Step into a creaky hallway, and you can almost hear a whisper from the past. Ghost stories are part of American folklore — from plantation tales in the South to spooky ships on the West Coast.
If you want to learn why these American ghost legends stick in our heads, start with a quick read about belief and evidence at are ghosts real.
This list rounds up the 10 most famous ghosts in the USA and the haunted places that keep drawing curious travelers and daring ghost hunters. Each entry shows who the spirit is, where they haunt, and why people still talk about them today.
1. The Bell Witch — Adams, Tennessee
The Bell Witch is one of America’s oldest and best-known hauntings. In the early 1800s the Bell family reported strange noises, physical attacks, and a spirit that could talk. The Bell Witch legend inspired books, movies, and lively tours in Tennessee.
2. The Myrtles Plantation — St. Francisville, Louisiana
Myrtles Plantation claims several ghosts, but the most famous is Chloe, a former slave said to haunt the grounds. Guests report footsteps, childlike laughter, and ghostly faces in photos.
The plantation mixes history and mystery, which fuels its reputation as one of the most haunted houses in the South.
3. The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow — Sleepy Hollow, New York
Born from Washington Irving’s 1820 tale, the Headless Horseman remains a top American ghost icon. Sleepy Hollow leans into the legend with seasonal events and a historic vibe that keeps tourists coming. Fiction or not, the Horseman is a powerful part of U.S. ghost lore.
4. Resurrection Mary — Chicago area
Resurrection Mary is a hitchhiking ghost spotted near Resurrection Cemetery outside Chicago. Drivers report picking up a young woman who later disappears from the car. The story mixes urban legend with local road tales that feel eerily real to many residents.
5. The Amityville Haunting — Amityville, New York
The Amityville case became a cultural sensation after a family’s violent history and bizarre claims led to books and films, like The Amityville Horror. Whether skeptics or believers, people keep visiting the house’s town for a glimpse of one of the USA’s most infamous hauntings.
6. Lizzie Borden’s ghosts — Fall River, Massachusetts
The Lizzie Borden House, site of the notorious 1892 axe murders, now operates as a museum and B&B. Guests report strange feelings, sudden chills, and odd noises — a spine-tingling experience for anyone intrigued by true crime and the supernatural.
7. Winchester Mystery House — San Jose, California
Sarah Winchester built her labyrinthine mansion to confuse restless spirits, or so the story goes. Twisty staircases, secret rooms, and odd architectural choices make the Winchester House a magnet for ghost hunters and curious travelers alike.
8. The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California
This retired ocean liner hosts nightly ghost tours and many reported hauntings. Crew and guests have claimed to hear voice recordings, see apparitions, and feel cold spots. The Queen Mary’s watery past adds extra chills to its stories.
9. The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley inspired Stephen King’s The Shining after his creepy stay in Room 217. Visitors report strange piano music, flickering lights, and shadowy figures. The hotel leans into the legend with special paranormal events and historic tours.
10. The Whaley House — San Diego, California
The Whaley House sits on a former gallows site and holds many ghost stories, including sightings of the Whaley family and other figures. It’s often called one of America’s most haunted houses and is a staple stop for ghost-tour seekers in California.
Why these hauntings endure
These hauntings stick around because they mix real history with the thrill of the unknown. Stories gain power over time, and places that host tours and books help keep legends alive.
If Halloween and spooky symbols are part of what draws you in, you might also enjoy learning why certain symbols like black cats feel spooky, or how jack-o’-lantern tales boosted the season’s chills at why pumpkins are spooky.
A quick safety note
If you plan to visit a haunted site, respect private property and local rules. Many places offer guided tours that give history and spine-tingling stories without trespassing.
Want more ghostly reads?
There are hundreds of haunted sites across America waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these famous ghosts in the USA offer a peek at the stories that shape our spooky imagination.