14 Haunted Places That Are Too Popular to Be Scary
The eerie tales, haunted histories and restless spirits are a common theme around the world. To some, it’s an irresistible thrill to visit some of these places, making a good number of these spooky sites into tourist attractions, from old mansions to abandonment prisons. However, because of their popularity and constant stream of visitors, even the easily alarmed can feel… well, not quite so spooked, at these once terrifying sites.
If you’re a fan of ghost stories but aren’t quite ready to go on the full spine chilling experience, these popular haunted places are just the right amount of history and haunt. They’re crowded with paths and souvenir shops and have something to say about everything, so they’re almost comforting — the sinister secrets they once held went out of style. Featuring some famously haunted spots, these aren’t even about sleepless nights anymore, but rather about sightseeing.
Salem Witch House
A place for a dark chapter in American history, The Witch House is located in the center of Salem, Massachusetts. The only structure that is directly tied back to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 is this house. Its creaky rooms are walked through by visitors in the hope of catching a whiff of paranormal activity. The Witch House may look foreboding, but these days it’s less intimidating, filled with history buffs and Halloween tourists, not the spirits of the accused.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Philadelphia’s known gothic maze and prison of notorious criminals including Al Capone, built in 1829. The prison’s crumbling walls and isolation cells makes it look absolutely terrifying. Today, with regular tours and Halloween events, it’s more like a spooky museum. Tourists with their smartphones are strutting through the crowds, waiting to snap any “ghostly” sights that is… if they can make their way through.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London was once a fortress and prison, with royal intrigue, betrayal and executions on its books. For centuries there have been tales of Anne Boleyn’s headless ghost wandering the grounds. But now, this historic London landmark is so full of visitors who come to see the Crown Jewels or learn the tower’s bloody past, that you won’t get any ghostly whispers.
The Stanley Hotel
Stephen King’s stay at the Stanley Hotel in the 1970s inspired ‘The Shining’, bringing to life the haunted history of the hotel. It is known to offers ghost tours and even a chance to stay overnight in “spirited” rooms. But with tourists hoping for a King-esque scare, it’s more fun than frightening. You may hear strange noises, especially creaks and a few eerie noises, but they’re much more likely to be their neighbors than long dead spirits dwelling in your home.
The Myrtles Plantation
This Louisiana plantation is often recognized as one of America’s most haunted homes. This house is woven with stories of slave spirits and ghostly children. But quite a steady stream of visitors snapping photos and chatting with tour guides often helps break any truly eerie vibe. The Myrtles Plantation has a chilling history, but it’s more a place to learn about the past than be petrified by it.
The Catacombs of Paris
Under the streets of Paris there are miles of ossuaries holding the remains of more than six million people. The sight of stacked bones is enough to give you shivers. But visits are regular and guided tours keep the spooky factor at bay. Today, it seems like a morbid museum, rather than a terrifying trip into the afterlife.
The Queen Mary
The retired ocean liner RMS Queen Mary is so haunted it has become a tourist attraction, docked in Long Beach, California. It’s haunted by the spirits of crew members who died on board according to many people. Its corridors are filled with ghost tours and themed events year round, and it’s more theatrical than terrifying. The thought of the Queen Mary might give you goosebumps, but the feeling definitely doesn’t last once you board.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has a history of battles, sieges, and even ghost sightings – which makes it high up any haunted travel list. This ancient fortress is rumoured to house spirits of prisoners and soldiers who over looked the city of Edinburgh. It’s tough to feel spooked, however, with tourists bustling through every corner. From the top, the view might take your breath away, but apparitions are probably drowned out by camera flashes and chatty guides.
Winchester Mystery House
The mansion in San Jose, California is the Winchester Mystery House full of staircases that go nowhere and doors that open to walls. The house is built by Sarah Winchester, who built the house to appease spirits she believed were haunting her. Visitors today come here not to marvel at the ghostly lore, but at the quirky design. It’s more of a puzzle than a poltergeist hotspot, thanks to the constant tours and the house’s odd architecture.
Alcatraz Island
Among the most notorious criminals in U.S. history, some were confined on a small island Prison, Alcatraz, in San Francisco. Inmates haunting the cells are common stories on the tours and the ferry rides full of curiously inclined travelers make it impossible to have any genuine frights. Instead, most people walk away with tales of escape attempts and prison life.
Lizzie Borden House
Lizzie Borden’s house in Fall River, Massachusetts, where she was accused of brutally murdering her parents, is perhaps one of the most well known haunted houses in America. It is now a bed and breakfast where guests can sleep in rooms that the Borden family used to sleep in. The staff’s hospitality gives it more of a creepy slumber party than a haunted house and I suppose in the context that it’s dark history is being overlooked by other inquisitive visitors.
The White House
There are ghost stories associated with the residence of the U.S. President. The White House has an eerie reputation, right from Abraham Lincoln’s ghost to other mysterious sightings. However, with constant security, staff and tourists (occasionally), any paranormal activity is probably more myth than menace. You might hear stories of ghostly footsteps, but they are easily lost in the noise of Washington, D.C.
The Poveglia Island
Poveglia Island, just off the coast of Venice, Italy, was a quarantine station during the plague and then an asylum. Locals swear it is so haunted, that they dare not set foot on it. But it has become a magnet to thrill seekers and ghost hunters. It’s technically off limits, but adventurous visitors still explore it, making it feel more like an urban legend playground than a soul stirring spook fest.
Fort George, Canada
The ghost tours around Halloween are well known in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, where Fort George is located. Tales of soldier spirits wandering the grounds are common and the fort was the site of bloody battles during the War of 1812. As the ghosts tour thrives and the crowds pile in, the fort doesn’t feel quite so haunted and instead a lot like a historical reenactment.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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