If you’re the kind of traveler who loves the thrill of a chilling tale or the allure of a long-forgotten legend, then a haunted road trip near Lubbock is your ideal Texas getaway. West Texas is rich with ghostly whispers—from abandoned courthouses to historic hotels where not everything checks out at the front desk. These routes mix history, folklore, and that uncanny feeling you can’t quite explain.
Grab a flashlight, a sense of adventure, and maybe a friend to hold onto. This trip explores eerie landmarks and mysterious places that continue to haunt Lubbock’s quiet roads and starry skies.
Why Lubbock Is Perfect for a Haunted Road Trip
The Panhandle Plains hold stories buried in dusty cemeteries, empty schoolhouses, and lonely prairie towns. Lubbock itself has a complex past—marked by Native American history, frontier conflict, violent storms, and untimely deaths that have spawned countless legends. These aren’t amusement park haunts—they’re real places with decades (sometimes centuries) of unexplained activity.
This road trip offers a perfect blend of roadside adventure, historical intrigue, and hair-raising tales told by locals who swear, “something happened here.”
Best Haunted and Legendary Stops Near Lubbock
1. Lubbock High School
Lubbock’s oldest high school isn’t just known for academics—students and staff have long reported shadowy figures, footsteps in empty halls, and lockers mysteriously slamming shut. Some say the ghost of a student who died during construction still wanders the building.
Address: 2004 19th St, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Exterior view anytime; no interior access without permission
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Haunted stairwells and ghost sightings in the auditorium
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit at dusk for a photo of the gothic-style architecture—many say the windows reflect more than just light.
2. Buddy Holly Center & Statue
While it’s a hub of music history by day, some visitors report a somber, uncanny feeling inside after hours. Security guards have claimed lights turn on and off without reason, and some believe the spirit of Buddy Holly returns occasionally to his tribute site.
Address: 1801 Crickets Ave, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Tue–Sun, during museum hours only
Approx Cost: $10 adults
Famous For: Sudden chills, flickering lights, and audio oddities near displays
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Look behind the glasses sculpture in the plaza—some visitors have reported strange sensations in that exact spot.
3. Hell’s Gate – Lubbock Cemetery Entrance
Located near the oldest part of Lubbock Cemetery, “Hell’s Gate” is a local legend tied to ghost sightings, EVP recordings, and mysterious temperature drops. Visitors describe a heavy, eerie silence and unexplained electrical interference.
Address: Near 31st St and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Lubbock, TX
Hours: 8am–7pm (daylight recommended)
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Paranormal investigators’ favorite local hotspot
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Don’t visit alone—many who do say their phone batteries die instantly near the gate.
4. Fort Phantom Hill (Day Trip from Lubbock)
About two hours southeast near Abilene, this 1850s frontier fort was built, burned, and rebuilt—all while surrounded by conflict. Visitors have reported ghostly soldiers, war cries, and glowing orbs in photos.
Address: 10818 FM 600, Abilene, TX
Hours: Daily: Sunrise to sunset
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Apparitions, phantom footsteps, and haunted ruins
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit at dawn or dusk when the fog rolls in—you’ll understand the name.
5. The Baker Hotel (Mineral Wells – Overnight Option)
If you’re up for a long-haul drive (just under 4 hours), this haunted hotel is one of Texas’s most iconic. Though under restoration, visitors report full-body apparitions, ghostly laughter, and flickering lights from outside.
Address: 201 E Hubbard St, Mineral Wells, TX
Hours: Exterior only (hotel currently closed for renovation)
Approx Cost: Free to view
Famous For: Paranormal hotbed with decades of reported hauntings
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: If you’re overnighting in Mineral Wells, book a ghost tour or drive by during a full moon—you’ll never forget it.
6. Littlefield House – Texas Tech Campus
Rumored to be haunted by its former residents, the Littlefield House features flickering lights, piano music with no one playing, and the sound of footsteps in its attic. The house is now used for special events.
Address: 601 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Exterior view only unless attending an event
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: Victorian architecture and music room hauntings
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit at twilight and look toward the second-floor windows—many claim to see a woman in white.
7. Levelland UFO Sighting Sites
About 30 minutes from Lubbock, Levelland was the site of a major 1957 UFO incident. Multiple drivers reported their engines dying and seeing glowing discs in the sky. While not ghostly, it’s a paranormal site worth visiting for mystery lovers.
Address: US-385, Levelland, TX
Hours: Open access
Approx Cost: Free
Famous For: One of the most documented UFO sightings in U.S. history
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit after dark on a clear night—you never know what you might see overhead.
Haunted-Friendly Eats in Lubbock
1. Café J
A local upscale bistro known for moody lighting and a few ghost stories of its own, including flickering lights and glasses that move unexpectedly.
Address: 2605 19th St, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Tue–Sat: 11am–9pm
Approx Cost: $15–$30
Famous For: Elegant ambiance and artistic dishes
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ask your server about the café’s “friendly ghost”—the staff may share a story or two.
2. Two Docs Brewing Co.
This lively brewery welcomes ghost hunters and casual travelers alike. With outdoor seating and weekend music, it’s a great way to unwind after exploring Lubbock’s haunted side.
Address: 502 Texas Ave, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Wed–Sun: 2pm–10pm
Approx Cost: $10–$15
Famous For: Beer flights, community events, and chill vibes
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Try the rotating seasonal brews—they’re great conversation starters for ghost story exchanges.
3. J’s Creamery
Cool off with some frozen custard at this popular stop—also known to some for its late-night “phantom customer” tales when the lights dim.
Address: 5101 82nd St, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Daily: 11am–10pm
Approx Cost: $5–$10
Famous For: Pup cups and frozen treats
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Visit after dusk for a quiet and slightly eerie dessert stop.
Where to Stay During Your Haunted Trip
1. Cotton Court Hotel
Chic and centrally located, this hotel is perfect for Lubbock ghost hunters. Some guests even report odd noises and flickering hallway lights.
Address: 1610 Broadway St, Lubbock, TX
Hours: 24/7
Approx Cost: $150–$200
Famous For: Downtown style and courtyard relaxation
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Request a room near the courtyard for a quiet night—mostly.
2. Woodrow House Bed & Breakfast
This historic B&B offers classic charm—and a few eerie tales about creaky floors and mysterious footsteps. Cozy, friendly, and atmospheric.
Address: 2629 19th St, Lubbock, TX
Hours: Check-in: 3pm
Approx Cost: $130–$180
Famous For: Themed rooms and haunted B&B charm
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ask if the caboose suite is available—it’s romantic and reportedly the quietest.
3. Pioneer Pocket Hotel
A self-check-in hotel with vintage touches and proximity to downtown legends like the Buddy Holly Center and Depot District.
Address: 1204 Broadway St, Lubbock, TX
Hours: 24/7
Approx Cost: $100–$150
Famous For: Boutique charm and tech-forward access
For More Info: Visit Website
Tip: Ideal for late-night ghost story writers looking for creative inspiration.
Packing Tips for Haunted Road Trips
Flashlight or headlamp for nighttime exploration
Camera or smartphone with extra storage
Notepad or ghost app for tracking strange events
Warm layers for chilly evenings
Snacks and bottled water
Extra phone charger and battery pack
Map in case of GPS signal loss
Comfortable walking shoes
Local Tips and Seasonal Advice
October is peak season for ghost tours and haunted events
Visit locations during daylight for safety, unless they offer official night tours
Ask locals—they often share stories not found online
Bring a friend for night trips—many sites are isolated
Always respect private property and historical landmarks
Use Lubbock tourism guides for official haunted listings and ghost walks
Conclusion: Chase Chills Across West Texas
A haunted road trip around Lubbock is more than a thrill—it’s a dive into the mysterious and forgotten corners of West Texas. Whether you believe in ghosts or just love a good story, these haunted sites offer intrigue, history, and a little hair-raising fun for every traveler.
Turn off the lights, hit the road, and let the shadows of Lubbock show you a side few ever see.
