Are you ready to see a side of Texas that most travelers aren’t brave enough to explore? Spooky doesn’t even begin to cover the paranormal activity reported across the state, from old hotels to haunted historical sites.
In the centuries-old buildings and grounds that you’ll explore on this terrifying 3-day road trip, you’ll visit spots where locals have heard mysterious footsteps, unexplained creaks, and disembodied voices. Others have even seen shadowy figures lurking in the darkness. And if you keep your eyes open and push past your instinct to run, you just might stumble across something otherworldly on this eerie Texas tour.
Day 1: San Antonio
One of the oldest cities in Texas, San Antonio dates back 300 years and is packed with historical sites. Like so many cities with centuries-old establishments, there are rumors of ghost sightings and paranormal activity throughout the city that Texas calls “the cradle of liberty.”
Remember the Alamo? That famous battle of 1836 left hundreds of fallen soldiers, which many people believe still haunt the grounds today. Visitors and staff report seeing ghostly apparitions, hearing strange noises, and finding icy-cold spots throughout the property.
Visit the Alamo to explore a fundamental part of Texas history, with guided tours and hands-on demonstrations of 19th-century life. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled for phantoms!
Down the street from the Alamo (a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk) is the San Fernando Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the United States. A prominent example of Gothic Revival architecture, it’s no surprise that many have spotted otherworldly figures lurking in its shadowy corners. It’s still an active church, so visit the website to see mass schedules if you plan to step inside.
Where to Eat
Start your day with pastries or breakfast tacos from La Panadería, and enjoy a traditional Tex-Mex lunch and colorful vibes at Mi Tierra Café. End the day at The Esquire Tavern, a historic (and supposedly haunted) restaurant and bar for tasty burgers, savory brisket, and a chance of paranormal activity.
Where to Stay
You can stay at the Menger Hotel, or you can just drop in for a quick visit if you’re nervous about spending the night on haunted grounds. It’s conveniently located at the heart of the Alamo Plaza, and it just might be the most haunted spot in San Antonio. Ghosts are rumored to wander the halls, including fallen soldiers, deceased chambermaids, and even the late President Teddy Roosevelt.
You can always stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk if you’re not excited about running into former presidents from previous centuries. That said, the Menger Hotel is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi, so at least step inside and look around while you’re in town.
Day 2: Austin
The nudists at Hippie Hollow Park aren’t the only folks who “keep Austin weird,” as the locals like to say. The undead do their part as well, and Austin has its fair share of haunted hotels and cemeteries. Some people even believe the Capitol Building itself may be haunted!
The Driskill Hotel is a Texas landmark located at the heart of downtown Austin. This iconic luxury hotel dates back to 1824, and guests have reported mysterious figures, cold spots, and the unexplained laughter of children that nobody can see. Given its rich history and stately architecture, it’s worth a visit for ghost-hunters and skeptics alike.
History buffs will also enjoy the walking tours through Oakwood Cemetery, with its graves dating back to the 1800s. Naturally, an old cemetery should have a few ghost stories connected to it, and Oakwood does not disappoint—with tales of fallen soldiers lingering around the headstones.
Last but not least, the stately Capitol Building is rumored to be haunted as well, with visitors hearing disembodied voices, phantom footsteps, and those ever-present cold spots that no one can explain.
Where to Eat
Enjoy breakfast at Jo’s Coffee, an Austin institution that’s been around for 25 years and serves a variety of breakfast tacos and specialty coffee drinks (with 7 locations around the city). Franklin BBQ is one of the most famous spots for Texas BBQ, where you can fill up on ribs, brisket, and more.
You can get back to ghost-hunting over dinner at the historic Moonshine Grill, which serves comfort food with a possible side of paranormal activity.
Where to Stay
As we mentioned above, the Driskill Hotel offers luxury accommodations, a rich history, and the chance of spotting a phantom lurking in the halls. If you’re looking for someplace a little less spooky to rest your head, check out the Hyatt Centric Downtown Austin.
Day 3: Jefferson
Perhaps you’ve never heard of Jefferson, TX, but this small town is quite possibly the most haunted place in Texas. With its pre-Civil War architecture and rich history, it’s a favorite among ghost hunters.
If Jefferson is the Lone Star State’s most haunted town, then the Grove is the state’s most haunted house. You can tour the 163-year-old house, where you may catch a glimpse of spectral figures, feel random chills and goosebumps, and hear footsteps in the distance along with creaking noises.
The historic Excelsior House Hotel has hosted many famous guests over the decades, from Ulysses S. Grant to Steven Spielberg. And it just may be that some of those guests never checked out.
The hotel offers tours to guests and visitors alike, who claim they’ve caught glimpses of a mysterious woman dressed in black. Others have heard the angry cries of a long-deceased guest who never received her breakfast. The world’s oldest Karen, they say she’s still waiting to speak to the manager.
Where to Eat
Kitt’s Kornbread Sandwich & Pie Bar offers Texas quirkiness at its finest, serving Southern comfort food for breakfast and throughout the day. Joseph’s Riverport BBQ is another great spot for Texas BBQ, even if you already indulged earlier in your trip. Then, you can head to McGarity’s Saloon, a Victorian-style restaurant that offers traditional Southern food and the occasional haunting.
Where to Stay
Excelsior House Hotel, which we mentioned above for its tours and ghost-sightings, is a great place to stay. You can also stay at the Historic Jefferson Hotel.
As you can see, Texas has no shortage of quirky attractions and haunted historical sites. Whether you’re visiting centuries-old churches, wandering through pioneer cemeteries, or exploring the State Capitol Building, Texas has plenty to offer road-trippers with a penchant for the paranormal.
