Phoenix might be famous for its scorching summers and towering cacti, but there’s a much creepier side to the Valley of the Sun that most people never hear about.
We’re talking ghostly figures appearing in windows, mysterious footsteps echoing through empty hallways, and century-old buildings where some people believe the former residents never really left.
Some of these places have chilling stories tied to real tragedies, while others have collected decades of strange sightings, unexplained noises, and ghostly encounters that locals still talk about today.
Whether you believe in ghosts or just love a good spooky story, these eight haunted places in Phoenix might make you think twice about exploring after dark.
1. Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1929 as a lavish vaudeville theater and is now famous for its stunning Spanish Medieval and Baroque architecture, painted ceilings that resemble an ever-changing sky, and, of course, its ghost stories.
Despite undergoing a $14 million restoration completed in 1997, the Orpheum still boasts its original charm, making it one of Phoenix’s most fascinating and beautiful spots for a show and a ghostly encounter.
The 1,364-seat theater hosts concerts, comedy shows, and live performances, but its spooky reputation comes from reports of unexplained footsteps, voices, and shadowy figures wandering through the building.
Its most famous ghost is Maddie, a mysterious little girl who reportedly lives on the balcony, taps people, and sometimes even shushes them if they’re being loud, as told by theater staff.
2. Hotel San Carlos
Just a few blocks from the Orpheum Theatre, Hotel San Carlos at 202 North Central Avenue takes Phoenix’s ghost stories to another level, with a tragic past that has kept locals talking for nearly a century.
Opened in 1928, this historic 7-story hotel once welcomed Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable, though these celebrities aren’t who allegedly haunt the hotel today.
Its most famous ghost story involves Leone Jensen, a mid-20s woman who reportedly jumped from the hotel’s roof in 1928, with guests later claiming to see her ghost wandering the hallways or standing near their beds.
Other spooky reports include children’s laughter, mysterious knocking, and footsteps running down the halls, making this downtown landmark extra creepy after dark.
3. Rosson House Museum at The Square PHX
If Hotel San Carlos gives you the creeps, wait until you hear about Rosson House Museum at The Square PHX, a beautifully restored 1895 Victorian mansion located at 113 North Sixth St.
Built for Dr. Roland Rosson and his family, this 2,800-square-foot home features an octagonal tower, tall ceilings, and ornate woodwork, lauded as Phoenix’s finest for many years, though that’s not its only claim to fame.
Local ghost stories claim that the caretaker, who was brutally murdered, frequents the home’s stairway, seeking justice for his death, and there are also stories of the fireplace that lights itself up on a whim.
You can explore the mansion on a guided ghost tour, where this 10-room mansion is more than just its impressive historic and architectural background, especially to anyone curious about Phoenix’s haunted past.
4. Casey Moore’s Oyster House
While the Rosson House only has one known ghost, Casey Moore’s Oyster House at 850 South Ash Avenue in Tempe introduces you to several.
Built in 1910 as a private home, this two-story brick building later became a restaurant and Irish pub, complete with a spacious outdoor patio and bar… plus, a couple of areas and rooms with a spooky reputation.
According to local legends, a woman named Sarah was murdered in the house back in the 20th century and now haunts the dwelling, sometimes acting up violently.
In complete contrast, there have also been sightings of a young couple waltzing to faint music.
You can order fresh oysters, fish and chips, or a cold Guinness while keeping an eye out for anything unusual, including tables being magically reset, chairs rearranging themselves, and even the feeling that someone invisible has joined you at your table!
5. Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
Trade Casey Moore’s haunted pub for something even stranger at Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights, the “wedding cake on the hill” located at 5025 East Van Buren Street in Phoenix.
Built between 1928 and 1930 by Italian immigrant Alessio Carraro, this four-story castle features a distinctive tiered design on a 5,000-square-foot property filled with cacti and local desert flora.
Local folklore includes tales of the ghost of the former owner’s wife, Della Tovrea, who was murdered by two intruders in that very castle and today seeks vengeance on any explorers who try to venture into the home.
The castle is not freely accessible to the public, so if you want to catch sight of Della or simply want to explore the castle’s main floor, basement, and beautiful desert grounds, make sure to book a guided tour well in advance!
6. The Hermosa Inn
The ghost hunt continues at The Hermosa Inn, a luxury boutique hotel at 5532 North Palo Cristi Road in Paradise Valley, where a famous cowboy artist reportedly never left.
Originally built in the 1930s as the home and studio of Western artist and painter Alonzo “Lon” Megargee, the property now features 43 guest accommodations in adobe-style casitas, plus one ghost.
According to local legends, Lon’s ghost still hangs around his former home, randomly flushing toilets and frequenting the restaurant that was once his studio, often wearing a cowboy hat.
If you’re not too freaked out at the thought of having company, you can spend the night in one of the hotel’s cozy casitas, or you can just drop by to see Lon’s paintings and art in the restaurant, and maybe even meet the artist himself.
7. Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
The Hermosa Inn isn’t the only upscale getaway with ghost stories, Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort at 11111 North 7th Street in Phoenix has its own eerie reputation.
Opened in 1982, this sprawling resort features 584 all-suite accommodations and boasts beautiful venues for special events, which is unfortunately the source of the ghostly tale that follows this property.
According to local ghost stories, a wedding guest fell to his death from the cliffs behind the resort’s ballroom, and legend has it that his ghost still haunts the ballroom and boiler room to this day.
If you can get past this ghostly tale, make sure to drop by and spend the day swimming, book a spa treatment, or enjoy sunset views from the restaurant…just avoid the ballroom and boiler room!
8. Pioneer Living History Museum
Head north to Pioneer Living History Museum at 3901 West Pioneer Road, where an entire Old West town comes with its own collection of creepy legends.
Spread across 90 acres, this outdoor museum boasts a recreation of an old western town, featuring original and reconstructed structures such as a schoolhouse and sheriff’s office, both of which are home to spooky stories.
At the historic Gordon Schoolhouse, local ghost stories describe children whispering, talking, and even playing on the grounds; there are talks of unexplained apparitions, too, though they don’t last for very long.
Meanwhile, at the sheriff’s office and jail, it is said that the ghost of a prisoner can still be heard asking for help, and on the other side of the spectrum, there are tales of a strict police ghost who roams the area.
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