For all horror movie fans who say fear doesn’t fit into their vocabulary, this article is for you.

On your next trip, diverge from the traditional and boring tourist attractions and dare to visit these five spooky destinations, where your vacation will be even scarier than your favorite horror movie. Enough of the folk tales and paranormal movies that say, “based on real life”, it is your time to go in search of this unique adventure and personally discover the true stories behind the most haunted destinations. Alamo Rent A Car shares the most popular destinations for the adventurous and brave travelers who are looking for activities that are simply out of the ordinary. We can assure you that this is a trip you will never forget!

1.     Charleston, South Carolina

Discover the spooky places in Charleston, one of the oldest cities in the United States, full of stories and history from the past 300 years. It is said that this city is haunted by the restless spirits of its former residents. Charleston’s curses are related to the Civil War, massive epidemics, and slavery, among others.

The Old Charleston Jail and the “Dead House” are two of the scariest places to visit in Charleston. The two are known for having visits from lurking spirits. Maybe this experience isn’t scary enough for you, but that’s fine because, because we’re just starting the list.

2.     Savannah, Georgia

Source: The Marshall House

Savannah, Georgia, is known as the “most haunted city in the United States” filled with creepy historic locations, including battlefields, hidden burial sites, haunted mansions, legendary public squares, abandoned vaults, hotels and churches. You cannot miss the ghost excursions, where you can take a tour of the best haunted sites in the city’s historic district.                                         

The Marshall House, located only 12 miles from the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, is a popular attraction and hotel where you can stay to complete your whole haunted experience. The hotel was built in 1851 and used during the Civil War as a hospital for wounded soldiers that are rumored to still roam in the halls. Not everyone has the courage to sleep peacefully in a place like this!

3.     Alcatraz – San Francisco, California

Despite San Francisco’s colorful present, its past is full of dark secrets. There are numerous stories about mysterious disappearances and dreadful deaths. San Francisco, the famous city in California, is home to the most famous prison in the United States, better known as Alcatraz.

Alcatraz was built primarily as a military prison, which later became a federal prison. The stories of this place remain a secret, because nobody knows exactly what happened between those walls. Visitors have been the primary victims of paranormal activity. Some have reported hearing voices, footsteps, knocking noises or closing doors, and even feelings of “cold areas” throughout the building, especially in the dining area. At this point, I am hoping to have caught a bit of your attention!

4.     Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – Weston, West Virginia

Whether you visit on a sunny day or in plain winter, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum will give you all sorts of chills—literally. This site is located 140 miles south of the Pittsburgh International Airport, where your road-trip consists of miles of forested roads that appear to be abandoned. The eerie roads will give just the perfect touch to your unnerving adventure.

This was primarily built as a sanctuary for 250 patients affected by psychiatric illnesses, yet, the asylum exceeded its capacity and held 2,600 patients at its peak. Nobody knows the crazy things that happened during its operations, but the current appearances, inexplicable noises, and the strange shadows are evidence that the spirits of these patients are still solving their pending issues. This attraction offers you a themed history tour and guide to paranormal activities. If this still isn’t scary enough for you, you can choose to book a private ghost hunt, where the tour guide is dressed as a nurse and conducts a private investigation in the most terrifying areas of the asylum.

5.     Eastern State Penitentiary — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Picture: With some “luxury” objects, the mythical cell where Al Capone was imprisoned.

With 142-year history, collapsed walls, and winding corridors, the Eastern State Penitentiary, which in the past was home to notorious criminals such as the gangster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton, truly feels nerve-wracking. Just 10 miles northeast of the Philadelphia International Airport, this penitentiary is one of the destinations you can’t forget to visit.

The Eastern State Penitentiary was inaugurated by the western state in 1829 with the intention of rehabilitating criminals before their re-entry into society. History tells us that this place became a place of corruption and terror. Tour guides tell horror stories about murders, suicides, madness, torture, and illnesses that will make you feel like troubled souls still roam the halls of this haunted prison.

The best time to visit is during the fall, as the state takes advantage of its spooky reputation and hosts an interactive haunted house called Terror Behind the Walls. This attraction consists of the largest haunted house in the United States, also listed as “perfect for Halloween” by The New York Times, named # 1 in the nation by Forbes, and presented on the NBC TODAY Show. Visitors can experience this attraction from September to November.