When it begins to feel like fall in Kentucky, it seems everyone takes a collective breath of fresh air. The leaves change, the air is cooler, and Halloween is rapidly approaching. If you’re looking for a way to get into the Halloween spirit, take this road trip that visits some of the most haunted places in Kentucky. Spend a few days on this trip so you can take plenty of time exploring each stop. We’ve even including some haunted bed and breakfasts and hotels so you have a place to sleep that continues with the theme of the road trip.
Check out the route on Google maps here. The route starts and ends in Louisville, but adjust it as you please.
1. Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville
This massive graveyard in Louisville is strikingly beautiful and peaceful. You could wander through it for several hours admiring the landscaping, lakes, and unique headstones. Being a cemetery, of course it has stories of being haunted. People have reported seeing hovering green lights and hearing faint whispers, along with many other real Kentucky ghost stories. Address: 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40204
2. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville
Perhaps the most notorious haunted place in Kentucky, and maybe even the country, Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a must-stop location for people interested in ghosts and spirits. This old tuberculosis hospital had thousands of visitors each year, and has been featured on several television shows about haunted places. You can book a tour of one of the creepiest abandoned places in Kentucky, just make sure to do so early. Address: 4400 Paralee Drive, Louisville, KY, 40272
3. Mammoth Cave
This long cave system is said to have been the ancient burial ground for Native Americans some 2,000 years ago. Mummies have even been discovered in its subterranean tunnels. More recently in history, people have perished in the cave due to accidents or getting lost and not being able to find their way back out. Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY, 42259
4. Jailer’s Inn, Bardstown
For more than 200 years, the building where this Wordbed and breakfast in Bardstown is now located used to be the Nelson County Jail. There are many different ghost stories associated with the Jailer’s Inn, but one of the more common ones is that of a female ghost who is believed to be the spirit of one of the original jailers, though she is said to be friendly. If you’re tired from your first day of ghost hunting, this would be an ideal place to relax and spend the night. Address: 111 W Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown, KY, 40004
5. Perryville Battlefield, Perryville
This fascinating historical site is said to be haunted by the spirits of Union and Confederate soldiers who died there during the Battle of Perryville in 1862. The Travel Channel show "Ghost Adventures" visited the battlefield, and reported getting a lot of activity specifically in two old houses on the battlefield that served as hospitals for wounded soldiers once the fighting ceased: the John Dye House and the H.P. Bottom House. Address: 1825 Battlefield Road, Perryville, KY, 40468
6. Maple Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast, Springfield
Located about 20 minutes away from Perryville Battlefield, this award-winning bed and breakfast would be another good place to spend the night on this road trip. It’s rumored to be haunted by either the former owners, or soldiers who fought in the Battle of Perryville. Visitors have reported cold spots, disembodied footsteps, knocks on the door when no one is there, and orbs in photographs. However, even if you don’t spot a ghost, this bed and breakfast is located on a serene country road with an alpaca farm. Address: 2941 Perryville Road, Springfield, KY, 40069
7. Loudoun House, Lexington
The Loudoun House, Lexington, an 1850s mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is said to be haunted by two women and a black cat. People have reported seeing women dressed in Victorian clothing in certain parts of the house, as well as hearing voices and Victorian-style music. It is now a museum that is open to the public and hosts special events. Address: 209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, KY, 40505
8. Phillips’ Folly, Maysville
This location was also visited by the Travel Channel’s "Ghost Adventures," where the crew supposedly got in contact with the spirit of a female slave who could have been held captive and murdered in the jail cell in the basement. A lighter ghost story associated with the house is that the spirit of former owner John Armstrong can be seen playing with his dog on the upstairs porch. Address: 227 Sutton Street, Maysville, KY, 41056
9. Bobby Mackey’s Music World, Wilder
Another stop by the "Ghost Adventures" crew was Bobby Mackey’s Music World, "the Most Haunted Night Club in America." This infamous bar is said to even have a "portal to hell." Live music, drinks, and ghosts… sounds like a fun night. Address: 44 Licking Pike, Wilder, KY, 41071
10. The Seelbach Hilton, Louisville
End your journey back in Louisville at the Seelbach Hilton. This old hotel is beautiful, but guests have reported their TVs suddenly turning on at a very loud volume in the middle of the night, as well as hearing footsteps that sounded like they were walking on wood even though the floors are mainly carpeted. Address: 500 S 4th Street, Louisville, KY, 40202
For more creepy occurrences in Kentucky, check out our previous article, There’s Nothing More Terrifying Than These 13 Truly Haunted Places In Kentucky.
Is anyone brave enough to take this haunted road trip in Kentucky? What other scary places in Kentucky do you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments!
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