In 2019, Brandwatch named Nevada the 3rd most haunted state in the U.S., with the spookiest locations in or around Las Vegas. There is no shortage of eerie stories of run-ins with paranormal entities across Sin City, so let’s explore some of the most haunted places in Las Vegas:
Luxor Hotel & Casino
The Luxor, an iconic property on the Strip, is widely considered one of the most haunted resorts in Vegas. Nicknamed “the curse of the Luxor,” the hotel has had a surprising amount of unexplained deaths in its history. More than a few patrons have witnessed paranormal activity inside the resort’s pyramid.
Luxor also famously houses the Titanic Exhibit with artifacts recovered from the sunken ship, including a large piece of the ship’s hull. Employees and guests have repeatedly claimed deceased passengers from the doomed ship now haunt Luxor, lurking in rooms replicating the Titanic.
El Cortez Hotel & Casino
El Cortez Hotel & Casino on Fremont Street is the oldest hotel operating in Vegas today. It’s not surprising, then, that more than a few spooky tales are attached to the property.
Many believe the ghost stories are due to the location’s past connection to mobsters like Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky. Guests who have stayed in the Cabana Suites have claimed to see shadowy figures in their rooms and hear loud, repeated knocks on their doors.
The Mob Museum
If you’re looking to discover true tales of criminal activity – and maybe see a few ghosts – make sure to visit The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. The building was converted from the old federal courthouse, meaning many mobsters, murderers, and criminals have been prosecuted in this historic building.
The museum features artifacts from some of the worst crimes in American history. Visitors claim that spirits still stalk the exhibit halls, particularly around the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre wall, the actual wall where seven gangsters were shot and killed in 1929.
Bally’s Las Vegas
Before it was Bally’s Las Vegas, the MGM Grand‘s original building was located here. Spreading from a refrigerated display case in one of the property’s restaurants, a devastating fire caused 85 people to lose their lives in 1980. This tragedy led Vegas to establish some of the strictest fire safety codes in the U.S.
New owners rebuilt the hotel and renamed it Bally’s in 1985 while preserving select original parts of the building that are still displayed today. Many guests claim to have seen unusual shadows, heard screams and strange noises, and even witnessed a flaming spirit on the casino floor.
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum is one of America’s most frightening haunted destinations. “Flashlight ghost tours” are even available for those brave enough.
While some believe they have seen supernatural entities, most visitors say they experience peculiar feelings such as intense sadness and the sensation of a “heavy weight.” Many believe the original mansion, which houses the museum, hosted dark rituals in the 1970s.
The museum is full of haunted surprises, including a mirror that causes bite marks to appear when looked into. The owner, Cindy Lee, also reported seeing a dark entity while looking into the mirror. And that’s just one of the countless cursed objects you’ll discover at this location on Charleston Boulevard.
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Rhyolite Ghost Town is 120 miles from Vegas and 6 miles from Beatty, NV, near Death Valley National Park. The only living things in this town are tourists.
Visiting Rhyolite will provide a fascinating look into the past. Despite having several standing buildings, many people have photographs showing buildings and locations in the town which do not exist. Are these glimpses of the town’s shadowy past? Find out for yourself!
Hoover Dam and the Boulder Dam Hotel
The Hoover Dam is home to many eerie tales. Located on the Nevada-Arizona border, the dam is just 40 minutes away from Vegas.
During construction, almost 100 workers lost their lives, with claims of some falling into the concrete, leaving their souls trapped forever inside the dam’s structure.
People have also linked the dam to satanic rituals and other paranormal activity, making it common to hear footsteps and see spectral workers still working on the dam.
Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada
Longtime patrons of Pioneer Saloon – one of the oldest saloons in the country – believe the ghost of Carole Lombard can be felt within the bar. Carole died in a plane crash at Potosi Mountain – about 12 miles from the saloon – in 1942. Much of the saloon’s memorabilia is in her honor.
Patrons also tell tales of Paul Coski haunting the tavern since 1915, when he was caught cheating in a poker game and was killed in a shootout. You can even see three bullet holes in the wall allegedly resulting from Paul’s death.
Put on a brave face and grab a drink at this famous saloon, located just 40-minutes south of the Strip along the I-15.
How to See the Most Haunted Places in Vegas
You can visit these haunted sites on your own or find guided ghost tours. Discover whether these spooky tales are fact or fiction, and book your next trip to Sin City.
