The Spookiest Locations In Washington D.C.

Vengeful ghosts, seeking retribution, purportedly haunt our nation’s capital. Many of them date back to the 19th century — slaves and soldiers alike who met violent ends. Here are DC’s spookiest, most unsettling locations where you’re likely to spot the undead.

1. The Octagon House

The Octagon House

Completed in 1801, The Octagon House remains one of the oldest buildings within the District — and with history, comes ghosts: the building enjoys the title of Most Haunted Home within DC. The house was originally inhabited by wealthy socialite and plantation owner John Tayloe III. Members of the public and employees alike have reportedly witnessed ghosts here for centuries, with most stories and sightings centering around vengeful slaves. Over the decades, employees have reported eerily similar experiences, such as bells ringing at the exact same hour and young girls screaming. The house was converted into an architecture museum, and it is currently open to the public for self-guided tours, but the unexplained phenomena continue.

The Octagon House, 1799 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA

Inside The Octagon House | © Payton Chung/Flickr

2. Cutts-Madison House

Cutts-Madison House

Dolley Madison’s ghost is somewhat of a celebrity within the District — she’s known to appear at three specific locations within DC. The most prominent is the Cutts-Madison house; Madison purportedly enjoys hanging out on the front porch of her former home, where she spent the final years of her life. Passing drivers and pedestrians make frequent reports of a mysterious women dressed in colonial garb swaying in a rocking chair, despite the fact that there’s no such chair on the premises. But her ghost is apparently quite friendly — most witnesses claim that she smiles at them.

Cutts-Madison House, 811 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA

Cutts-Madison House | © Tim Evanson/Flickr

3. Lafayette Square Park

Market, Market, Park

Lafayette Square Park

Phillip Barton Key II, the son of Francis Scott Key, was murdered by his friend (and Congressman) Daniel Sickles in the iconic park north of the White House; Key was sleeping with Sickles’ wife, and Sickles shot Key out of pure rage. Andrew Jackson has also been spotted solemnly pacing around Lafayette, which makes sense, as the park’s main installation is a statue memorializing him. The eerie park was reportedly used as a graveyard in the early 1800s, and bones and other human remains discovered there have given credence to the theory. The park was also rumored to have been the site of a prominent slave market, which would certainly make for a lot of disturbed souls.

Lafayette Square Park, 16 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA

© Ken Lund/Flickr

5. Congressional Cemetery

Cemetery, Memorial

The Congressional Cemetery houses a lot of dead people — 65,000, to be exact. It was the only national memorial cemetery founded before the Civil War. Most of its residents are notable for aiding the nation in times of trial and tribulation, and it provides many congressmen with their final resting place. The infamous former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover is also buried here — he was a menace while alive, so what would change in death? Cindy Hays, the executive director of the Congressional Cemetery, claims that working with (and appeasing) the paranormal is all part of her job, and she has witnessed the cemetery’s deceased residents walking about. Roam through the colossal, secluded cemetery in the wee hours of the morning, and see what eerie things await — if you dare.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.