Whether it’s September 1 or October 31, spooky season is all about visiting haunted places with gruesome pasts and ghost stories sure to send shivers down your spine. This frighteningly fun day trip centers around Jerome, Arizona’s most notorious ghost town, and branches off to Prescott, Wickenburg, and Tempe. Buckle up: it’s going to be a terrifying ride!
The trip is just under four hours long, which leaves plenty of time to explore each place without needing to spend the night anywhere. Click here for the Google Map to help you find your way.
Google Maps
- Old Miners Cemetery (Jerome)
Google/Christopher Richey Old Miners Cemetery, also known simply as Jerome Cemetery, is tucked away at the base of the hill that Arizona’s most notorious ghost town sits upon. As its name suggests, the cemetery is primarily the final resting place for miners who perished from tragic accidents, disease, or murder. Over 500 burials took place here, and you’ll see headstones dating as far back as the 1890s – not to mention the plethora of unmarked graves that could be even older.
- Jerome Grand Hotel (Jerome)
Flickr/Jason Shultz The building that houses Jerome Grand Hotel served as a hospital for almost 25 years. An estimated 9000 deaths occurred – many were due to illness, of course, but others occurred under quite suspicious circumstances. The hotel is allegedly haunted, with guests reporting such happenings as appliances being unplugged, doors opening and closing of their own volition, and shadows lurking about in the darkness. Apparitions of children and the maintenance man, Claude Harvey, who was found pinned beneath an elevator in 1935, also make frequent appearances. The guest floors are only open to those staying in the hotel, but you’re welcome to check out the lobby or enjoy a meal at the renowned Asylum Restaurant. More information here.
- Haunted Hamburger (Jerome)
TripAdvisor/Haunted Hamburger Time for some grub! When in Jerome, you have to eat at the Haunted Hamburger. Though some may think its name is a mere ploy to attract customers, the restaurant really is haunted. The owners believe their otherworldly guests are the spirits of former tradesmen, as hammers would mysteriously disappear while the building was undergoing renovations. As far as the food, you’ll find mouthwatering burgers, ribs, chicken, and whatever else your heart desires, plus a slew of unique alcoholic beverages. Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. More information here.
- Spirit Room (Jerome)
Flickr/Nicholas Balanon Now that you’ve eaten, it’s time to grab a drink at the Spirit Room! Located directly below the famous Connor Hotel, which was built in 1898, this storied bar features local and national musicians up to six times per week. We couldn’t find any ghost stories associated with it, but the sheer amount of history is enough to warrant a visit. On the other hand, the Connor Hotel does supposedly harbor a few specters. Hours for the Spirit Room are 11 a.m. until midnight daily. More information here.
- Palace Restaurant & Saloon (Prescott)
Facebook/A Haunting Experience Tours It’s (finally) time to leave Jerome and head towards Prescott. Here, you’ll be taking a tour of the city’s spookiest places with A Haunting Experience. Among the locations you’ll visit is Palace Restaurant & Saloon, the oldest saloon in Arizona. Infamous characters such as Wyatt and Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday have patronized the saloon, and it has been the scene of other nefarious activity such as a beating death, speakeasy in the basement, underground jail, and gambling rooms, among other things. You’re bound to see at least one ghost with a history like that! The entire tour lasts two hours and 7:30 p.m. on Friday (trolley) and 7 p.m. Saturday (walking.) More information here.
- Vulture Mine (Wickenburg)
Flickr/John Menard One of the most infamously haunted places in the state, Vulture Mine was abandoned in the 1940s after the War Production Board ordered all non-essential mines closed. The mine had its own hanging tree, and 18 workers were apparently sentenced to death for stealing gold. Orbs, disembodied voices, and “cold spots” are just some of the paranormal occurrences you can expect. Private and public ghost hunts are held throughout the year, as well as overnight lockdowns. More information here.
- Casey Moore’s Oyster House (Tempe)
TripAdvisor/Jeff G. We wrap up our trip with dinner at Casey Moore’s Oyster House – yes, it’s haunted. Legend has it a young woman was murdered in an upstairs room, and she makes her presence known any time a couple enters the restaurant. Lamps swing to-and-fro, furniture gets rearranged, silverware is hurled through the air, and paintings crash to the floor all by themselves. What’s not frightening is the delicious seafood served up from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. Monday-Friday, and 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. on weekends.
Spirit Room is currently closed, but they hope to open back up very soon! For now, just go straight to Prescott from Haunted Hamburger.
Google Maps
Google/Christopher Richey
Old Miners Cemetery, also known simply as Jerome Cemetery, is tucked away at the base of the hill that Arizona’s most notorious ghost town sits upon. As its name suggests, the cemetery is primarily the final resting place for miners who perished from tragic accidents, disease, or murder. Over 500 burials took place here, and you’ll see headstones dating as far back as the 1890s – not to mention the plethora of unmarked graves that could be even older.
Flickr/Jason Shultz
The building that houses Jerome Grand Hotel served as a hospital for almost 25 years. An estimated 9000 deaths occurred – many were due to illness, of course, but others occurred under quite suspicious circumstances. The hotel is allegedly haunted, with guests reporting such happenings as appliances being unplugged, doors opening and closing of their own volition, and shadows lurking about in the darkness. Apparitions of children and the maintenance man, Claude Harvey, who was found pinned beneath an elevator in 1935, also make frequent appearances. The guest floors are only open to those staying in the hotel, but you’re welcome to check out the lobby or enjoy a meal at the renowned Asylum Restaurant. More information here.
TripAdvisor/Haunted Hamburger
Time for some grub! When in Jerome, you have to eat at the Haunted Hamburger. Though some may think its name is a mere ploy to attract customers, the restaurant really is haunted. The owners believe their otherworldly guests are the spirits of former tradesmen, as hammers would mysteriously disappear while the building was undergoing renovations. As far as the food, you’ll find mouthwatering burgers, ribs, chicken, and whatever else your heart desires, plus a slew of unique alcoholic beverages. Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. More information here.
Flickr/Nicholas Balanon
Now that you’ve eaten, it’s time to grab a drink at the Spirit Room! Located directly below the famous Connor Hotel, which was built in 1898, this storied bar features local and national musicians up to six times per week. We couldn’t find any ghost stories associated with it, but the sheer amount of history is enough to warrant a visit. On the other hand, the Connor Hotel does supposedly harbor a few specters. Hours for the Spirit Room are 11 a.m. until midnight daily. More information here.
Facebook/A Haunting Experience Tours
It’s (finally) time to leave Jerome and head towards Prescott. Here, you’ll be taking a tour of the city’s spookiest places with A Haunting Experience. Among the locations you’ll visit is Palace Restaurant & Saloon, the oldest saloon in Arizona. Infamous characters such as Wyatt and Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday have patronized the saloon, and it has been the scene of other nefarious activity such as a beating death, speakeasy in the basement, underground jail, and gambling rooms, among other things. You’re bound to see at least one ghost with a history like that! The entire tour lasts two hours and 7:30 p.m. on Friday (trolley) and 7 p.m. Saturday (walking.) More information here.
Flickr/John Menard
One of the most infamously haunted places in the state, Vulture Mine was abandoned in the 1940s after the War Production Board ordered all non-essential mines closed. The mine had its own hanging tree, and 18 workers were apparently sentenced to death for stealing gold. Orbs, disembodied voices, and “cold spots” are just some of the paranormal occurrences you can expect. Private and public ghost hunts are held throughout the year, as well as overnight lockdowns. More information here.
TripAdvisor/Jeff G.
We wrap up our trip with dinner at Casey Moore’s Oyster House – yes, it’s haunted. Legend has it a young woman was murdered in an upstairs room, and she makes her presence known any time a couple enters the restaurant. Lamps swing to-and-fro, furniture gets rearranged, silverware is hurled through the air, and paintings crash to the floor all by themselves. What’s not frightening is the delicious seafood served up from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. Monday-Friday, and 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. on weekends.
Are you brave enough to take on this spooky day trip? Did we leave off any of your frighteningly favorite destinations? Let us know your thoughts, and check out our previous article for another creepy road trip: This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Arizona.
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Address: 850 S Ash Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USAAddress: Jerome Grand Hotel, 200 Hill St, Jerome, AZ 86331, USAAddress: Vulture Mine, Arizona 85390, USAAddress: 150 North Dr, Jerome, AZ 86331, USAAddress: 166 Main St # 155, Jerome, AZ 86331, USAAddress: Haunted Hamburger, 410 Clark St, Jerome, AZ 86331, USAAddress: 120 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303, USA
