Most haunted museums
Museums are often considered to be places of history and culture, but some are also believed to be home to supernatural entities. Most haunted museums are those that have reported numerous unexplained paranormal activities and encounters. These museums are often visited by ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts seeking to experience the supernatural for themselves.
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One of the most haunted museums is the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana, which is known for its numerous ghostly sightings and unexplained phenomena. Visitors and staff have reported seeing apparitions, hearing strange noises, and feeling sudden drops in temperature throughout the property. The Whaley House Museum in San Diego is also considered to be one of the most haunted museums in the world, with reports of ghostly sightings and unexplained footsteps echoing through the halls. Another haunted museum is the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, where visitors have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread and seeing apparitions of former inmates wandering the halls. These museums offer a unique and eerie experience for those interested in the supernatural and the unexplained.
The Myrtles PlantationView AllThe Myrtles Plantation - Historic southern plantation with reportedly haunted reputation.
Eastern State PenitentiaryView AllEastern State Penitentiary - Historic prison with haunting architecture and eerie atmosphere.
Lizzie Borden HouseView AllLizzie Borden House - Infamous site of a double murder in 1892.
The Queen MaryView AllThe Queen Mary - Historic ocean liner turned hotel and museum.
The Tower of LondonView AllThe Tower of London - Historic fortress, prison, and royal palace in London.
The Whaley HouseView AllThe Whaley House - Historic haunted house in San Diego, California.
The Winchester Mystery HouseView AllThe Winchester Mystery House - Mansion with labyrinthine layout and architectural oddities.
The Stanley HotelView AllThe Stanley Hotel - Historic hotel with ghost tours and scenic views.
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic AsylumView AllThe Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum - Historic, abandoned mental institution with paranormal tours.
The LaLaurie MansionView AllThe LaLaurie Mansion - Infamous haunted New Orleans mansion with dark history.
Most haunted museums
1.
The Myrtles Plantation
The Myrtles Plantation is a historic estate located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, known for its beautiful grounds and alleged paranormal activity. Built in 1796, the plantation is rumored to be haunted by several ghosts, including the ghost of a former slave named Chloe. The property features a stately antebellum mansion, lush gardens, and live oak trees, making it a popular tourist destination and a popular location for ghost hunters. The Myrtles Plantation offers guided tours and overnight stays for those interested in exploring its rich history and supernatural legends.
Pros
Historical charm- beautiful grounds
- interesting ghost stories
Cons
Potentially overhyped- high tourist traffic
- limited amenities
2.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary is a former American prison located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It operated from 1829 to 1971 and was known for its revolutionary system of separate confinement, which aimed to rehabilitate prisoners through solitary confinement and reflection. The prison's imposing gothic architecture and eerie atmosphere have made it a popular tourist attraction, attracting visitors interested in its history and the stories of notorious inmates. Today, Eastern State Penitentiary is a museum that offers guided tours and special events, shedding light on the harsh realities of the penal system in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Pros
- Historical significance
- unique architecture
- popular tourist attraction
Cons
- Harsh conditions
- solitary confinement
- negative impact on mental health
3.
Lizzie Borden House
The Lizzie Borden House is a historic bed and breakfast located in Fall River, Massachusetts. It is infamous for being the site of the 1892 axe murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, for which their daughter Lizzie was accused and acquitted. The house has been preserved as a museum, offering tours and overnight stays for those interested in the true crime history of the location. The house is known for its Victorian architecture and has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films exploring the mysterious and gruesome events that took place within its walls.
Pros
- Historical significance
- unique experience
Cons
- Association with violent events
- potential for paranormal activity
4.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner that is now permanently moored in Long Beach, California. It was built in the 1930s and was known for its luxurious accommodations and grandeur. The ship served as a troopship during World War II and later as a popular transatlantic passenger liner. Today, The Queen Mary is a popular tourist attraction, offering tours of its historic decks, exhibits on its storied past, and various dining and event spaces. It also operates as a hotel, allowing guests to experience a taste of the ship's glamorous past.
Pros
- Historic
- iconic
- unique experience
Cons
- Aging infrastructure
- high maintenance costs
- limited attractions
5.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London is a historic castle and fortress located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England and has served various purposes over the centuries, including as a royal palace, prison, and treasury. The tower is perhaps best known for its role as a prison, with its most famous prisoner being Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. Today, the Tower of London is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pros
- Rich history
- iconic landmark
- impressive architecture
Cons
- Crowded with tourists
- limited access to certain areas
- expensive entry fees
6.
The Whaley House
The Whaley House is a historic landmark located in San Diego, California, and is widely regarded as one of the most haunted houses in America. Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, the house has a long history of paranormal activity, including sightings of the Whaley family members and other spirits. The house now operates as a museum, offering guided tours for visitors who are interested in learning about its history and the alleged hauntings. With its well-preserved architecture and eerie reputation, The Whaley House continues to attract ghost enthusiasts and curious travelers from all over the world.
Pros
- Historic
- unique architecture
- potential for paranormal activity
Cons
- Tourist attraction
- potential for overcrowding
- limited access to certain areas
7.
The Winchester Mystery House
The Winchester Mystery House is a sprawling mansion located in San Jose, California, known for its unique and mysterious design. It was constructed by Sarah Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester, heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The mansion is renowned for its architectural oddities, such as staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open onto walls, and secret passageways. It is believed that Sarah Winchester constructed the house in a continuous effort to confuse the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles, as she was convinced that she was cursed by their vengeful ghosts. Today, the Winchester Mystery House is a popular tourist attraction and a fascinating testament to one woman's eccentric vision.
Pros
- Unique historical architecture
- interesting ghost stories
Cons
- Confusing layout
- potential for paranormal activity
8.
The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel is a historic hotel located in Estes Park, Colorado, known for its majestic setting and stunning architecture. Built in 1909, the hotel is famous for its connection to the novel "The Shining" by Stephen King, who was inspired to write the book after staying at the hotel. The Stanley Hotel offers luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and a range of amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pools. It is also a popular venue for weddings and events, and is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, making it a popular destination for visitors to the area.
Pros
- Historic charm
- beautiful setting
- famous for inspiring Stephen King's "The Shining
Cons
- Expensive
- reported paranormal activity may be unsettling to some guest
9.
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, located in Weston, West Virginia, was originally constructed in the mid-1800s to house and treat the mentally ill. The massive Gothic-style building is considered one of the largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in the United States. The asylum operated for over a century before closing its doors in the 1990s. Today, it is a popular destination for paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs, offering tours that provide insight into the treatment of mental illness throughout the years and the reported hauntings that have made the asylum famous.
Pros
- Historical significance
- unique architecture
- potential for tourism
Cons
- Dark past
- ethical concerns
- potential for exploitation of mental health history
10.
The LaLaurie Mansion
The LaLaurie Mansion, located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, is infamous for its dark and tragic history. Built in the early 1800s, the mansion was once the home of socialite Madame Delphine LaLaurie, who was rumored to have tortured and murdered numerous slaves on the property. The mansion has since become a popular tourist attraction, known for its haunted reputation and eerie past. The building has been featured in numerous books, films, and television shows, and continues to captivate visitors with its haunting and unsettling history.
Pros
- Historical significance
- potential for tourism
Cons
- Dark history
- potential for controversy and negative associations