The Southern Haunt Crawl: Lets Go!
Updated: 51 minutes ago
Go where the history runs deep, the spirits have stories to tell, the food is worth savoring, and the destinations are dying to be explored.
Whether you call yourself a paranormal adventurer, haunting enthusiast, ghost seeker, or enjoy rich, local lore, this no-pressure bucket list, filled with ghost stories served with a side of history, a good meal, and maybe a spirit of another kind, is made especially for you.
We've hand-picked 5 historic hotels and inns from the South, chosen because each one delivers a rich, layered experience, along with things that may or may not go bump in the night.
These properties offer not only legends but also fascinating real-life histories, with stays ranging from grand restored landmarks to intimate boutique inns. And because even most intrepid ghost hunters need to eat, food plays a part in the experience, too.
After all, this is the South, and we tend to eat well.
Many feature celebrated restaurants, historic dining rooms, or thoughtfully crafted Southern menus that make dinner another reason to stay awhile.
When you arrive, settle in and soak up the atmosphere. Then head downstairs, or perhaps across the courtyard, to the bar and order the signature drink we created especially for that property and its legend. Sip it while the stories sink in, alongside whatever delectable dish the kitchen is sending out that evening.
And keep your camera handy.
Don't fret if apparitions don't manifest, for each hotel or inn is tucked into a town or city worth exploring on its own. Plenty is still waiting beyond your room.
There's no order or timeline for completing the Southern Haunt Crawl. Visit one this weekend, another a few months from now, or spend years making your way through all 5.
Snap a photo or short video of your drink, the lobby, your room, the grounds, or your meal. If something unexplained happens to sneak into the frame ~ an orb, a shadow, a wisp of mist, or something you can't quite explain ~ even better.
The more, the scarier, we say!
Don't forget to share your visit by tagging @shmtraveler and using #SouthernHauntCrawl. We want to see where the journey takes you and whether anyone (or anything) decides to join you along the way.
So, pack that bag, bring your appetite, and leave some room for the unexpected and unexplained.
1. Windsor Hotel – Americus, Georgia (Historic Victorian Landmark)
Ghostly legend
Young girl Emma (and mother Emily Mae, a housekeeper)—allegedly pushed down an elevator shaft in the early 1900s by a lover/politician; child’s giggling/running on 3rd floor.
Signature drink
Emma Mae — This pale, gin-based signature pour is made for sipping in a grand 1892 Victorian hotel with a young presence still heard in the hallways. Stay at the Windsor Hotel in Americus, GA, and order Emma Mae.
Famous visitors/associations
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1928 speech/stay).
Tours
Local/Atlanta-area ghost tours sometimes include it; ask staff.
Lodging rates
$150–$250+/night.
Website
About 150 miles south of Atlanta, Americus is home to the Windsor Hotel, which once hosted William Jennings Bryan, Charles Lindbergh, Al Capone, and future U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who spoke from the hotel veranda in 1928.
As one of the state's most treasured historic landmarks, the property, built in 1852, is known for its three-story open-air Victorian atrium lobby. At the time, it was considered one of the state's most advanced resorts because it had early elevators and electric lights. The Windsor Hotel is a contributing property in the Americus Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the five-story Windsor Hotel, with its marble floors, golden oak woodwork, wrought-iron railings, and architectural features, offers 53 period-style rooms and suites (all with modern features like flat-screen TVs and granite bathroom countertops), including the Carter Presidential Suite, named after Jimmy Carter, who resided in nearby Plains and visited and supported the hotel.
The hotel has three on-site restaurants, each with its own character: Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant, Floyd's Pub and The Alley Bar.
Since the Windsor Hotel is downtown, you're steps away from shops, boutiques, and other dining options. Be sure to print off the self-guided downtown walking tour to learn more about the area. Lenny's Farmers Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, May-November, and features food vendors, artisans, and more. Catch a show at the Rylander Theater (ca. 1921), home to a 1928 restored Moller theater pipe organ.
If you are in the mood to sample some liquid spirits, it's about a five-minute walk to 13th Colony Distillery for a tour and tastings.
Branching out (aka getting in your car), the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park in Plains is nine miles from the property. Take a self-guided tour of Plains High School, Plains Depot, and the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm.
Sources – Windsor Hotel
• Official site: https://www.windsor-americus.com
• Americus Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
(contributing property; NRIS 76000648)
• Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/jica
• Downtown Americus: https://www.downtownamericus.com
2. The Belmont Inn – Abbeville, South Carolina (National Register Historic Inn)
Ghostly legend
Abraham (former bellhop—jiggles doorknobs, walks halls, sometimes “snuggles” guests); May Bell (kitchen activity); “wandering widow” in black; actress-related spirit linked to the Opera House.
Signature drink
The Wandering Widow — a dark red-wine and port sip, stained with blackberry and a little lemon, that looks like a black dress catching the light as she drifts through the Belmont’s lobby and disappears.
Famous visitors/associations
Opened in 1903 as Eureka Hotel for railroad and opera-house visitors.
Tours
Local storytelling events and Opera House connections; ask staff.
Lodging rates
100–$200+/night.
Website
When the list of distinguished guests includes a president, you know you are staying somewhere special.
The Belmont Inn hasn't strayed too far from its early days, with its charming 25 rooms, perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families, and the much-needed modern touches, including upgraded bedding, flat-screen televisions, high-speed internet, and a free continental breakfast. It is also pet-friendly, which is a bonus for some travelers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property also has an on-site restaurant. The Belmont Inn is part of the Abbeville Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Stroll the Square (aka downtown), check out the many local shops and boutiques, and find a few items to take home. Arrange your visit to coincide with a show at the Abbeville Opera House (ca. 1908), the Rural Drama State Theatre of South Carolina.
For those interested in history, Secession Hill and Monument, about a three- to five-minute walk from The Belmont Inn, is where thousands gathered on Nov. 22, 1860, to hear the state's secession speech from the Union. Interestingly, five years later, on May 2, President Davis and his cabinet met at the Burt-Stark Museum (an eight- to 10-minute walk from The Belmont Inn) to dissolve the Confederacy. Both of these key actions led to Abbeville being referred to as the "Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy." For more historical sites, download the Abbeville Historic Tour app, created by the Abbeville County Historical Society.
Don't overlook Trinity Episcopal Church (consecrated in 1860), about a five-minute walk from the property. It is said to have its own ghost story.
Sources – The Belmont Inn
• Official site: https://www.belmontinn.net
• Abbeville Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
(listed 1972; NRIS 72001183)
• Abbeville Opera House and local historic sites via Abbeville Chamber or Abbeville County Historical Society
3. Dauphine Orleans Hotel – New Orleans, Louisiana (French Quarter Historic Hotel)
Ghostly legend
Phantom bride (Millie Baily, sister of bordello owner May Baily—fiancé killed in a brawl; appears in wedding dress) and her Civil War soldier fiancé; other bordello-era spirits, “Worried General,” flickering TVs.
Signature drink
Millie's Veil— Spiced rum, cherry juice, lime juice, and ginger ale. Named for Millie Baily, the Lost Bride who is said to still wait in her lace wedding gown near May Baily’s Place after her Confederate soldier fiancé was killed on their wedding day.
Famous visitors/associations
Historic French Quarter cottages; site of former May Baily’s bordello.
Tours
French Quarter ghost tours frequently stop nearby or at the hotel bar (~$30–$50+).
Lodging rates
$150–$300+/night.
Website
A saltwater pool and southern porches, an unusual combination, but in New Orleans, specifically, the Dauphine Orleans Hotel, it works. The property is as unique as the Crescent City itself. The Main House and Carriage House share the same lobby and the aforementioned saltwater pool, and the Hermann House, across the street, is a bit more intimate and secluded but still close enough to the amenities. Aren't these choices great?
Rooms sleep anywhere from two to four; some have balconies overlooking Dauphine Street, while others have semi-private courtyards. All rooms include amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and bottled water (perfect for exploring the French Quarter). May Bailey's Place offers a Sunrise Breakfast Buffet, 7:30 - 10:30 a.m., Monday - Sunday, for $9.95. In the evening, enjoy live music and a libation.
When you are ready to go, the streetcar line two blocks from the hotel makes it easy to get there.
However, if you're up for walking, next door is the Hermann-Grima House (ca. 1831), said to be the best-preserved example of Federal-style architecture in the French Quarter. It is also one of the few functional open-hearth kitchens in the state, and it hosts cooking demonstrations twice a month on Saturdays from November through April. It also has the only remaining original and intact stable in the French Quarter.
From the Dauphine Orleans Hotel, it's a five-minute walk to Bourbon Street, and you probably know what all you can do there. You might want to stop at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum (small but worth it) and Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo.
Now, Jackson Square is about a nine-minute walk from the property, where you can peruse an open-air art gallery, get your palm read, listen to music, and watch performers. St. Louis Cathedral (always worth visiting) is also there, flanked by The Cabildo to the left and The Presbytere (closed for upgrades) to the right; both are Louisiana State Museums. If history can't get any more fascinating in New Orleans, the Louisiana Purchase transfer took place at The Cabildo, and Plessy v. Ferguson was heard on the second floor, where the Louisiana Supreme Court sat from 1868 to 1910. Today, The Cabildo is filled with artifacts, regional artwork, and multimedia exhibits.
Outside the Cabildo is the Calas Cafe pop-up. Calas (pronounced kah-LAH) are sweet, fried rice fritters with roots in Africa. So order one, learn its history, and savor each bite.
Across from Jackson Square and about a 15-minute walk back to The Dauphine Orleans Hotel is Cafe du Monde. If you know, you know. The beignets are hard to pass up and hard to resist. Wait in line for a table and people-watch, or get a sack from the walk-up window, grab plenty of napkins, and keep strolling to your next Big Easy adventure.
Sources – Dauphine Orleans Hotel
• Official site: https://www.dauphineorleans.com
• Hermann-Grima House: https://hgghh.org/hermann-grima-house
• New Orleans tourism and historic sites: https://www.neworleans.com
4. Dunleith Historic Inn – Natchez, Mississippi (National Historic Landmark)
Ghostly legend
Miss Percy (a female spirit, often described as a relative of Mary Routh Dahlgren)—appears in a long white gown (sometimes with a smoky or obscured face), plays the harp in the parlor, lingers unhappily on the third floor, and is associated with unexplained noises, cold drafts, and a sense of sorrow. Other reported activity includes a Confederate soldier, a playful young girl named Jessie, the sound of children running, drawers opening by themselves, and residual spirits in the Castle Restaurant/carriage house.
Signature drink
Miss Percy — a pale cognac spritzer with pear, lemon, and a little honey, finished with bubbles so it never quite sits still. It is named for Dunleith’s best-known houseguest — the figure in white most often linked to the parlor — and poured light on purpose, the color of a gown you only catch at the edge of the room.
Famous visitors/associations
National Historic Landmark (built 1855–56 on the site of earlier Routhland); filmed for Raintree County (1957) and other productions—Greek Revival mansion with full colonnade.
Tours
Historic house access for overnight guests; Natchez ghost tours frequently include or discuss Dunleith. On-site Castle Restaurant & Pub.
Lodging rates
$150–$300 range depending on room type, building, and season; 22 rooms across Main House, Courtyard, and Dairy Barn.
Website
When you look at Dunleith Historic Inn, "stately" and "gracious" might be the first two words that come to mind - stately for its 40 acres and the main building with 26 Tuscan columns built of brick and stucco, and gracious for the property's wrap-around porches on the first and second floors, and because it's the state's only example of a pre-Civil War mansion. Dunleith is a National Historic Landmark, designated in 1974, and Mississippi’s only surviving pre-Civil War mansion with a full colonnade.
Rooms are spread through the Main House and the adjacent Courtyard, while the Dairy Barn (ca. 1700s) offers two guestrooms and a suite. The Main House guest rooms feature queen-sized beds beneath high 14-foot ceilings, while the Courtyard Rooms boast 200-year-old exposed cypress ceilings above king-sized beds. All rooms include the required amenities (think free WiFi and Keurig coffee makers), and some have upgrades (robes and air baths). Everyone can enjoy the sitting areas and porches in the Main House.
The on-site Castle Restaurant and Pub is located inside the 18th-century original carriage house and stables. The restaurant serves dinner, 6 - 9 p.m., Monday - Saturday, and is closed Sunday. The menu includes small plates, entrees, and of course, desserts like White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Chocolate Crème Brûlée. The Castle Pub is open 4 - 9 p.m., Monday - Saturday, closed Sunday, and offers appetizers; it's also said to have the largest wine list in Mississippi, along with an extensive bar menu.
What do you do in Natchez? Tour other historic sites, of course! About a seven-minute walk from the property is the Stone House Musical B&B (Natchez is the bed-and-breakfast capital of the world). Make an appointment in advance to tour the antebellum music room and billiard hall.
We'll be honest: it is easy to drive to tour homes like Longwood, Linden B&B, The Towers, and the like; over 15 historic homes offer tours year-round. It is also easy to drive downtown, where you can visit Bluff Park and take in views of the Mississippi River, meander through downtown, and visit places like Arts Natchez, or go below downtown and enjoy a drink at Under-the-Hill Saloon. Not on a tight schedule? Consider a cooking class at Regina's Kitchen at Kings Tavern.
Sources – Dunleith Historic Inn
• Official site: https://www.dunleithhistoricinn.com
• National Historic Landmark
(designated 1974; NRHP 72000684)
• Visit Natchez: https://visitnatchez.org
5. Grand Galvez – Galveston, Texas (Historic Beachfront Hotel)
Ghostly legend
“The Lovelorn Bride” Audra was a guest in Room 501 and represents a classically tragic story. Engaged to a mariner, she waited weeks without his return, and then, believing he was lost at sea, hung herself in one of the turrets of the hotel. Other spirits include a young girl in early 20th-century clothes who plays in the hallway and whispers “ice cream,” and tiny ghosts that leave handprints along the bottom of the glass spa door. Employees wipe them off daily, but report the handprints appear multiple times a day.
Signature drink
Audra’s Turret — An amber rum pour with lime, falernum, and a warm spice edge, finished with a dark cherry. It is named for the Ghost Bride of Room 501 — the young woman who waited for her sailor from the turret — and poured deeper on purpose, the color of Gulf light at the end of the day.
Famous visitors/associations
Grand Galvez is on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Hotels of America. The hotel has hosted Presidents, beauty queens, military heroes, movie stars, and entertainers. Grand Galvez served as a temporary White House when President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited, and all official communications from him were sent from the Galvez, including Roosevelt’s telegram of congratulations to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth upon their coronation.
Tours
Grand Galvez Ghost Tours may be booked through GhostessofGalveston.com or Historic Galveston Ghost Tours.
Lodging rates
$250- $1450+/night with higher rates for Audra’s Room 501
Website
Do you know what, perhaps, is the best thing about Grand Galvez? Did we hear someone say "the Gulf views"
Okay, we can't argue with that, so what is perhaps the second best thing? You don't have to leave the property until check-out time unless you want to.
And here's the kicker: you can even stay in the Frank Sinatra-inspired suite (Sinatra once stayed at the Grand Galvez).
We are getting ahead of ourselves.
The blushing pink "Queen of the Gulf" has been welcoming guests since 1911. The AAA 4-Diamond property is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast. Delving further into its history, because everything in the South has a history, the "Bathing Girl Revue" began here in 1920 and became known as the International Pageant of Pulchritude, which served as the direct global predecessor to the modern Miss Universe pageant. Grand Galvez is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
The property offers 219 rooms with either Gulf or city views, along with six signature suites, like the Sinatra suite. On-site dining includes the Monarch Restaurant and two bars: The Founder's Bar and the 1911 Espresso Bar. An Afternoon Tea, a Grand High Tea with finger sandwiches, baked scones, and handcrafted pastries, paired with premium teas, is served every Saturday, 2 - 4 p.m. (reservations required). A Sunday Brunch takes place every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Room service is also available.
The resort offers a full-service spa, a fitness studio, and a boutique. There are complimentary bikes for use. The GiGi Beach Club offers beachside dining, cocktails, music, and beach umbrellas and lounge chairs for relaxation.
When you want to venture out, the nearby Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is about a seven- to 10-minute walk away, with amusement rides, midway games, and a 5-D Theater. Around an eight-minute walk from The Grand Galvez is The Bryan Museum, a former 1895 Galveston Orphans Home. The facility now houses one of the world's largest collections of historical artifacts, documents, and artwork relating to Texas and the American West.
If you are up for driving, the 1892 Bishop's Palace is about three minutes away. The structure is considered to be Galveston Island's grandest and most recognizable property. It is a museum through the Galveston Historical Foundation, with self-guided and guided audio tours. At certain times of the year, they offer more in-depth tours. About 17 miles from Grand Galvez is Moody Gardens, which features an Aquarium Pyramid with a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium; a Rainforest Pyramid with river otters, sloths, and more, oh my! and a Discovery Pyramid with an interactive experience and more.
Sources – Grand Galvez
• Official site: https://www.grandgalvez.com
• Historic Hotels of America / National Register listing
(confirm current status via hotel or NPS)
• Galveston Historical Foundation and nearby sites such as Bishop’s Palace: https://www.galvestonhistory.org
Closing Note
Ghost legends are presented as local lore associated with each property. Historical facts are drawn from hotel materials and publicly available records. Always confirm current rates, hours, access and details directly with each hotel or the managing organization before traveling.
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