Not everyone thinks the paranormal exists. But if your family loves to hear a good ghost story, especially around Halloween, staying at a haunted hotel can offer a unique experience. There are dozens of haunted hotels in the US. Choosing from them all can be a daunting task. I recommend considering these US haunted hotels, as you are narrowing down your options for a thrilling and spooky family vacation.
Hotel Cassadaga was constructed back in 1901. It was originally a boarding house, as well as hotel for the Spiritualist camp in town. The hotel burnt to the ground in 1925 and was reconstructed in 1927. Numerous ghosts roam the halls and rooms of this haunted hotel. But the ghosts heard the most are those of a little girl and boy riding tricycles and ringing the bikes’ bells in the hallway at night. The only downside to staying at this haunted hotel in the US is no children are allowed. Don’t worry if you have little ones though. You can always add this to your list of haunted hotels to stay in once your kids turn into adults!
Washington DC is a fabulous family vacation destination. I recommend adding a little extra flair to your time in this city by staying at the Hay-Adams hotel. The wife of one of the original owners allegedly committed suicide by ingesting potassium cyanide. It is said that if you smell almonds while in this hotel, something strange will be happening soon since cyanide smells like almonds. The ghost does wander the halls all the time, while sobbing, turning radios on, and opening and closing doors.
The Marshall house was once a Civil War hospital, as well as a hospital during two yellow fever outbreaks. A stay at this hotel will have you showering in old clawfoot tubs, dining in an enclosed atrium, and mingling with the ghosts. At night, you can hear the ghosts of children laughing in the halls. And don’t be surprised if your bathroom faucet turns on all by itself while you are sleeping.
The original owner of The Flamingo still haunts this hotel today. Bugsy Siegel, an infamous mobster, was killed shortly after the opening of the hotel. You won’t find him inside the hotel though. His ghost prefers to spend time out in the gardens where a memorial to him is located.
The Congress Plaza Hotel is located in the South Loop of the city. It has quite the spooky past to share along with visits from numerous celebrities and even two presidents. A couple of the guests at this hotel enjoyed their stay a little too much and are now considered the resident ghosts. If you choose to stay at this haunted hotel, you may find yourself running into the ghost of Al Capone or a man called “Peg-Leg Johnny”. The cutest ghost though is a 12-year-old boy who was thrown from the 12th floor by his mom. While your family can have a chance ghost encounter in any room at this hotel, it happens the most in room 411.
Marilyn Monroe loved to stay at The Hollywood Roosevelt. In fact, she loved this hotel so much, she stayed there for two years straight. Her ghost now haunts the halls of this hotel, along with the ghost of Montgomery Clift. If you happen to be walking around near suite 928, you may hear the faint sound of a trumpet, even if no one is currently staying in that room.
Over one hundred years ago, Lizzie Borden allegedly killed her father and stepmother with an ax in their home. The home is now a bed and breakfast. You are welcome to spend the night with the ghosts, who are said to still haunt the place after all these years.
The Bourbon Orleans Hotel is the same building that was once the Orleans Ballroom and Theater back in the early 1800s. Before being turned into a hotel, this building was a convent for nuns and a medical center for people who caught yellow fever. Many ghosts roam the halls of this haunted hotel. However, the ghosts you will see the most include a dancer, confederate soldier, children, and nuns.
The Stanley Hotel is located near Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. The gorgeous setting is what Stephen King used to write one of his scariest stories, The Shining. While the hotel is not nearly as scary as the book, there has been lots of paranormal activity in the hotel. This is especially true at night, which is why I recommend taking the Historic Stanley Night Tour during your stay.
The Historic Hotel Bethlehem has long been known for its excellent customer service. Therefore, you really can’t blame guests if they want to stick around after their death. You can see numerous ghosts when your family stays at this haunted hotel in the US. The ghost you will see the most is the former landlord of the Eagle Hotel, which is the hotel that was on this site prior to this hotel. If you want the best chance of seeing a ghost, I recommend booking room 932. The most paranormal activity has occurred in that room over the years.
The Biltmore Hotel was completely remodeled during the 1980s. That doesn’t mean its history has left though. Guests have been saying for years that the ghosts of the past can be seen and heard throughout the hotel. This hotel used to be a military hospital and veteran’s ward, in addition to a resort. So, don’t be surprised if you see ghosts of gangsters, nurses, and wounded soldiers throughout your stay.
The Green Park Inn opened back in 1891. Past guests have included Eleanor Roosevelt, Annie Oakley, and JD Rockefeller. One previous guest though is always on the minds of visitors. Laura Green was the daughter of the founder of this inn. After Laura was left at the altar, she died inside this hotel. Her ghost has wandered the hallways of the hotel ever since.
The Emily Morgan Hotel is near the Alamo, which may be as close as you get to that historical attraction when traveling with kids. The hotel was once a medical center with a morgue and crematorium. Many guests state they hear hospital carts being pushed down the hall in the middle of the night. Some of those guests have even seen a woman in white pushing the carts when they peeked outside their doors. Other ghostly activities include bathtubs filled with blue water and phones ringing in the middle of the night with no one there.
Hotel Chelsea is one of the more popular places to stay when visiting New York City. The ghost of Mary, a survivor of the Titanic who killed herself while staying at the hotel, roams around the 5th floor. Another ghost is the girlfriend of Sid Vicious. He was a punk rocker who allegedly killed his girlfriend while staying at the hotel. The last ghost you may encounter at this haunted hotel is Nadia. She supposedly jumped out a window after losing her hand in an accident.
If you don’t mind waking up to a ghost hovering over you when you’re in bed, the 20 South Battery in Charleston is the perfect haunted hotel for your next family vacation. This hotel used to be known as the Battery Carriage House. This is one of the most haunted buildings in Charleston. Several ghosts from the Civil Way can be seen wandering throughout the hotel. One of those ghosts is a headless torso, so try not to scream too loud if you see it during your stay.
The Grand Hotel sits on remote Mackinac Island. When the hotel was constructed, the workers unburied bodies while digging to create the foundation. Those bodies are thought to be those of the Anishinaabe people who lived on the island. Their ghosts, as well as ghosts of local fishermen lost at sea, are said to haunt this hotel. A black cloud has been seen inside the hotel. And one of the ghosts wears a top hat and sits at the piano before disappearing.
These are some of the spookiest US haunted hotels to stay in for a thrilling family vacation. You can choose one of these for your next haunted vacation. Or I can help you determine which other haunted hotel will fit your vacation needs.
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