Southern Haunted Summer Road Trip 2024

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Craving adventure this summer? Ditch the usual beach trip and embark on a road trip unlike any other. With long, warm days and a spirit of freedom in the air, summer beckons for exploration. But why stop at scenic landscapes? This year, take your adventure a step further with a haunted road trip through the South. This itinerary will lead you to spooky destinations guaranteed to linger in your memory long after you return home. 

Ready to face your fears and experience the thrill of the otherworldly? Keep reading to discover the perfect Southern haunted road trip for Summer 2024!

Jefferson, TX

Nestled in the heart of East Texas, Jefferson oozes with a charm that’s as undeniable as it is unsettling. Ornate Victorian houses line its streets, their grand facades whispering tales of a bygone era. But beneath the beauty lurks a darker side. After all, they don’t call Jefferson the “Most Haunted Town in Texas” for nothing.

The Grove, a majestic Victorian mansion, is Jefferson’s ghostly epicenter. Unexplained occurrences plague the mansion, with guests reporting feelings of being watched, disembodied voices, and objects inexplicably changing location. There’s also a particularly active ghost of a young girl. She frequently stuns visitors with her loud and raucous laughter, which echoes through the halls at odd hours. 

If you cross town to visit the historic Excelsior House Hotel, you’ll find a different kind of spectral resident. Just be warned: this one is missing his head. Legend has it that a headless, shadowy apparition haunts the second floor. No one knows who, exactly, this restless spirit is, but there are many theories. One popular theory is that he’s a long-deceased Civil War soldier who must have met a particularly gruesome demise. It’s also possible he’s a Jefferson resident who simply chose the grand Excelsior House as his final resting place. 

The mystery only adds to the chilling atmosphere of the Excelsior House, making it a popular destination for ghost hunters and ghostly enthusiasts. Rumor has it that even Steven Spielberg spent a night here but had to leave in the middle of the night for some unknown reason. If you’re looking for a chilling encounter to kick off your Southern road trip, Jefferson, Texas, is a great place to start. 

Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks are barrier islands surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in coastal North Carolina. It’s a popular place to party and relax, attracting millions of tourists each year while remaining a short two-hour drive from Virginia Beach and all of its attractions. 

The area is a hotbed of unexplained activity. There have been more than 5,000 shipwrecks in this region since people began to take records in 1526 due to the current pattern around the Outer Banks. The northern and southern currents meet here, shifting sand bars just underneath the surface of the water, which can pose significant problems for ships. 

Outer Banks is also home to the so-called “Lost Colony,” an early settlement (circa 1587) that has mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Plus, the islands are home to several haunted lighthouses. Visit the Bodie Island Lighthouse, and you’ll hear a strange knocking sound every day at 4:00 p.m. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is home to a ghost cat that will rub against your legs but disappear if you try to touch him. And, of course, there’s no shortage of stories about old fishermen and coastal residents who have lost their lives in the tide and have never been able to move on. 

Given that information, it’s no wonder why Outer Banks is haunted. Couple the area’s long history with the coastal people’s penchant for raucous behavior, and this stretch of beach is perfect for spectral fans who want to catch a glimpse of a spirit or two.

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Many hotels have creepy histories, but many consider the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to be the most haunted hotel in the entire United States. The old hotel, an architectural marvel, is still open to visitors today and provides a welcoming home away from home for Eureka Springs tourists. 

It was built in 1886 and immediately functioned as a grand hotel. Then, in 1908, it became a women’s college and boarding house. In 1937, it changed hands again when a man named Norman Baker turned the hotel into the Baker Cancer Hospital. 

Norman had unique ideas when it came to studying his patients. He would have his staff open up the deceased person, remove the cancerous organ, and then preserve the body parts in formaldehyde and display them on the wall in the morgue (which is located in the hotel’s basement). In recent years, staff of the old hotel have located the old jars in the backyard, suggesting that someone in recent decades disposed of the body parts in the area immediately surrounding the hotel. 

To top it off, Baker was a fraud who not only lied to his countless patients about his medical training (he had none) but also stole millions of dollars from them over the years. Those who once owned those body parts are probably mad about that and still haunt the grounds. 

Michael is a famous ghost. He is one of the hotel’s original masons who built the grand spectacle and tragically died on the grounds when he fell off of the roof. Now, he likes to hang out in room 218, scaring unsuspecting visitors. The basement is another area ripe with paranormal activity. Formerly the hospital’s morgue, it once housed bodies before they were sent to the mortuary.  Many visitors have felt a dark presence emanating from the basement. 

Today, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa has been restored to its former glory and is back in business as a full-service hotel and spa. So you can not only visit the hotel and walk the halls that once held so much tragedy and intrigue – but you can stay there, too, if you’re brave. 

The Myrtles in St. Francisville, LA

A short drive from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is a quiet town along the winding Mississippi River that will immediately transport you to the antebellum era. With a storied history filled with grandeur and tragedy, many believe St. Francisville is a hotbed of ghostly activity.  

The Myrtles Plantation, a sprawling antebellum mansion, is St. Francisville’s crown jewel. Built in 1796, the old plantation once produced cotton, indigo, and other crops. Now, it functions as a bed and breakfast. The hotel offers travelers a relaxing place to unwind among stunning Spanish moss trees—but it’s also well-known for its spectral presence. 

Many tragic stories cling to its walls. One story maintains that a slave woman named Chloe was hanged on the grounds after she poisoned her owner’s children. Legend has it that many other murders occurred here, though only one has been confirmed: a one-time owner of the estate was shot on the front porch at some point in history. Not to mention, the plantation faced a yellow fever outbreak, killing many in the process. 

Visitors report encounters with various spirits, including a spectral young woman, the mournful cries of children, and even the unsettling sensation of being watched.  These experiences, along with the plantation’s history of slavery, have solidified its place as one of America’s most haunted locations.

But the hauntings extend beyond the confines of the Myrtles. The very land upon which St. Francisville rests may hold the key to its otherworldly activity. The town was built on a former Native American burial ground, and some believe the displaced spirits still linger. Additionally, the Civil War cast a long shadow over the region.

The Battle of Port Hudson, one of the war’s longest sieges, raged nearby, leaving countless soldiers dead on the battlefield. Whether rooted in historical tragedy or the disturbance of the sacred ground, St. Francisville’s hauntings weave a chilling narrative that both unnerves and enthralls visitors seeking a glimpse into the veil between the worlds.

Muriel’s In New Orleans

With delicious creole cuisine and a grand location, dining at Muriel’s feels like stepping back in time to the heyday of old New Orleans. The historic building that houses Muriel’s is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, a former owner from the late 18th century. Some believe Jourdan, who purchased the property after a devastating fire, never truly left his beloved home.  

Patrons and staff alike have witnessed strange occurrences, like objects mysteriously moving or a sparkling light flitting through the lounge area, nicknamed the “Seance Lounges” for this very reason. The restaurant even keeps a table set for Jourdan each night, a gesture of respect for the resident ghost. Whether Jourdan is a playful or restless spirit remains a mystery, but his presence adds a touch of the otherworldly to the already vibrant atmosphere of Muriel’s. 

Adding to the intrigue, some accounts mention another spirit residing in the Courtyard Bar. This mischievous entity is said to be responsible for the occasional flying glassware, with glasses inexplicably shattering against the brick walls. These playful (though potentially hazardous) occurrences, along with Jourdan’s more subtle presence, solidify Muriel’s reputation as one of the most haunted restaurants in New Orleans, offering a unique blend of fine dining and a potential brush with the other side.

Bobby Mackey’s in Wilder, Kentucky

Bobby Mackey’s Music World in Wilder, Kentucky, is shrouded in local legend and ghostly intrigue. The building’s history is enough to set the scene for spooky stories. Built in the 1850s, it functioned as a slaughterhouse and eventually attracted Satanic cults that wanted to convene nearby. 

If that wasn’t enough to impart the bar with a spooky mystique, what happened in 1896 would certainly help Bobby Mackey’s achieve that reputation. Pearl Bryan, a young Wilder woman, was murdered less than 2 miles from the old slaughterhouse. The 22-year-old was pregnant, and her body was found without its head.

It’s believed that Bryan’s boyfriend at the time, Scott Jackson, and his classmate, Alonzo Walling, killed the young woman after a botched DIY abortion. They admitted to drugging Bryan with cocaine and severing her head in an attempt to cover up her identity. Local lore states that her ghost now haunts the bar, with some patrons reporting feelings of sadness or unexplained cold spots. 

As time passed, the former slaughterhouse became a revolving door to mobsters, late-night entertainers, and more. A long list of troubling things happened at Bobby Mackey’s between the 1920s and the 1980s, including fatal shootings and hitmen orders. There’s even a hidden room in the basement that many believe is a portal to hell. Want to find out for yourself? Visit the live music bar and see what kind of otherworldly activity you can summon. 

Disney World in Orlando

It’s the happiest place on Earth—and it’s got plenty of haunts, too. One theory centers around the history of the land itself. The Florida swampland where Disney World is located was once home to the Seminole people. Some believe their displaced spirits may linger, causing unexplained occurrences. Guests have reported strange noises and feelings of being watched, particularly in more secluded park areas.

The rides themselves also hold a spooky allure. The classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction allegedly has a ghost named George who haunts the ride. Disney employees claim they need to greet him each night to ensure smooth operation. The ride’s history adds another layer –  there was a rumored fatal accident during construction that may have led to George’s restless presence. There’s also a “Man with a Cane” at the Haunted Mansion and spooky occurrences on Tom Sawyer Island, Tower of Terror, and Spaceship Earth. 

Disney World may be about creating magical memories, but these tales of hauntings add a touch of eeriness for those who’d like to pair the paranormal with their Mickey Mouse ears.

Bragg Road in Saratoga, TX

Bragg Road in Saratoga, Texas, winds through the dense heart of the Big Thicket, a place steeped in mystery and local legend. The road itself has a haunting past. Originally built as a railroad spur in the early 1900s, it was abandoned decades later, and now it’s the backdrop of a local legend known as the “Saratoga Light” or “Ghost Light.”  Witnesses report seeing an inexplicable light flickering in the distance at night. The light is said to bob, weave, and change colors before vanishing without a trace.  

There are two main theories behind the hauntings associated with Bragg Road. The first one involves a railroad worker who met a gruesome fate on the tracks, losing his head in an accident. His restless spirit, forever searching for its lost head, is said to be the source of the ghostly light. The second theory states that the light is nothing more than an optical illusion. The swampy terrain and dense foliage create the perfect conditions for natural phenomena like will-o’-the-wisps or bioluminescence to be mistaken for a spectral entity. 

Despite the varying explanations, Bragg Road maintains its haunted reputation. Its isolation, chilling legend, and unexplained lights make it a popular destination for otherworldly enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike. Whether you believe in the restless spirit of a railroad worker or the power of swamp gas, Bragg Road offers a spooky adventure for those brave enough to travel along it.

HWY 359 in Louisiana

While Louisiana’s Highway 359 boasts scenic crawfish ponds and birdwatching opportunities, whispers of the spirits linger beneath its idyllic facade. The highway itself might not be the epicenter of hauntings, but it leads to a town known for its ghostly activity – Washington, nicknamed “The Most Haunted Town in St. Landry Parish.” 

Washington’s history stretches back centuries, marked by steamboat commerce and the Civil War. This long and sometimes turbulent past is believed to have left an imprint on the town.  Legends abound of restless spirits inhabiting the grand old homes lining the streets. These structures, some dating back to the 1800s, have witnessed their share of lives lived and lost. 

Unexplained noises and a fleeting apparition of the “White Lady” are common around these parts. The so-called White Lady will appear in the middle of the street, spooking motorists, who will often swerve to avoid hitting what they believe to be a woman in the road. Instead, they’ll pass right through her, amazed. Drive Highway 359 yourself, and you’ll experience the spooky atmosphere firsthand.

Take a Haunted Southern Road Trip This Summer

Ditch the ordinary and embrace the eerie! This summer, trade your usual vacation for a haunted road trip through the South. Whether you’re a lone adventurer or rolling with your crew, these destinations promise chills, thrills, and memories that linger long after you return home.  Just a heads up:  This trip might leave a more lasting impression than expected… you never know who (or what) might hitch a ride back with you.

Looking for more haunted locations in the South to add to your ghostly road trip? Keep reading our blog to get the lowdown on America’s most haunted, and check out our location page to find a ghost tour in the South near you!

 

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