If you’re craving a taste of the great beyond, these are the nine best places to spot a ghost in Austin. Fair warning: the hair on the back of your neck might stand on end. Frigid goosebumps will climb up your back. Your pulse will accelerate faster than the cars at Circuit of the Americas, but these supernatural spots will give you a truly wild experience. Adrenaline junkies will have no trouble meeting a spectral spirit in Austin. The capital city is loaded with otherworldly inhabitants.
- The Littlefield House
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Amongst the hip and sprawling buildings on the UT campus sits the historic Littlefield House. Civil War veteran George Littlefield had this home built in 1893, and his wife Alice is said to have never left. Her ghostly spirit supposedly haunts this home, now used for University functions and meetings. You may hear some ominous piano playing coming from the top floor.
- The Driskill Hotel
Karen Blaha/Flickr Hordes of ghostly apparitions have appeared at The Driskill Hotel. From childlike spirits playing with bouncing balls to the skin-crawling tales of the suicide brides, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter some otherworldly energy in this historic hotel.
- The Texas State Capital
ben wiseley/Flickr Famous figures from Texas’ past like to come by and check on the city every once in a while. Spectral sightings of Sam Houston and Lyndon B. Johnson have been reported during peak political moments. Susanna Wilkerson Dickinson, the only survivor of the Alamo, also floats near the capital grounds.
- The Clay Pit
Larry Miller/Flickr At The Clay Pit, it’s highly likely that you’ll get some spectral company joining you for a delicious meal. The building, constructed in 1853 as a trading post, has several ghostly inhabitants. The ghost of a five-year-old child likes to peek his head around the corner, and you often hear the sounds of riotous revelry coming from the upstairs ballroom even when it’s completely empty.
- Buffalo Billiards
Kevin Harber/Flickr The Buffalo Billiards building began its days as a brothel, and one pesky ghost wants to stay here forever. Nicknamed “Fred,” this spirit likes to prank these 6th street bartenders by unstacking chairs late at night and whispering in their ears. Some employees even pour him a pint of beer at the beginning of each shift just to keep him happy.
- Moonshine Patio Cafe and Grill
dianaconnolly101/Flickr In the 1800s, Moonshine Grill acted as a gathering area for locals. The building survived a horrific flood, but many civilians didn’t. The specters that linger at Moonshine are harmless, but it’s enough to send a chill up your spine. They’ll often tap guests on the shoulders, move wine bottles, and produce rattling noises.
- The Texas Governor’s Mansion
Mark Goebel/Flickr The most frightening story surrounding the governor’s mansion involves a young man’s love-ached suicide. After Governor Murrah’s niece rejected his offer for marriage, he locked himself in a nearby room and shot himself. His moaning, screaming, and door-rattling can be heard even to this day. It’s especially strong on Sundays, the day the young man ended his life.
- Spider House Cafe and Ballroom
Spider House Cafe/Facebook Phones can’t call themselves… or can they? In the ’90s, a message was left on Spider House’s answering machine, and the caller ID came from the business’ landline. In addition to an automated error message, employees could hear frightening sounds of a woman’s chatter.
- Austin’s Inn at Pearl Street
Austin’s Inn at Pearl Street/Facebook This luxurious inn is so gorgeous, even the ghosts don’t want to leave. It’s said that a ghostly mother carries her child throughout the home and reclines in the rocking chair when nobody is sitting there.
Have you ever spotted a ghost in Austin? Where is your favorite haunted hangout?
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Amongst the hip and sprawling buildings on the UT campus sits the historic Littlefield House. Civil War veteran George Littlefield had this home built in 1893, and his wife Alice is said to have never left. Her ghostly spirit supposedly haunts this home, now used for University functions and meetings. You may hear some ominous piano playing coming from the top floor.
Karen Blaha/Flickr
Hordes of ghostly apparitions have appeared at The Driskill Hotel. From childlike spirits playing with bouncing balls to the skin-crawling tales of the suicide brides, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter some otherworldly energy in this historic hotel.
ben wiseley/Flickr
Famous figures from Texas’ past like to come by and check on the city every once in a while. Spectral sightings of Sam Houston and Lyndon B. Johnson have been reported during peak political moments. Susanna Wilkerson Dickinson, the only survivor of the Alamo, also floats near the capital grounds.
Larry Miller/Flickr
At The Clay Pit, it’s highly likely that you’ll get some spectral company joining you for a delicious meal. The building, constructed in 1853 as a trading post, has several ghostly inhabitants. The ghost of a five-year-old child likes to peek his head around the corner, and you often hear the sounds of riotous revelry coming from the upstairs ballroom even when it’s completely empty.
Kevin Harber/Flickr
The Buffalo Billiards building began its days as a brothel, and one pesky ghost wants to stay here forever. Nicknamed “Fred,” this spirit likes to prank these 6th street bartenders by unstacking chairs late at night and whispering in their ears. Some employees even pour him a pint of beer at the beginning of each shift just to keep him happy.
dianaconnolly101/Flickr
In the 1800s, Moonshine Grill acted as a gathering area for locals. The building survived a horrific flood, but many civilians didn’t. The specters that linger at Moonshine are harmless, but it’s enough to send a chill up your spine. They’ll often tap guests on the shoulders, move wine bottles, and produce rattling noises.
Mark Goebel/Flickr
The most frightening story surrounding the governor’s mansion involves a young man’s love-ached suicide. After Governor Murrah’s niece rejected his offer for marriage, he locked himself in a nearby room and shot himself. His moaning, screaming, and door-rattling can be heard even to this day. It’s especially strong on Sundays, the day the young man ended his life.
Spider House Cafe/Facebook
Phones can’t call themselves… or can they? In the ’90s, a message was left on Spider House’s answering machine, and the caller ID came from the business’ landline. In addition to an automated error message, employees could hear frightening sounds of a woman’s chatter.
Austin’s Inn at Pearl Street/Facebook
This luxurious inn is so gorgeous, even the ghosts don’t want to leave. It’s said that a ghostly mother carries her child throughout the home and reclines in the rocking chair when nobody is sitting there.
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