10 Spooky Places To Visit This Fall

Autumn is upon us, which means pumpkins galore, cooler weather, red and golden leaves, and cinnamon-spiced drinks. It’s also a time when we embrace all things spooky.

That’s right, for the Halloween enthusiasts, or simply those who enjoy an eerie atmosphere, Fall is your time. Aross the U.S., destinations ranging from beautifully haunting to thoroughly creepy await.

From haunted hotels and old-fashioned ships to atmospheric towns steeped in history, numerous places embody that spooky vibe.

Whether you want to explore on your own or take a guided tour, each place on our list guarantees a haunting good time. So, let’s explore America’s spookiest destinations that will simultaneously provide cozy Autumn vibes and send shivers down your spine or, as they say in the Haunted Mansion, evoke an aura of foreboding.

Salem may seem like the most cliché choice, but it’s for a good reason. As the site of the Salem Witch Trials, it took a while for the town to lean into the Autumn season, not wanting to disrespect the strife and tragedy that befell so many people. However, gradually Salem has embraced the season to honor them and create a place that’s spooky but also fun.

Peruse all the small shops filled with books, candles, housewares, handmade jewelry, and more. You can also explore the various museums and historic homes. The Witch House is the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, the only remaining structure with ties to the Witch Trials. Literary fans should visit The House of the Seven Gables, made famous by author Nathanial Hawthorne. Film/paranormal fans can head to the Haunted Warren Museum filled with artifacts from Ed and Lorraine Warren, who inspired The Conjuring movies.

Other places to check out include the Salem Witch Museum, The Pickering House, The Pioneer Village, the Philips House, and so much more. Just know, a trip to Salem in the Fall will likely be crowded, and you may not have time to see everything. Make a list of places to prioritize. But don’t forget to go with the flow and let it all sink in. Check out videos from Carter Sullivan, Gretchen Pardon, and James & Meg for more itinerary ideas.

Thanks to Washington Irving’s famous tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, Sleepy Hollow, New York attracts thousands of visitors every Autumn. Generally considered the second most popular place to visit during the Fall (just behind Salem), Sleepy Hollow has a quieter atmosphere and lovely scenery as a backdrop to its spooky roots.

Indeed, a trip to Sleepy Hollow must include a visit to the Old Dutch Church and adjacent cemetery where Irving and Andrew Carnegie are buried. Although you cannot visit the original Legend of Sleepy Hollow bridge, you can see an updated one dedicated to the story, and an old-fashioned wooden bridge in the woods.

Visiting Sleepy Hollow in Autumn should also include nighttime activities, as these embody the eerie feel many will love. Twilight Village at Philipsburg Manor is like stepping into the pages of Irving’s classic with live actors, a brass band, small but tasty treats, and an encounter with the Headless Horseman himself. Visitors can also take a Lantern Graveyard Tour, participate in a lively murder mystery game, or attend the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, which features over 7,000 carved pumpkins lit up, photo ops, food, and more.

Between the gorgeous Fall foliage and atmospheric setting, Sleepy Hollow has plenty of scope for the imagination. Check out videos from It’s a Charming Life and James Andrews for firsthand looks at the tour itself.

Often cited as the most haunted house in America, the Whaley House Museum is the heart of San Diego’s Old Town, and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The former residence of the Whaley family, it also served as a general store and community theater. It’s also steeped in tragic and haunted history.

Before the home was constructed, the land was the site of the public execution of the thief Jim Robinson. Sadly, death surrounded the house after it was built. The Whaley’s 18th month old baby, Thomas, died of Scarlet fever in 1858; their 22-year-old daughter, Violet, took her own life in 1885, and a traveling theater leader, Thomas Tanner, died unexpectedly in 1868.

Other deaths also occurred, and consequently there were multiple accounts of ghostly events including lights flickering, footsteps, baby giggles, and even full-body apparitions of the owners Thomas and Anna.

Those looking to visit the Whaley House can take a self-guided tour in the daytime. But for a truly eerie experience, opt for the30-40 minute guided Haunted Evening Tour that explores the home’s history and paranormal activity, done in dim lighting to enhance the spooky atmosphere.

One of the most unusual homes in the U.S., the Winchester House once served as the residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Wint Winchester and heiress to a great fortune from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

The large Victorian estate is known for its outlandish design, a result of constant construction that Sarah hoped would appease the spirits she feared. Indeed, as told by a medium, she believed her home to be haunted by ghosts killed by Winchester firearms.

As a result, the house became a vast array of nonsensical spaces with staircases that led to nowhere and doors that opened to blank walls. By the numbers, the Winchester House is 24,000 square feet, with 10,000 windows (including many gorgeous Tiffany stained glass ones), 2,000 doors, 160 rooms, 52 skylights, 47 staircases, 17 chimneys, 13 bathrooms, and 6 kitchens.

Those who enjoy the home’s haunted history and creepy aura can tour the mansion, while the Fall also brings Festival Fright Nights, a pop-up event with mazes and live entertainment. Tickets can be found here.

A place that can feel equally lovely, cozy, and spooky, The Stanley Hotel is best known for inspiring Stephen King to write his book, The Shining. Stanley Kubrick, in turn, made his iconic film, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, although that was filmed elsewhere. However, after the film was released, the hotel built an elaborate hedge maze like the one seen in the film’s climax.

According to King, he and his wife stayed at the Stanley in 1970 and, as the only guests, felt an unnerving sensation, while he had a nightmare about his son being chased through the labyrinth of corridors. Hence, The Shining was born.

However, the Stanley Hotel’s haunted lore extends beyond fiction. It’s said that the former owners roam the hotel, with people hearing the piano being played. The housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson, is also said to haunt the hotel, with guests reporting that their clothes have been inexplicably folded.

Many guests choose to stay in room 217, which is where King stayed, and have felt a ghostly presence. Besides the haunted lore, The Stanley Hotel features stunning architecture and beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains. For more information, head to the official website.

Although the house itself is a small, unassuming brick structure, the former resident is undeniably macabre. Author Edgar Allen Poe once dwelled here, and though it’s gone through financial hardships, the home was saved by a non-profit organization and named a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Many of Poe’s spookiest works, such as “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart,” were penned elsewhere, but that eerie spirit still remains. At the museum, guests can learn about Poe, see artifacts, and more. Just note that reservations and advance tickets are required. Check out Cris the Girl’s tour of the Poe Museum for an in-depth look.

Although The Exchange Hotel began as a luxurious place, the Civil War changed everything when it became a hospital for wounded soldiers from both the Confederate and Union armies. After Reconstruction, the hospital welcomed newly freed slaves.

With a history rife with tragedy, it’s not surprising that the Exchange is known as one of the most actively haunted places in the country. Visitors have supposedly seen Anna, a kitchen maid who tragically died in a fire. Spirits of soldiers are also among the reported spectral beings. Visitors also often hear footsteps and doors open on their own.

Today, it’s a vast museum filled with artifacts, each floor dedicated to a different era of the building’s history. Ghost tours are also available on select dates.

Autumn lovers who have a penchant for apple picking, pumpkins, hayrides, vibrant fall foliage, and cozy Autumn vibes will delight in The DeMerritt Hill Farm. The farm offers a family-friendly environment for those with little ones or more sensitive, low-key temperaments.

For everyone else, particularly those who enjoy more macabre and creepy aesthetics, the DeMerritt Hill Farm‘s annual event, Haunted Overload, is for you. Guests will explore the woodland areas of tall trees and fallen leaves with elaborate Halloween displays such as giant, creepy Jack-o’-lanterns, scarecrows, and a haunted house.

During the day, Haunted Overload feels equally beautiful and disquieting with the juxtaposition of autumn nature and spooky decor. In the evenings, the event feels much scarier with flashing lights,yet much darker. The difference could be compared to stepping inside Hocus Pocus versus The Blair Witch Project. Check out The Carpetbagger, Justin Scarred, and Sharp Productions for a look at this incredible event.

Permanently docked in Long Beach, California, The Queen Mary now serves as a unique tourist destination. Visitors can stay overnight in a lovely stateroom, enjoy a guided tour of the ship, and take in the beautifully preserved Art Deco style in this immersive maritime icon. It’s a terrific experience any time of year, but Autumn presents an ideal time to plan a visit if you enjoy haunted destinations.

The Queen Mary is widely considered one of the most haunted places in the country. According to U.S. Ghost Adventures, 150 spirits haunt the ship, with the most notable places being the First-Class swimming pool and Room B340.

Guests can take several tours, but the Haunted Tours offer the spookiest blend of history and paranormal stories. Purchase tickets for those tours here.

Often considered the most haunted city in America, Savannah, Georgia, will be for those looking for places that are equally beautiful, historic, and haunting. Savannah is brimming with beauty from its cobblestone streets to tall trees and Spanish moss. Those Southern Gothic vibes create a unique atmosphere, much different than other haunted destinations.

Specifically, those in search of the most paranormal experience possible should stay at the Marshall House Hotel, enjoy a meal at the Pirates House, and visit the Sorrel-Weed House, Colonial Park Cemetery, Forsyth Park, Kehoe House, and the Mercer-Williams House (where they filmed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). The very brave should also consider a trek through the underground tunnels with secret passageways, and the Moon River Brewing Company, known to have aggressive spirits, some victims of yellow fever, others Civil War soldiers.

Visitors can explore on their own, but many would benefit from one of the numerous Haunted tours which offer history along with plenty of chills. Check out the Savannah Ghost Tours website to find the perfect one for your sensibilities.