If ghost stories, abandoned buildings, and eerie history thrill you, then buckle up for a haunted road trip adventure from Austin. Central Texas is home to some of the most spine-tingling spots in the Lone Star State. Whether it’s the ghostly whisper in an old hotel hallway or a deserted town that seems frozen in time, Austin is surrounded by places where history and the supernatural collide.
This creepy itinerary takes you through haunted jails, historic courthouses, forgotten ghost towns, and mysterious cemeteries. Each location tells a story that lingers long after you leave—and may just leave you questioning what you thought was real.
Overview of Haunted Road Trips from Austin
Austin may be a city known for music and food, but it’s also a city with deep roots in Texas history—and some of that history refuses to stay buried. From the tales of spectral soldiers to haunted dance halls and lingering spirits in historic hotels, the region’s ghostly side is never far from reach.
What makes a haunted road trip so special here is the sheer variety of locations: old-world saloons, abandoned prisons, eerie forests, and even caves with chilling legends. These sites offer not just a glimpse into Texas’ haunted past, but also incredible views, roadside oddities, and a few goosebumps along the way.
Haunted Stops Near Austin That Will Give You Chills
1. The Driskill Hotel
As Austin’s most famous haunted landmark, the Driskill Hotel blends opulence with eerie encounters. Built in 1886, the hotel has long been the site of ghostly tales—from a senator’s daughter who fell down the grand staircase to the spirit of Colonel Driskill himself roaming the halls.
Address: 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701
Hours: Open 24/7
Approx Cost: Free to visit lobby, rooms from $250+
Famous For: Paranormal sightings, ghostly children, haunted elevators
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Head to the mezzanine late at night—many report a heavy chill and unexplained sounds in this area.
2. Oakwood Cemetery
Established in the 1850s, Oakwood Cemetery is Austin’s oldest burial ground and the final resting place of some of Texas’ earliest settlers. Visitors often report a strange silence in the air, unexplained cold spots, and feelings of being watched—even in broad daylight.
Address: 1601 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 7 PM
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Unmarked graves and Civil War spirits
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit during dusk for an eerier ambiance—but respect posted rules and close times.
3. Littlefield House
Located on the University of Texas campus, this historic Victorian mansion has long been considered haunted by the ghost of Alice Littlefield. Students and staff have reported piano music from empty rooms and lights flickering without cause.
Address: 24th St & Whitis Ave, Austin, TX 78705
Hours: Private property; viewable from outside
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Apparitions in windows and phantom piano melodies
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Walk around the outside at night for the full effect—but note that the house is not open to the public.
4. Yorktown Memorial Hospital
One of the most terrifying haunted locations near Austin, Yorktown Memorial Hospital is abandoned but offers ghost tours and overnight investigations. This 1950s-era hospital is said to be haunted by former patients—and nuns who still “watch over” the halls.
Address: 728 W Main St, Yorktown, TX 78164
Hours: By appointment only
Approx Cost: $25–$100 (tour or investigation)
Famous For: Shadow figures, voices, and sudden equipment malfunctions
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Bring a flashlight and recorder—EVP sessions often yield eerie results.
5. Presidio La Bahía
About two hours from Austin, this 18th-century Spanish fort played a crucial role in Texas’ fight for independence—and is now known for ghostly apparitions and soldier sightings. Visitors claim to hear footsteps echoing and doors slamming with no one around.
Address: 217 US-183, Goliad, TX 77963
Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 5 PM
Approx Cost: $5 adults
Famous For: Ghosts of Texian soldiers and eerie midnight sounds
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: If you’re brave enough, book the on-site priest’s quarters for an overnight stay.
6. Luling Zedler Mill
A historic sawmill-turned-park, Zedler Mill has a haunted reputation thanks to tales of workers who died during its industrial heyday. Eerie figures are said to appear by the water at dusk, and ghost-hunting groups claim the site is “very active.”
Address: 1170 S Laurel Ave, Luling, TX 78648
Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 6 PM
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Ghostly apparitions near the river and waterwheel
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit in the late afternoon and walk the riverside trail slowly—you may not be alone.
7. Ghost Town – Manor, Texas
Just a short drive from Austin, this themed western ghost town holds events and seasonal haunted experiences. Though part attraction, many staff claim real paranormal activity has occurred during off-hours.
Address: 14219 Littig Rd, Manor, TX 78653
Hours: Seasonal (check schedule)
Approx Cost: $15–$30 depending on event
Famous For: Real and staged ghost activity blended in one chilling location
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Book tickets early for Halloween season—they sell out fast.
Food Stops with Spooky Stories or Ambience
1. The Tavern – Austin
This pub dates back to the early 1900s and is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a young woman. Staff have reported bottles flying off shelves and eerie shadows in the upstairs bar.
Address: 922 W 12th St, Austin, TX 78703
Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 2 AM
Approx Cost: $10–$20
Famous For: Burgers, beer, and ghostly encounters
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ask about the upstairs room—some claim it’s where the spirit lingers.
2. Black’s BBQ – Lockhart
While not haunted per se, this historic BBQ joint has served thousands over its long history—and Lockhart itself has ghost tours that start nearby. The atmosphere feels frozen in time.
Address: 215 N Main St, Lockhart, TX 78644
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 8 PM
Approx Cost: $15–$25
Famous For: Legendary brisket and sausage since 1932
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Eat first, then take a walking ghost tour of Lockhart’s square.
3. Scholz Garten – Austin
The oldest beer garden in Texas, Scholz is a historic hotspot with over a century of stories—some of which include strange cold spots and noises during off-hours.
Address: 1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Hours: Mon–Sat, 11 AM – 10 PM
Approx Cost: $10–$18
Famous For: German fare and ghostly whispers
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit mid-afternoon for a quiet vibe—you may feel an unexplained presence.
Where to Stay for a Spooky Night
1. The Driskill Hotel
Already featured above, but it deserves a second mention for overnight stays. If you want the full haunted experience, book Room 525 or the historic corner suites.
2. Magnolia Hotel – Seguin
A lesser-known but seriously haunted B&B where guests have reported ghost children, moving objects, and waking up to whispers.
Address: 203 S Crockett St, Seguin, TX 78155
Approx Cost: $120–$160/night
Famous For: Active hauntings and EVP recordings
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ask about their guided ghost hunts—offered on select weekends.
3. Sheraton Gunter Hotel – San Antonio
This historic hotel has a dark past tied to a 1965 unsolved murder. Guests have reported ghost sightings, strange sounds, and cold drafts in certain rooms.
Address: 205 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Approx Cost: $150–$220/night
Famous For: Mysterious Room 636 and its unsolved case
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Request a higher-floor room for views—and the occasional unexplained chill.
Packing Tips for a Haunted Road Trip
- Flashlight or headlamp for night tours
- EMF reader or voice recorder for ghost hunting
- Camera with night mode
- Layers and walking shoes for cold cemeteries or trails
- Notebook to log strange encounters
- Snacks and water for long drives
- Extra batteries and portable charger
- Printed directions—cell service can be spotty
- Blanket if you’re staying in older, drafty hotels
- Courage—you’ll need it
Local Tips & Seasonal Advice
- Fall is the best season for haunted trips—cooler weather and Halloween events
- Many haunted sites offer tours only on weekends—book in advance
- Ghost towns may be on private property—always check before visiting
- Stay respectful at cemeteries and historic sites—many are still in use
- Some hotels don’t advertise hauntings—ask staff off-record
- Bring friends—ghost hunting is better (and safer) in groups
- Towns like Lockhart, Seguin, and Goliad also host seasonal ghost walks
- Check weather—Texas rain can make backroads slippery or inaccessible
- Look for small-town festivals during spooky season—bonus fun
- Download offline maps in case you lose reception on rural roads
Final Conclusion
From flickering lights in historic hotels to whispers in lonely cemeteries, a haunted road trip from Austin offers more than chills—it offers stories, history, and connection to the past. Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal chaser or just curious about Texas folklore, these destinations invite you to dig deeper into what lingers just beyond the veil.
So hit the road, roll the windows down, and embrace the eerie side of the Lone Star State. Just don’t forget to leave a light on when you check in.
