Not every hotel or attraction in the United States can claim haunted vibes and ghost sightings, but there is one state that boasts spooky encounters year after year. And no, it’s not Massachusetts and its witchy lore.
The state of Texas climbed to the top, reporting a total of 6,845 sightings, more than any other state, according to a study by online gambling review platform Playcasino.com that was shared with Travel + Leisure. The state, which is home to amazing barbecue, great hotels, powdery beaches, and a robust wine making industry, also claims some of the most haunted sites in America, including the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi as well as the city of San Antonio where the Battle of the Alamo took place.
If travelers really want to see a ghost, they should head to the Haunted Hill House in Mineral Wells, Texas, which Playcasino.com rated the second-most haunted site in America. The 3,800-square-foot Victorian mansion, which sits about 50 miles west of Fort Worth, includes 18 different areas to investigate. There’s a high probability you’ll experience paranormal activity, especially if you stay overnight.
Ghost lovers could also spend the night at the Driskill Hotel in Austin. The property was founded in the 1880s by Col. Jesse Driskell, who reportedly continues to interact with guests. Another frequent spot for ghost sightings in Texas is the Magnolia Hotel in Seguin, which claims to be haunted by 13 different spirits.
Beyond Texas, California came in second with 6,444 reported sightings, followed by Ohio at 2,555, Michigan at 2,426, and Illinois at 2,151.
The Lone Star state may be home to many spooky destinations, but the most-haunted site in the U.S. was the Queen Mary ship, which sits in Long Beach, California, according to the report. The former ocean liner, which sailed from the 1930s to the 1960s, now serves as a floating hotel and offers paranormal after-hours tours.
San Diego’s The Whaley House was the third spookiest site on the list, reportedly haunted by descendants of the Whaley family. That was followed by The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, and the Franklin Castle in Cleveland, Ohio.
To come up with its list, Playcasino.com analyzed reported ghost sightings using data from the Ghosts of America.
These are the top 10 most-haunted states and how many ghost sightings have been reported in each, according to the company.
- Texas: 6,845
- California: 6,444
- Ohio: 2,555
- Michigan: 2,426
- Illinois: 2,151
- Indiana: 1,892
- Pennsylvania: 1,743
- Oklahoma: 1,715
- New York: 1,670
- Virginia: 1,655
