10 Most Haunted Places in Nashville, Tn

Nashville, Tennessee, echoes with the sounds of country music and the whispers of its haunted past. Dare to explore the city’s darker side, where history and mystery intertwine in the shadows of its storied buildings. From the restless spirits of the historic State Capitol to the eerie echoes in the halls of the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville invites thrill-seekers to discover its most haunted places.

If you are doing any kind of paranormal investigation here, you might want to take a look at our ghost hunting equipment list. Locations like this get a reputation because they are high activity and you don’t need much to see for yourself.

Tennessee State Capitol

The Tennessee State Capitol, perched atop Nashville’s Cedar Hill, stands not only as a symbol of governance but also as a repository of ghostly tales. The hallowed halls of this historic structure whisper stories of the past, where the echoes of bygone eras seem to cling to the very walls.

Visitors often speak of the eerie ambiance that pervades the Capitol. It houses the remains of two archrivals, William Strickland, the Capitol’s architect, and Samuel Morgan, who oversaw its construction. These sworn enemies continue their eternal quarrel, with reports suggesting their spirits still clash behind the stony facade, each unwilling to give the other the last word.

Adding to the Capitol’s spectral allure is the ghost who keeps watch over the grounds. This ethereal sentinel, believed to be a soldier from the American Civil War, is said to haunt the cupola. Legend has it he’s been standing his ground, guarding the flag pole with an iron will since the 1860s, ensuring that not even a whisper of dishonor besmirches the flag.

The Capitol’s foundation holds a history steeped in toil and sorrow. The hands that laid its stones were not free men but enslaved laborers and prisoners. While the enslaved worked as stonemasons, shaping the building’s future, prisoners took on the grueling task of installing the wrought iron that would fortify its stance for centuries to come.

Around the Capitol, various memorials rise up, each a testament to pivotal moments in history. The site honors three United States Presidents, with one—James K. Polk—making the Capitol grounds his final resting place.

The Tennessee State Capitol, more than just a political hub, is a treasure trove of history and mystery. It stands as a reminder that sometimes, the stories that linger in the shadows are the ones that refuse to be forgotten, echoing through time as vividly as the living memories they once were.

I heard the Tennessee State Capitol is haunted by the ghosts of its architect and the guy who built it, still arguing after all these years, and there’s even a Civil War soldier ghost standing guard up in the cupola!

The Hermitage

The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee, stands as a monument not just to Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, but also to the whispers and echoes of a bygone era that many claim never truly departed. Nestled on Rachels Lane, this historic plantation bears the weight of its storied past, with ghostly tales that have seeped into its very walls.

At the heart of The Hermitage’s haunted history are the apparitions that visitors and staff alike have reported encountering. These spectral sightings paint a picture of a property where the line between the living and the dead blurs. The ghosts of The Hermitage are a motley crew, seen and heard in the mansion’s hallways, rustling through rooms, gliding down staircases, and wandering the expansive grounds.

One cannot throw a stone without hitting a story about The Hermitage’s restless spirits. The mansion itself seems to be a beacon for the paranormal, with its history casting long shadows over its present. Take, for example, the tale chronicled in Mary Dorris’s book, Preservation of the Hermitage, 1889-1915. Dorris recounts the chilling adventure of two women who braved a night within its walls, only to come face to face with the unexplained and the unsettling.

The Hermitage’s haunted reputation is not merely a footnote in Nashville’s ghostly lore; it stands as a testament to a past that refuses to be forgotten. Andrew Jackson himself, a figure who carved his name into the annals of American history, is said to linger on the property, his presence almost as formidable in death as it was in life.

Visitors who dare to step into this historic haunt can expect to walk hand in hand with history, where every creak and whisper tells a story. For those with a keen ear, the property doesn’t just speak; it echoes with the tales of yesteryear, ensuring that the legacy of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage remains as indelible as the spirits that roam its grounds.

I was walking by the old garden when I saw a woman in an old-timey dress just vanish into thin air, gave me the creeps. They say it’s one of Andrew Jackson’s kin, still hanging around The Hermitage.

Printer’s Alley

Printer’s Alley, a narrow cobblestoned lane nestled in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, whispers tales of the spectral and the strange. Once the bustling hub of the city’s printing industry, with newspapers and publishing houses lining its path, today it stands as a vibrant testament to Nashville’s nightlife and a repository of ghostly legends.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the spirits of Printer’s Alley come out to play. The alley, a skeleton key to Nashville’s past, unlocks stories of unexplained phenomena and eerie encounters. In its heyday, the printers and newspapers have since given way to bars, nightclubs, and the occasional fortune teller, but the echoes of the past persist.

Local lore holds that the ghost of a man named David “Skull” Schulman, the proprietor of a former speakeasy, still keeps a watchful eye over his old haunt. Revelers claim to feel his presence, a chill down their spine or a whisper in their ear, as they navigate the alley’s twists and turns.

Another infamous specter is that of a woman in vintage garb, seen floating through the alley with a grace that belies her tragic tale. She’s said to be the lost soul of a dancer from the bygone days of Printer’s Alley’s nightlife, her life cut short, but her spirit forever dancing in the shadows.

The Nashville Ghost Tours invite the brave to tread lightly through this corridor of the supernatural. Visitors hang on every word, their imaginations running wild as they are regaled with tales that paint the night with the colors of mystery and the unknown.

Every creaking door and sudden gust of wind becomes part of the tapestry of tales in Printer’s Alley, where the line between the living and the dead blurs. The alley doesn’t just house ghosts; it’s a living, breathing character in Nashville’s narrative, a place where the city’s soul is laid bare, if only one knows where to look.

In the heart of Music City, where the dead have as much a claim to fame as the living, Printer’s Alley stands as a monument to the history that refuses to be forgotten, its stories as much a part of Nashville as the country tunes that serenade the Tennessee night.

One night in Printer’s Alley, I swear I felt old Skull Schulman brush past me, his ghostly touch colder than the night air. Folks say he’s still keeping tabs on his speakeasy, and from that shiver I got, I believe it.

Gaylord Opryland Resort

The Gaylor Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, not only boasts luxury and grandeur but also carries the whispers of the past within its walls. The resort, a jewel in Nashville’s crown, opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day in 1977 and has since been a magnet for travelers seeking opulence. However, beneath the surface of its nine acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, and an array of shops and restaurants, a different kind of guest lingers—the spectral kind.

The land on which the resort stands was once the property of the McGavocks, a renowned Nashville family. The echoes of their legacy seem to have seeped into the hotel’s foundation. Guests report sightings of the family’s matriarch, known as the “Lady in Black,” who has a penchant for giving visitors unsolicited wakeup calls at the witching hour of 3:00 a.m., dressed in her somber attire.

Despite being a modern marvel of hospitality, the Gaylor Opryland Resort & Convention Center is shrouded in ghostly encounters. It is as if the hotel, one of the world’s 30 largest, is a theater where the past refuses to bow out. The “Lady in Black” is not the only spirit said to roam the grand halls; other unnamed phantoms also make their presence known, turning the hotel into a hot spot for those on the lookout for a brush with the afterlife.

The sheer volume of paranormal experiences reported at the resort has solidified its reputation as one of Nashville’s most haunted attractions. The Hotel’s haunted history is not just a tale to send shivers down the spine but an open invitation for the brave to come and witness the otherworldly residents themselves. Whether seeking thrills or simply a luxurious stay, the Gaylor Opryland Resort promises an encounter with history that is anything but dead and buried.

One time, I stayed at the Gaylord Opryland and I swear I saw the “Lady in Black” ghost roaming around at night; gave me the creeps! She just walked through the hallway, all quiet and spooky-like, right when the clock hit 3 a.m.

Union Station Hotel

Union Station Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, stands as a beacon of the past, its walls whispering tales of bygone eras. In its heyday, this architectural marvel buzzed with the comings and goings of travelers. As the tides of time ebbed, it witnessed a profound transformation from a bustling train terminal to a vacant relic, and finally, to the grand hotel it is today.

The hotel’s storied past includes a chapter from World War II, where the station served as a pivotal departure point for soldiers heading into battle. It’s within these hallowed halls that the ghost of Abigail allegedly lingers, a spectral presence rooted in sorrow and unending love. Her story, which has become the stuff of local legend, tells of a woman who lost her soldier in war and, in her despair, took her own life. Now, it’s said she haunts the premises, eternally re-enacting her tragic end.

One room, in particular, holds the crown for supernatural occurrences: room 711. Guests and staff alike whisper about the unexplained phenomena within its four walls, painting it as a hotbed for ghostly encounters. Whether it’s a brush of cold air or the flicker of shadows, room 711 never fails to chill the spines of those who dare to enter.

Those who seek out the thrills of the paranormal flock to Union Station Hotel, drawn by the tales of Abigail’s undying devotion and the echoes of history that seem to cling to every corner. The hotel serves as a canvas for ghostly encounters, a place where the past refuses to be forgotten, and the line between this world and the next blurs.

I heard that back in World War II, Union Station was the last place soldiers saw before heading off to war, and there’s this ghost, Abigail, who’s supposed to be stuck there ’cause she lost her love in the fighting and couldn’t handle the heartache. People say she’s still hanging around, especially in room 711, giving folks a real spook when they stay there.

Nashville City Cemetery

Nestled in the heart of Music City, the Nashville City Cemetery stands as the oldest public resting place in Nashville, Tennessee, with roots stretching back to the early 1800s. Over 22,000 souls find their eternal repose within its hallowed grounds, including a veritable who’s who of historical figures and legendary musicians. By day, the cemetery offers a serene glimpse into the city’s past, but as night falls, the atmosphere shifts, and the cemetery awakens with whispers from the beyond.

Visitors who brave the cemetery after dark report a host of spine-tingling experiences. Unexplained voices echo in the shadows, and ghostly lit lanterns seem to float through the air, leading some to believe that the dead are not resting as peacefully as one might hope. The cemetery has earned its reputation as a hotbed for the supernatural, drawing thrill-seekers and ghost hunters alike to experience its eerie ambiance.

One of the cemetery’s most curious features is a grave marked by a boulder headstone. Local lore suggests that this grave, in particular, is haunted by the woman who lies beneath. Her spirit, it is said, is not content with mere silence and stillness, making her presence known to those who pass by her unusual monument.

Among the many interred, one name stands out—Charles Dickinson, a man known for his prowess as a duelist. Fate, however, dealt him a losing hand when he faced Andrew Jackson, the future president of the United States. Jackson’s deadly aim sent Dickinson to an early grave, and his spirit is rumored to linger, perhaps still unsettled by the abrupt end to his dueling days.

The Nashville City Cemetery is a mosaic of history, with the remains of both black and white individuals lying side by side—a rare sight in an era when segregation was the norm. This fact alone speaks volumes about the cemetery’s unique place in Nashville’s past, serving as a silent testament to the city’s more inclusive spirit.

For those who seek to stare death in the face or perhaps catch a glimpse of history’s lingering specters, the Nashville City Cemetery offers an unforgettable journey into the supernatural side of Nashville’s storied past. Whether it’s the allure of the haunted boulder headstone or the chance to walk the same ground as Andrew Jackson’s ill-fated adversary, one thing is for certain: the cemetery’s ghostly residents are not soon forgotten.

I was walkin’ through the Nashville City Cemetery one starry night when I heard the faint strummin’ of a guitar, but when I turned ’round, there wasn’t no one there, just a cold breeze and the echo of an old country tune hangin’ in the air.

Ryman Auditorium

Nashville, Tennessee’s Ryman Auditorium, often referred to as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” harbors more than just the rich history of musical legends; it also hosts a symphony of spectral figures and eerie tales. Originally erected as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the venue served as a spiritual haven for Christians to gather and pray. But when the curtains rose on plays and live music, it seemed to strike a discordant note with the afterlife, especially with the man whose name the building bears.

After Captain Thomas Ryman, the man behind the construction of the Union Gospel Tabernacle, passed away in 1904, the venue received its current moniker, Ryman Auditorium. His parting wish was for the space to continue its divine mission, but fate had other plans. The transformation into a music venue, contrary to Ryman’s intentions, allegedly disturbed his eternal rest. Whispers around town suggest that Captain Ryman’s ghost now roams the auditorium, perhaps in protest or maybe to catch one last haunting melody.

The venue’s storied past includes a long tenure as the home of the Grand Ole Opry, a radio show credited with putting country music on the map. It’s not just Captain Ryman who’s said to linger in the wings; the ghosts of fringe-clad country singers and even a Confederate soldier are rumored to take center stage when the living audience departs. Some believe the auditorium is under a curse, claiming the lives of those bold—or foolhardy—enough to perform under its hallowed roof.

One cannot step into the Ryman without feeling the weight of history and the possibility of brushing shoulders with the ghosts of music’s yesteryears. The Haunted Ryman Auditorium stands as a testament to Nashville’s vibrant past, echoing with the strums of unseen guitars and the footsteps of performers who’ve taken their final bow but never truly left the spotlight.

I heard that the old Ryman Auditorium’s got the ghost of Captain Ryman himself wandering around, kinda mad that his church turned into a spot for concerts and shows. People say they’ve seen him hanging about, not ready to give up on his original dream for the place.

Isaac Franklin Plantation

Just a stone’s throw away from Nashville, the Fairvue Plantation sprawls as a dark reminder of the past. Once the crown jewel in the empire of Isaac Franklin, a notoriously brutal slave trader of the early 19th century, this plantation carries the weight of a sorrowful history within its walls.

Franklin, a man whose hands were stained with cruelty, commissioned the grand estate in the 1830s—a sprawling 2,000-acre haven that stood as a testament to his wealth and status. However, the opulence of the mansion and its grounds belied the suffering that seeped into the very soil: the blood, sweat, and tears of countless enslaved individuals who toiled and languished under Franklin’s harsh command.

As the years rolled on, whispers of the Fairvue Curse began to surface. It seemed that the sins of the past clung to the present, refusing to be forgotten. Haunting tales emerged of spectral figures wandering the grounds, perhaps the restless souls of those once shackled by Franklin’s merciless hand.

The mansion, now a private residence, continues to be shrouded in mystery, with its haunted reputation casting a long shadow. Visitors and ghost enthusiasts alike speculate whether the eerie occurrences are the plantation’s way of remembering its dark legacy. Some say that Fairvue Plantation is indeed one of the most haunted sites in Tennessee, its history forever etched in the annals of time.

With every creak of its floorboards and every gust of wind that whispers through the trees, the Ghosts of the Haunted Isaac Franklin Plantation seem to speak, telling a tale of a bygone era that refuses to be silenced. Whether fact or folklore, the haunting legacy of Fairvue Plantation remains, a chilling chapter in Nashville’s storied past.

I heard folks say that if you wander near the old Fairvue Plantation at night, you might catch the ghostly shadows of Isaac Franklin’s slaves, still working the fields as if time never moved on. It’s like they’re stuck there, a chilling reminder that some things don’t rest easy.

Two Rivers Mansion

Nestled on the banks of the Stones River in Nashville, Tennessee, the Two Rivers Mansion stands as a stately reminder of the past, its walls echoing with the whispers of yesteryear. This grand antebellum home, constructed in 1859, has garnered a reputation for being more than just a historical landmark; it is also known for its haunted history, sending shivers down the spines of those who dare to delve into its ghostly tales.

The mansion’s lore is a tapestry of spectral sightings and eerie occurrences that have withstood the test of time, making the home a beacon for those fascinated by the paranormal. Visitors and staff alike have reported the sound of footsteps echoing through empty halls, as if the original inhabitants, the Harding and McGavock families, still tread upon the aged floorboards. It’s said that the spirit of the lady of the house, Adelicia Acklen, occasionally graces the mansion with her presence, her silhouette seen gazing out of the windows, longing for an era long gone.

The grand staircase, a centerpiece of the mansion, is rumored to be the stomping ground of otherworldly visitors. Some have felt an unseen hand guiding them as they ascend the steps, while others have caught a glimpse of ghostly figures floating up and down as if attending to long-forgotten business. The air is often charged with the electricity of the unseen, sending a chill down the spine of even the most skeptical guests.

In the dead of night, when the moon casts a silvery glow over the mansion’s facade, the atmosphere thickens with the anticipation of the supernatural. The whispering winds that rustle through the trees are said to carry the soft murmurs of those who once walked the mansion’s grand halls. It’s as if the mansion itself is a living entity, holding tightly to the secrets of the past.

The Two Rivers Mansion is not just a house; it is a vessel of history, its bricks and mortar a colossal crypt of memories. To step inside is to walk alongside the phantoms of history, to share in the stories that the mansion guards so jealously. For those seeking a brush with the other side, the mansion does not disappoint, offering a hauntingly good encounter for anyone willing to peer beyond the veil.

As the mansion continues to be a treasured landmark, its haunted history remains an indelible part of Nashville’s cultural tapestry. The spirits of the past may still roam its rooms, but the Two Rivers Mansion also stands as a monument to the living, a place where the past and present collide in the most phantasmagorical of ways.

I swear, one night at Two Rivers Mansion, I felt a chill and saw the shadow of Miss Adelicia herself, just staring out the window like she was still the queen of the house.

Polk’s Tomb

The stone canopy that marks the final resting place of James and Sarah Polk in Nashville, Tennessee, has been a magnet for eerie occurrences and spectral sightings since its erection in 1893. The Tennessee State Capitol grounds, home to Polk’s Tomb, draw crowds of the curious and brave, eager to witness the otherworldly activity that shrouds the site.

Legend whispers of glowing orbs dancing in the night and shadows that slip from behind the headstone, chilling the spines of onlookers. These ghostly phenomena have earned Polk’s Tomb a notorious reputation among Nashville’s haunted landmarks.

James and Sarah Polk’s remains have not known peace, having been exhumed and relocated three times, with whispers of a fourth upheaval on the horizon. This constant disturbance is believed to be the kindling for the paranormal flames that now engulf the tomb. The former president, who met his end battling cholera, was initially laid to rest in a mass grave designed for the victims of the 1849 epidemic—a hasty decision meant to halt the spread of the deadly disease.

As the commander-in-chief who triumphed over Mexico in the Mexican-American War, Polk’s legacy includes the monumental expansion of the United States territory, stretching the nation’s reach from Texas to Oregon—an addition of over 500,000 square miles. Yet, it seems his spirit cannot rest, perhaps unsettled by the constant shift in his earthly remains or by the weight of his historical deeds.

Visitors to the Tennessee State Capitol grounds should keep their eyes peeled for the man in the dark suit, rumored to be Polk’s own specter, who lingers near his tomb as if guarding his legacy or perhaps seeking eternal reprieve from his unquiet slumber.

I swear, every time I walk past Polk’s Tomb at night, I see these weird lights floating around and shadows that give me the creeps — it’s like the Polks just can’t rest easy. They say moving their graves stirred up some spooky stuff, and man, I believe it.