19 Spine-Chilling Haunted Places to Tour in Texas This Year

Texas has a way of holding on to its past. You feel it walking quiet streets after sunset, standing in old hotel corridors, or listening to local guides lower their voices before sharing a story. After years of traveling through the Lone Star State, from small Hill Country towns to dense city centers, I have learned why haunted places to tour in Texas feel different.

The history is raw, recent, and often personal. Battles were fought here. Outlaws lived here. Families built lives, lost them, and never quite left.

On my first extended road trip across Texas, I joined a small Ghost Tour in San Antonio after a long day of exploring missions. What surprised me was not the stories, but how many locals stayed behind to talk.

These ghost stories are part of everyday life here. That is why haunted places to tour in Texas continue to draw travelers who want more than cheap thrills.

This guide focuses on real haunted destinations you can actually visit today. These are places I have explored myself, spoken about with hotel staff, historians, and local guides, and returned to more than once. You will find historic hotels, battle sites, ships, bridges, and neighborhoods where paranormal activity is discussed openly, not whispered away.

HOW THIS GUIDE IS ORGANIZED

You will find haunted places grouped by region so you can plan easily.

I focus on locations open to visitors, not locked ruins.

You will see haunted places in Texas to stay overnight if you want a deeper experience.

Urban legends and paranormal phenomena are separated from tourable sites.

I also explain when a guided ghost tour makes sense and when exploring solo works better.

MOST HAUNTED PLACES TO TOUR IN TEXAS

These locations consistently come up when locals talk about the most haunted place in Texas. I have visited each one personally, often more than once, and spoken directly with staff or guides who work there year-round.

1. The Alamo, San Antonio

Location and city: San Antonio, Alamo Plaza

Why it is haunted: The 1836 battle left hundreds dead within the mission walls. Locals believe the trauma never cleared.

Reported paranormal activity: Cold spots near the chapel, shadow figures at dusk, and childlike voices after closing hours.

Can you tour it?

Yes. Day tours are free. Night walking tours around the grounds provide the strongest atmosphere.

Best time to visit:

Late evening. I noticed activity stories increase during quieter hours after crowds leave.

Standing near the Alamo at night feels different than during the day. During one visit, a park ranger quietly pointed out a corner visitors often avoid. He had worked there for years and described footsteps heard when no one was present.

Whether you believe or not, the weight of history is impossible to ignore more unsettling than dramatic.

2. Driskill Hotel, Austin

Location and city: Austin, Sixth and Brazos Streets

Why it is haunted: Opened in 1886 by Colonel Jesse Driskill, the hotel has seen tragic deaths, financial ruin, and decades of emotional upheaval tied to early Austin elites.

Reported paranormal activity: Elevators stopping on their own, children laughing in empty hallways, doors unlocking overnight, and phantom footsteps near the grand staircase.

Can you tour it?

Yes. You can book a room, explore the lobby and bar freely, or join an Austin ghost tour that includes the hotel.

Best time to visit:

Weeknights. From experience, the building feels calmer and staff are more open to sharing stories.

During my second stay here, a longtime bartender quietly explained how glasses sometimes shift when no one is near the bar. He spoke casually, as if it were routine. That steady, matter-of-fact tone is what makes the Driskill one of the most convincing haunted places to tour in Texas.

3. Menger Hotel, San Antonio

Location and city: San Antonio, beside the Alamo

Why it is haunted: The hotel hosted soldiers, politicians, and Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders before the Spanish-American War. Many never returned home.

Reported paranormal activity: Victorian-era apparitions, cigar smoke with no source, figures near the bar late at night, and doors opening on their own.

Can you tour it?

Yes. Guests can walk the property freely. It is a frequent stop on San Antonio ghost tours.

Best time to visit:

Late evening, especially near the bar area once crowds thin.

I once spent an hour speaking with a server who had worked here for more than ten years. She described seeing a uniformed man near the stairwell on multiple occasions. No fear in her voice, only familiarity. That quiet acceptance adds to the unsettling calm of the Menger.

4. USS Lexington, Corpus Christi

Location and city: Corpus Christi Bay

Why it is haunted: As a World War II aircraft carrier, the ship saw fires, combat deaths, and long hospital stays in its medical wards.

Reported paranormal activity: Disembodied voices, shadow figures on lower decks, doors slamming, and hospital equipment activating on its own.

Can you tour it?

Yes. The ship operates as a museum with daytime tours and occasional overnight programs.

Best time to visit:

Late afternoon into early evening, when sections of the ship grow quiet.

Walking the lower decks alone feels heavy. During one visit, a volunteer mentioned that paranormal investigators consistently report activity near the medical ward. The USS Lexington stands out as one of the most investigated haunted locations in Texas.

5. Stockyards Hotel, Fort Worth

Location and city: Fort Worth Stockyards

Why it is haunted: The hotel sits in Hell’s Half Acre, once filled with gamblers, outlaws, and Wild West violence.

Reported paranormal activity: Cowboy apparitions, footsteps in empty hallways, furniture moving, and cold drafts in locked rooms.

Can you tour it: Yes. You can stay overnight and request one of the haunted rooms.

Best time to visit: Fall evenings. Cooler air and smaller crowds heighten the experience.

After staying here once, I understood why locals speak about it so casually. A staff member warned me not to be alarmed if doors creaked overnight. In the Stockyards, ghost stories feel less like entertainment and more like local history continuing after hours.

6. Miss Molly’s Hotel, Fort Worth

Location and city: Fort Worth Stockyards, near White Elephant Saloon

Why it is haunted: The building once operated as a bordello during the Wild West era. Violence, illness, and secrecy marked daily life here, leaving behind stories locals still share openly.

Reported paranormal activity: Guests report beds shaking, whispers late at night, doors opening without warning, and the feeling of someone sitting on the edge of the bed.

Can you tour it?

Yes. You must stay overnight. Each room has its own history and ghost stories.

Best time to visit:

Weeknights. Quieter stays lead to stronger overnight experiences.

During my stay, the front desk clerk casually asked if I wanted a “very active room or a calmer one.” That kind of question tells you everything. For travelers searching for haunted places in Texas to stay overnight, Miss Molly’s consistently ranks among the most intense experiences.

7. Magnolia Hotel, Seguin

Location and city: Downtown Seguin, Central Texas

Why it is haunted: Originally built as a jail and later converted into a hotel, the building carries the emotional weight of confinement and punishment.

Reported paranormal activity: Poltergeist behavior, unexplained noises, doors slamming, and objects moving across rooms.

Can you tour it?

Yes. The hotel welcomes overnight guests and paranormal investigators.

Best time to visit:

Spring and fall, when Central Texas weather stays calm and nights are quiet.

Speaking with the owner during my visit, I learned they stopped trying to explain certain incidents years ago. For travelers researching haunted places in Central Texas, this hotel often surprises people more than better-known locations.

HAUNTED PLACES IN TEXAS BY REGION

These locations help travelers searching for haunted places in Texas near me, especially when planning regional road trips.

8. Texas State Capitol Building, Austin

Location and city: Downtown Austin, near Congress Avenue

Why it is haunted: Deaths during construction and political tension across decades left behind unresolved stories.

Reported paranormal activity: Apparitions near the chambers, cold spots in stairwells, and sightings near Waller Creek.

Can you tour it?

Yes. Guided and self-guided tours are available during the day.

Best time to visit:

Late afternoon, just before closing.

On one visit, a guide quietly mentioned staff avoiding certain hallways alone. As haunted destinations go, this is subtle but unsettling, especially knowing how central the building is to Texas history.

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9. Littlefield House, Austin

Location and city: University of Texas campus

Why it is haunted: Built by George Littlefield, whose grief over losing family members never fully faded.

Reported paranormal activity: Shadow figures, unexplained sounds, and lights turning on overnight.

Can you tour it?

Limited access. Exterior viewing and special events only.

Best time to visit:

Early evening, when campus activity slows.

After multiple visits to Austin, I learned most guidebooks skip this spot. Locals do not. For travelers interested in haunted places in Central Texas with real emotional backstories, Littlefield House stands out quietly but powerfully.

10. Austin State Hospital, Austin

Location and city:
East Austin, near Airport Boulevard

Why it is haunted:
Opened in 1861, this psychiatric hospital treated patients during a time when mental health care involved isolation, restraints, and long-term confinement.

Reported paranormal activity:
Shadow figures in windows, unexplained voices, sudden cold air, and feelings of pressure or sadness reported by visitors near the original buildings.

Can you tour it:
No formal tours inside. Exterior viewing only, though it frequently appears on Austin ghost tour routes.

Best time to visit:
Dusk. Activity reports tend to increase as daylight fades.

While speaking with a local guide from Haunted ATX, I learned that many stories come from medical staff rather than tourists. That consistency is what places this among the most unsettling haunted places to tour in Texas, even without interior access.

11. Goatman’s Bridge, Denton County

Location and city:
Near Old Alton Road, North Texas

Why it is haunted:
The legend centers on a violent lynching of a goat farmer, creating one of Texas’ most enduring urban legends.

Reported paranormal activity:
Apparitions, growling sounds, scratches on vehicles, and electronic malfunctions during ghost hunting attempts.

Can you tour it:
Yes. It is open to the public, though unofficial night visits are common.

Best time to visit:
Late night, but only with caution and company.

After visiting multiple times, I learned locals rarely go alone. For travelers researching haunted places in North Texas, Goatman’s Bridge consistently ranks as one of the most intense locations, though safety should always come first.

12. Old Fort Worth Jail, Fort Worth

Location and city:
Downtown Fort Worth

Why it is haunted:
Executions, suicides, and overcrowding marked the jail’s early years.

Reported paranormal activity:
Footsteps, voices calling out names, cold spots, and shadow figures in former cell areas.

Can you tour it:
Limited access. Exterior visits and guided storytelling through Cowtown Ghosts tours.

Best time to visit:
Evening ghost tours offer the most context.

While exploring Fort Worth Stockyards, a local historian explained how many inmates never left peacefully. This location strengthens Fort Worth’s reputation among the most haunted places in Texas Dallas region.

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13. Marfa Lights, West Texas

Location and city:
Near U.S. Route 67, outside Marfa

Why it is haunted:
The lights remain unexplained, blending paranormal phenomenon with science and folklore.

Reported paranormal activity:
Floating lights changing color and direction, often appearing without warning.

Can you tour it:
Yes. A designated viewing area is open to the public.

Best time to visit:
Clear nights after sunset, especially in fall.

During a quiet night in West Texas, I watched the lights flicker across the horizon alongside locals who had grown up seeing them. Whether paranormal or not, the experience taps into the sci-fi fear that defines this part of Texas folklore.

14. Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center, El Paso

Location and city:
Downtown El Paso, near San Jacinto Plaza

Why it is haunted:
Opened in 1930, the theatre has seen decades of performances, accidents, and long nights that never truly ended.

Reported paranormal activity:
Ghostly actors spotted backstage, footsteps in empty corridors, lights switching on after hours, and faint music when the building is closed.

Can you tour it:
Yes. Guided tours and event visits allow access to interior spaces.

Best time to visit:
Early evening before performances begin.

While speaking with a stage technician during a tour, he mentioned they always greet the building before locking up. Not out of fear, but respect. The Plaza Theatre remains one of the most atmospheric haunted destinations in West Texas.

HAUNTED HOTELS AND PLACES TO STAY OVERNIGHT IN TEXAS

Spending the night changes everything. From experience, paranormal activity often increases once buildings quiet down.

For travelers specifically searching haunted places in Texas to stay overnight, these locations deliver consistently.

Why overnight stays feel different:
Silence amplifies sound. Empty hallways shift perception. Staff interactions become more honest once daytime crowds leave.

Safety and expectations:
Book directly. Ask about room history. Respect house rules. Do not provoke or trespass.

Notable haunted hotels recap:
• Driskill Hotel, Austin
• Menger Hotel, San Antonio
• Stockyards Hotel, Fort Worth
• Miss Molly’s Hotel, Fort Worth
• Magnolia Hotel, Seguin

15. Rice Hotel, Houston

Location and city:
Downtown Houston

Why it is haunted:
Once a luxury hotel hosting politicians and celebrities, later tied to tragic deaths and long-term abandonment.

Reported paranormal activity:
Disembodied voices, elevator malfunctions, and shadow figures in former ballrooms.

Can you tour it:
The original hotel now operates as Rice Lofts. Exterior visits and shared spaces are accessible.

Best time to visit:
Evening walks through downtown.

During a conversation with a longtime Houston resident, he described hearing ballroom music echo late at night years after the hotel closed. Stories like this help define haunted places in the Houston Galveston region.

FAMOUS TEXAS URBAN LEGENDS AND GHOST STORIES

These stories often surface when locals talk quietly, not during tours. They shape how haunted places to tour in Texas are understood culturally.

16. Donkey Lady, San Antonio

Location:
Near Old Applewhite Bridge and railroad tracks

Why the legend persists:
A tragic fire, isolation, and community storytelling merged into one of Texas’ darkest urban legends.

Reported encounters:
Heavy footsteps, screams, and shadowy figures near tracks.

Best advice:
Visit during daylight. Do not trespass or provoke.

Local guides stressed this legend carries emotional weight for nearby communities. Respect matters here.

17. La Llorona, Texas Rivers

Locations:
Frio River, San Antonio River, Buffalo Bayou

Why it is haunted:
A centuries-old legend tied to grief and loss, carried through generations.

Reported encounters:
Crying sounds, apparitions near water, sudden temperature drops.

Best time to visit:
Evenings near calm water, especially in summer.

I first heard this story from a family along the Frio River. It was not told as entertainment, but warning.

GHOST TOURS IN TEXAS YOU CAN BOOK

Guided tours often unlock stories travelers never find alone. I recommend tours when visiting cities for the first time.

Top guided experiences:
• Ghost City Tours, San Antonio
• Haunted ATX and Austin ghost tour
• Cowtown Ghosts, Fort Worth
• Texas Ghost Tours statewide

Guides often have access to private anecdotes and historical records unavailable online.

GHOST TOWNS AND ABANDONED HAUNTED LOCATIONS IN TEXAS

These places appeal to travelers who enjoy quiet roads, long drives, and stories that surface slowly. Many people searching haunted places in Texas near me end up here by accident, then stay longer than planned.

18. Terlingua Ghost Town, West Texas

Location and city:
Near Big Bend National Park

Why it is haunted:
Once a booming mercury mining town, Terlingua collapsed almost overnight, leaving behind empty buildings and unresolved stories.

Reported paranormal activity:
Voices carried by the wind, shadow movement inside ruins, and unexplained lights at night.

Can you tour it:
Yes. The town is open and partially inhabited, with shops and cafes.

Best time to visit:
Late afternoon into sunset.

After spending a night nearby, I understood why locals speak softly here. The isolation amplifies every sound. Among ghost towns, Terlingua feels less theatrical and more personal.

19. Old Applewhite Bridge, San Antonio

Location and city:
South of downtown San Antonio

Why it is haunted:
Linked to tragic deaths and long-standing urban legends, including Donkey Lady sightings.

Reported paranormal activity:
Apparitions, heavy footsteps, and strange echoes along the river.

Can you tour it:
Yes, but access is limited. Stick to public areas.

Best time to visit:
Daylight hours for safety.

This spot taught me an important lesson. Not every haunted destination is meant for night visits. Respect local warnings and posted signs.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY EXPLAINED THROUGH TEXAS HISTORY

Understanding why haunted places to tour in Texas feel intense requires context.

Residual hauntings:
Emotional events replay without awareness. Battlefields like the Alamo fit this pattern.

Intelligent hauntings:
Spirits appear responsive. Haunted hotels often fall into this category.

Why Texas experiences strong activity:
Rapid settlement, violent conflict, and sudden economic collapse created emotional imprints across the state.

Organizations like the Texas Folklore Society and programs on Texas Public Radio document these stories as cultural history, not superstition.

TIPS FOR VISITING HAUNTED PLACES IN TEXAS

Best seasons and timing:
Fall offers cooler nights and fewer crowds. Late evenings provide the strongest atmosphere.

Photography rules:
Always ask before photographing interiors. Some locations prohibit flash.

Respecting private property:
Never trespass. Many haunted houses remain active businesses or homes.

Staying safe during ghost hunting:
Travel in groups. Bring water. Let someone know your plans.

What not to do:
Do not provoke. Do not leave objects behind. Do not mock local beliefs.

Over years of travel, I learned that respect opens more doors than curiosity alone.

FINAL THOUGHTS

After years of exploring haunted destinations across the world, Texas remains unique. The stories here are not packaged or polished. They are shared quietly, often by people who live with them daily.

Haunted places to tour in Texas are less about spectacle and more about memory.

Whether you are staying overnight in a haunted hotel, joining a ghost tour, or standing alone near a quiet bridge, the experience stays with you. Travel here with respect, patience, and curiosity. Texas will do the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions