Haunted Hotels in Illinois You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Illinois with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Illinois with haunted hotels
15 Haunted Hotels Found in Illinois
Hundley House Bed and Breakfast
602 S Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901
Built in the early 1900s, it's rumored to be haunted, possibly by former residents. Stories circulate about sounds of children playing when none are present, footsteps on stairs or upper floors, and objects being moved slightly. Some feel a presence associated with the home's long history and previous families.
Inn at 835
835 S 2nd St, Springfield, IL 62704
Primarily linked to the spirit of its former long-time resident, Bell Miller. Staff and guests report subtle activity like lights flickering, doors opening/closing on their own, items moving slightly, and the feeling of a gentle presence, especially in areas Bell favored. Considered a benevolent or 'resident' spirit protecting her home.
DeSoto House Hotel
230 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036
Opened in 1855, many believe spirits of past guests linger, including those from its time as a Civil War recruitment center or notable figures like Ulysses S. Grant. Stories include apparitions in period clothing, cigar smoke smells with no source, unexplained noises, and feelings of being touched. The 'Lady in Black' is a recurring spectral figure reported.
Sheraton Gateway Suites Rosemont
6501 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
Some claims suggest connection to the tragic American Airlines Flight 191 crash in 1979 near O'Hare, with theories that some victims' spirits might linger in the area, occasionally causing unease or unexplained occurrences in nearby hotels. However, specific, well-documented haunting stories tied *directly* to this specific hotel are less prevalent and more speculative/anecdotal than others on this list.
Drake Hotel
140 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611
The famous 'Woman in Red' is the primary ghost story, said to be a guest who discovered her lover/husband with another woman at a New Year's Eve gala in the Gold Coast Room. Devastated, she allegedly jumped or fell from a high floor. Her spirit is sometimes seen roaming the Gold Coast Room, Palm Court, and 10th floor. Other minor ghostly encounters reported occasionally.
Congress Plaza Hotel
520 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Considered one of Chicago's most haunted places. Numerous stories exist, including gangster Al Capone supposedly using it as headquarters (though debated), room 441 linked to multiple disturbances, stories of a 'peg-leg ghost' (possibly a workman from its construction), children's spirits on the 12th floor, and numerous unexplained phenomena like objects moving, lights flickering, and cold spots. Security guards often report strange activity.
Mineral Springs Hotel
301 E Broadway, Alton, IL 62002
Reportedly one of the most haunted places in Illinois. Stories include multiple spirits: a 'Jasmine Lady' associated with perfume smells, a child spirit near the pool where drownings occurred, and various others tied to accidents, murders, and suicides over its history. Activity includes apparitions, distinct smells, ghostly voices/music, and physical interaction.
Super 8 Macomb
1646 E Jackson St, Macomb, IL 61455
Local lore and anecdotes suggest possible low-level activity, potentially linked to past occupants or events in the vicinity. Reports are often vague, such as feelings of being watched, odd noises, or minor electrical disturbances. Not a prominently featured haunted location, and stories lack specific named entities or detailed legends. Likely more local urban legend than documented phenomena.
Ashmore Estates
22645 E County Road 1050 N, Ashmore, IL 61912
With a grim history as a poor farm and psychiatric hospital where many died under harsh conditions, Ashmore Estates is intensely haunted. Reports include numerous apparitions (especially 'Elva', a former patient), disembodied voices, screams, physical sensations (pushing, scratching), shadow figures, and extreme temperature changes. Many investigators capture EVPs and visual phenomena regularly.
Historic Rose Hotel
195 S Main St, Elizabethtown, IL 62931
Dating back to 1812, the Historic Rose Hotel has a long history. During renovations, unmarked graves, thought to belong to slaves and past guests, were discovered under the building. Paranormal investigators frequently report activity, claiming constant evidence of paranormal presence, including capturing an image of a ghost known as 'Tote'. Many believe these are spirits of individuals who died at the hotel over its extensive history.
Hotel Baker
100 W. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174
Hotel Baker's primary ghost story involves a chambermaid from the hotel's early days who tragically drowned herself in the Fox River after a romance ended poorly. Her spirit is believed to linger, particularly on the 6th floor where staff quarters once were located. Guests have reported experiencing disembodied voices, having their bed sheets tugged, witnessing lights cycling independently, and doors moving without physical interaction. Some accounts also suggest the spirit of Harriet Rockwell Baker, Colonel Baker's wife, may also be present.
RavenStone Castle
4504 Route 23, Harvard, IL 60033
Referenced as haunted in external lists (source: hauntedrooms.com), but direct Google searches for 'RavenStone Castle Harvard Illinois' did not readily yield specific local ghost stories or detailed paranormal accounts during this research session. Further investigation on dedicated paranormal sites might be needed but was skipped per user instruction.
Ruebel Hotel
217 E Main St, Grafton, IL 62037
The Ruebel Hotel, rebuilt in 1913 after a fire destroyed the 1879 original, is reputedly one of Illinois' most haunted. The primary spirit identified is that of a little girl named Abigail, frequently seen and sometimes heard in the upstairs hallway and near the stairs. Her presence inspired the name 'Abigail's Tap Room' in the hotel. Guests and staff have reported encountering Abigail, seeing orbs, and hearing inexplicable noises like furniture being moved in empty sections of the hotel late at night.
Ryan Mansion
Unavailable - Private Residence/Tour stop, Galena, IL
Featured as part of Galena's ghost tours. While likely a private residence and NOT a hotel one 'stays in' regularly like others on list (more observation needed). If included in 'haunted places' lists, it suggests spirits tied to the families who lived and died there over ~150 years. Typical claims might include sightings, sounds, or unease associated with historic homes.
The Original Springs Hotel
506 N Hanover St, Okawville, IL 62271
The Original Springs Hotel has a long history connected to tragic events, including suicides of past owners like Ben Schierbaum and Conrad Paeben. Another owner, Tom Rogers, died mysteriously in Room 350, now considered a paranormal hotspot on the third floor. Guests and staff report sightings of apparitions like the 'Lady in White', unexplained noises (footsteps, music), cold spots, objects moving, and a general feeling of being watched, especially on the 2nd and 3rd floors and in the former casino/laundry area.
Haunted History of Illinois
The haunted history of Illinois stretches from the bustling, crime-ridden past of Chicago to the hallowed grounds of Abraham Lincoln's Springfield. The state's paranormal identity is famously tied to the Windy City's legacy of gangsters, the Great Chicago Fire, and the sinister deeds of H.H. Holmes. However, the spectral tales of the Prairie State run much deeper, weaving through its rich political and social history.
Downstate, the ghost of Abraham Lincoln is said to still walk the halls of his old Springfield home and linger near his tomb, a solemn and respected spectral resident. The state's role as a major battleground for abolition and its connections to the Civil War have left spiritual scars, particularly in southern towns like Alton, which is often called one of the most haunted small towns in America. From the ancient mysteries of the Cahokia Mounds to the restless spirits in abandoned prisons, Illinois offers a chilling cross-section of American hauntings.
Other Haunted Attractions in Illinois
- McPike Mansion (Alton): Located in what is often called "the most haunted small town in America," the McPike Mansion is a paranormal investigator's dream. The spirits of the original owners and a former servant are said to still reside in this beautiful but decaying Victorian home. It is known for its intense paranormal activity, and tours of the haunted cellar are a terrifying highlight. You can book a tour at their official website.
- Old Joliet Prison (Joliet): This iconic, limestone fortress was a functioning prison for 150 years and has a dark and violent history. Made famous by The Blues Brothers, the prison is now open for historical and paranormal tours. Visitors report hearing the disembodied voices of inmates, cell doors slamming shut, and seeing shadowy figures in the dark, empty cellblocks.
- Bachelor's Grove Cemetery (Midlothian): This small, abandoned cemetery in the suburbs of Chicago is legendary in paranormal circles and is considered one of the most haunted cemeteries in the nation. It is famous for a host of phenomena, including a "vanishing house," a ghostly woman seen sitting on a tombstone, strange floating orbs of light, and a phantom farmhouse.
- Lincoln's Tomb (Springfield): The final resting place of the 16th President is a site of great respect, but also of quiet paranormal activity. Staff and visitors have reported hearing phantom footsteps walking the marble halls and experiencing the strange sensation of being touched when no one is there. It's believed the ghost of Lincoln, or perhaps one of the soldiers guarding his tomb, still keeps a solemn watch.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Illinois
- Trace Lincoln's Ghostly Steps: A trip to Springfield to explore the haunted sites connected to Abraham Lincoln is a must for any history-loving ghost hunter. Visit his tomb, his former home, and the Old State Capitol.
- Visit America's Most Haunted Small Town: Take a trip to Alton, located on the Mississippi River. The town's grim history as a Civil War prison site and its bloody past have made it a concentrated hotspot of paranormal energy.
- Explore Chicago's Dark Past: No haunted tour of Illinois is complete without exploring the gangster haunts, cursed theaters, and historic cemeteries of Chicago. Take a specialized tour to get the full, bloody story.
- Brave a Haunted Prison: For a truly intense paranormal experience, book a ghost tour at the Old Joliet Prison. Walking through the decaying cell house at night is a terrifying and unforgettable adventure.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Illinois
Are haunted hotels in Illinois safe to stay in? Yes, of course. Hotels across Illinois, whether historic inns or grand city hotels, prioritize guest safety. Their ghost stories are a fascinating part of their history and provide a spooky thrill, not a physical danger.
What is the most haunted city in Illinois? Chicago is the most famous for its sheer number of haunted locations and its dark history of crime and disaster. However, the small town of Alton is often cited by paranormal experts as being one of the most paranormally active and haunted towns in the entire country.
Are there hauntings in Illinois related to Abraham Lincoln? Yes, the ghost of Abraham Lincoln is one of Illinois's most famous and respected spirits. He is said to haunt his former home, the Old State Capitol where he worked, and his final resting place at Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield.
What is Bachelor's Grove Cemetery? Bachelor's Grove is a small, famously haunted cemetery near Chicago. It's known worldwide for a wide range of paranormal phenomena that have been documented for decades, including apparitions, strange lights, and even a phantom house that appears and vanishes.
What is the best time of year for a haunted tour of Illinois? Autumn is the ideal season for a haunted trip to Illinois. The crisp weather is perfect for cemetery strolls and walking tours, and the state's vibrant fall colors provide a beautiful but eerie backdrop for your spooky adventures.