bridge during the daytime for a serene experience, but if you want a dose of paranormal excitement, brave the bridge after dark.
Final Thought
These abandoned places, filled with haunting stories and chilling atmospheres, are perfect for anyone looking to explore America’s ghostly history.
From deserted towns to haunted hotels, these sites offer a peek into the eerie side of the U.S.—just be prepared for a brush with the unknown on your next adventure.