Check out these local haunts to visit in Texas for BIG-size scares.
I read in an email in the Texas Highways magazine that Texas has over 500 ghost towns. WOW! Below is a glimpse of local haunts to visit in Texas that we have come across. Some are year-round haunted houses.
Texas has a rich history influenced by the diverse cultures and countries that shaped our great state’s spirit and the “spirits” many believe are still around. Whether stately hotels, sanitariums, or shot-gun shacks, many locales are known for those who stayed well beyond their welcome and lives.
Local Haunts To Visit In Texas
The most popular time to visit haunted houses and haunted places is on or around Halloween, but some haunted spots are open year-round daily. Why? Because they are haunted, and they don’t wait for Halloween to scare the living daylights out of you! Follow these haunted places and towns in Texas for a haunted road trip – you may even find a ghost town or two!
Texas Haunters Convention 2022 at Mesquite, TX Convention Center. Photo Credit: Kim Croisant
Haunted Houses And Local Haunts In Texas
While on a destination assignment in pet-friendly Mesquite, TX, I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites, where I stumbled on the 2022 Texas Haunters Convention (a Halloween & Costume Expo). To my amazement, it was a little creepy, but I liked it. Some of the photos in the article are from the expo.
Here are the Ghostly Local Haunts to Visit in Texas
Central Texas / Texas Hill Country
1. Magnolia Hotel – Sequin
Are you traveling to Seguin anytime soon? You could stay in the historic and haunted Magnolia Hotel. This unique spot has been voted one of Texas’s most haunted bed and breakfasts and has been featured in Ghost Adventures, Paranormal Files, and PBS Strange Town.
2. Hotel Driskill – Austin
To book a room at The Haunted Driskill Hotel, you’ll have to spend $723 and up a night!
3. Jacob’s Well – Wimberley
Jacob’s Well in the Texas Hill Country is known for exceptional diving and has claimed many victims over the years. Stories abound of those left behind in the underwater caverns. This story is from 2017. But there is a book out about Ghosthunting in San Antonio, Austin, and the Texas Hill Country
4. Faust Hotel – New Braunfels
I’ve read where people have said The Faust Hotel in New Braunfels is haunted and that they’ve heard sounds of children playing. But nothing about this is on the website.
5. Manor Night At The Park
On Friday, Oct. 28, hang out with the ghosts and goblins of Timmermann Park – Manor, TX, for food, fun, live music, and haunted trails.
6. Brown Country Museum of History’s Haunted Jail
October 29th and 31st
Come to Brownwood and Early, TX, for The Haunted Jail Scare!
7. Haunted Fredericksburg Ghost Walk & Jail Tour
Ghost walk jail tour combo – BYOB in a cup. See Haunted FBG.
North Texas
1. Dark Hour Haunted House – Plano
I think you’ll scream often – that’s what it said on the website. Check out Dark Hour Haunted House in Plano. It’s going on now!
2. Moeller Road – Electra
Locals and travelers avoid this dark and lonely drive for fear of a witch’s curse. Drive Moeller Road if you dare!
3. The Stockyards Hotel – Fort Worth
One of the oldest hotels in Fort Worth is located right on the main drag in the Stockyards. Built in 1907, The Stockyards Hotel is a sight to see. You can walk to the right off the street to view it. Ask someone to tell you why people say it’s haunted.
And, if you dare, ask to stay in one of the haunted hotel rooms.
4. Miss Molly’s Hotel – Fort Worth Stockyards
Is Miss Molly’s Hotel In Fort Worth Haunted? People say it is!
That’s what they say. The owners and staff say Miss Molly’s Hotel is considered one of the most haunted places in Fort Worth. Complete with the shadow of the girl in a wedding dress. Do you dare stay there?
5. Haunted Shadows Lake Trail – The Colony
On the shores of Lake Lewisville, the calm waters morph into creepiness as the sun goes down. The water spirits come to life hunting for fresh victims… or so the legend goes. Haunted Shadows Lake Trail opens in September.
6. The Old Alton Bridge, aka Goatman’s Bridge – Denton
7. The Haunted Hill House – Mineral Wells
Known as “The Most Haunted.” Stay overnight for big scares and high prices – $425-$550 a night. Check out The Haunted Hill House if you dare.
8. Hill House Manor – Gainesville
Check out Hill House Manor
Prices: $5 for a short tour, plus other options.
9. Apparition Expedition – Plano
Friday, October 27, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. Only one night of scare.
McCall Plaza, 998 E 15th Street.
Tickets: Catch it next year – Event is sold out.
West Texas
1. Shafter Lake – Andrews
A genuinely spooky legend centers on the victims of a traveling salesman’s poisonous “cures” to the ongoing smallpox epidemic.
2. Hell’s Gate – near Lubbock
A hot spot for psychics and ghost hunters, this cemetery seemingly hosts far more than the earthly remains of its inhabitants.
3. The Lights at Marfa
No self-respecting lover of the unknown doesn’t know of the mysterious lights hovering over Marfa. UFO? Otherworldly maneuvers? Imagination? All of these are referenced in many discussions.
East Texas
1. Caddo Lake
This old, dilapidated house (above) is located on Caddo Lake and is said to be haunted or was back in the day. I went on a day-long boat tour, and it felt so spooky. Just think what it would be like on a nighttime boat tour. Very scary, I would think. The tour I took is no longer in business. Be sure to Google “local tour guide on Caddo Lake.” Local Haunts To Visit In Texas.
2. Zipline With The Zombies – Diana, TX
October 1-31, 2023. Reservations required.
Plus, a scary maze and mystery barn. Thomas Falls Haunted Event.
Photo Credit: Texas Jailhouse
3. Texas Jailhouse Haunted House – Palestine, TX
Year-round “Locked In Fear” haunted house – $15 online. Guided tours are available.
4. Historic Jefferson Railway Ghost Tour
Southeast Texas
1. La Carafe Wine Bar – Downtown Houston
La Carafe is the oldest building in downtown Houston. Bartenders and guests think this bar is haunted. I’m not sure it’s still open, but the building still stands and has a story to it. Check it out at La Carafe.
2. Patterson Road – Downtown Houston
If you find yourself on Patterson Road in Houston, make sure you listen as there may be a ghostly figure trying to hitch a ride …but don’t pick anyone up!! The bridge on Patterson Road runs between Highway 6 and Eldridge.
Check out Houston Ghost Tours.
Hotel Galvez. Photo Credit: Visit Galveston
3. Hotel Galvez – Galveston
Hotel Galvez in Galveston is haunted and offers haunted ghost tours. That’s what I heard, anyway.
South Texas
1. USS Lexington – Corpus Christi
The USS Lexington Museum will host the “Haunting on the Blue Ghost” haunted house this Halloween season! Tickets are $30 per person and $40 for VIP skip-the-line, not on the website for 2023.
Friday/Saturday from 7-10:30 pm. Buy tickets in person.
2. Presidio La Bahia – Goliad
Home to the Goliad massacre in the Texas Revolution, it’s unsurprising that this is on our list. It’s been said it’s haunted – you be the judge.
3. Owl Creek Farm – San Antonio
Haunted Hike at the Owl Creek Farm every weekend in October 2022.
4. Devil’s Backbone Tavern – Fischer (San Antonio)
This spirited house seems to host a few extra spirits, though seemingly friendly ones. Maybe ghosts can still imbibe?
5. 13th Floor Haunted House – San Antonio
Slide into this haunted house.
6. Laborde House – Rio Grande City
Rio Grande City Paranormal – something in every room!
Check each site before heading out on your haunted Texas road trip to one of these local haunts in Texas. And don’t forget to bring a flashlight!
National Ghost Hunting
Always last Saturday in September
This is an annual international investigation of the paranormal. Check out National Ghost Hunting Day.
Don’t forget to Google “haunted places near me.”
PIN IT!
