Eight Haunted Hotels You Can Stay in the U.S.

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I’ve selected eight haunted hotels you can stay if you dare! These are hotels that I have personally experienced. Get my take on these historic and haunted hotels.

It’s no surprise that three of the haunted hotels you can stay on my list are located in Vicksburg, Mississippi, considering the area’s history of a significant Civil War battle that resulted in numerous casualties. However, I have also stayed at other hotels and inns with their own unique histories and stories. I have personally spent nights at all the establishments on this list, and some of them have proven to be more “active” in terms of paranormal experiences than others, in my opinion. What ties all of these haunted hotels you can stay together is their age and historical importance. I’ll be sharing my list and providing insights into why each of these hotels is worth a visit.

The Duff Green Mansion

1114 First East Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183

During my recent stay at the Duff Green Mansion, an inn in Vicksburg dating back to 1856, I had an unexpected experience. The mansion served as both a Confederate and Union hospital during the Civil War, and it contained an unmarked graveyard on the property where war casualties were buried, unbeknownst to me.

Startled awake at midnight one night by what I initially thought was a man grabbing my ankle at the end of my bed, I was confused but realized that I was indeed in a haunted house. Despite the eerie encounter, I managed to go back to sleep undeterred, and the man vanished.

The following day, I took part in the mansion tour and learned about its history as a hospital and the presence of a graveyard on the grounds, right outside the window of my room. Everything suddenly made sense. Despite the initial scare, I found the experience intriguing rather than unsettling.

After enjoying an amazing breakfast, I would definitely consider staying at the Duff Green Mansion again, perhaps in a different room for a new perspective.

The Inn at Cedar Grove

2200 Oak St Vicksburg, Mississippi, 39180

My first stay at The Inn at Cedar Grove was on a business trip. Looking for a new place to stay in town, I chose this inn because of its historical significance. I sought a better experience than a standard room at the local Holiday Inn. The ghosts found me even though I wasn’t looking for them! I didn’t sleep a wink, feeling like someone was watching me all night from the dark closet near my bed. Do you ever get that weird feeling where something just isn’t right? That’s how I felt. I wasn’t even looking for it! I just felt creeped out, but nothing ghostly happened per se.

Years later, with new owners and a fresh renovation, I decided to stay again and give it another chance. This time, I had a conversation with the ghosts, asking them to leave me alone and let me sleep. Surprisingly, they obliged. I stayed in a room directly across from the one I had stayed in during my first visit years prior. This room is just steps away from where one of the Klein sons had died on the back staircase. A shooting accident in the 1800s injured him, and he was going after his mother. But this time, the ghosts left me alone, and I slept like a baby.

They say Mr. Klein haunts his smoking parlor, and you can sometimes smell the smoke from his pipe. Others say Mrs. Klein walks the halls on the main level. A little girl haunts an upstairs bedroom. Could she have been the one watching me on my first stay? Soldiers from the Civil War are wandering the mansion as well. Although I can’t say I saw or smelled anything, I felt something and wasn’t even looking for it. I was oblivious that I was staying in a haunted home on that first trip.

The Inn at Cedar Grove is beautiful, and the new owners take great pride in updating it and making it spectacular. The history of the Civil War adds to the allure, complete with damage from cannonballs in its walls and floors. They’ve added a restaurant and a deck on the roof with fantastic river views. Not to mention the veranda, which has terrific views.

Anchuca Historic Mansion and Inn

1010 First East St., Vicksburg, MS 39183

I’ve previously had lunch with clients at Anchuca. Lori gave me a tour of the house. We crept through the house, peeking in the different rooms. She told me, “This is where you should stay next time you’re in town.” Eventually, I did—multiple times.

Joseph Davis, the brother of Jefferson Davis and the President of the Confederacy during the Civil War, owned this 1830 home. Jefferson Davis once spoke from the balcony to a group of people out front. This home survived the Siege of Vicksburg and served as a hospital.

During my first visit, I didn’t feel brave enough to stay in the main house, so I chose to stay in the back wing, which was the servants’ quarters. However, on my second visit, I stayed in a room on the second floor next to the Davis’ room in the main house.

The house is haunted by the daughter of Richard Archer, Archie, a former owner of the home. There have been reports of people seeing her wearing a long flowing dress in different parts of the house. Although I never saw her, there were times when I felt a strange presence while walking through the home alone. It’s hard to say whether it was the ghosts or just my imagination, but that’s part of the allure!

The Jailers Inn Bed & Breakfast

111 West Stephen Foster, Bardstown, KY 40004

I stayed with my son at this old prison-turned-inn in Bardstown, Kentucky. It is the Jailers Inn Bed & Breakfast, and we chose to stay in the Jail Cell, which is exactly as it sounds—a real jail cell!! It was quite an experience!

The innkeepers didn’t start telling me their haunted stories until the next morning, which was probably a good thing because the place was already spooky enough. There were strange noises and a high creep factor, but it was definitely fun, especially with my teenage son. For the record, they do offer really nice rooms (we just chose to stay in the jail cell!) and they serve an amazing breakfast. After breakfast, we took a tour to learn more about the ghosts and the hangings that define this building. It was a lot of fun!

The ELMS Hotel & Spa

401 Regent Street,  Excelsior Springs Missouri 64024

A friend and I took a trip from St. Louis to Kansas City and then back, opting for a more northern route in order to stay at this historic hotel, The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. They even offer ghost tours now! They say that a gangster ghost haunts the area by the lap pool, where gangsters used to gather during the prohibition days. There was even a secret escape route from that room, which they did use when necessary. At least that is the tale.

I’ve heard rumors of people sighting a ghostly housekeeper! I roamed the hotel with my ghost app (true story, ha!) but found nothing really. There was definitely more activity by the lap pool, a very cool hotel feature worth the entire stay. I didn’t have any ghostly experiences, but I had a genuinely relaxing and comfortable stay. I spent time in the spa, walked the grounds, and hung out with my best friend, whom I don’t see often enough. It is truly a beautiful hotel.

The Lord Baltimore Hotel

20 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

I recently stayed at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Baltimore and on the Historic Hotels of America list. Despite rumors of its hauntings, I had a great stay. However, others have reported seeing a ghost of a young girl in a long dress on the 19th floor and in the ballroom. Personally, I didn’t encounter any ghosts, but I can attest to the hotel’s beauty, especially the stunning lobby. I highly recommend staying there.

Learn more about Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland: Must See, Eat, Stay, and More in Charm City.

The oxford Hotel

1600 17th St Denver CO 80202

Are you feeling adventurous? Book room 320 at The Oxford Hotel in Denver. As the oldest hotel in Denver, they don’t often speak of their ghosts. However, I was sure they must have some! I decided to ask about it while I hung out at the free bourbon tasting during my stay.

The story goes that a man was having a rendezvous with his lover in room 320. However, he confessed to her that he was unwilling to leave his wife. Distraught, she shot and killed him, then took her own life. It is said that she now haunts unfaithful men who stay in that room.

You can read another story here: The Oldest Hotel In Denver.

The Stanley Hotel

333 Wonderview Avenue Estes Park, CO 80517 

The Stanley Hotel is one that I have visited the most. Even when I’m not staying here, I often come to walk around the grounds, visit the pet cemetery, or simply enjoy a bourbon and lunch in the restaurant. The hotel’s most famous story is about room 217, where Stephen King stayed and woke up from a horrible nightmare that inspired him to write the novel “The Shining.”

While filming the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” Jim Carrey also stayed in room 217. He insisted on moving to another room in the middle of the night.

Elizabeth Wilson haunts room 217. She is a chambermaid who died in an explosion in that room in 1911.

The Stanley Hotel has other notable hauntings. One includes the Cowboy. His room is on the 4th floor, which is the most haunted floor of the hotel. My son and I stayed in the room next to his. I did not sleep a wink. My son insists my shoes moved during the night. (I wonder if he was trying to trick me.)

The hotel staff plays it up for you. Ask them a question, and they will elaborate with their own tales. And just so you know, the hauntings do not stop in room 217 or the 4th floor of the main house; they said it is the whole property, or the whole town, for that matter.

Read more about my Colorado adventures, Colorado Wanderer: The Armstrong Hotel.



I enjoy visiting haunted hotels but am more interested in the stories than the actual hauntings. It’s exciting, the mystery and history of ghosts and the buildings and homes that house them. However, I prefer to get a good night’s sleep and don’t like ghosts that keep me up all night.

What about you? Do you like to stay at haunted hotels? Do you have recommendations of haunted hotels you can stay? Let me know!

Check out these articles as well! Spooky Adventures and Haunted Places and The Oldest Hotel In Denver.

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