Houston's Haunted Spots: A Spine-Chilling Tour of the City's Most Eerie Locations

When you think of Houston, spooky hauntings are not usually at the forefront of your mind. Compared to many other major U.S. cities, Houston is relatively new, with its significant population boom occurring in the late 1970s, fueled by the petroleum industry. Yet, beneath the city’s modern facade lies a tapestry of ghostly legends and eerie tales that will send shivers down your spine. With October right around the corner, this is the perfect time to begin gearing up for Halloween and visiting some of these spooky locations!

La Carafe

Dating back to 1860, La Carafe is Houston’s oldest building, with a history as diverse as it is haunted. Once a bakery, trading post, drug store, and hair salon, it transformed into a bar in the 1960s. Recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1979, La Carafe has become infamous for its spectral inhabitants. Bartenders have reported bottles hurling off shelves and the unsettling sound of a child’s ball bouncing from the upper floor. The ghost of a former manager and a figure resembling a bartender named Carl are often seen peering through the second-floor window after hours. But the most unnerving presence is a ghostly woman in white who is rumored to push women and girls down the stairs.

Although we did not experience anything particularly spooky here, there is definitely a strange feeling as you ascend the stairs to the second floor. Even without the spooky tales, this bar is an absolute gem. They operate on a cash-only basis so make sure to bring some cash with you to grab a drink while here!

Dean's

Originally known as The Kiam, Dean’s was once Houston's tallest building when it opened in 1893. It pioneered modern architecture with its steel frame and was one of the first buildings in Texas to feature an electric elevator. During Prohibition, rumors swirled about a secret speakeasy hidden within. Today, the elevator is haunted by a thin, pale figure with long dark hair—believed to be the former elevator operator. Guests have reported feeling shoves or scratches while inside.

The elevator is no longer functional, but you can still enter and look into the mirror. Who knows? Maybe you'll see a spooky figure looming behind you in the reflection.

The Rice Hotel (Now Post Rice Lofts)

Opened in 1913 on the site of the old Capitol of the Republic of Texas, The Rice Hotel has a storied past, hosting celebrities and historical figures, including President John F. Kennedy. Ghostly apparitions from the 1920s have been spotted dancing on the rooftops, and disturbing visions, such as blood-soaked sheets, have plagued residents. The building, now Post Rice Lofts, remains a hotspot for spectral activity, especially in the room where JFK once stayed.

Esperson Buildings

Constructed in 1927 and 1941, the Esperson Buildings are renowned for their Italian Renaissance and Neo-Classical architecture. Built by Mellie Esperson in memory of her late husband Niels, these buildings are haunted by Mellie’s ghost. Witnesses have reported seeing her ethereal figure wandering the halls and experiencing chilling cold spots around the elevators, which are notorious for malfunctioning on their own.

Houston Public Library - Julia Ideson Building

Opened in 1925, the Julia Ideson Building is home to the ghostly presence of former caretaker Jacob Frank Cramer and his dog, Petey. Cramer, who resided in the building’s basement, is said to haunt the library, with eerie strains of violin music and the sound of Petey’s toenails clicking on the marble floors often reported by employees.

If you’re brave enough, the building is open during visiting hours posted on the Houston Public Library website. Pay a visit and see if you hear the ghostly strains of Cramer’s violin or the click-clack of Petey’s toenails.

The Spaghetti Warehouse - Now McIntyre's Downtown

The Spaghetti Warehouse, which opened in 1974, was famed for its opulent décor, including a full-sized Houston Avenue trolley car and a staircase from a European castle leading to the second floor. The building, repurposed in 2019 and now home to McIntyre's Downtown, is still believed to be haunted. The most frequently reported ghost is that of a former pharmacist who died in an elevator shaft. His apparition is often seen pacing near the old elevator, with his presence felt strongly in the basement. His wife’s ghost is also said to cause mischief—tying employees' shoes together, tapping guests on the shoulder, and creating messes in the kitchen. One waiter even reported witnessing a wicker basket float down from the second floor.

The Spaghetti Warehouse may be gone, but the spirits are rumored to linger. I’ve been to McIntyre's many times and encountered some unsettling characters, but not many ghosts—though you might have better luck!

Jefferson Davis Hospital (Now Elder Street Artist Lofts)

Opened in 1924, Houston’s first city hospital was built on land previously used for burials. Now a historical site housing artists, it has a chilling reputation. Reports include sightings of ghostly figures, unsettling noises, and the spirits of soldiers and a woman wandering the building. The basement, built above ground to avoid disturbing graves, is particularly active. If you are a fan of podcasts I recommend checking out a story submitted from a fan for this place on the Scared to Death podcast here. 

While going on our own haunted tour of Houston me and my friends had our own creepy experience here. We arrived late at night after checking out the other haunted spots in downtown. We parked our car in the parking lot and walked out to the front to get a few pictures of the building, while I talked over the history of the place, when we saw two flashlight beams came around the corner and shine on us.

We immediately started apologizing and explained we were just here for the ghost stories and were about to leave, not wanting to disturb anyone. To our surprise, the flashlight beams belonged to a friendly older couple. They reassured us that we weren’t disturbing anyone, but they had a warning.

Apparently, there was a homeless man who had a habit of wandering around the building. This man was a suspect in a murder case and had a disturbing obsession with the place. He believed the building’s lights were aliens trying to communicate with him. The couple had seen him just 30 minutes before we arrived and had called the police. Since the officers hadn’t shown up yet, they wanted to make sure we were safe and not caught off guard if he was lurking nearby.

A little freaked out, we thanked them for the heads-up and for looking out for us. After chatting for a while, we asked about their time living in the building and if they had experienced anything creepy. They both said they hadn't but many of the other artists living there had creepy things happen to them. The woman kindly offered to give us an insider tour of the property and we took her up on the experience, getting to see the inside of the building. Although it was restored, the hallways and elevator still had a distinct hospital feel—dark and with very few windows. We all agreed after leaving this place that even standing outside the building gives you such a feeling of dread that none of the other places on this list measured up to.

Glenwood Cemetery

Described as "Scary but fun" in a TripAdvisor review, Glenwood Cemetery is Houston’s first professionally designed cemetery, with its first burial in 1872. Known as the "River Oaks of the Dead," the cemetery has a history of body relocations that some believe have angered the spirits. Visitors report seeing orbs, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling watched. The ghost of a former caretaker and the spirit of Araminta Wettermark, whose tomb is a hotspot for paranormal activity, are particularly noted.

The cemetery was under construction when we visited, but it’s now open for visitors. If you’re looking for a spine-tingling experience, Glenwood Cemetery is a must-see.

Houston may not immediately come to mind as a city with a rich tapestry of haunted history, but its past is filled with eerie tales and ghostly legends. From historic buildings to repurposed landmarks, the city offers a range of haunted sites that captivate and chill those who dare to explore them. As October approaches and Halloween draws near, it’s the perfect time to dive into Houston’s haunted history and visit these spooky locations.

Whether you're drawn to the chilling stories of La Carafe, intrigued by the spectral figures of The Rice Hotel, or curious about the eerie happenings at Jefferson Davis Hospital, Houston’s haunted spots provide a thrilling experience for both locals and visitors alike. Embrace the spirit of the season and venture into these ghostly realms—you might just encounter something otherworldly.