It’s time to turn your traditional, dull vacation on its head with a ghost-infused trip to one of America’s haunted hot spots. Although America may lack the aged locations of the Old World, it nevertheless is permeated with the old, unusual, horrific, tragic and mysterious. Moreover, beyond the excitement and awe provided by your close encounters with the paranormal, these travel destinations offer history, culture, and often beauty, albeit of an odd sort. Not only can you travel to a new city or town in America, but you can also have the thrill of a lifetime. This may even be the beginning of a new ghost hunting hobby. If you do some simple online research, you can also discover enough discount flights so that you can become the well-traveled and experienced investigator you desire without breaking the bank. Your inquisitive fire is aching to be stoked!

Below are 13 of the most captivating and haunted sites in the U.S.:

13. Location Name: Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery
Located: Rubio Woods Forest Preserve, Midlothian, Illinois

Haunted History: Located in the Chicagoland area, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery has had hundreds of claims of paranormal activity ranging from ghost lights to unidentified voices, recordings of inaudible sounds, and visual sightings of strange lurking creatures. Adding to the cemetery’s overall eeriness is the overgrown, general disrepair of the property. In fact, although the cemetery was created in the 1860s for the burial of immigrants settling in the area, it has since developed a disturbingly realistic reputation as an ideal place for the dumping of murder victims, the practice of black magic rituals, and vandalism. Since the early 20th century, visitors to the cemetery have captured inexplicable photographs depicting apparent ghosts roaming the grounds. Additionally, there are numerous sightings of a ghostly old man and horse, a vanishing farmhouse, and balls of light traveling the length of the dirt road leading to the cemetery, among the many reliable stories. Keep vigil for the White Lady, who famously walks the graveyard with a child in her arms. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery is easily accessible to pedestrians, despite the decades-old closure of the entrance road and the fact that it is not a tourist site per se. Discount airlines offer cheap fares into nearby Midway Airport on a regular basis.

12. Location Name: St. Augustine Lighthouse
Located: St. Augustine, Florida

Haunted History: This haunted lighthouse was built in 1874 and has been the site of several tragic deaths, including the drowning of three girls playing in a rail car built to carry supplies to the lighthouse during its initial construction. Nowadays, you are still apt to see the girls who lost their lives that day in 1873, including one young girl clothed in the same dress and blue hair bow she wore the day she drowned. People have also seen two girls standing on the lighthouse catwalk. Be aware, one of these precocious little girls may even play a prank on you! You may also run into “The Man in Blue” in the Keeper’s House, the angry former landowner strong-armed into selling his land to the government, the man who tends to walk through the lighthouse, or another man collecting cisterns in the basement. Numerous accounts have been made regarding unexplained sounds and voices, footsteps, and moving shadows. St. Augustine is the oldest settlement in America and is well worth the trip. You are sure to find cheap flights into nearby Jacksonville.

11. Location Name: Winchester Mystery House
Located: San Jose, California

Haunted History: This strange mansion, with quite possibly the most bizarre architecture you will ever witness, was built by the heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, seemingly tormented by the spirits of those killed by her family’s violent invention. In fact, she believed the untimely deaths of her husband and child were consequences of this curse. A medium instructed her to build a home so grand that it could house all of those killed by the rifle so that she could earn and maintain peace. As a result, men worked literally around-the-clock for the next 38 years, creating a mansion with more than 700 rooms. If this is not an oddity worth seeing for that fact alone, the mansion has also been the site of numerous ghostly encounters ranging from strange music to voices, slamming sounds, and full-body apparitions. The secret tunnels, fake doors, staircases to nowhere, and even the séance room simply lend to the mystery of the place. The Winchester Mystery House is simple to reach due to its location in San Jose, and you can actually look for cheap flights into any of the three San Francisco Bay Area airports.

10. Location Name: Alcatraz
Located: San Francisco, California

Haunted History: Alcatraz prison is a place that needs no elaborate introduction. The most hardened and notorious criminals of the early 20th century were incarcerated here, with little hope of release and no hope of escape. Among its famous former guests were Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly. Escaping our common knowledge surrounding Alcatraz is the fact that this island was historically desolate as local Native American tribes believed the place to be home to evil spirits. Now a very busy tourist attraction, Alcatraz witnessed many violent deaths during its tenure as a prison. Today, a variety of paranormal claims including apparitions, inexplicable noises, and physical contacts are said to occur in the old warden’s house, Cell Block C, the hospital, the laundry room, and particularly the solitary confinement area of Cell Block D. And while San Francisco may not offer the cheapest flights or most inexpensive hotels, the multitude of things to do in and around San Francisco makes Alcatraz a place well worth visiting.

9. Location Name: The White House
Located: Washington, D.C.

Haunted History: The home of the Executive Branch of the United States Government, the White House is also the home of more than one V.I.P. spirit. In fact, several former presidents still make themselves comfortable in its luxuries. President Abraham Lincoln appears to be the most famous and frequent haunting. The Lincoln bedroom, in particular, seems to be Mr. Lincoln’s most frequent haunt (pun intended). In addition, President Harrison has been seen and heard messing about in the attic of the White House, Abigail Adams has reportedly been seen walking the hallways, Dolly Madison has been seen in the Rose Garden, and young Willie Lincoln has been seen and spoken to by the likes of President Ulysses S. Grant. President Andrew Jackson has also felt his presence necessary, appearing to guests in his former bedroom. Many important and famous Americans have also witnessed and/or felt these spirits, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, President Harry Truman, President Theodore Roosevelt, and Jacqueline Kennedy. Although it is clear that the paranormal enthusiast has no chance of conducting an in-depth investigation, keep on the lookout for the ghosts of the men previously amongst the most powerful and famous in the world while on tour. Perhaps the best time to entertain a trip to the White House would be during the off-season of a Washington, D.C. winter, when cheap flights should be attainable.

8. Location Name: The Whaley House
Located: San Diego, California

Haunted History: Nestled in the paradise of San Diego, California is a house often called, “The most haunted house in the U.S.” The Whaley House, built in 1857 and named after its owner, was partially constructed on a former cemetery. As is often the case, restoration of the building was the impetus to the hauntings perpetrated by Mr. Whaley, Mrs. Whaley, an old man, another unknown woman, the young Whaley daughter, their infant son, the old Whaley dog, and a little girl that once lived next door who died in a tragic accidental hanging involving a clothesline. Among the numerous accounts are the reports of doors and windows opening, cold spots, strange sounds, mysterious lights, the unexplainable smell of cigars, footsteps, moving objects, and full-body apparitions. In fact, many people have seen the Whaley daughter so vividly that she is often mistaken for a living child. San Diego is a very popular travel destination, but it is possible to find cheap hotels in the surrounding area. Many airlines also offer discounted airline fares to San Diego intermittently throughout the year.

7. Location Name: The Lemp Mansion
Located: St. Louis, Missouri

Haunted History: Built in the 1860s by the strange and wealthy Lemp family, this mansion has been declared one of the most haunted houses in America. Sadly, the Lemp family no longer exists due to its tragic preference towards suicide. Since the 1970s, a restaurant and bed and breakfast has operated on the premises. Unexplained occurrences have become frequent and almost expected, all-the-while scaring employees and the general public alike. Should you choose to patronize this restaurant and inn, be sure to keep in mind the hundreds of documented reports detailing the strange and unusual, including apparitions, doors opening and closing, doors locking and unlocking, candles mysteriously illuminating, and glasses crashing to the floor. Also be on the lookout for the ghosts of the deceased Lemp family members, including Charles Lemp and Lillian Lemp, known today as the “Lavender Lady.” Keep your eyes and ears open and wait! St. Louis is home to a variety of discount hotel chains, and its nearby airport, serviced by many cheap airline companies, guarantees that your trip to Lemp Mansion will be a fun and convenient experience.

6. Location Name: Eastern State Penitentiary
Located: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Haunted History: Eastern State Penitentiary is an imposing Gothic structure located in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. Built in 1829 and then inhumanely stuffed full of dangerous criminals, even the notorious Al Capone was incarcerated here on illegal weapons possession in 1929. In fact, Mr. Capone believed he experienced ghostly phenomena at the prison. Daily tours are now offered at this historic location, and employees and tourists have often heard audible noises, including crying, whispering, laughing, and footsteps. The decaying structure houses many shadow apparitions that materialize in its cells and hallways. There are many accounts of a spirit running down the corridors, another spirit standing stoically in the cellblock, and even one perching in the guard tower above the prison, like a guard still not relieved from his post. Make certain to linger in Eastern State’s Death Row, where paranormal activity is varied and frequent. Peer deep into the individual cells of Cellblock 4 and its former captive residents may return your stare. Eastern State Penitentiary’s overwhelming history of violence, misery, and death will most certainly be felt. It is no great challenge to reach this aging prison in the midst of the modern metropolis of Philadelphia, and minor online research can easily uncover cheap airfare.

5. Location Name: The Myrtles Plantation
Located: St. Francisville, Louisiana

Haunted History: General David Bradford built this gorgeous antebellum plantation home in 1796, and perhaps as many as ten murders occurred here throughout the years. Local legend has it that a barbaric former inhabitant by the name of Judge Woodruffe cut off one of the ears of a slave woman named Chloe in punishment for some alleged trespass. Chloe then poisoned Woodruffe’s children in retribution, which in turn led to her hasty hanging execution from a nearby tree. Despite the hint of fantasy surrounding portions of this story, on many occasions Chloe has been seen, and even photographed, standing near the building with a turban wrapped around her head. Woodruffe’s poisoned children have also been seen playing in the verandah, in the hallways, in the children’s dining room and even on a chandelier. Furthermore, a French woman is seen moving between the rooms, a girl with long curly hair is seen floating outside the game room, a woman is seen dancing in a black skirt, and another woman’s ghost is seen carrying a candle up the stairs. Also listen for piano music while no one is playing, doors slamming, footsteps, and ghosts asking if any chores need to be performed. The Myrtles Plantation is now a bed and breakfast. They will allow interested parties to ghost hunt on the premises, but you may need an escort. To reach the plantation, Baton Rouge is the nearest accessible city, but New Orleans should offer the cheapest flights. In and around St. Francisville are many cheap hotels and quaint, cheap bed and breakfasts.

4. Location Name: The Bell Witch Cave
Located: Adams, Tennessee

Haunted History: In the pastoral countryside of Tennessee, there thrives a frightening story of an undying curse. In the early 19th century, the prosperous Bell family began experiencing strange happenings in and around their home after patriarch John Bell shot a mysterious animal with, as the story goes, the body of a dog and the head of a rabbit. Another story states that a “witch” named Kate Batts, a deceased neighbor of the Bells, haunted them due to conflicts with the family during her life. Irrespective, knocking and other strange sounds were heard, people were kicked and scratched, hair was pulled, and whispers were heard. Even General Andrew Jackson, who went to witness the happenings, said, “I’d rather fight the entire British Army than to deal with the Bell Witch.” John Bell then fell victim to what was alleged to be a mysterious poisoning by the Bell Witch. The Bell Witch made many predictions to John Bell’s son, recorded by his hand, including a foreshadowing of the Civil War and the two World Wars. It is believed that the Bell Witch takes sanctuary in the cave located on the property, and many strange figures have been seen moving nearby. Bizarre sights and sounds, including inexplicable laughing, crying, and talking, occur frequently. Others hear the voices of children, and many have difficulty taking photographs in the area. The current owners offer tours of the cave and cabin, and they permit investigations. The Bell Witch Cave is not far from Nashville, and cheap flights can easily be had by any traveler.

3. Location Name: Gettysburg Battlefields
Located: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Haunted History: The bloodiest battle of the Civil War, as well as the turning point in the war for the Union Army, the battlefields of Gettysburg are as historic as they are haunted. More than 50,000 men perished during the three-day battle, and the extreme violence, tragedy, and agony have left the long-dead spirits of soldiers for both sides inexplicably trapped here. Wandering ghosts and residual hauntings are seen throughout the open fields, often still carrying out the marching orders of Generals Meade and Lee. The infamous battle locations of Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and Culp Farm, amongst others, are very active paranormal locations. There are also many claims of malfunctioning camera equipment, strange scents, sounds of footsteps, gunshots, and the rolling of drums. You may even be able to enjoy a reenactment on a day that none are scheduled! There are four major airports within two hours of Gettysburg, including the two located in the Washington, D.C. area, so reaching the Gettysburg battlefields with a discount flight should be no problem at all.

2. Location Name: Villisca Ax Murder House
Located: Villisca, Iowa

Haunted History: Rarely is there a home so equally tragic and horrifying. The haunting of the home in Villisca is clearly a result of the terrifying and mysterious ax murders of 8 people, including 6 children, on June 9, 1912. It is believed the murderer hid in the attic while awaiting their return from a church program that night. All were brutally killed in their beds as they slept. The home remained virtually untouched for years, until it was restored to its original condition in the 1990s and subsequently became a local museum. Since then, there have been frequent reports of moving orbs, the sounds of whispering and laughter, banging sounds, moving objects, falling items, and the sight of children playing. There is also said to be an evil presence in the home, believed to be the ghost of the unknown murderer of this innocent family. He has been seen on many occasions. Interestingly, this negative entity has been heard and felt most prominently in the attic. People are often scared out of their wits by this real-life haunted house, but you can see for yourself, as the Villisca Ax Murder House is open to overnight visitors. Villisca is just over an hour outside of Omaha, Nebraska.

1. Location Name: Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Located: Louisville, Kentucky

Haunted History: The Waverly Hills Sanatorium was completed in 1926 in order to deal with the extensive amount of tuberculosis cases prevalent in the area. Some death estimates for Waverly Hills alone range as high as 63,000. Medical knowledge regarding tuberculosis and its treatments were minimal, and these patients were often subjected to questionable experiments and treatments for the disease, some with as low as a 5% rate of survival. Once tuberculosis was virtually eradicated in the 1960s, Waverly Hills became a geriatrics sanitarium coincidentally known also for its widespread patient abuse. Since that time, Waverly Hills has decayed significantly, leaving it a gutted palace to the paranormal. In just a brief sampling of the paranormal activity at Waverly Hills, a little girl with no eyes and a boy are seen playing in the building, a hearse is seen driving up the empty road, an old woman is seen running out the front door screaming, children are heard chanting on the rooftop, a nurse is seen walking in Room 502, voices are heard in the tunnel, and shadow people are seen in the halls. Additionally, lights are seen in the building despite its lack of electricity, doors are slammed, voices both soft and loud are heard, and cold spots are felt. Those with a hunger for the paranormal can catch a cheap flight directly into Louisville without hassle.

Now it’s your opportunity to experience this anomalous and mysterious paranormal activity for yourself. Happy hunting!