Off Duty Traveler

Discover fun, chilling getaways across the U.S. From lantern-lit city ghost walks to overnight haunted hotels, here are 3 must-visit historic spots.

Whether you plan your travels around brisk autumn road trips or you simply love exploring the eerie histories hiding beneath modern city streets, if you believe in ghosts or not, there is something undeniably fun about a good ghost tour.

I’m been drawn to historic places with deep roots and a bit of mystery. There’s a thrill to standing in a dimly lit hallway or stepping along a historic brick sidewalk at dusk, listening to local legends that have been passed down for over a century. There’s a reason I took that Jack the Ripper tour in London, oh yes.

Over the last few years, my travels have taken me from chilling penitentiary cell blocks to iconic mountain lodges made famous by classic horror novels.

If you’re looking for a getaway that blends history, architectural intrigue, and a healthy dose of goosebumps, here are three fun, haunted travel experiences across the U.S. that deserve a spot on your bucket list.

1. US Ghost Adventures: A Lantern-Lit Walk Through Columbus, Ohio

When October rolls around, there is no better way to kick off the spooky season than by exploring a historic downtown under the cover of night, and I had the opportunity to join US Ghost Adventures as an influencer recently for their guided walking tour through Columbus, Ohio.

US Ghost Adventures operates walking tours in historic cities across the nation, and their Columbus tour delivered the perfect blend of local folklore, verified municipal history, and eerie paranormal sightings. I will be going back for the Cincinnati tour, so stay tuned.

What to Expect on the Tour

Our expert guide met our group after dusk, lantern in hand, ready to lead us through Columbus’s historic corridors. What set this experience apart was the storytelling. Instead of cheesy jump scares or theatrical gimmicks, our guide focused on the real-life historical tragedies, unsolved mysteries, and documented sightings associated with historic landmarks, old theater districts, and former civic buildings.

As we walked from stop to stop, we listened to tales of lingering spirits from Ohio’s early frontier days and the tragic tales behind downtown firestorms and epidemics. The guides are deeply knowledgeable about local history, meaning you walk away with a real appreciation for the city’s past. I learned quite a bit about Columbus!

Tour Tips for US Ghost Adventures:

Wear comfortable walking shoes: Columbus’s downtown terrain is mostly flat, but you will cover about a mile of walking over 60 to 90 minutes.

Dress in layers: Midwest autumn evenings can turn brisk fast once the sun goes down, especially when standing still outside historic brick buildings.

Bring a small flashlight or smartphone: While the guide carries a lantern, a red-beam flashlight or smartphone light is handy for navigating curbs and steps without ruining your night vision.

2. The Stanley Hotel: Historic Luxury & The Shining Lore in Colorado

Few places on earth hold as legendary a reputation in pop-culture horror as The Stanley Hotel, tucked into the foothills of Estes Park, Colorado. Set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, this grand Georgian Revival hotel opened in 1909 and became immortalized when Stephen King spent a night in Room 217, a stay that inspired his iconic novel, The Shining.

Visiting The Stanley is a bucket-list experience whether you’re a hardcore horror movie fan or an admirer of early 20th-century luxury travel.

Interested in staying at The Stanley Hotel? Book your reservations on Expedia here.

The Atmosphere & Paranormal Reputation

Despite its chilling reputation, The Stanley is warm, welcoming, and beautifully preserved. When you walk through the lobby, you are greeted by polished hardwood floors, vintage music, and roaring fireplaces. But as you climb the grand staircases and walk down the upper hallways, the hotel’s storied past comes alive.

Guests and paranormal investigators frequently report hearing children laughing in the corridors, phantom piano music echoing from the empty ballroom, and lights flickering mysteriously on the fourth floor.

The hotel leans thoughtfully into its heritage, offering popular historic day tours and late-night spirited evening tours where guides share the building’s construction secrets, King’s famous one-night visit, and documented ghost phenomena from past guests and staff.

Planning an extended trip to the Rockies? Before booking your stay, check out my complete Stanley Hotel Review & Visitor Guide for ghost tour details and room tips. If you’re designing a broader scenic mountain road trip, be sure to also read my John Denver Colorado Travel Guide for iconic scenic drives, historic stops, and mountain lookouts.

3. The Ohio State Reformatory: Gothic Architecture & Restless Spirits

If you want an experience that is truly chilling on an architectural scale, head to Mansfield, Ohio, to explore The Ohio State Reformatory (also known as the Mansfield Reformatory).

Constructed in 1886 and designed to resemble a French castle to encourage spiritual rehabilitation, the prison eventually became overcrowded, housing thousands of inmates under harsh, grueling conditions before closing its steel doors in 1990. Hollywood fans know it as the primary filming location for Stephen King’s The Shawshank Redemption, but paranormal researchers know it as one of the most actively investigated sites in America.

Exploring the Cell Blocks

Stepping inside the reformatory is breathtaking in the most haunting way. The facility houses the world’s largest free-standing steel cell block, standing six tiers high. Looking up through the rusting metal catwalks in absolute silence is something you won’t soon forget.

The reformatory offers a variety of ways to visit:

Self-Guided & Guided Audio Tours: Explore the warden’s living quarters, the chapel, the solitary confinement cells (“the hole”), and filming locations from Shawshank.

Paranormal Ghost Hunts: For the truly brave, the reformatory hosts public and private overnight ghost hunts where you can bring your own recording equipment and wander the cell blocks after hours.

Halloween “Blood Prison”: During September and October, the reformatory transforms into one of the country’s most terrifying haunted attractions, featuring elaborate sets and live scare actors.

Want the full story? Check out my in-depth Ohio State Reformatory Tour Guide for photo highlights, parking details, and self-guided walk-through tips.

4 Practical Tips for Planning a Spooky Getaway

Before you book your next paranormal tour or historic haunted overnight, keep these practical tips in mind:

1. Book October Dates Well in Advance

Paranormal tours, historic prison nights, and rooms at properties like The Stanley sell out months ahead of time for September and October weekends. If you plan to travel during peak spooky season, aim to reserve your tickets and accommodations by mid-summer.

2. Respect the Historic Rules

Almost every reputable haunted site operates as a working historic museum or active hospitality property. Stick to designated paths, never disturb historic masonry or artifacts, and respect fellow tour guests who are there to hear the stories.

3. Keep an Open Mind (and Enjoy the History)

Even if you are a skeptic when it comes to ghost stories, and I am, these tours offer some of the most engaging, deep-dive history lessons you can find. The stories tell you about the immigrants, workers, and everyday people who built these towns, making the trip worthwhile regardless of whether you capture an orb on camera!

4. Pack a Portable Charger

Old buildings and night walks drain smartphone batteries quickly, especially if you are snapping low-light photos or recording voice memos. Keep a compact power bank in your daypack so you don’t run out of battery mid-tour.

Have You Explored Any Haunted Hotspots?

Whether it’s walking through a quiet lantern-lit square with a guide or staying overnight in a historic hotel with a mysterious reputation, haunted travel brings a whole new layer of adventure to your weekend getaways.

Have you taken a US Ghost Adventures tour or stayed at a haunted hotel? Connect with me over on Instagram at @offdutytraveler and let me know your favorite spooky travel spots!