Travel

15 Haunted Small Towns in the United States for a Spooky Escape

Emma Singer

By Emma Singer

Published Sep 3, 2025

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haunted-small-towns: alton, illinois

Summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean all travel has to screech to a halt. Instead, why not lean into the spirit of Halloween with a spine-tingling, spooky escape to somewhere you can mingle with otherworldly spectres? If you’re interested in all things eerie, check out this roundup of the most haunted small towns in the United States and get ready for a trip you won’t soon forget.

Freelance PureWow Editor

Emma Singer

Freelance PureWow Editor

  • Has 5+ years of experience writing family, travel and wellness content for PureWow
  • Previously worked as a copy editor, proofreader and research assistant for two prominent authors
  • Studied Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy in the CUNY Baccalaureate independent study program.

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