America's Most Haunted Cities, A Closer Look

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America's Most Haunted Cities, A Closer Look
October 6, 2009
By Carly Milne
Digital City

If you're one of those Halloween enthusiasts that takes it to the hilt, perhaps you're planning a trip of a haunted nature to support your ghosts-and-ghouls obsession.


You won't want to miss out on this list from Haunted America Tours, which takes a look at the nation's most haunted cities. Based on reports from visitors – both paranormal experts and not – as well as city history, some cities seem to be a perfect fit, while others are a surprising admission.

And a few other sources from around the Web seem to corroborate what Haunted America Tours found as well.

1. New Orleans, Louisiana
The Big Easy takes top spot, which makes perfect sense. Not only does the city have a comfortably haunted feel, but its history of voodoo curses and paranormal activity are well documented throughout the years.

2. Galveston, Texas
This coastal town may seem like a curious choice for second spot, but its well-rounded history of pirate and prisoner activity lend themselves to what has now become ghostly experiences. Add to that victims of what's called the Great Storm of the 1900s, and you have a town rife for haunting.

3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Home of the Civil War's deadliest battle takes the third spot. It's rumored that George Washington's ghost – which rode up on a white horse – encouraged union soldiers toward victory ... and residents report seeing Washington's ghost ride across the plains even today.

4. Key West, Florida
In fourth is the southernmost point in the continental United States – which seems like an odd choice, given the other opportunities across the nation. But apparently it's a haven for undead artists and morticians, and there's the legend of Elvira's spirit, which hangs out around the Hanging Tree at Captain Tony's Bar.

5. Savannah, Georgia
Of course, Savannah made the list, taking fifth place – which seems low, considering it's been deemed the scariest place on earth! Savannah really embraces its haunted side, with haunted train rides and carriage rides, tours of haunted cemeteries, haunted plantations and war sites, and even tours done from an actual hearse. Creepy!

Other additions to the top ten include, San Francisco, California and Charleston, South Carolina.

Among the oddities on the list, Miami, Florida gets a spot, due to apparent ghostly activity in South Beach – some in its iconic hotels. Chicago, Illinois also made the list, coming in at number eight for its strange and bizarre paranormal-esque activity. And coming in last place is Salem, Massachusetts, courtesy of the witch trials that left many a spirit behind to haunt and torment.

But it seems strange that some iconic places are missing from the list. For example, Sleepy Hollow, New York – more a town than a city, but surely its often-told tales count? Or Amityville, New York, home of the famous house that bore many a horror film? It seems a travesty to talk haunted America and omit those classics!

Although there are outlets that agree with these inclusions, there's a few that list alternatives and additions. For example, this site goes so far as to list 20 haunted cities, including spots like Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California (though it doesn't go on to explain why these cities are haunted).

This site adds Washington D.C. to the list, citing Lincoln's frequent sightings at the Ford Theatre and the Stephen Decatur House, reportedly home to unexplained phenomenon.

So, tell – which cities creep you out the most?