If you’re looking for a spooky adventure, Arizona has plenty of haunted locations to offer. Here are some must-see places to visit:
- The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone: This historic theater is said to be haunted by the ghosts of former patrons and performers. Take a ghost tour to learn more about its eerie past.
- The Jerome Grand Hotel: This hotel was once a hospital and is now rumored to be haunted by former patients. Book a room if you dare.
- The Ghost Town of Jerome: This abandoned mining town is said to be home to many ghosts. Take a stroll through the streets and see if you can spot any lingering spirits.
Don’t forget to bring your camera and ghost-hunting equipment for a chance to capture some paranormal activity.
Haunted Places in Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona is home to some of the most haunted places in the state.
From Flagstaff to Jerome to Prescott, these towns have their fair share of ghostly sightings and paranormal activities that continue to intrigue and spook visitors and residents alike.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff, a historic town near Route 66 and the Grand Canyon, has a reputation for being haunted due to its violent past.
Take a spooky, self-guided haunted tour down alleys and past old buildings in historic downtown Flagstaff.
You might catch a glimpse of the shadowy spirit said to haunt the balcony of the Orpheum Theater.
Or spend the night at Hotel Monte Vista, which boasts a number of strange happenings courtesy of its resident ghosts.
One such ghost likes to knock, announcing room service only to disappear when the guest opens the door.
Monte Vista’s cocktail lounge is a popular Halloween haunt with locals.
Have a few cocktails and you, too, might see the vaporous couple who dance eternally in the lounge or the bank robber who tried to hide among the crowd in a botched getaway but never got away.
Be brave and try a special evening tour of the beautiful Riordan Mansion, a sprawling 1904 arts and crafts estate in Flagstaff that’s now an Arizona State Park.
The popular tours, held annually in late October, include ghost stories aplenty.
Jerome
Jerome, a former mining town known for its award-winning wine, is one of Arizona’s most famous ghost towns.
During the annual October Jerome Ghost Walk, for one weekend only, you can wander the narrow passageways and steep streets to find costumed performers reenacting the shootings, mysteries, and love triangles that marked this town’s history.
Can’t make it?
Book a night at the Jerome Grand Hotel.
Originally opened as the town’s hospital in 1927, the 25-room hotel has had reports of strange occurrences and occasional sightings, including those of a bearded miner and a specter since dubbed “Claude” who met his demise in the elevator shaft.
Want dinner and drinks with more of the Jerome ghost town flavor?
Enjoy a meal at the Haunted Hamburger, followed by a nightcap and live music at the Spirit Room, a favorite watering hole where all the spirits are friendly.
Prescott
Prescott, Arizona’s former Territorial Capital, is a town with a ghoulish past.
The Palace saloon, often said to be Arizona’s oldest bar, is one such Whiskey Row establishment and Prescott’s most haunted spot.
Multiple ghosts have been spotted here, including one Frank Nevin who lost his business in a poker game and still haunts the bar, maybe hoping for a chance at a better hand.
The Palace’s basement briefly even served as a temporary jail, and those who have visited have reported feeling a “heavy presence” making it difficult to breathe.
During A Haunting Experience, a weekend walking tour of historic downtown Prescott, you’re likely to visit The Palace while you explore the town’s spiritual side.
The Trost & Trost-designed Hassayampa Inn is another. Here, it’s said a young bride—abandoned by her husband on their honeymoon in 1928—hanged herself from her balcony room.
Perhaps she remains, waiting for his return.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, Northern Arizona’s haunted places offer a unique and spine-tingling experience for those brave enough to explore them.
Haunted Places in Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona is home to some of the most haunted places in the United States.
If you’re a fan of the paranormal, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to explore these spooky destinations.
Bisbee
Bisbee, a former copper mining center, is known for its eccentric and artsy vibe.
But it’s also known for its haunted history. One of the best ways to explore
Bisbee’s haunted past is by taking a tour of the Queen Mine, where former miners will guide you through the abandoned equipment and explain how turn-of-the-century mines operated.
For an even spookier experience, take a walking tour of haunted spots with Old Bisbee Ghost Tour, where you’re guaranteed to encounter some spirits.
If you’re feeling brave, spend the night at the Copper Queen Hotel, where guests and ghost hunters often prowl the upper floors in search of the hotel’s resident spirits.
Douglas
If you’re looking for more haunted hotels, head to The Gadsden Hotel in Douglas.
This historic hotel, built in 1907, is home to a few live-in ghosts, including the members of a love triangle.
But don’t let that scare you away from enjoying a drink at the hotel’s tavern.
Tucson
Downtown Tucson is home to the Hotel Congress, which was built in 1919 and is best known for the capture of the notorious Dillinger gang.
Although John Dillinger isn’t one of the hotel’s resident ghosts, there have been sightings of a woman who smells of roses and a gentleman who peers out the windows of the second floor.
While you’re at Hotel Congress, be sure to check out the live music at Club Congress, grab a drink at The Tap Room, or enjoy a meal at Cup Café.
What To Do To Take A Break From The Spooks?
If you need a break from all the ghostly activity, there are plenty of daytime delights to enjoy in Southern Arizona.
Take a trip to Saguaro National Park to see the iconic cactus forests, or explore the charming stores and boutiques on Main Street in Old Bisbee.