Top 10 Cursed Tourist Attractions In America

The Most Cursed Attractions Across the United States

1. Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Kentucky

Waverly Hills is one of the most notoriously haunted locations in the US. Built in 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital, thousands perished in the facility. The sanatorium is home to a "body chute." It's a tunnel that was used to move dead bodies out of the building secretly. People who have visited this place often claim to see shadow figures, hear the voices of people who are not there, and feel a sense of dread. More often than not, paranormal investigations bring about sounds and apparitions, hence Waverly Hills' reputation as a hotbed of supernatural activity.

2. The Stanley Hotel, Colorado

Known around the world as the inspiration for Stephen King's 'The Shining,' The Stanley Hotel is steeped in a rich history of being haunted. The hotel was built in 1909 to host several paranormal events. Visitors and workers have reported seeing apparitions, such as the ghosts of the original owners, F.O. and Flora Stanley. This mix results in the sounds of phantom piano music, flickering lights, and children's laughter—perfect for those guests in search of a somewhat chilling tour. The hotel is one of the most visited on ghost tours and is often listed as one of the top 10 haunted locations in the U.S.

3. Eastern State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania

This former prison opened its doors in 1829 but shuttered them in 1971. Designed for reformation rather than punishment, its use of solitary confinement drove many prisoners to the brink of madness. Today, the Eastern State Penitentiary is a mecca for ghost hunters. Visitors have heard chilling whispers, seen shadowy figures, and even felt extreme temperature drops suddenly. The place's bloody history and many other encounters with the paranormal put it among the most fear-inspiring haunts in America.

4. Winchester Mystery House, California

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is as strange as it is haunted. Built by Sarah Winchester, widow of the firearm magnate, the house is riddled with architectural oddities: stairs that lead to nowhere and doors opening into walls. She is said to have built this house to appease the spirits of those whom Winchester rifles had killed. Visitors to the castle often report hearing phantom footfalls, seeing apparitions, and experiencing other manifestations that only serve to cement the spooky appeal of the castle further.

5. Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana

One of America's most haunted homes, Myrtles Plantation, has a sordid history, involving tales of murder and despair. It has been rumored to have been built in 1796 and supposedly inhabited by several restless souls, including that of Chloe, a formerly enslaved person. The ghost of Chloe has been reportedly seen, along with others, roaming around the plantation grounds. Visitors have snapped ghostly images in photos and heard unexplainable noises; it is a place every paranormal enthusiast must visit.

6. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia

This asylum opened in 1864 and was built for 250 patients. At the time, it was overcrowded—numerous conditions accounted for it —with the number being close to 2,400 patients. Conditions led to comprehensive abuse and neglect. Today, this asylum is known for its very intense paranormal activity because people hear ghostly apparitions, screams of the dead, and unaccounted sounds. Tours and ghost hunts offer guests a first-hand look into what is said to be the tragic past and spirits that linger.

7. Bobby Mackey’s Music World, Kentucky

Bobby Mackey’s Music World in Wilder, Kentucky, is infamous for its dark and eerie past. Originally a slaughterhouse in the 19th century, the site is said to have been a hotspot for occult activity and gruesome rituals. The well in the basement, known as the "portal to hell," is rumored to have been used for satanic practices. Over the years, many have reported terrifying experiences, including ghostly apparitions, unexplained voices, and violent physical encounters. Some believe the spirit of Pearl Bryan, a murder victim whose severed head was never found, haunts the place. Bobby Mackey’s is often cited as one of the most haunted nightclubs in America, attracting paranormal investigators and thrill-seekers alike.

8. Queen Mary Hotel, California

Presently moored permanently in Long Beach, RMS Queen Mary was a luxury ocean liner later used as a troopship during WWII. With a long history of death happening on the ship, including murders and accidents that occurred on board, the boat is packed with ghost stories. Guests and staff alike have often claimed to see the apparition of a "lady in white," hear the sound of phantom footfalls and feel sudden cold spots. Haunted tours of the Queen Mary only serve to confirm that her past is as creepy as they come.

9. Villisca Axe Murder House, Iowa

The Villisca Axe Murder House is the site of a chilling unsolved crime. In 1912, the Moore family and two young houseguests were brutally murdered with an axe while they slept. The case remains a mystery, with no one ever convicted for the heinous act. Today, the house is preserved as a museum, and visitors frequently report unsettling experiences. Many claim to hear the faint cries of children, see shadowy figures moving through the rooms and feel an intense, oppressive energy throughout the house. The gruesome history and frequent paranormal occurrences make the house a must-visit for those intrigued by true crime and the supernatural.

10. St. Augustine Lighthouse, Florida

St. Augustine Lighthouse is renowned for its haunted history. Built in 1874, the lighthouse has been the site of numerous tragic accidents, including the deaths of several children who drowned nearby. Visitors often claim to encounter the spirits of these children, hearing their laughter and seeing their apparitions playing on the lighthouse grounds. Others report sightings of a shadowy figure believed to be the ghost of a former lighthouse keeper who died on duty. The lighthouse's chilling atmosphere and frequent paranormal activity have made it a focal point for ghost tours and supernatural investigations.

Methodology

The locations were chosen by reviewing the haunted sites that have the most mentions across Google Search, the most reported ghost sightings, the most paranormal phenomena, the most widespread folklore, and events of historical significance.