Scariest Places in America

Halloween is right around the corner. Are you a fan of Halloween? Check out these ten places in American that are haunted. Have you been to Hell or Transylvania? There are many little towns with creepy back stories throughout the United States. Keep reading and learn more here.



Tombstone, Arizona
Need a dead rattlesnake for that potion you’re brewing? Tombstone is the place to go! Rattlesnakes and other unusual items can be found in the shops that line the boardwalk on Allen Street, the main drag of “The Town Too Tough to Die.”
The best time to visit is the third weekend of October, when you can take part in Helldorado Days. A disgruntled miner is said to have coined the phrase to describe the life he found in Tombstone – shoveling manure and washing dishes, rather than striking gold as he had dreamed. We suspect even he would enjoy the Helldorado Days Festival, when natives and visitors recreate the grit and glamour of the city’s glory days with Wild West costumes, a reenactment of the O.K. Corral gunfight, street entertainment, and a family-friendly carnival.
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Tombstone, Arizona



Tabitha Hawk

Wilder, Kentucky
Looking for a Halloween that’s a little on the wild side? You just may want to head to Wilder, where almost nothing is wilder than Bobby Mackey’s Music World. Locals say it was built on the site of what once was a slaughterhouse. Rumors of grisly murders and tragic suicide help fuel the club’s reputation as the most haunted honky-tonk in America.
The club and its ghosts have been the subject of at least two full-length books and numerous television shows. But even if you come away from Wilder without visiting the infamous Gate to Hell that is said to be in the basement of Bobby Mackey’s club, you’ll have enjoyed an evening of great country music and – dare we say? – “spirited” fun.
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Wilder, Kentucky




Mystic, Connecticut
If you’re looking for Halloween fun that’s suitable for young and old alike, there’s more than the ghost of a chance you’ll find just what you want in Mystic. The Nautical Nightmares tour of the Seaport provides tales of ghosts, legends of ghost vessels, and unsolved mysteries. It’s not recommended for kids under the age of 10, but there are plenty of activities for little ones, like the Sights and Frights Tour, specially designed with small children in mind.
Look for other “spook-tacular” area events, as well, like the Haunted Hayrides sponsored by the fire department, and the Haunted Corn Maze at the Nathan Hale House.
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Mystic, Connecticut



ArxMortis.com

Killen, Alabama
Down south in the frightful-sounding town of Killen, there’s a Halloween attraction designed to scare even the most stouthearted among us. Arx Mortis is a haunted house that earns rave reviews from visitors, many of whom return year after year. Don’t go with young children – the movie-quality special effects are rated by the owners as PG-13 – but teens who think grisly is good should have a ball. If you should get your fill of chills before the story ends, just take advantage of one of the 23 early-exit options provided.
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Killen, Alabama



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Transylvania, Louisiana
It’s a bloody shame Dracula never made it to this little town, because we bet he would have loved Transylvania the Louisiana way! Though it wasn’t originally named with anything vampire in mind, the town has embraced its moniker, and you’ll find lots of “fangtastic” souvenirs at the General Store.
But what really makes this a town worth sinking your teeth into is the fact that it’s built on ancient Indian burial grounds that date back to 1400 A.D. There are local legends of a guardian ghost that’s half dog, half gargoyle who wanders the burial grounds and some swear that once, an entire house near where the elementary school now stands disappeared in a supernatural storm.
The burial mounds in Transylvania are marked, but rest on private property, so head to nearby Poverty Point to check out mounds that are open to the public.
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Transylvania, Louisiana



Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Salem, Massachusetts
Maybe Salem wasn’t always a scary word, but since 1692, it’s been synonymous with witch trials that led to the deaths of 27 innocent men and women—19 were hanged, one was crushed to death with stones piled on his chest, and seven others died in prison. Small wonder that the town reports its share of ghosts and haunted tales.
At Halloween, Salem hosts “America’s biggest Halloween party.” The entire month of October features special events, many of which are suitable even for very young children. With costume balls, face painting and, of course, tours of historical sites, Salem lives up to its self-acclaimed title of Halloween City.
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Salem, Massachusetts




Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Kill Devil Hills is located on the Outer Banks in North Carolina, part of the shoreline that borders what’s known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic. The sunken hulls of pirate ships and German U-boats alike can be found in these waters, and you can walk where Blackbeard and Captain Kidd themselves walked. In fact, Kill Devil Hills takes its name from its history with pirates: They used to hide barrels of a potent rum in the nearby dunes – rum so strong it was rumored it could kill the devil himself.
When you’ve exhausted the area’s pirate lore, be sure to visit Kitty Hawk next door, along with the site of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first flight.
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Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina




Death Valley Junction, California
Sci-fi master Ray Bradbury and magician Criss Angel are among the celebrities who have stayed at the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel in tiny Death Valley Junction, CA. The site is considered by many to be one of the most haunted hotels in the country, and has been featured on the Travel Channels’ Ghost Adventures and The Dead Files. Filmmaker David Lynch even used it as The Lost Highway Hotel in 1997's Lost Highway.
If you’re daring, book one of the hotel’s haunted rooms and spend the night. But even if you just pop by to look around, plan to stay for dinner. The dining room is said to serve especially tasty cheeseburgers.
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Death Valley Junction, California



Danielle Lynch

Hell, Michigan
Are you game to spend Halloween with the self-named Hellions of Hell, Michigan? The residents of this small town definitely have a devilishly good sense of humor. The local ice cream parlor is called Screams and is a favorite haunt of locals and visitors alike. You walk through painted flames to enter Hell’s General Store, where you’ll find souvenirs to prove you’ve been to Hell and back. You can even get a diploma from Damnation University – Dam U for short.
If you’re up for a challenge, sign up for the Run Thru Hell, held right before Halloween at nearby Hell Creek Ranch. Proceeds from the race are donated to charity. For something less intense, rent a canoe or kayak and explore Hell’s water trail. Just make sure they give you a paddle.
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Hell, Michigan




Sleepy Hollow, New York
Don’t count on sweet dreams if you visit Sleepy Hollow in October. The home of Washington Irving's infamous Headless Horseman goes all out to offer visitors hair-raising adventure (if that’s what they seek). Horseman Hollow, which is held in the historic Philipsburg Manor, may thrill older visitors, but is likely too intense for young children. The Haunted Hayride wending its way through the hollow is more appropriate family fare, and may still provide a glimpse of the legendary Horseman.
Everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy the fall activities at Sunnyside, where Washington Irving lived. Storytellers roam the grounds, and there are colonial games to try, as well as hot cider and doughnuts. After the sun sets, head to neighboring Croton-on-Hudson to see the Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze, where more than 5,000 carved pumpkins illuminate the night.
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Sleepy Hollow, New York