The 'Best Haunted Destination' In The US Isn't The Queen Mary Or Stanley Hotel

When it comes to haunted locations, California's The Queen Mary and The Stanley Hotel in Colorado are perhaps among the most legendary in the country. The former is a massive vessel that is reportedly teeming with ghostly apparitions. The same can be said about The Stanley Hotel (famously, Stephen King is a former guest, and his stay led him to write "The Shining"). But if you really want to be spooked, Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum is the place to go, says USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. In 2026, this notorious attraction was named the best haunted destination in the U.S. 

As a matter of fact, Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum has been granted this distinction every year since 2020. There's no doubt that The Queen Mary and The Stanley Hotel are treasured by fans of the supernatural. However, these names do not appear on USA Today 10Best's haunted destinations for 2026, which were handpicked by travel writers and paranormal enthusiasts. In addition to Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum, the publication included nine other eerie places on its list (such as the Lizzie Borden House) that secured the most votes by readers. 

Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum opened its doors in 2017 and is located in Downtown Las Vegas, only a few miles away from the Strip. For those unfamiliar with Zak Bagans, he is a paranormal expert and the host of the long-running series "Ghost Adventures." He is also a collector of macabre items, displayed at the attraction that bears his name. As a Tripadvisor user explained, "...the stories behind the exhibits make it even more unsettling. There's plenty to take in, with a fascinating mix of haunted objects and dark history." 

Housed in a mansion built in 1938, gargoyle statues welcome visitors to Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum. Although this is one of the best ways to have fun in Las Vegas without stepping foot into a casino, this attraction is not for those with weak stomachs or who scare easily. Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum has 30+ rooms, where visitors will find everything from murder memorabilia to cursed dolls, including Peggy, with the attraction's website calling it one of the most haunted in the world. According to reviewers on Google, dim lighting and fog machines make the space all the more spooky.

But what's perhaps even more frightening is the possibility of having a paranormal or unexplained experience at the most haunted destination in the U.S. Several individuals have reported strange happenings during their time at Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum. Reviewers on Google and social media have said that they were touched or heard disembodied growls. They also say that Peggy often speaks via a spirit box, a communication device used in paranormal investigations.

Others have shared feeling physically affected by certain objects, like the Dybbuk Box, a wine cabinet that is believed to have an entity attached to it. Notably, rapper Post Malone visited in 2018 and later discussed his encounter with the Dybbuk Box on "Late Night with Seth Meyers." It's perhaps not for nothing that Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum has a sign warning guests that the attraction "will not be liable for any actions by these unseen forces." What's more, visitors must sign a waiver before they can explore the site.

Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum attracts those who are drawn to the unknown, with a Tripadvisor user referring to it as "Horror Heaven." Step inside if you dare: visits are guided, and for the last two hours or longer, write reviewers on Google. "I will say that I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with how much material they packed into this tour," explained one individual. They added that it was "even fun for a non-believer like myself." Note that while kids 12 and older are welcomed to join in on the spooky fun, reviewers warn that some exhibits  at Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum are extremely graphic. 

That said, photography is not allowed. However, previous visitors on both Google and Tripadvisor state that you can rent a Polaroid camera from the museum to document your paranormal adventure. Who knows, you may possibly capture ghostly phenomena as well. If you want to take your visit to Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum to another level, consider the Late Night Flashlight Ghost Tour Experience, an after-hours excursion that invites visitors to ghost hunt in the dark. 

Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum is open Wednesday to Monday. Tickets can be purchased online, with general admission prices starting at $54 (at the time of this writing). Although Zak Bagans' The Haunted Museum is the best haunted destination in the U.S., Nevada is home to other sites that will delight paranormal enthusiasts. Case in point, the Silver State is known for its once-thriving Nevada towns that transformed into abandoned beauties, some of which are said to be supernatural hotspots. Plus, you can't forget about The Clown Motel, a haunted place to stay if you're brave enough.