Haunted Hotels in Kansas City, Missouri

Haunted History of Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City's haunted history is a heady cocktail of jazz, mobsters, and Civil War bloodshed. In the roaring 1920s and 30s, under the corrupt political machine of Tom Pendergast, KCMO was a "wide-open town" where Prohibition was ignored. Its speakeasies and jazz clubs thrived, but so did the violence of the mob. The ghosts of gangsters, flappers, and jazz musicians who met untimely ends are said to still linger in the historic Power & Light and 18th & Vine districts, forever part of a party that never ended.

Long before the jazz era, the city was a focal point of the Civil War's western theater. The Battle of Westport, one of the largest battles fought west of the Mississippi, raged through what are now city streets and parks. The spirits of the thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers who fought and died here are still seen and heard in the historic homes and fields where they fell. From the backroom deals of the mob to the battle cries of the Civil War, Kansas City is a place where the echoes of a dramatic past refuse to fade away.

Other Haunted Attractions in Kansas City, Missouri

• Union Station: This magnificent, sprawling train station is as haunted as it is beautiful. It was the site of the infamous 1933 Kansas City Massacre, a bloody shootout between lawmen and the mob. The spirits of those killed in the gunfight, along with phantom travelers from the station's golden age, are said to still haunt the grand halls of Union Station.
• The Folly Theater: A former grand dame of burlesque and vaudeville, this historic theater is known for its paranormal activity. The most prominent ghost is "Eva," a performer who is seen in the backstage dressing rooms, but visitors and staff at The Folly Theater also report encountering a male spirit in a bowler hat who watches performances from a box seat.
• The John Wornall House Museum: This stately antebellum home was commandeered as a field hospital for both Confederate and Union troops during the 1864 Battle of Westport. The immense suffering that occurred within its walls has left a spiritual stain, and the John Wornall House Museum is now known for apparitions of soldiers, phantom moans, and bloodstains that mysteriously appear and disappear.
• St. Mary's Episcopal Church: One of the oldest churches in the city, St. Mary's has a long and haunted history. Used as a hospital during the Civil War, its grounds are said to be haunted by soldiers. The most famous spirit at St. Mary's, however, is Father Henry Jardine, a former priest who died at the altar and is said to still lovingly watch over his church.

Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Kansas City, Missouri

• Explore the Jazz District: Take a stroll through the historic 18th & Vine district at night. The area that gave birth to Kansas City jazz is said to be haunted by the ghosts of music legends and the mobsters who frequented the clubs.
• Take a Gangster Tour: To truly understand the city's haunted past, take a ghost tour that focuses on its Pendergast-era mob history. You'll visit the sites of old speakeasies, shootouts, and backroom deals.
• Remember the Barbecue: Kansas City is world-famous for its barbecue. Many of the oldest and most beloved barbecue joints are in historic buildings that have their own share of spooky stories.
• Know Your States: Kansas City straddles two states! Make sure the haunted hotel or attraction you're heading to is on the Missouri side, as Kansas City, Kansas has its own separate set of haunts.

FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Kansas City, Missouri

Are haunted hotels in Kansas City, Missouri safe to stay in? Absolutely. The city's hotels, especially the beautifully restored historic ones, must adhere to the highest standards of guest safety. The ghosts are just a fascinating part of the local history.

What is the most haunted hotel in Kansas City, Missouri? Many of the downtown hotels that thrived during the Prohibition and jazz eras, such as the Hotel Phillips and The Savoy at 21c, have deep-rooted ghost stories. We recommend reading our listings to see which mob-era haunt you'd like to check into.

Do haunted hotels in Kansas City, Missouri offer ghost tours? While some hotels embrace their haunted history, the city has a great selection of commercial ghost tour companies that often feature the most haunted hotels as key stops on their tours.

Can kids stay in haunted hotels? Most hotels are family-friendly. However, parents should be aware that the history behind many of Kansas City's most famous hauntings involves mob violence, war, and other adult themes that might be too intense for children.

What time of year is best for haunted hotel stays in Kansas City, Missouri? Fall is the perfect season. The weather is cool and comfortable for walking tours of the city's historic districts, and the spooky atmosphere of autumn perfectly complements the city's dark and fascinating past.