7 Haunted Places With Kids for Spooky Families 2025
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Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to the dark and mysterious. I was that girl telling ghost stories by candlelight and spooking my cousins with makeshift séances. (Sorry, not sorry.)
So, it’s no surprise that as a mom, I still chase that same eerie thrill—only now I bring my kids along for the ride. While most families plan trips around beaches and theme parks, we go looking for history, mystery, and a few friendly ghosts.
But here’s the thing: try searching “haunted places to visit with kids,” and you’ll mostly find tame haunted houses, not real haunted history. That’s where we come in.
At HotMamaTravel, we specialize in family travel with a twist and prepping your family for spooky adventures, from voodoo museums and ghost tours to haunted hotels and historical places that blend chills with charm. If your crew loves a good story and a hint of the supernatural, these haunted destinations are right up your alley.
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Best Haunted Prisons To Visit With Kids
Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Brief History
Eastern State Penitentiary is a historic landmark prison that was commissioned by the Pennsylvania legislature in 1821 to hold up to 250 inmates. It was the first of its kind, a “penitentiary” style prison that isolated prisoners in cells to inspire regret and penitence, a correctional theory (known as the Philadelphia System) that has played a role in the design of our modern prison system.
By 1836, the prison complex was completed with state-of-the-art plumbing, sewage, and central heat, all before the White House even had these things! Upon completion, it was one of the most expensive buildings in America.
In 1929, Chicago gangster Al Capone spent almost a year at Eastern State Penitentiary, which had grown to hold up to 1700 inmates. During the 1970s and 80s, the prison was permanently closed and abandoned, languishing as an urban jungle for stray cats and vandals for several decades.
What To Expect
Fast forward to the present, and Eastern State Penitentiary is now a historic landmark that has been featured in several Hollywood movies over recent years. The outer walls of the prison emerge from the bustling streets of Philly like a medieval castle, beckoning families to explore the dilapidated prison blocks and bathe in the incredible stories contained within its stone walls. It is definitely a must-see when visiting Philadelphia with your family.
Visitors can tour the prison ruins, which is actually creepier and more eerie than even the photos can portray. They provide an educational audio tour called “Voices of Eastern State,” which is entertaining and narrated by Steve Buscemi. You will learn about the history of prisons in America, and about the specific experience of prisoners at Eastern State during different eras.
Hearing these first-hand stories of prisoners while standing inside the ruined cell blocks will inspire a visceral feeling that this place may truly be haunted.
Hot Tip: A great time to visit is during Halloween, as they host one of the most popular Halloween events in the country, called “Terror behind the walls”. Learn more on their official website HERE.
Why Kids Will Love It
We visited Eastern State when our kids were 5 and 6 years old, and I think they really learned a lot from the experience. I mean, it is rare for children to be allowed inside a functional prison to really appreciate and understand what it means when people “go to jail”, but visiting a ruined prison of historical significance is a safer and more interesting way for children to learn about the topic.
In fact, it is likely your kids will not even learn much about this topic in school, nor will it come up in casual conversation around your dinner table, so I think it is a great educational opportunity for kids (heck, and for parents).
We found that our kids were pretty engaged with the audio tour, and were excited by the numerous amazing picture opportunities with the unusually creepy backdrop. I can almost guarantee that your kids have never been anywhere like Eastern State Penitentiary, and that alone (in my opinion) makes it worth a visit!
Tours Available
Tours are available all year-round, seven days a week. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online (with a small discount), and the audio tour and history exhibits are all included in the admission price. Children 6 and under are free, but we did have to sign a waiver due to environmental hazards that still exist in the ruined prison. With young children, you are advised to be careful that the kids do not touch or climb on anything. Just keep a close eye on them and you will be fine.
See What Our Visit Was Like
See More Photos, Reviews, & More
Alcatraz Prison
San Francisco, CA 94133
Brief History
Oh, Alcatraz. The Rock. The place so notorious it’s practically its own character in every crime documentary ever made.
Before it became the most infamous prison in America, Alcatraz Island started as a military fort in the 1850s, guarding San Francisco Bay. By the early 1900s, it transformed into a military prison, and let’s just say the vibe went from “strategic defense point” to “nobody’s getting out of here alive.”
In 1934, it officially became a federal penitentiary designed to hold the country’s most dangerous and escape-prone criminals. We’re talking legends like Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” The conditions were harsh, the isolation was real, and the view of freedom, literally just across the bay in San Francisco, was almost cruel.
Despite 14 escape attempts, the feds claimed nobody ever made it off the island alive. But… locals still whisper about the 1962 escape of three inmates who vanished into the fog, never to be seen again. Did they drown? Did they make it? Or are they sipping cocktails in Mexico to this day? No one knows for sure.
Today, Alcatraz stands as a haunting reminder of its dark past, part museum, part ghost story. Whether you come for the history, the mystery, or the chill that runs down your spine when a door slams behind you, one thing’s for sure: once you visit The Rock, it stays with you.
What To Expect
Visiting Alcatraz isn’t just another family field trip; it’s an experience. To reach this infamous island, you’ll hop aboard a ferry across the foggy San Francisco Bay (which, fair warning, sometimes gets so thick that tours are often delayed or even canceled). Once you step onto The Rock, get ready for some serious cardio. There’s a steep uphill walk from the dock to the prison. Don’t worry, though; trams are available for those who need a lift. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with killer views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline.
And here’s the cool part: your visit isn’t limited to the prison itself. You can explore the entire island, including the ruins of old staff housing, the warden’s home, and the buildings where families of the prison staff once lived. It’s an eerie, fascinating glimpse into a hidden world most people never think about.
If you’re planning to visit Alcatraz with kids (and yes, it’s totally doable and surprisingly fun for them too), check out my full Alcatraz guide for insider tips, what to expect, and how to make the most of this legendary haunted landmark.
Why Kids Will Love It
Kids are going to love visiting Alcatraz, trust me, this place is basically one big, mysterious adventure wrapped in history. The fun starts before you even get there with a ferry ride across the San Francisco Bay. There’s something magical about standing on the deck, watching the city shrink behind you as the island looms ahead through the fog like a movie scene.
Once you’re on the island, the adventure ramps up fast. Kids can explore real prison cells, peek into solitary confinement (if they dare), and even hear stories from actual inmates and guards through the self-guided audio tour. It’s eerie, fascinating, and just the right amount of spooky.
The best part? It’s not just the prison; kids can wander around the old staff homes, gardens, and other crumbling buildings that tell the story of what life was like for the families who once lived there. Between the mystery, history, and amazing views, Alcatraz feels like stepping into a living ghost story, one your kids won’t stop talking about on the ferry ride back.
Tours Available
Alcatraz offers day, night, and even behind-the-scenes tours. Once on the island you are welcomed to join a free guided tour or tour the property at your own pace with a free audio tour. We opted for the audio tour, which worked out great for my family. My teens loved it and were able to walk ahead, because I like to linger and take my time.
There are adult, junior, senior, and child pricing for tours. Kids 4 and under are free.
See What Our Visit Was Like
Haunted Houses, Theaters, & More
Bird Cage Theatre
535 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638
Brief History
The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona, isn’t just any old Wild West saloon; it’s where the West got wild. Opened in 1881, this bawdy little theater was part concert hall, part gambling den, and part brothel (because, of course, Tombstone). For eight straight years, the place never closed its doors, not once. Shows, poker games, and “after-hours entertainment” ran around the clock.
It quickly earned a reputation as the rowdiest spot in town, and it wasn’t all laughter and whiskey. Over 120 bullet holes still pepper the walls as silent reminders of the chaos that went down here. Legends like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp once strolled through its smoky halls, and it’s said some never truly left.
Today, the Bird Cage Theatre is preserved just as it was, with dusty poker tables, faded velvet curtains, and the lingering feeling that someone’s still watching from the balcony. Whether you’re here for history or hauntings (or both), this is one stop in Tombstone that’ll send a chill down your spine, in the best possible way.
What To Expect
When you visit the Bird Cage Theatre with kids, get ready for a real-deal trip back to the Wild West! This is not your average museum or a corny staged attraction. The Bird Cage is the actual building where gunfights, gambling, and ghost stories went down.
Entry is paid, but once you’re in, you can wander freely through history. There’s no guided tour rushing you along. You get to explore at your own pace. The place is packed with original artifacts from the 1880s, including bullet-riddled walls (yep, around 150 bullet holes still pepper the place.
Kids who love a bit of mystery and spookiness will get a kick out of it. You can even head downstairs to see the cribs, where the theater’s more “adult” history played out. This is where we had a paranormal experience.
Before you leave, check out the gift shop, which is full of Tombstone souvenirs and fun Wild West trinkets to remember your adventure. It’s a quick visit, but packed with character, just like the rowdy history it preserves.
Why Kids Will Love It
Kids will love the Bird Cage Theatre because it’s like stepping straight into a real-life Western movie, only this one actually happened! Forget screens and special effects, this is the authentic Wild West, bullet holes and all. In fact, the whole town feels that way, which is why we love visiting Tombstone so often. Check out our family travel guide for Tombstone for all our favorite spots to eat, sleep, and play.
From the moment they walk in, kids can let their imaginations run wild. They'll love spotting the 150 bullet holes in the walls (it’s basically a scavenger hunt with history), peeking at the old saloon tables, and seeing where outlaws, gamblers, and entertainers once roamed.
Tours Available
Self-guided tours are available daily. Kids under 8 are free and there are family deals available. For a more spooky experience, you can book a nightly ghost tour. These tours do have an age minimum of 7.
See What Our Visit Was Like:
Whaley House
Brief History
According to many, including our own Government’s Commerce Department, the Whaley House is an official haunted house. Travel Channel’s “America’s Most Haunted” even went so far as to say that Whaley house is the MOST haunted house in America.
The Whaley house, as the name implies, is the historic family home of the Whaley family built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley. In the early years it stood at the center of public life in San Diego, housing the County Court house and the first commercial theater in San Diego, while also serving as a polling place, school, billiard hall and ballroom.
Before the house was constructed, this was the location of gallows where convicts like “Yankee Jim” (now a reported ghost that roams the property) were hanged from the back of wagons. In 1882, Thomas Whaley’s daughter Violet Eloise married a con artist who disappeared during their honeymoon with the substantial dowry, and she was shunned from Victorian Society thereafter.
Tragically in 1885, at the age of 22, Violet committed a violent act of suicide by shooting herself in the chest with a .32 calibre. Her ghost is just one of the many purported to inhabit the confines of the Whaley house today.
What To Expect
The Whaley house is said to be haunted, sure, but don’t let that scare you from visiting this vibrant Old Town district in the heart of San Diego, CA. We have traveled the country and this is still one of our all-time favorite places to visit, and living in Orange County, we do visit regularly.
If you plan a visit, do yourself a favor and book a room at the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel. This is our go-to place to stay in Old Town, and it is literally steps away from the Whaley house. The Whaley house is a fun attraction, but the Old Town district itself is alluring enough!
Old Town San Diego has numerous authentic Mexican cantinas with mariachi bands and fresh tortillas, festive shopping areas for candy and Mexican-style souvenirs, historic graveyards and buildings, and a beautiful park where the kids enjoy running around being kids.
Why Kids Will Love It
Our kids love spending the weekend in Old Town San Diego. There is a fun candy store, a place to dip their own creative candles, lots of fun shops with cheap Mexican trinkets, a big grassy area to burn some energy, and every restaurant has free chips and salsa!
Kids are allowed to tour the Whaley house, and my kids seemed to have fun hearing the stories and seeing the old bedrooms and the courthouse that they still have on the second floor.
We looked for orbs in the pictures at dinner afterward and toured the El Campo Santo cemetery with a ghost communicator app on my phone. It was great fun.
Tours Available
There are daytime and nighttime tours of the Whaley House. From 10 am to 4:30 pm, you can drop in anytime for a self-guided tour. While children under 5 are not recommended on the night tour, and we have never done it, it does sound like a unique and spooky experience. There is also a popular nighttime trolley tour to all the haunted sites in Old Town.
See What Our Visit Was Like
Pirates' House
20 E Broad St, Savannah, GA 31401
Brief History
Talk about historic, the Pirates’ House is a tavern and restaurant in Savannah, GA established in 1753. Yes, you read that right, before the Declaration of Independence was even signed. In fact, a portion of the structure called the “Herb House” was actually built in 1734 and is reportedly the oldest building in Georgia still standing today.
There is an old Rum Cellar in the basement of Pirates’ House, and there is an old tunnel from the 1700s that runs all the way to River Street. Savannah is regarded as one of the most haunted cities in America, and over the years, numerous ghost stories have accumulated about the Pirates’ House, including one of my favorites that the infamous Captain Flint from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “Treasure Island” actually died in the bedroom upstairs.
A building that has long been a refuge and meeting place for debaucherous pirates, drunken sailors, criminals and other unsavory characters, there is little doubt that this old tavern is full of spirits.
Visiting the Pirates' House was number one on my must-see list when planning our visit. Definitely check out our guide to visiting Savannah with kids before planning your trip. There is a lot of good stuff on there.
What To Expect
Fast forward to today and the Pirates’ House is now an immense restaurant that has incorporated adjacent buildings and grown since the 1950s to include 15 different dining room areas, each with its own style and charm.
The tunnel still runs under the restaurant to the cellar (you obviously can’t go down there as the tunnel is over 200 years old), but there is a large opening in the middle of the restaurant so you can see a portion of the original tunnel.
The food was excellent and included a buffet of delicious fried chicken, biscuits, potatoes and gravy, collared greens and other southern fixin’s. After dinner we talked to the hostess and found out that they give FREE pirate-guided tours from pirates that have deep knowledge of the history of the area.
Since we were a party of 6, it was basically a private tour, and we just tipped generously at the end of the 30-minute tour. We learned all about the tunnel, the Herb House, the rum cellar, the book Treasure Island, and other interesting historical tidbits that make this restaurant truly unique and worth a visit with kids.
Why kids will love it:
When we visited, we were so lucky to get the chance to dine as a family in the Herb House, literally the oldest standing structure in the whole state of Georgia! I let the kids use my handy ghost communicator app on my phone after dinner and they had fun talking to the ghosts (see in our video below).
The kids always love buffet-style meals, so the food in this place really hit the spot. They enjoyed the pirate tour and listened thoughtfully the entire time, even asking some interesting questions, so I know they were learning a lot. They have a huge gift shop with tons of pirate-themed treasures and souvenirs, and the kids had a blast shopping at the end of our visit.
This was probably their favorite restaurant experience of the entire summer, in which we visited dozens of cities in 19 states across 60 straight days of travel (You can read more about our epic US road trip.
Tours Available
The restaurant itself offers a FREE guided tour that lasts about 30 minutes to learn about the history of the restaurant and the city of Savannah. Please be sure to tip your guide!
There are also companies that provide a variety of ghost tours of Savannah, which often include a stop at the Pirates’ House as well as several haunted mansions, cemeteries, battlefields, and burial grounds in Savannah, GA.
See What Our Visit Was Like
Favorite Haunted Hotels
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Brief History
The Queen Mary was built in 1936 during the Great Depression by John Brown & Co in Clydebank near Glasgow, Scotland and is nearly twice the size in weight compared to its sister ship, the Titanic.
While the Titanic never made it successfully across the Atlantic, Queen Mary completed 1,000 trans-Atlantic voyages. During WWII the Queen Mary was changed into a troop ship that was so fast and good at outrunning German U-boats that she earned the nickname “Grey Ghost”.
After surviving the war, Queen Mary returned to passenger service as an ocean cruise liner for 20 years before retiring permanently to the port in Long Beach, CA in 1967. During her time in service countless prisoners of war, soldiers and crew died in her boughs and are said to haunt and roam the ship in its final resting place.
In the past 60 years, there have also been reports of two engineers being crushed by watertight “Door number 13” during routine drills. As a result, Queen Mary is said to be one of the most haunted places in the entire world.
What To Expect
Today the Queen Mary is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a fantastic place to visit for the day or even overnight, as the ship is still maintained as a fully functioning hotel. Check our our full guide to help you plan your trip to the Queen Mary, before you go.
The state rooms are unique and maintain the retro Art Deco vibe of its time. Still onboard the ship, you will find 3 casual and fine dining restaurants and one absolutely fantastic bar called the Observation Bar, which has scenic views of the Harbor and downtown Long Beach.
Oh, and they have an epic Sunday Brunch in the elegant Grand Salon that Conde Nast Traveler named as the best hotel brunch in the world! They have various tours and rotating exhibits as well as fun events and festivals during different times of the year.
For example, in February, they host a raucous celebration of Scottish culture at the Annual Scots Festival, and in October, they host a Halloween event called Dark Harbor that has haunted houses, live music, dancing, and a whole lot of spooks.
Why Kids Will Love It
The Queen Mary has a lot of fun and informational activities for parents and kids. While their exhibits do occasionally rotate, the last time we went there was an enormous replica of the Queen Mary made from Lego blocks, and a section where kids could play with Legos.
Currently, the ship has an exhibit about life on the ship during WWII and its glorious time in service to the war effort, an exhibit on Winston Churchill who made frequent trans-Atlantic trips aboard the Queen Mary, and of course a Haunted Encounters tour and Ghosts and Legends tour that will take you to the dark bowels of the ship including the infamous old boiler room.
There also fun free things to do while exploring the ship, with old images and artifacts virtually around every corner.
Tours Available
To board the Queen Mary, you have to have a tour ticket or a room key. There are several tours available, including self-guided and guided tours. Tours range from family-friendly history tours, like the Glory Days (WWII) tour, to spooky paranormal tours, like Haunted Encounters.
See What Our Experience Was Like
Windsor Hotel
125 W Lamar St, Americus, GA 31709
Brief History
The five-story Windsor Hotel was built in Americus, GA in 1892 and has 100 Victorian style rooms. Architecturally, this hotel is an absolute beauty with a tower, turret, several balconies and a three story open atrium.
There have been numerous former Presidents and famous guests at Windsor Hotel over the years, but it is the persistent guests that really intrigued us during our visit.
There are numerous stories and purported sightings of ghosts, including the old housekeeper and her daughter who died tragically (and were possibly murdered) in an elevator shaft on site, and the former employee named Floyd who spent 40 years of his life as a doorman and lift operator at the hotel.
What to Expect:
Victorian splendor. Wonderful food at the restaurant on site called Rosemary and Thyme. Killer drinks at Floyd’s pub. Possibly an experience of a ghost or two! Check out our full hotel review of the Windsor Hotel for more good stuff.
Why Kids Will Love It:
Kids will love the Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia, because it feels like sleeping in a real-life castle straight out of a storybook, with a few ghost stories for extra thrill!
From the moment they see the turrets, balconies, and grand staircase, kids will feel like royalty (or maybe junior ghost hunters). The hotel’s Victorian charm makes it fun to explore; every hallway feels like a step back in time.
If your family loves spooky history, this place delivers. The Windsor has its share of haunted tales, including the friendly spirit of a maid and her daughter who supposedly still roam the halls. It’s just the right amount of creepy to spark curiosity without causing nightmares.
Plus, it’s not all ghosts and giggles; there’s great food at Floyd’s Pub, cozy family rooms, and it’s right in the heart of charming downtown Americus, close to other fun attractions and Andersonville Prison Civil War Camp.
So whether your kids are little adventurers, history buffs, or amateur ghostbusters, the Windsor Hotel is a magical mix of elegance and eerie that makes family travel way more exciting.
See What Our Visit Was Like
Travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a list; it’s one of the best ways to teach your kids about the world. We’ve found that exploring haunted places with kids adds an unforgettable twist to our family adventures, blending history, mystery, and just the right amount of goosebumps.
We’re big believers in investing in family travel to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and strengthen our bond. Visiting these haunted historical sites has been one of the most fun (and surprisingly educational) trips we’ve ever taken, and I think your family will feel the same.
So if theme parks and beach resorts have started to feel a little been there, done that, it’s time to mix things up. Go on a ghost hunt, walk through real history, and show your kids that adventure comes in many forms, even the spooky kind. My family’s hooked, and I bet yours will be too.
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