These 6 Haunted Houses In Iowa Will Terrify You In The Best Way

Where is the creepiest town in Iowa?

• Villisca

Hands-down, Villisca is the creepiest town in Iowa. Home to one of the most notorious cold cases in the world, the Villisca Axe Murders, this tiny town of just under 1,200 is one place you don't want to visit at night or alone. Those who are brave enough, however, can actually spend the night in the house where an entire family, as well as two family friends who were staying over, were mercilessly killed in their sleep. A word of caution, though: the former crime scene is allegedly riddled with paranormal activity. Guest after guest has reported experiencing unexplained phenomena during their stay, from hearing disembodied voices to seeing full-blown apparitions. Some have even witnessed blood stains on the walls disappear right before their very eyes! Villisca definitely isn't for the faint of heart, but if you're looking to see a ghost, we can't imagine a better place.

Are there any haunted restaurants or bars in Iowa?

• Hotel Blackhawk

Most people don't know there is a haunted bar in Iowa — and it happens to be located in one of our state's oldest and most historic hotels! Hotel Blackhawk is a Davenport icon, built in 1915 and boasting over 400 guest rooms. Plenty of notable figures have stayed in the hotel, including legendary actor, Cary Grant, who tragically died in his room after becoming ill at a nearby theater. Today, hotel guests often recount experiencing things that simply cannot be explained by science, such as feeling cold spots and hearing noises that appear to have no origin. A few (un)lucky folks have even spotted the ghost of Grant wandering the halls! The hotel's on-site bar, Bix Bistro, is the perfect place to unwind with a nice glass of wine or a cocktail in between your ghost-hunting shenanigans. Just don't be surprised if the person you start chatting with mysteriously disappears a second later. Drinks aren't the only spirits you'll find here!

What are the creepiest cemeteries in Iowa?

• Oakland Cemetery

Cemeteries are quite peaceful — some would even go as far as to say they're beautiful — but there's no denying their eeriness. One of the creepiest cemeteries in Iowa is, without a doubt, Oakland Cemetery. This Iowa City graveyard dates to 1843, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in the state. It's full of fascinating history — and a ghost story — because what good is a cemetery without one? There is a statue within the cemetery, known as the Black Angel, that has become the object of an urban legend over the years. Despite its beauty, the coal-colored statue is said to strike anyone who touches it dead. While this notion has been tested (and proven false), there is an undeniably spooky energy surrounding it. If you happen to visit during winter and see the statue covered in snow, it's even more hauntingly breathtaking.