For those who like a little adrenaline with their accommodations, there’s no shortage of places in the U.S. that claim to house more than just paying guests. These haunted destinations aren’t just spooky photo ops; they actually let you check in for the night. From colonial inns to ocean liners and eerie mansions, these hotels are steeped in stories that some visitors swear still echo through the halls. Here are a few of the most infamous places where you can spend the night with the dead…if you dare.
Presidents, Porters, and Phantoms at the Buxton Inn, Granville, Ohio
Located in the charming village of Granville, Ohio, the Buxton Inn has welcomed guests since 1812, including a few who may never have checked out. With original stone walls, creaky floors, and dim hallways, the atmosphere alone sets the stage for paranormal possibilities. Reports from guests include cold spots, disembodied footsteps, and sightings of a spectral woman in blue. Room #9 is often singled out as the most active, with shadowy figures appearing in mirrors and furniture occasionally moving on its own.
The Crescent Hotel’s Chilling Past Still Echoes
High in the Ozarks, the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is not shy about its ghostly reputation. Originally opened in 1886, it later became a cancer hospital run by Norman Baker, a fraudulent doctor with a flair for the theatrical and no medical credentials. Today, visitors tell stories of ghostly nurses making their rounds and apparitions of patients wandering the halls. A cat named Morris, who once lived at the hotel, is said to still roam the premises, brushing against guests’ legs when no live animal is around.
The Lizzie Borden House
In Fall River, Massachusetts, the site of one of America’s most sensationalized murders now operates as a bed and breakfast. Lizzie Borden was famously acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe, but the mystery has never faded. The house maintains much of its original structure and decor, creating an eerie time capsule. Guests frequently report odd sounds, whispered voices, and even full-body apparitions. If you’re brave enough, you can sleep in the room where Abby Borden met her fate.
The Stanley Hotel and a Room That Won’t Stay Quiet
Perched in the Colorado Rockies, the Stanley Hotel inspired Stephen King’s The Shining, and it lives up to its eerie reputation. Room 217 is particularly well known for its haunted history, including claims of a housekeeper’s spirit tidying guests’ belongings while they sleep. Piano music sometimes plays without a performer, and laughter has been heard coming from empty rooms. The atmosphere, both majestic and unsettling, makes this one of the most sought-after haunted stays in the U.S.
Creaky Floors and Beyond
Whether you prefer colonial charm, Victorian grandeur, or the ghostly hush of an old steamship, these haunted stays deliver more than just antique decor. From the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana to the Queen Mary in California, each location has its own stories to experience. These hotels aren’t for the faint of heart, but for those chasing something a little different, they offer a rare chance to sleep where the stories never rest.
