New Orleans Overtakes Charleston, Savannah and Pittsburgh Among Top US Halloween Ghost Tour Destinations

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New Orleans leads Charleston, Savannah and Pittsburgh among top US Halloween ghost tour destinations, according to a new Bearadise ranking. The study examines 71 American cities, comparing ghost tours, haunted landmarks, cemeteries and paranormal interest to identify destinations offering memorable Halloween experiences for travellers seeking history, mystery and adventure.

New Orleans Takes the Top Spot for Halloween Ghost Tourism in the US

Halloween tourism across the United States is drawing attention to cities where historic streets, old cemeteries and mysterious local legends create unusual visitor experiences. A new study by Bearadise identifies New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah as leading destinations for travellers interested in ghost tours and reportedly haunted places.

The ranking examines 71 US cities using six indicators. These include the number of ghost tours, reported haunted locations, Halloween attractions, cemeteries, online searches related to paranormal activity and metaphysical shops.

Rather than focusing only on major Halloween festivals, the research highlights destinations where visitors can explore local history through guided walks, storytelling and attractions associated with supernatural legends.

New Orleans Leads with Ghost Tours and Paranormal Interest

New Orleans, Louisiana, has secured first place in the national ranking, reinforcing its reputation as one of America’s best-known destinations for ghost stories and supernatural folklore.

The city records 4.17 ghost and haunted tours per 10,000 residents, alongside 3.19 reportedly haunted locations per 10,000 residents.

It also leads the study in ghost-related online search interest, with 686 searches per 10,000 residents.

For visitors, the French Quarter provides a distinctive setting for evening ghost walks. Its historic buildings, narrow streets and long-established legends offer opportunities to discover stories connected with the city’s cultural past.

The combination of heritage tourism, guided storytelling and Halloween experiences makes New Orleans particularly attractive to travellers seeking activities beyond traditional sightseeing.

Charleston and Savannah Strengthen Southern US Halloween Tourism

Charleston, South Carolina, ranks second, supported by its concentration of historic cemeteries and organised ghost tours.

The city records 2.91 ghost tours per 10,000 residents. Its cemetery density reaches 2.11 per 10,000 residents, the highest among all 71 cities examined.

Charleston’s preserved historic districts, old churches and burial grounds provide a setting for walking tours exploring local history and supernatural traditions.

Savannah, Georgia, follows in third place and leads the entire study for ghost and haunted tour concentration, with 4.86 tours per 10,000 residents.

The city also records 2.53 reportedly haunted locations per 10,000 residents.

Savannah’s historic squares, centuries-old buildings and atmospheric streets have helped establish its identity as a popular destination for ghost-themed sightseeing.

Together, Charleston and Savannah demonstrate how heritage attractions can support tourism experiences that extend beyond the Halloween season.

Pittsburgh and Richmond Enter the Top Five

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, takes fourth place, finishing ahead of several established leisure destinations, including Orlando, Las Vegas and Boston.

Its position highlights how Halloween travel interest extends beyond cities traditionally associated with ghost tourism.

Richmond, Virginia, completes the top five. The city records 1.50 cemeteries per 10,000 residents and demonstrates strong local interest in paranormal-related searches.

Richmond’s historic neighbourhoods and burial grounds provide opportunities for visitors interested in exploring the relationship between local heritage and supernatural storytelling.

Both destinations show that Halloween tourism can create additional opportunities for cities with established historical and cultural attractions.

Orlando, Birmingham and Miami Feature Among Leading Destinations

Orlando, Florida, ranks sixth, recording 1.21 reportedly haunted locations per 10,000 residents.

Although widely recognised for its theme parks and entertainment attractions, Orlando also offers visitors opportunities to explore ghost-related experiences.

Birmingham, Alabama, places eighth and shares the highest rate of Halloween haunted attractions among the top 10 with Charleston. Both cities record 0.31 attractions per 10,000 residents.

Miami, Florida, also features prominently, securing ninth place in the ranking.

Their inclusion reflects the geographical diversity of America’s Halloween tourism market, with destinations across the South and beyond attracting visitors interested in seasonal entertainment.

“The growing appeal of ghost tourism across the United States highlights an exciting opportunity for destinations to connect cultural heritage with memorable travel experiences. Cities such as New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah demonstrate how historic neighbourhoods, traditional storytelling and distinctive local attractions can create strong reasons for travellers to explore beyond conventional sightseeing.

Halloween provides an important seasonal platform for tourism businesses, but the wider potential extends throughout the year. Guided heritage walks, historic landmarks and carefully developed themed experiences can support local tour operators, hospitality providers and independent businesses while encouraging visitors to discover lesser-known neighbourhoods.

What makes this segment particularly interesting is its ability to combine entertainment with education and destination identity. As travellers increasingly seek authentic and engaging experiences, American cities have an opportunity to develop responsible ghost tourism offerings that celebrate their history, preserve local character and strengthen the appeal of urban tourism for international and domestic visitors alike.”— Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World

Ghost Tourism Creates Opportunities Beyond Halloween

The Bearadise findings illustrate how ghost-themed tourism can complement established city-break experiences.

Guided walking tours, historic cemeteries and local folklore can encourage visitors to explore neighbourhoods they might otherwise overlook.

These activities may also benefit local guides, independent tour operators, hospitality businesses and attractions offering evening experiences.

However, the ranking measures the concentration of selected attractions and search interest rather than actual Halloween visitor arrivals or tourism spending.

For travellers, it provides a useful starting point when choosing destinations where cultural heritage, local storytelling and Halloween entertainment come together.

New Orleans, Charleston and Savannah lead America’s Halloween ghost tourism landscape, while Pittsburgh, Richmond and Orlando demonstrate growing destination diversity. The Bearadise ranking highlights how historic attractions, guided tours and local legends can enrich seasonal travel. For visitors, these cities offer opportunities to discover American heritage through atmospheric experiences.