The 17 Creepiest Places in the Country

Some of America's most haunted homes are also its most famous.

By: Kayla Kitts

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We all like to be scared a little bit around Halloween. I mean, that’s why we pay to go to cheesy haunted houses and attractions all season long. If you’re looking for more of a real-life paranormal thrill, add these creepy U.S. locations to your weekend road trip list. Many of the homes were the unfortunate spot of grisly murders, and others are simply an unexplained hotbed of ghostly activity.

The Amityville Home

The Amityville House

The Amityville Home

Photo by: Doug Kerr

Doug Kerr

The Amityville Home

Six members of the DeFeo family were murdered in this Amityville, N.Y. home in 1974. A year after the tragedy, a new family moved in but quickly left after reporting unexplained paranormal activity.

The Chelsea Hotel

Hotel Chelsea

The infamous Chelsea Hotel in New York City is one of the area's spookiest landmarks. Built in 1884, the hotel has been home to many notable writers, musicians and artists over the years. Even though many of its most famous occupants have since died, visitors claim to have spotted the apparitions of Dylan Thomas, Eugene O'Neill and Thomas Wolfe.

Photo by: ©iStockphoto.com/Chris Schmidt

©iStockphoto.com/Chris Schmidt

Built in 1884, the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, is one of the area's most chilling landmarks. Since its inception, the hotel has been home to many famous artists, writers and musicians. Although its most notable occupants have died, Chelsea Hotel visitors claim to have spotted the apparitions of Dylan Thomas, Eugene O'Neill and Thomas Wolfe.

Winchester Mystery House

Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California

Photo by: Frontdoor.com

Frontdoor.com

This 160-room Victorian home features doors that lead to nowhere, winding hallways, bizarre secret passageways and even a seance room.

The White House

For years there have been reports that the White House is a hotbed of haunted activity. Visitors, staff and even White House residents have reported seeing the ghosts of Abraham Lincoln, Abigail Adams and Andrew Jackson, to name a few. FDR, Dwight Eisenhower and Winston Churchill are among those who claimed to have seen the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. More recently, the Obamas claim to have repeatedly heard strange sounds and felt a sensation of someone gnawing at their feet in the middle of the night.

Photo by: ©iStockphoto.com/Deejpilot

©iStockphoto.com/Deejpilot

Yes, the White House. For years, visitors, staff and even residents have reported seeing the ghosts of former presidents, like Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. Recently, the Obamas have claimed to hear (and feel!) strange things.

Real-Life Haunted Houses

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Plus, Infamous Horror Film Spots

Since Halloween is near, I figured I’d throw in a few chilling horror film locations I’m sure you’re familiar with. They're not technically haunted, but I bet you don’t look at them quite the same anymore.

Timberline Lodge From The Shining

Photo by: Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo. was the inspiration for Stephen King’s book, The Shining, but director Stanley Kubrick used the Timberline Lodge in Mount Hood, Ore. (pictured) for exterior shots in the movie.

Seneca Creek State Park From The Blair Witch Project

The Blair Witch Project

With 63,000 acres of forests, lakes and hiking trails, Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County, Md., is a nature lover's paradise in reality and a creepy place of doom in the psychological thriller The Blair Witch Project, which follows three students producing a documentary about a local witch. Black Rock Mill (pictured) is the starting point for the trail to Coffin Rock, where the three students camp for the night and where five men were supposedly ritualistically murdered.

Photo by: Frontdoor.com

Frontdoor.com

Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County, Md. is considered a place of doom in the psychological horror film The Blair Witch Project. In the film, the three students start out at Black Rock Mill (pictured above) and head towards Coffin Rock, where five men were apparently ritualistically slain.