The US has many haunted cities with deep and dark pasts. Make this Halloween special by visiting these off-the-beaten-path cities. From Civil War hauntings to ghosts of pirates and cowboys, here are the most haunted, lesser-known US cities to visit this Halloween.

Gettysburg

The historic Battle of Gettysburg played an important role in shaping the course of the Civil War and preserving the nation we have today. Gettysburg is worth visiting if you are interested in learning more about the Civil War and American history. The Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center houses important Civil War artifacts. At the Gettysburg National Cemetery, you can see a landmark marking the place where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg address.

However, if you want to take a deeper dive into Gettysburg’s past, go on a Gettysburg ghost tour. The city’s ghastly activity is closely intertwined with Gettysburg’s bloody and turbulent past. For example, you’ll get to visit the Jennie Wade Museum. Her story is a central part of the Battle of Gettysburg and one of the most tragic instances of a civilian casualty during the war.

Jennie was baking in the kitchen of this house when Confederate soldiers opened fire on the building, killing her instantly. Her blood was never cleaned up, and the site is reportedly haunted, with Jennie’s ghost unable to leave the place where her blood still stains the floor.

Some popular inns in Gettysburg, such as the Farnsworth House Inn, are also rumored to be possessed. The Farnsworth House Inn was repurposed as a Confederate hospital during the war, and the ghosts of its casualties still haunt it. Similarly, The Brickhouse Inn can’t seem to shake off its Civil War ghosts either.

There are plenty of other fun things to do in Gettysburg during the Halloween season. The 2024 Gettysburg Halloween Parade will take place on October 22nd, so make sure not to miss it!

Annapolis
 

Annapolis is another hidden gem to visit this Halloween. This beautiful and idyllic port city, once known as the Athens of America, has a sinister, spooky past.

As a port city, Annapolis was a frequent stopover for pirates and seafarers. Some raided the city in search of treasure, while others got drunk and got involved in all sorts of sketchy activities.

Middleton Tavern was a popular spot for pirates to get rowdy, but it also provided lodging to historical figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. It’s haunted by a ghost called “Roland Johnston,” a middle-aged man who smokes cigars. This ghost was even recently featured in CBS News.

The best way to explore the haunted corners of Annapolis, though, is to take an Annapolis ghost tour. You’ll stop by local haunts such as the James Brice House, which belonged to former Annapolis Mayor James Brice. While he maintained a facade of a glamorous, worry-free lifestyle, the truth was far from that. Several family members who were suffering from mental illness were locked in rooms on the third floor, living out the rest of their lives in torture and captivity.

The Maryland Inn, where a bride took her life upon seeing her seafaring husband get killed in an accident after returning from sea to marry her, is another ghoulish place worth visiting this Halloween in Annapolis. It’s also the oldest continually operating hotel in the country!

Outer Banks
 

The Outer Banks islands in North Carolina are a hidden gem. Their stunning beaches and luxurious hotels make them a perfect getaway destination. Fun fact: Outer Banks is also where the Wright Brothers successfully flew their first plane!

However, buried underneath the stunning sand dunes of the Outer Banks are forgotten ghosts from times gone by.

The Cora Mae Basnight Bridge is a popular bridge for its spectacular views. However, there’s something truly sinister about this bridge. Before hurricanes, there are consistent reports of a shadowy gray man – a ghost warning about impending doom.

The eeriest story of Outer Banks, though, is that of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, which was founded in 1585. When John Smith returned by sea from a trip to England in 1590, bearing supplies for the colony, he found that all of the settlers had disappeared without a trace. There was no sign of struggle, and to this day, what happened to the 112–121 settlers remains an unexplained mystery.

Tombstone
 

If you want to get a feel for the old Wild West, head out to Tombstone, Arizona. On Allen Street, in the historical center of the city, you’ll get to see what the Wild West looked like many years ago. You can even see a perfect recreation of a famous historical gunfight at the OK Corral. This shootout, which took place between lawmen and members of a ragtag group of outlaws called The Cochise County Cowboys, took place in 1881. It was triggered by the lawmen deciding to enforce a city ordinance prohibiting carrying weapons into the town.

The Bird Cage Theater, where twenty-six people were murdered during the wildest days of the American West, also hosts the ghosts of prostitutes and brothel workers of the past.

Mary Katherine Harmony, who founded Big Nose Kate’s Saloon in Tombstone, was quite popular with the menfolk. She loved men, and men loved her. Her saloon was always busy with travelers and miners. One miner named Swampy hid his silver in the saloon. But he never managed to collect his treasure before he died. His ghost now lingers in the saloon, watching over and protecting it.

Chattanooga
 

Chattanooga is a place with picturesque views and history from the Civil War all around. Due to multiple railroad lines converging in Chattanooga, it played a central role in the war.

Take the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain to enjoy jaw-dropping views. Point Park atop Lookout Mountain was the site of a historic Civil War battle.

However, beneath its peaceful exterior, Chattanooga hides its bloody and gory past. At the haunted Ross Landing, you can sometimes hear the wails and cries of indigenous Americans who started their Trail of Tears to Oklahoma here as part of the Indian Removal Act.

The Read House Hotel was built on the site of the first Chattanooga Inn, which served as a stopover point for railroad workers, drifters, prostitutes, and other travelers. The ghosts of the many who passed by this inn haunt it to this day. Chattanooga was a central railroad hub and thus saw its fair share of people from all walks of life, so it’s no surprise that it’s haunted.