Some of America’s oldest cities lie along the East Coast, which means they’ve had centuries to accumulate ghost stories. The eastern U.S. is dotted with colonial homes, Revolutionary War sites, and old New England hotels. Many of them come with tales of people who supposedly never left. Separating real recorded history from folklore can be hard, but deciphering the backstories is all part of the fun. These places are home to the East’s most famous hauntings.
Eastern State Penitentiary — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern State Penitentiary was an innovative place when it opened in 1829. Now, its ways of dealing with incarcerated individuals sound horrific. Prisoners were kept separated from each other, spending long stretches of time isolated inside their cells, an approach which was meant to inspire penitence. Luckily, this practice was abandoned in 1913. The massive facility operated for more than a century until it shut down in 1970. Paranormal investigators have reported a host of experiences including disembodied voices, pattering footsteps, and dark shadows all occurring in the abandoned cellblocks. Interestingly, the famous Al Capone was once imprisoned here. Due to the crumbling cellblocks, Eastern State is fascinating with or without the ghosts.
The Lizzie Borden House — Fall River, Massachusetts
On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered at their Fall River home. The brutal killings were done with a sharp object similar to a hatchet. Shockingly, Andrew’s daughter Lizzie was charged with both murders. However, she was later acquitted, and the case became one of America’s most famous unsolved murders. More than a century later, visitors to the home say they think the Borden family may have stuck around after their gruesome deaths. Reports of spooky occurrences include footsteps, voices, and objects moving on their own. The house is now not just a museum but also a bed-and-breakfast. You can actually spend the night in the cozy room where Abby Borden’s body was discovered. It doesn’t sound like a relaxing getaway to us.
The Omni Parker House — Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s Omni Parker House opened in 1855. It holds the distinct record for being the longest continuously open hotel in the United States. The hotel’s history includes both famous guests and notable employees. Charles Dickens once stayed there, it is the location John F. Kennedy chose to propose to Jacqueline Bouvier, and Malcolm X once worked in the hotel’s restaurant. The Omni is said to be haunted by founder Harvey Parker. The most dramatic reports involve Parker appearing in hallways to ask guests if they’re enjoying their stay. The elevators also have a habit of stopping on the third floor for seemingly no reason. Room 303 had so much spooky activity and unexplained smells that it was converted into a storeroom.
The Shanley Hotel — Napanoch, New York
If you want a haunted hotel that doesn’t shy away from its ghostly reputation, the Shanley is hard to beat. The building was constructed in the 19th century in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. It operated for decades as a hotel, tavern, and social-gathering hotspot. All kinds of people have reported unexplained experiences over the years, from footsteps to voices to mysterious smells. The Shanley leans heavily into the paranormal stories, welcoming investigators and ghost-seeking guests.
Fort Mifflin — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Fort Mifflin sits on the banks of the Delaware River, where it has stood for more than two centuries of American history. It has stood watch over several traumatic events, including a major 1777 British bombardment during the Revolutionary War. It still bears the damage from the conflict. In later generations, the building was used as a military prison. Legends tell of a “Screaming Lady,” whose shouts have been heard far and wide. Some screams were reportedly loud enough that police were called to the scene to investigate. Visitors have spotted what look like soldiers and other apparitions around the fort.
The White Horse Tavern — Newport, Rhode Island
The White Horse Tavern dates to 1673 and is considered one of America’s oldest taverns. With more than 350 years of history, this is a perfect spot for generating ghost stories. One legend involves a traveler who died after staying at the tavern. Staff and tourists have witnessed fireplaces behaving strangely and elusive figures in colonial clothing. Even if the ghosts fail to show up, the White Horse Tavern is still worth a trip. Eating dinner inside a building that has been operating since the 1600s is remarkable.
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum — Weston, West Virginia
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is a massive facility that opened in the 1860s. It was designed to house roughly 250 patients. However, overcrowding led to the institution holding almost ten times that number. During these times, mentally ill people were not treated with the respect they deserved. Conditions were unsanitary, chaotic, and inhumane. Though the hospital finally closed in 1994, some believe the once-horrific conditions led to hauntings. Visitors have since reported encounters with the ghosts of former patients. Even with zero ghosts, this place is spooky, with long empty hallways, abandoned rooms, and an eerie vibe attached to its extremely dark history.
Gettysburg Battlefield — Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Ghost stories are often tied to past trauma, and it would be difficult to find an American location associated with more suffering than Gettysburg. Around 51,000 soldiers were killed, hurt, captured, or went missing during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. Visitors to the site claim to hear gunfire, drums, and running, even when touring solo. Others say they have seen soldiers ambling across fields and then suddenly disappearing. Even if you don’t believe any of the paranormal stories, standing on the quiet battlefield and considering what happened there is haunting enough on its own.