I'll be honest — I don't know if I believe in ghosts. But I absolutely believe in ghost TOURS, because they combine history, storytelling, and just enough creepiness to make you grab your travel partner's arm in the dark. Whether you're a serious paranormal enthusiast or you just think haunted stuff is fun, there are some incredible vacation deals near America's spookiest spots.
And yes, before you ask, I did hear a weird noise at a supposedly haunted hotel once. It was probably the ice machine. Probably. Check our latest vacation deals for haunted destination packages.
1. Savannah, Georgia — America's Most Haunted City
Savannah regularly tops "most haunted city" lists, and for good reason. The city was built directly on top of colonial-era burial grounds (always a great idea), endured multiple yellow fever epidemics, and has buildings dating back to the 1730s. Every square has a ghost story, and several of the historic inns are genuinley reported as haunted.
The Sorrel-Weed House is considered one of the most haunted buildings in America, and their ghost tour is legitimately unsettling. Bonaventure Cemetery (made famous by "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil") is hauntingly beautiful. Marriott properties in Savannah's historic district offer vacation deals from $119/night.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana — Voodoo, Vampires, and Spirits
New Orleans has layers of haunted history — from voodoo queen Marie Laveau to the infamous LaLaurie Mansion (the one from American Horror Story, which is based on real, horrific events). The above-ground cemeteries, known as "Cities of the Dead," are eerily beautiful and packed with supernatural legends.
Ghost tours through the French Quarter run $25-35 and operate nightly. The vampire tours are also surprisingly well-researched and historically interesting. Wyndham French Quarter deals start at $99/night. Visit our destination deals for New Orleans packages.
3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania — Civil War Ghosts
Over 50,000 soldiers died at the Battle of Gettysburg, making it one of the most paranormal-active locations in the world. Ghost tours of the battlefield at night are intensly atmospheric — walking through fog-covered fields where thousands perished is not something you forget quickly.
The Farnsworth House Inn, which still has bullet holes from the battle, is considered one of America's most haunted inns. You can actually stay there overnight if you're brave enough. Wyndham properties nearby start at $79/night for those who prefer sleeping without ghostly roommates.
4. Salem, Massachusetts — Witch City
Salem's connection to the 1692 witch trials makes it a year-round haunted destination, though October transforms it into America's Halloween capital. The Witch House (home of trial judge Jonathan Corwin), the Witch Trials Memorial, and the Peabody Essex Museum tell the real story behind the hysteria.
Ghost tours here blend colonial history with genuine creepiness. The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (aka the House of Seven Gables) offers nighttime tours that are particularly atmospheric. Marriott properties in the Boston/Salem area start at $119/night.
5. St. Augustine, Florida — America's Oldest (and Most Haunted) City
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine has had 460+ years to accumulate ghosts. The Old Jail, the Spanish Military Hospital, and the Lighthouse are all reportedly crawling with paranormal activity. The "Ghosts & Gravestones" trolley tour is one of the best-rated ghost tours in the country.
Resort deals in the St. Augustine area start at $89/night. The Castillo de San Marcos (a 17th-century stone fortress) is free to walk around at night and is genuinely spooky by moonlight.
6. San Antonio, Texas — Ghosts of the Alamo
The Alamo isn't just a historic site — it's reportedly one of the most haunted places in Texas. Ghost sightings of Alamo defenders have been reported for nearly 200 years. The nearby Menger Hotel (where Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders) is famous for its haunted bar.
Wyndham River Walk properties start at $89/night. San Antonio's ghost tours weave through the old mission districts and along the River Walk after dark, combining history with some genuinley hair-raising stories.
7. Charleston, South Carolina — The Holy City's Dark Side
Charleston's ghost scene is deep. The Unitarian Church Graveyard, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon (where prisoners were held during the Revolution), and the Dock Street Theatre (built on the site of a hotel destroyed by fire) all have extensive paranormal reports. Bulldog Tours runs the best ghost walks in town.
Marriott properties in downtown Charleston offer vacation deals from $119/night. The city's cobblestone streets and gas lamp lighting make it naturally atmospheric — you barely need a ghost tour to feel the spookiness.
| Haunted Destination | Resort Price | Ghost Tour Cost | Scare Factor | Top Haunted Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | From $119/night | $25-40 | High | Sorrel-Weed House |
| New Orleans, LA | From $99/night | $25-35 | High | LaLaurie Mansion |
| Gettysburg, PA | From $79/night | $15-30 | Very High | Battlefield at night |
| Salem, MA | From $119/night | $20-35 | Medium-High | Witch House |
| St. Augustine, FL | From $89/night | $25-35 | High | Old Jail / Lighthouse |
| San Antonio, TX | From $89/night | $20-30 | Medium | The Alamo |
| Charleston, SC | From $119/night | $25-35 | Medium-High | Old Exchange Dungeon |
Whether you come back a true believer or a confirmed skeptic, these haunted destinations deliver unforgettable vacations filled with history, atmosphere, and just the right amount of "what was that noise?" Visit our brand resort pages for specific property deals. Sweet dreams.