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Cover image of the Salem Witch House for blog post "More Haunted Destinations You Can Visit If You Dare"

More Haunted Destinations You Can Visit If You Dare

Are you prepared to venture into the mysterious and explore the unknown? For those with a thirst for adventure and a fascination with the supernatural, the USA is filled with haunted destinations that promise spine-chilling experiences and ghostly encounters. From eerie old hotels to historic theaters, these sites are steeped in chilling lore and haunted histories that will send shivers down your spine. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just looking for a thrilling experience, these four haunted destinations are not for the faint of heart. Grab your courage and prepare for a journey into the realms of the paranormal—if you dare!

Hotel Alex Johnson

Rapid City, South Dakota

Photo of the sign on the roof of the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota
Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of Tony Webster under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

The Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota, is renowned not only for its historic charm but also for its paranormal activity. Built in 1928 by Alex Carlton Johnson, who was also the Vice President of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, the hotel has been the site of numerous eerie occurrences, leading many to believe it is haunted. Guests and staff alike have reported strange phenomena, including disembodied door knocks, voices, and windows opening or closing on their own. The most famous spirit said to inhabit the hotel is that of The White Lady, a young bride staying in Room 812 who allegedly jumped—or was pushed—from a window on the eighth floor shortly before she was due to receive a large inheritance. Her ghost is believed to linger, searching for her supposed killer, and guests staying on the floor often experience unsettling feelings or see shadowy figures. The eighth floor is also home to the spirit of a young girl, who mischievously knocks on doors only to vanish down the hallway leaving just an echo of her childish giggles. Some guests have reported seeing the ghost of Alex Johnson himself, who has lingered to ensure his beloved hotel is still providing exceptional service. Featured on the show “Ghost Hunters” in 2011, the Hotel Alex Johnson embraces its haunted reputation, offering Ghost Adventure packages for those brave enough to explore its supernatural side. The package includes accommodation in a haunted room and a K2 meter to aid in the detection of otherworldly occurrences. Guests who book a Ghost Adventure are encouraged to share their paranormal experiences in a collection of books the hotel staff keep at the front desk.

Exterior of the Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City, South Dakota
Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City, South Dakota. Photo courtesy of WeaponizingArchitecture under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

The Bird Cage Theatre

Tombstone, Arizona

Exterior of the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona
The Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona. Photo courtesy of RE Hawkins under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported2.5 Generic2.0 Generic and 1.0 Generic license.

The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona, now a museum, is infamous for both its rich history and chilling paranormal activity. Built in 1881 by Lottie and Billy Huchinson, the theater was originally intended to present upscale, family-friendly entertainment to a refined audience. However, the rough silver mining crowd that constituted most of the population of Tombstone showed little interest in serious theater and the owners soon began offering entertainment more tailored to the tastes of a rowdier audience. The Bird Cage Theatre began operating as a saloon, theater, and brothel during Tombstone’s short-lived boomtown days in the late 1800s, and its employees and clientele frequently experienced violence, tragedy, and death on the premises. After just a couple of years of operation, the theater was sold to a pair of whiskey dealers, and then eventually to John Bignon and his wife Minnie, who operated the Bird Cage during its most infamous period, when the New York Times called it the “wildest, wickedest night spot” in the West. 140 bullet holes still riddle its walls, marking the site of countless gunfights. Many visitors and museum staff have reported ghostly encounters, including apparitions of former patrons and performers, disembodied voices, and strange noises echoing through the theater. Some claim to see shadowy figures dressed in period clothing, while others have felt sudden cold spots or the eerie sensation of being watched. The spirit of a woman in a white dress, believed to be a former lady of the night, is said to wander the halls, and spectral poker players have been spotted at the original gaming tables, still engaged in their endless game from beyond the grave. The Bird Cage Theatre has been featured on the shows “Ghost Hunters” (2006), “Ghost Adventures” (2009 and 2015), “Ghost Lab” (2009), and “Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files” (2011). Visitors today can book both daytime self-guided ghost tours and nighttime guided tours within the walls of the theater, where they can explore the spectral phenomena for themselves.

Interior of the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone Arizona showing the balcony
Balcony of the Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona. Photo courtesy of Marine 69-71 under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

The Octagon House

Washington, D.C.

Exterior of the Octagon House in Washington, D.C.
The Octagon House, 1799 New York Avenue, NW in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

The Octagon House in Washington, D.C. is not only an architectural gem but also a hotspot for paranormal activity. Built in 1800 by wealthy planter Colonel John Tayloe III, a relative-by-marriage of George Washington, this historic mansion played host to prominent figures, including as the temporary residence for President James Madison, but its darker history lingers in the form of ghostly tales. The Octagon House is widely considered to be one of the most haunted homes in Washington, D.C., with paranormal phenomena witnessed by museum staff and visitors alike. The earliest chilling story originated in the early 1800s, when it was reported that the household bells that were used to call the servants upstairs began spontaneously ringing, even after the bells’ wires were cut. The most well-known legend involves the spirits of two of Tayloe’s daughters, who reportedly fell to their deaths from the spiral staircase, either from an accident or after confrontations with their father over an improper romantic relationships. Visitors and staff have reported hearing phantom footsteps, disembodied voices, and seeing ghostly figures crumpled at the bottom of the staircase. Some have even claimed to see the apparition of First Lady Dolley Madison herself, lingering in the home’s former drawing rooms. Cold spots, flickering lights, the sound of rustling hoop skirts, and eerie sensations of being watched have added to the building’s reputation as one of Washington, D.C.’s most haunted landmarks. Though the property, currently owned by the Architects Foundation, is open to the public for architectural exhibits and tours, the museum also offers seasonal candlelight tours to highlight the mansion’s haunted history.

The spiral staircase of the Octagon House in Washington, D.C.
Spiral staircase, the Octagon House, Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Payton Chung under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

The Salem Witch House

Salem, Massachusetts

Exterior of the Salem Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts
The Salem Witch House in October. Photo courtesy of massmatt under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

The Salem Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts, steeped in the dark history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, is a focal point for paranormal activity in a region saturated with ghostly lore. As the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the key figures in the trials who played a role in the executions of nineteen people accused of witchcraft, the house bears an eerie and direct connection to the tragic events that unfolded in Salem. Local stories recount a “curse” on the Corwin family as a result of the judge’s actions during the witch trials, causing many family members to die young, often within the house itself. Visitors and staff have reported a range of strange occurrences, from unexplained cold spots and disembodied voices to shadowy figures seen moving throughout the house. Some have even described feelings of dread or heaviness when stepping into certain rooms, as if the building itself holds onto the anguish of those who were wrongfully condemned. The paranormal activity at the Salem Witch House attracted the show “Ghost Adventures” to film an episode investigating claims of spectral phenomena within the property in 2011. The ghostly presence of accused witches and others connected to the trials is said to linger within the walls of this historic structure, making the Witch House one of the most haunted locations in Salem’s rich paranormal landscape, which you can tour yourself if you dare.

Interior room within the Salem Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts
Interior of the Salem Witch House, Salem, Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Crisco 1492 under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

As you embark on your haunted adventures to these spine-tingling destinations, remember that the thrill of the unknown often lies in the stories shared by those who came before. Each of these sites offers a unique glimpse into the past, where history and hauntings intertwine, creating an experience that’s both exhilarating and chilling. Whether you encounter a friendly ghost or simply soak in the eerie atmosphere, the memories you create will linger long after your visit. So, gather your bravest friends, pack your sense of adventure, and set out to uncover the mysteries that await at these haunted locales. Who knows what spectral surprises you might encounter along the way? Happy haunting!

If you love haunted destinations, check out our 2025 Vintage Haunted Places Calendar, featuring even more paranormal locations you can visit, if you’re brave enough!

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