Unique, Immersive Experiences at These Haunted Destinations in Tennessee Create the Ultimate Spooky Season Road Trip

Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis

Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis courtesy Craig Thompson. Photos for media use with appropriate credit provided.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 3, 2026) – Phantom footsteps, disembodied voices, apparitions and stories echo from the past at historic places, theatres, jails, cemeteries, battlefields, depots, distilleries, even caves. From guided daytime tours to immersive paranormal investigations, discover these haunted destinations in Tennessee for the ultimate spooky season road trip.

200 Years of Haunted History in Memphis – Beneath the ancient elms, oaks and magnolias, generals, senators, governors, mayors and madams rest in the 80-acre Elmwood Cemetery, established in 1852 and on the National Register of Historic Places. Take the cemetery walking tour and see monuments from the Victorian era that feature angels, flowers and plants. Meanwhile, another historic property is rumored to be home to the ghost of a 12-year-old girl named Mary who regularly attends the show's performances, and has been seen by many cast, crew and guests. The dazzling Orpheum Theatre is home to other spirits and incredible performances. Head downtown for spirits, haunting tales and live music at Earnestine and Hazel’s, which used to be a working brothel, and supposedly has a couple of ghosts. It was named the fourth most haunted spot in America by Yelp in 2021.

Pro-tip: Hear the eerie legends while seeing some of the city’s oldest sites on the Memphis Ghost Tour, which runs through the South Main Arts District, a notoriously haunted neighborhood.

Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh – This site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War has longstanding legends of apparitions, phantom gunshots, drums, footsteps and voices associated with the thousands who died there. Hike the grounds of Shiloh National Military Park, and follow trails that lead you to monuments or the self-guided driving tour.

Pro-tip: Stop for a bite at the famous Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, which also features the haunting legend of Elmo, a 19th-century steamboat crewmember who drowned in the Tennessee River and was recovered at what is now the restaurant’s parking lot. Elmo was buried in a makeshift grave on the property.

Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville – Step beyond the veil for an immersive Whispers from the Past Paranormal Investigation Experience at Two Rivers Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Join Southern Innovative Paranormal (SIP) as they guide you through the mansion and 1802 House after dark to perform investigative work and show their past research and findings. Ghost hunting equipment is welcome. The next investigation is 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sept. 18. Tickets can be found here. The mansion also hosts guided tours and special events.

Lotz House in Franklin – The Lotz House sat near the epicenter of the Battle of Franklin, one of the Civil War’s bloodiest clashes, and still bears cannonball holes and bloodstains from the battle today. Staff and guests report seeing soldiers in doorways, a woman wearing a period dress calling out for “Ann” from the staircase, and playful tugs and pant legs attributed to two Lotz family children who died young. The Tennessee Wraith Chasers did a full investigation on season one of Travel Channel’s “Haunted Live,” and it’s also on Travel Channel’s “Most Terrifying Places in America” list.

The Legend of the Bell Witch in Robertson County - Tennessee's Bell Witch is the most documented haunting in American history. For more than 20 years, the Bell Witch Fall Festival has brought that legend to life through immersive Spirit productions staged just steps from the Bell family graves and on the original Bell family grounds. Bell Witch Cave is a must-see for those wanting a first-hand experience with the supernatural. October is filled with options from mild to scary. Enjoy daytime hayrides with pumpkins, cabin and cave tours to evening haunted hayrides and exclusive lantern tours. For thrill seekers, don’t miss the Paranormal Investigation experience.

The Comer House in Sumner Co. – With a history stretching back more than two centuries, The Comer House is, now home to Sumner County Tourism. Some who work within its walls say that history may have never left. Employees reported unexplained voices, footsteps, furniture moving on its own, strange sounds from empty rooms and lights that flicker in response to questions. In 2025, the Comer House opened its doors for a series of paranormal investigations with unusual activity occurring while experimenting with EMF detectors, spirit boxes, bells, responsive lights, the Estes Method, dowsing rods, and more. Check out the county’s dark tourism.

Sam Davis Home in Smyrna – Ever wonder what goes on inside one of the most historic homes in Middle Tennessee once the sun sets and darkness descends? This fall, find out the history and haunted happenings of the Sam Davis Home for yourself. Walk the dimly lit halls and hear stories of the tragic and haunting past and trek to the Davis Family cemetery by lantern light.

Pro-tip: Rutherford County’s history is rich. Hear the hidden stories and learn about the ghosts that still haunt the streets of downtown Book your Haunted Murfreesboro Tour.

Company Distilling in Lynchburg – Company Distilling sits in the heart of Tennessee whiskey country in downtown Lynchburg. Beyond tastings of award-winning spirits, handcrafted cocktails and craft beer around the historic square, staff and guests also report quite a few unexplained happenings. An employee reported her hair tie being pulled. Others saw a glass launch itself across the room to locked doors unlocking on their own, hearing disembodied conversations when no one else is in the building, and, more recently, strange “mimic” activity where voices, appearances or behaviors of current employees seem to be replicated.

Historic Gem Theater & L&N Depot in Etowah – The Historic Gem Theater has been a part of Etowah’s story for more than a century, a center for movies, concerts and performances. Local stories, reports of strange sounds and unexplained happenings helped give the theater a haunting reputation well beyond its role as a beloved cultural landmark, attracting the attention of paranormal investigators, including Haunted Travelers, who conducted investigations and captured activity, including electronic voice phenomenon (EVP’s) within its walls. Meanwhile, the Historic L&N Depot, a railroad transportation hub in the community, is also rumored to be haunted. Reports include hearing footsteps, the distinct smell of cigar smoke and the scent of a woman’s perfume. With more than a century of history, perhaps a few occupants never left.

Historic Rugby in Rugby – The historic village of Rugby has paranormal lore that has spanned for decades. Rugby began in 1880 as an ambitious utopian colony founded by English author, Thomas Hughes, who hoped to create a class-free agricultural community. Despite early promise, the settlement struggled with typhoid, land disputes, and the harsh realities of farming on the Cumberland Plateau, leading most colonists to leave by the late 1880s. A small population endured, and by the mid‑20th century preservation efforts transformed Rugby into a beautifully restored Victorian village. Now, visitors and paranormal investigators have reported hearing disembodied voices, having paranormal equipment respond intelligently to direct questions and even seeing apparitions. Join History, Highways and Haunts, LLC for a tour or investigation for Historic Rugby After Dark.

Historic Scott County Jail in Huntsville – The Historic Scott County Jail, built in 1904 from massive, locally-quarried sandstone blocks, is the oldest surviving building in Huntsville. It long served as the county’s primary detention facility, housing maximum-security inmates before closing in 2008. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the jail is a museum and paranormal-tour site celebrating its century-long history. Haunting stories are vast. Visitors report hearing disembodied voices, unexplained shadow figures, phantom footsteps and whistles and doors opening on their own. Take a daytime tour, after dark tour, paranormal tour or private paranormal overnight investigation.

Bijou Theatre in Knoxville – Today, the theatre hosts shows, performances, films, and, if you’re lucky, maybe even a ghost tour on the calendar. With its centuries-old history, the Bijou Theatre has been everything from a hotel, a brothel, and a Civil War hospital where a general died and was carried out by cover of night as to not disrupt the morale of his troops. Footsteps have been heard walking along the rafters and the catwalk above the stage. Others felt tugging on their clothes and caught glimpses of soldiers.

Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Petros, Tennessee - Brushy Mountain was known as the "end of the line," holding some of the state's most violent inmates, like James Earl Ray. Now, stories still echo through the walls and cell blocks. Brushy offers daytime tours given by former guards and former inmates, self-guided tours, overnight paranormal tours, Warden's Table restaurant, End of the Line Distillery and a stage for live music outside. Go behind-the-scenes of a paranormal overnight.

Blowing Cave Mill in Sevierville – Step inside the historic Blowing Cave Mill for an after dark paranormal investigation. Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, the mill was built in 1795 and houses a museum and general store. The new after-hours paranormal tours offer an authentic night of evidence collection and hands-on experience alongside fellow investigators. Explore the mill’s shadowed rooms, study drafts from the cave’s mouth and conduct research.

Elkmont in Great Smoky Mountains National Park – First settled in the 1840s, the once thriving logging community of Elkmont became deserted when Great Smoky Mountains National Park was fully established in 1934. Today, it stands as a ghost town, with only a few cabins and structures left. When exploring the ruins at dusk or night, many visitors reported eerie feelings, hearing footsteps and catching glimpses of a ghostly figure. When visitors explore abandoned buildings, particularly the spot where the Wonderland Hotel once stood, they report hearing strange noises and the feeling of being watched. As you walk around this beautiful area, take in the eerie historic atmosphere of this once-bustling town, which also hosts the Synchronous Fireflies experience each year.

Photo Assets: Photos for media use with appropriate credit provided.

About Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNVacation.com and follow @TNVacation on social media for travel inspiration.

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Media Contacts:
Amanda Murphy
Amanda.Murphy@TN.gov

Jill Kilgore
Jill.Kilgore@TN.gov

Chelsea Trott
Chelsea.Trott@TN.gov

Shelby McAuley
Shelby.McAuley@TN.gov