One Of America's Most Haunted Hotels Is A Popular Place To Stay In Texas With A Scary History

Looking for a frightening travel experience? From mysterious forests filled with haunted hikes to chilling abandoned places and haunted lakes that locals suggest to avoid at all costs, the U.S. is brimming with spooky destinations — each one creepier than the next — that are perfect for paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers looking to get a good scare. Among these haunted hotspots, one eerie destination stands out as particularly infamous: The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. One of the most haunted hotels in the U.S. where you can spend the night (if you dare), this historic building is surrounded by 137 years of stories of blood money, deathly accidents, and heartbroken lovers.

Constructed in 1886 and located in the heart of downtown Austin, The Driskill's reputation as a paranormal hotspot has preceded its luxury accommodations. So much so that, beyond welcoming guests from around the world, it's become a popular destination for visitors who are more interested in catching a firsthand glimpse of something supernatural than in enjoying a relaxing stay.

According to local lore, the Driskill Hotel is home to numerous ghost stories that have captivated visitors for decades. From the playful spirit of a young girl who died on the grand staircase to the lingering presence of the hotel's founder — Jesse Driskil — who reportedly enjoys surprising female rock stars who spend the night there, the building seems to buzz with paranormal activity. One of the most tragic tales, however, is the restless soul of a heartbroken lover who was abandoned by her fiancée. Although details vary, most accounts focus on "Room 525", where she's said to have ended her life in the bathroom.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2023, Laura Judge — a front desk agent at the Driskill — admitted to having her fair share of supernatural experiences. "I was looking in the mirror, and I saw this white, smoggy, figured lady," she recounts during the interview. "She just walked across the mirror. I looked behind me, and there was nobody there." Over time, however, Judge has come to appreciate the spirits as friendly presences instead of threats — going as far as to refer to them as her "coworkers."

But staff aren't the only ones who experience the unexplained. Reddit user u/laavummbyee took to r/Paranormal to recount their experience after spending the night at the hotel. In their post, they describe waking up in the middle of the night to find themselves observing their own sleeping body from across the room with her feet hanging off the bottom of the bed. They also reported seeing a ghostly housekeeper from another era as she vacuumed the bathroom.

If you're hoping to visit the Driskill Hotel but don't want to brave the entire experience on your own, Viator currently offers a Haunted Austin Walking History Tour that'll take you on a 90-minute journey through the city's spookiest locations. From recounting spine-chilling tales of days past to murders, mysteries, and paranormal sightings, Viator's tour is led by a guide who'll inject a touch of storytelling into every stop.

Along with a visit to The Driskill, the tour also stops along Congress Avenue — a hotspot that's brimming with ghost stories and eerie tales — as well as the historic Paramount Theater, home to one of the most famous ghost photos in the country, and 6th Street. At the last stop, you and your group can shake the heebie-jeebies off with a drink or two at Speakeasy Austin. The calm might not last too long, though, considering patrons and staff have reported catching a glimpse of ghostly apparitions, hearing screams for help, and even falling victim to unexpected poltergeist activity — including breaking bottles and slamming doors.

Tickets for the tour are currently available for $28 per person through the Viator website, and the tour runs Monday through Saturday, starting from 8:00 p.m. And let's face it: If you're heading to Austin for this Halloween season, there's really no better way to get to know the city (and its other-worldly inhabitants) than with a nighttime walk through its most haunted spots — or, if you're brave enough, with a full night's stay at the hotel.