Haunted Road Trip: 5 East Coast Destinations to Visit

by Traci Magnus, Dunes Properties

Charleston Historic District, photo courtesy City-Data.com

Charleston Historic District, photo courtesy City-Data.com

If you’re the type of traveler who loves the thrill of the open road, we get it. There is something uniquely exciting about packing up the car and heading out for a new, great adventure. But, if you’re also a fan of scary movies and spooky ghost stories, we have an even more interesting way to explore all the beautiful destinations along the East Coast. Use our tips to plan your haunted road trip and explore a few of the country’s creepiest and most notoriously haunted spots. There are many haunted destinations with unique histories, but we’ve listed a few of the most popular areas to check out.

Charleston, South Carolina

If you’re planning on visiting Charleston, S.C., you might be surprised to learn that it is actually one of the most haunted cities in the country. This charming Southern city has a rich and unique history, from its role in both the Revolutionary and Civil wars to the devastating Great Fire of 1868, which burned for more than 12 hours and destroyed large areas of the city. Believers in ghosts think that these major events that resulted in terrible casualties may be part of the reason why so many lost spirits still walk the cobblestone streets.

During your visit to Charleston, you can embark on one of the many ghost tours to learn the intriguing history behind these events and some of the most famous ghost stories locals tell. If you want to explore a few of the city’s most haunted spots, you can take a ghost tour by researching areas like Philadelphia Alley and the Unitarian Church’s graveyard. Don’t forget to stop by Poogan’s Porch for lunch or dinner and see if you can hear the famed ghost dog Poogan, who is said to still hang around the building where he lived.

Brick Wall

Preston, Connecticut

Although Connecticut is one of the smallest states in the country, it has plenty of creepy areas to visit if you’re on the hunt for some ghosts. One of the best-known places to explore can be found in Preston—the Norwich State Hospital. The facility is no longer operating, but more than a century ago, when the hospital opened its doors in 1904, it was known as the Norwich State Hospital for the Insane. Fans of horror movies know that any kind of abandoned hospital or insane asylum is a breeding ground for tormented spirits who haven’t been able to cross over to the other side. The hospital has a creepy history of horrifying events and deaths over the years, and many people still visit the abandoned property for signs of spirits. Suppose you’re planning a haunted road trip. In that case, there are plenty of other destinations in the state you can add to your list when driving through Connecticut, including the Curtis House Inn in Woodbury and the Carousel Gardens in Seymour.

Savannah, Georgia

Known as Charleston’s sister city, Savannah, Georgia, offers dozens of thrilling places to start your ghost hunt. If you’re planning to visit Charleston, South Carolina, you can take a two-hour road trip to Savannah for even more ghost hunting. Much like Charleston, Savannah had an interesting role in the Civil War, leaving many to suspect that the ghosts of the soldiers, civilians, and enslaved people still walk the streets today. You can sign up for a ghost tour to learn about the most haunted areas and hear bone-chilling tales of murder at the Mercer House and bloody battles.

savannah victorian district

Victorian district in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by the Historical American Buildings Survey.

 

Tampa, Florida

Although most people envision relaxing, sunny vacations spent lounging on the beach when they think of Florida; there are plenty of creepy areas to visit during your haunted road trip. Tampa is one of the state’s largest cities, meaning it has an interesting past. One of the city’s most notorious haunted spots is the Cuban Club, a beautiful, historic building that now operates as a special events venue. During the early 20th century, this place was a hub for Cuban immigrants to get together, but over the decades, a series of strange events and untimely deaths took place here, including the drowning of a young boy swimming in the pool. Stories of the same boy being seen around the club are not uncommon. Many of the people who work at the Cuban Club claim to hear and see strange things happening regularly—elevators moving on their own and doors opening and closing without anyone else around.

Voodoo Shop

Voodoo Shop

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Big Easy is known for more than just beautiful architecture, delicious food, and all-night parties. Stories of ghosts, spirits, and paranormal activity are part of the city’s history and urban legends. Potentially one of the most recognized figures in New Orleans history, Marie Laveau is at the heart of many of the city’s more spine-chilling tales. Laveau was known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans because of her intense voodoo practices, and many people began following her and her practices. Although history tells us that Laveau was not using her voodoo practice for evil, instead trying to help people, an unusual following surrounded her. Tales of strange happenings at her gatherings are often discussed. Outside of Laveau’s history in the city, you’ll learn of many other untimely deaths and spirits that are believed to hang around the streets and buildings of NOLA to this day.

Take Yourself on the Road Trip of a Lifetime

From visiting Charleston, South Carolina, to exploring the streets of New Orleans, you’re sure to have a truly chilling trip by checking out each of these haunted destinations on your road trip. Suppose you’re planning to make several haunted stops along the way. In that case, you can easily fit multiple destinations in one trip, like Savannah and Charleston, or tour the known ghost areas throughout Connecticut. Wherever you choose to go, be sure to make time to explore the other aspects of each location to round out your trip. And don’t forget your paranormal activity equipment!

Submitted by Traci Magnus, Dunes Properties, February 2020, updated December 2022.

Also See: 

Legends, Ghosts, Myths & Mysteries

Most Haunted Places in the United States

Haunted Hiking Trails Across America

Bring Civil War History to Life at These Iconic War Sites