Halloween 2011: The 10 Spookiest Cities in America

Don't miss my Hollywood Haunted Houses, 10 Spookiest Cities in America, and How to Throw a Halloween Party.
We love Halloween in the U.S. â€" it's the second biggest holiday in terms of retail sales behind Christmas. That says a lot, considering there are no gifts required. Halloween spending is expected to reach more than $5 billion this year despite the difficult economy, with that money going towards everything from candy and costumes to pumpkins and hayrides.

With this beloved holiday right around the corner, it's only fitting that we visit this year's Top 10 Spookiest Cities in America, courtesy Realtor.com. There are a few repeats from last year's list, and plenty of newcomers, all guaranteed to scare you silly this Halloween.

Is your hometown on this list?

10. Washington, D.C.

One of the most haunted structures in all of Washington, D.C. is the Capitol Building. Specters of every type haunt the hallowed halls, including the ghosts of workers who died during the construction of the rotunda. One spirit died from a fall, the other was crushed to death when a wall collapsed. Prominent historical figures also wander from room to room, including former Presidents John Quincy Adams and James Garfield.

9. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

This Civil War battlefield was on the list last year, and it's no surprise: The battle claimed nearly 51,000 American lives, and it's reported that nearly all 40 miles of the Gettysburg battlefields have paranormal activity.

Ghosts of soldiers, Native Americans and civilians have been seen roaming the area, and visitors complain of disembodied screams and mysterious smells.

8. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans finds its way onto this list every year and has been called the most haunted city in the United States. Once a burial ground for Native Americans, the first Europeans to populate the area were French prisoners sent by their government to help build the city. In addition to the wars, hurricanes and yellow fever epidemics that wiped out many of the early inhabitants, New Orleans has a history of bizarre violence. Spirits of those who were victims of this violence are said to haunt the city to this day.

7. Savannah, Georgia

Bonaventure Cemetery is considered the most haunted place in all of Savannah. Before it was a cemetery, Bonaventure was the site of a large plantation owned by Josiah Tattnall, Jr. He was known for his lavish parties that drew socialites from all over the city. One night, while Tattnall was hosting one of these galas, the enormous mansion caught fire. It is rumored visitors to the cemetery can still hear the sounds of laughter and clanking silverware, as if the party never stopped.

6. Los Angeles, California

You might not expect to find Los Angeles on this list, but a closer look reveals another side to the city. Perhaps the most famous part of haunted L.A. is the Hollywood sign.

Originally a sign for a residential development called "Hollywoodland," the sign is now an iconic fixture in American cinematic history. It's also the site of one of the entertainment industry's many tragedies. Peg Entwistle, an aspiring actress in the 1930's, jumped to her death from the letter "H" after multiple failed attempts at Hollywood fame. It is said her ghost still haunts the hills surrounding the sign.

5. San Antonio, Texas

One of the most famous haunted sites in San Antonio is Mission San Jose. The Mission was erected in the early 1700's and used to both Christianize the natives and protect the missionaries from those who refused to convert. According to legend, the grounds are haunted by the spirit of a Native American buried there. The spirit comes in the form of a large black dog, wandering the grounds along with a headless priest and the ghost of a woman.

4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fort Mifflin, located in Philadelphia, is the only intact Revolutionary War battlefield and is rumored to be haunted by the soldiers who died there. But there are other spirits as well; a woman's screams have often been heard coming from the Officer's Quarters. These screams are thought to be those of Elizabeth Pratt, an officer's wife who hung herself when her estranged daughter died of typhoid. And a faceless man has been seen knitting in Casemate 5, an area used as prison cells for Confederate POWs, while the ghost of a Revolutionary War soldier has been said to give tours of the Fort.

3. Boston, Massachusetts

One of Boston's most famous haunted places is the Boston Athenaeum. It's one of the oldest independent libraries in America and the site of a famous haunting as reported by The Scarlet Letter author Nathaniel Hawthorne. According to Hawthorne, the ghost of one of his reading partners, the Reverend Doctor Harris, haunted him for weeks at the Athenaeum before disappearing forever. It is not known if Harris's ghost ever really left.

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

One of the most famous ghosts that roams the streets of Santa Fe is that of the headless horseman who reportedly rides down Alto Street to the Santa Fe River, brandishing a sword on his way. Legend has it the headless horseman lost his head after complaining to two Santa Fe witches about a love potion they gave him. His spirit won't leave the area - many visitors report seeing the ghost on horseback at the banks of the river.

1. Salem, Massachusetts

We all know Salem was the site of the infamous Witch Trials, and the city is supposedly haunted by the spirits of the women who fell victim to the hysteria of the 1690's. But there's more to haunted Salem than ghosts of accused witches.

One of the spookiest places in Salem is the House of the Seven Gables. Built in 1668, the home is rumored to be haunted by the wife of the captain who built it. Employees and visitors alike have reported seeing the ghost of a woman peering out the windows, and some have heard the ghost of a young boy playing with his toys in the attic. It's said the spirits are former residents of the home who cannot bear to leave.

I visited the House of Seven Gables years ago, and it is a charming house beautifully situated on the water (you can see the sailboat behind the house in photo). Even if you don't believe in ghosts, take a trip to Salem just to experience this spooky part of American history.

Should your town be on this list? If so, please feel free to add to the comments below. Happy Halloween!

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Ilyce R. Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.comand The Equifax Personal Finance Blog, and is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investors.

Ilyce Glink

Ilyce R. Glink is an award-winning, nationally-syndicated columnist, best-selling book author and founder of Best Money Moves, an employee benefit program that helps reduce financial stress. She also owns ThinkGlink.com, where readers can find real estate and personal finance resources.

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