Most Haunted Places in Virginia Beach, VA

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Virginia Beach conjures images of sun-drenched shores, crashing waves, and vibrant nightlife. But beneath the bustling tourist scene lies a hidden history, one whispered in hushed tones and flickering candlelight. For centuries, these shores have witnessed not just joyous vacations and daring rescues but also tragedies and turmoil. These whispers of the past, they say, haven’t entirely faded.  

 

Follow along to delve into the realm of the otherworldly in Virginia Beach, exploring the haunted houses, restless spirits, and legendary locations that add a touch of the spooky to this seaside paradise. When you’re ready to see some of these locations in person, book a ghost tour with Neptune Ghosts!

The Cavalier Hotel

The Cavalier Hotel is a gem along the Virginia Beach coastline. With sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and an upscale atmosphere, the nearly 100-year-old hotel has hosted a long list of celebrities, politicians, and other boldface names, including Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra. 

Looking at the Cavalier Hotel now, you’d find it hard to believe that the grand beachside resort, which has received multiple awards for its stunning renovation, was ever empty. But, then again, it’s unlikely that the hotel was ever really empty, given how many hauntings and ghost stories surround the famed hotel. 

 

The Hauntings and Ghosts of The Cavalier

  • When the U.S. went to war in 1941, the Cavalier Hotel was commandeered by the Navy and turned into a radar training facility. The pool was drained, and military men lived in the on-site stables while the rooms were fully occupied. This could explain why some visitors see men in military uniforms hanging around at the hotel as if they’re killing time in between training. 
  • If you’ve ever enjoyed a Coors beer, you can thank Adolph Coors for that. The founder of Coors Brewing Company was undoubtedly influential, but unfortunately, he died under curious circumstances at the Cavalier Hotel in 1929. Whether he fell, jumped, or was pushed out of his sixth-floor hotel window remains a mystery, but either way, the hotel is now haunted by a lingering presence. Cold spots, shuffling sounds, and opening windows are just a few of the things that visitors have reported in Coors’ old room. 
  • Mystery calls are known to come in from the Cavalier’s rooms. When the calls come in, front desk attendants hear nothing on the other end. When investigated, the rooms are empty. Visitors also see a bellhop that hasn’t been employed at the hotel in decades.

Ferry Plantation House

The structure now known as the Ferry Plantation House has a long history that dates back to 1642. The building was originally constructed to serve the new ferry system that transported locals around local plantations and the Lynnhaven River. Over the next couple hundred years, the estate would add a few extra buildings, some of which would face misfortune and fall into disrepair. 

But, following an extensive renovation in 1996 and being placed on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Ferry Plantation House is now a fantastic place of living history in Virginia Beach. Take a tour of Ferry Plantation and walk through the estate that remains the final resting place for so many of the undead – if you’re brave. 

 

Why is the Ferry Plantation House Haunted?

 

Like many parts of Virginia, the land on which Ferry Plantation House sits once belonged to native tribes, who built communities around Lynnhaven River. During the renovations in the 1990s, crews located many arrowheads buried in the ground and signs that what they were working on top of was none other than a Native American burial ground. 

In 1828, the Walke “Manor” House burned down less than 80 years after it was first constructed. Sadly, the fire claimed the life of a slave named Henry, who lost his life while heroically saving others from the house fire. Henry lived on the third floor of the home and it is suggested that he spent his entire life on this plantation, having been born to slaves working in the house, and chose to stay even after the Emancipation Proclamation was declared. It’s believed that Henry still resides at the plantation, and he’s been spotted roaming the house, keeping busy with small tasks in the living areas. 

Henry isn’t the only one believed to reside in the Plantation. It’s said that 10 other unique spirits lurk on the grounds, including a boy named Eric, who allegedly died at the plantation home after falling out of a window, and a little girl named Bessie, who was the daughter of one-time plantation owners Charles and Isabella McIntosh and died when she was just 5 years old. It’s believed that she still remains on the plantation, looking for potential playmates anytime a new visitor comes through the home’s doors. 

Princess Anne Country Club

Upon first glance, you’d likely never guess that the Princess Anne Country Club is a haunted Virginia Beach locale. The athletic club and popular wedding venue has a refined look and feel that makes it an ideal home for locals who want to golf, swim, socialize, and more in a beautiful atmosphere just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. But if you linger there after dark, you’ll have an entirely different experience. That’s because the Princess Anne Country Club is home to more than one guest who presumably met their demise on the property or very close by. 

 

The ghost you’re most likely to meet is that of a young bride who is believed to have been married at the exclusive club sometime in the 1920s, shortly after the club was opened to the public in 1916. How do we know that? Because anytime someone sees her spirit, she’s accompanied by the swinging sounds of a 1920s jazz band. Workers tasked with remodeling the club report hearing clinking glasses and silverware, as if someone was preparing for a lavish meal – the only problem is, no one was anywhere to be found. 

 

In addition to the lonely bride, other visitors have reported seeing male figures who rudely shoo away anyone they suspect to be a non-member of the club. One ghost is often seen wearing a cape, suggesting that in his previous life, he was a high-ranking man with military or aristocratic ties. These days, though, he’s just another lost soul who’s spent the better part of a century wandering Princess Anne Country Club’s historic halls.

Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum

Shrouded in mystery as thick as the salty ocean air, the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum’s story begins in 1878. The first lifesaving station, Seatack Station #1, rose on the Virginia Beach coast after a string of unexplained drownings plagued the area. If you ask some locals, they’ll say that a more sinister force lurked beneath the waves, prompting the community to build the station.  

 

In 1903, the grand building that now houses the museum replaced the original structure.  This location served as a vital hub for the United States Lifesaving Service for decades, with brave crews saving countless lives from the Atlantic’s fury. Today, the museum stands as a tribute to these heroes and a reminder of water safety, but whispers of the otherworldly linger within its walls.

 

Hauntings at the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum

 

The Old Coast Guard Station has witnessed countless tragedies at sea. Some believe the restless spirits of those lost at sea linger within the museum walls. Visitors have reported feelings of unease, unexplained chills, and even disembodied voices when they come to the museum.  

 

The most common tale centers around the attic once used as a temporary morgue during periods of disaster. Eerie whispers and cries for help are said to emanate from this forgotten space, a chilling reminder of the lives lost to the Atlantic Ocean’s unforgiving waves.  

 

Another reported anomaly is the movement of objects on display, particularly items related to past rescues or lifesaving equipment. Whether these occurrences are a product of overactive imaginations or something more remains to be seen, but they add an undeniable layer of intrigue to the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum.

First Landing State Park

The Mayflower gets a lot of glory in American history, having brought the very first Pilgrims from England to America in 1620. But First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach welcomed ships to its shores even earlier than that. The Discovery, the Susan Constant, and the Godspeed all came to what is now a beautiful state park in 1607. 

 

Park visitors today can explore the recreated Cape Henry outpost and imagine the challenges and triumphs of those early colonists. But whispers of the past linger here. Some believe the restless spirits of those early colonists haunt the park, particularly in the areas where the colonists interacted with the native inhabitants. Visitors have reported strange lights, disembodied voices, and feelings of unease.

 

Why Does the Ghost of Blackbeard Haunt Virginia Beach?

 

Blackbeard, the infamous pirate captain, strikes fear in the hearts of many even today. Legend has it that Blackbeard spent time along the coast of Virginia Beach, and some believe his spirit still lingers. 

 

Theories abound for why Blackbeard haunts Virginia Beach. One theory is that Blackbeard stashed plundered treasures on the Virginia Beach coast, and his restless spirit guards his hidden booty. Another theory suggests Blackbeard met his demise near Virginia Beach and his unfinished business tethers him to the mortal realm. Sightings of a large, dark figure on the beach and unexplained lights over the water fuel the legend of Blackbeard’s haunting.

Adam Thoroughgood House

The Adam Thoroughgood House, built in 1680, is one of the oldest brick structures in Virginia.  This grand home has witnessed centuries of Virginia Beach’s history. The Thoroughgood family, prominent in the region’s development, resided here for generations.  

 

With such a long and rich history, it’s no surprise that the Adam Thoroughgood House has become a popular spot for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.  Reports of strange noises, disembodied voices, and even apparitions of the Thoroughgood family members themselves keep the legend of the house’s hauntings alive.

 

Ghosts and Hauntings of the Thoroughgood House 

 

The specific ghosts that haunt the Adam Thoroughgood House are a matter of local lore.  Some believe the spirit of Adam Thoroughgood himself walks the halls, keeping a watchful eye over his legacy.  

 

The most prominent story tied to the house revolves around the spirit of Alice Thoroughgood, Adam’s wife. Legend says Alice died young, heartbroken over the loss of a child. Visitors have reported sightings of a sorrowful woman in period clothing, often near the home’s nursery. Others have described feelings of sadness or coldness within the house, attributing it to Alice’s lingering presence. Some even say that they’ve seen the ghost of a young girl, possibly the long-lost daughter that Alice still mourns. 

Elbow Road

Elbow Road in Virginia Beach snakes its way for five miles, notorious for its sharp curves and lack of shoulders.  While its reputation for danger is well-deserved, a more unsettling lore surrounds the road – tales of restless spirits lingering in the shadows. The high accident rate has fueled speculation that the road is haunted by the victims of these tragedies.  However, two specific legends stand out, drawing visitors seeking a brush with the paranormal.

 

Ghost Stories from Elbow Road

 

The first whispers of a spectral figure on Elbow Road concern a woman known as Mrs. Woble.  Her name, interestingly enough, is an anagram for “Elbow.”  Legends say Mrs. Woble lived in a house along a particularly sharp bend in the road.  While the details remain murky, some believe she was brutally murdered, and her body was never found.  Drivers report sightings of a blood-spattered woman walking the roadside at night, forever searching for her lost life.

 

The second tale speaks of a nameless “Little Drowned Girl.”  The specifics of her drowning are lost to time, but the legend endures.  Some claim she perished in a nearby lake, though none are certain which one.  The story goes that if you dare to stop your car on Elbow Road at night, you might see a trail of wet footprints, a chilling reminder of the little girl’s watery demise.  However, due to safety concerns, it’s best to avoid stopping on this dark, winding road altogether.

Haunted Virginia Beach

Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or a curious vacationer, Virginia Beach offers a unique blend of sun, surf, and the supernatural. From the whispers of lost souls at the Surf and Rescue Museum to the spectral figures roaming Elbow Road, these local legends add a layer of intrigue to the city’s rich history.  

 

The next time you visit Virginia Beach, explore the haunted hot spots hidden in plain sight in this seaside paradise on a ghost tour with Neptune Ghosts. You never know – you might become part of the next chapter in Virginia Beach’s spooky folklore.

 

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