Booking.com Presents Six Haunted Experiences in the US
Nothing beats staying at a place that is rumored to be haunted during Halloween. To get into the Halloween spirit, and deliver a truly thrilling experience beyond just trick-or-treating and costume parties, we present six spooktacular stays in some of America’s most haunted places.
With over a half (60%) of global travelers saying that finding thrills and adventure is a key motivation to travel*, a vacation around October 31 can provide a jump and a fright for travelers who are looking for some level of paranormal activity. From a former Civil War hospital to a hotel haunted by a friendly female spirit, there is a stay to fit every fright level.
Boston Omni Parker House Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Set on the Freedom Trail, across the street from King's Chapel and its graveyard, the Boston Omni Parker House Hotel is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of the hotel’s founder, Harvey Parker. This beautiful hotel has many ghost stories to share including the one where guests have seen the elevators mysteriously called to the third floor. Some guests also reported weird noises of rocking chairs going back and forth on the 10th floor. The Omni Parker House inside the Omni Parker Hotel, is home to the Charles Dickens mirror, which many claim that it is haunted by Dickens himself. The Victorian British author was a temporary resident from 1867 to 1868 and although the suite he stayed in doesn't exist anymore, his door and mirror remain on display at the Omni Parker House. For the thrill seekers looking for even more spookiness, Boston offers a great variety of popular tours like the self-guided Haunted Walking Tour, which gives guests the opportunity to explore some of Boston’s creepiest locations and landmarks.
Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, Massachusetts
Situated only a short drive from Boston on the north coast of Massachusetts, the city of Salem is famous for the witch trials of 1692, a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft. Salem can easily be explored on foot and offers a variety of walking tours that delve into the real history and hauntings of the city. Set just a short walk from the Salem Witch Museum and Salem Common, the historic Hawthorne Hotel is a great choice for those looking for an extra spooky experience. Although most guests sleep peacefully without noticing any paranormal activity, there have been some stories of haunting experiences like moving furniture and weird noises. Travelers who want to capture their memories from their trip to Salem should not miss the Witch Cottage Photo Shoot. During this experience travelers can choose amongst 300 costumes and enjoy a witch-themed photoshoot with the help of an in-house stylist.
1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Originally built in 1886, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa is a historic hotel in downtown Eureka Springs. Thrill seekers can join a variety of ghost tours at the property where paranormal activity experts will share some bone-chilling tales. During one of the hotel tours, guests can visit the hotel’s basement, also called “the morgue”. In the 1930s the hotel was a cancer curing hospital and in the basement guests will see the doctor’s autopsy table and bottles of medical specimens.
Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah, Nevada
One of the first luxury hotels in Nevada, Mizpah Hotel is said to be Nevada’s most haunted hotel. Originally opened in 1907 and named after Mizpah Mine, a silver mine in Lander county, the hotel has its own ghost story as it is rumored to house the friendly spirit of the Lady in Red. According to the legend, the Lady in Red was a woman that died in the hands of a jealous lover, and now roams around the hotel. While some guests were able to interact with the paranormal, other guests did not see or hear her ghost.
The Marshall House, Historic Inns of Savannah Collection, Savannah, Georgia
Located in the heart of Savannah's Historic District and built in 1851, this Georgia boutique hotel is rumored to be Savannah's most haunted hotel. The hotel used to be a hospital during the Civil War and has been featured many times on TV shows as a place where guests have seen or heard ghosts in the hallways and the foyer. As Savannah is considered to be one of America’s most haunted cities, ghost enthusiasts should not miss the Creepy Ghosts Tour, where they will explore the city’s haunted history and secrets, strolling across the city’s creepiest corners, including enchanted mansions and hair-raising cemeteries.
La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Nicknamed ‘The City Different’ due to its unique and bohemian character, Santa Fe is the oldest state capital city in the United States located in northern New Mexico and one of Booking.com’s trending destinations for 2023. Centrally located in Santa Fe, hotel La Fonda on the Plaza is a beautiful, historic property with several ghostly guests reportedly seen. These ghostly guests roam freely around the property and some travelers might encounter the spirit of a bride or the ghost of a judge. Sante Fe has a great variety of activities to enjoy for the 73% of travelers who are open to ‘out of comfort zone’ experiences while traveling in 2023**. Guests can for example book a zombie-themed Scavenger Hunt Experience and explore some of the city's most notable attractions and landmarks, while attempting to survive a zombie apocalypse.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.
**Travel Predictions 2023 research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,179 respondents across 32 countries and territories were polled (including 1014 from Argentina, 1006 from Australia, 505 from Austria, 504 from Belgium, 1009 from Brazil, 503 from Canada, 1009 from China, 1010 from Colombia, 505 from Croatia, 505 from Denmark, 1010 from France, 1001 from Germany, 500 from Hong Kong, 1005 from India, 504 from Ireland, 504 from Israel, 1008 from Italy, 1003 from Japan, 504 from Mexico, 502 from The Netherlands, 1007 from New Zealand, 1009 from Portugal, 507 from Singapore, 1008 from South Korea, 1001 from Spain, 505 from Sweden, 508 from Switzerland, 500 from Taiwan, 504 from Thailand, 1006 from the UK, 1009 from the US and 504 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2022.