For those who seek spine-chilling experiences, staying at a haunted destination is the ultimate thrill. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, these eerie spots around the world will test your bravery and leave you with unforgettable stories. Here are three haunted destinations where you can spend the night, if you dare.
1. The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, Colorado
Famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining, The Stanley Hotel is one of the most notorious haunted destinations in the United States. Nestled in the Colorado Rockies, this historic hotel has been offering overnight stays since 1909. Guests and staff alike report ghostly encounters, with the most common sightings being a former hotel manager who continues to walk the halls and the ghostly sounds of piano music playing when no one is around. Take a guided ghost tour and see if you can spot the apparitions or feel the chill in the air that haunts this grand hotel.
2. The Queen Mary – Long Beach, California
Once a luxurious ocean liner, the Queen Mary now rests in Long Beach as a hotel and museum. But it’s far from a peaceful resting place. The ship’s long history includes wartime service, multiple deaths, and tragic accidents. The ship’s eerie atmosphere has earned it a reputation for paranormal activity, with reports of footsteps echoing down empty hallways, unexplained cold spots, and sightings of ghostly figures. Visitors can explore haunted areas like the engine room and the first-class swimming pool, which is said to be the site of several ghost sightings. If you’re brave enough, book a night in one of the haunted rooms for an experience you won’t forget.
3. The Ridges – Athens, Ohio
The Ridges, originally an insane asylum, is now part of Ohio University. But the spirits that once inhabited the asylum seem unwilling to leave. Known for its dark history, The Ridges housed thousands of patients, many of whom tragically died or experienced gruesome treatments. Today, it’s known as one of the most haunted places in Ohio. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, strange whispers, and eerie sensations of being watched. If you choose to stay nearby, you might be lucky enough to hear the echoes of its troubled past during your visit.
If you’re a thrill-seeker or a lover of ghost stories, these haunted destinations will give you an experience that’s equal parts chilling and fascinating. Are you brave enough to spend the night?