For a state with as much rich history as Tennessee has, it's surprising that there aren't a lot of famous "haunted" locations. Many of our neighboring states boast well-known haunts - the Crescent Hotel in Arkansas, Waverly Hills Sanitorium in Louisville, the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and basically the entire city of Savannah in Georgia. Tennessee has no entries on most lists.
But that doesn't mean there's NOWHERE spooky to visit. Try these spots out if you want to scare yourself just a little.
Bell Witch Cave - Adams
Perhaps the most famous entry on the list is the one closest to home, near Clarksville in Adams, Tennessee. The Bell Witch has said to be haunting the area for two centuries, with John Bell supposedly losing his life to the cave's resident. There's actually a museum at the Bell farm where you can learn the whole story, and the cave itself is said to give off a terrible aura paired with lots of orb movement, mysterious sounds, and screams
Bijou Theatre - Knoxville
Constructed as a hotel in 1817, the historic theatre is one of the oldest buildings in Knoxville, and has been lots of things over the last 200+ years, including a Civil War hospital and a brothel. Needless to say, it's time as a Civil War hospital saw a lot of death, including a Union general who is buried at the entrance of the theater. The theatre hosts ghost tours, and people have reported catching glimpses of a soldier, feeling someone tugging on their clothes, and hearing footsteps along the rafters and catwalk.
Cragfont - Castalian Springs
This one's actually in Sumner County, and one that I just flat didn't know about. The historic home in Castalian Springs was built in the late 1700s and was the home of General James Winchester, who had fought in the American Revolution but was made general just before the War of 1812. It's a beautiful property with guided tours available four days per week, but also has a dark history as a slave plantation in the early 1800s. Many visitors claim to have seen the ghosts of former slaves, lit candles with no one in the house, and moving furniture at Cragfont. There are also guided "haunted tours" occasionally throughout the month of October.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park - Millington
The state park just outside of Memphis is known for it's beautiful landscapes, hiking trails, picnic areas....and Pigman. The story is that there's a man that haunts the area who was disfigured in a factory accident during World War II. His face is rumored to be pig-like, and several witnesses report seeing him roaming around at night, though no one has ever captured a picture. So it's basically Tennessee Bigfoot.
Tennessee State Prison - Nashville
This one's a bit of a cheat, because it's closed to the public and access is strictly prohibited, but Nashville's Old State Prison off Briley Parkway is considered one of, if not the most, haunted places in the state. Closed in 1992 due to overcrowding, it was the home of "Old Sparky," the state's electric chair. Those who have been granted access to the property over the last 20 years report the sound of chains, screams, and footsteps throughout the property.
Lotz House - Franklin
Considered one of Travel Channel's "Most Terrifying Places in America", the Lotz House in downtown Franklin was at the center of the Civil War's Battle of Franklin. The sounds of a woman crying out, items moving, and visions of a little girl staring out the window, are just a few of the reported unexplained phenomena at the historic mansion. There ARE haunted tours available the last week in October, but they sell out super fast.
Honorable Mentions
A few other places to check out for a good spook include Memphis' Orpheum Theater, Earnestine & Hazel's Dive Bar, the Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, and the Christopher Taylor House in Jonesborough.
So while none of these places are going to attract a ton of paranormal TV shows, there ARE some places you can check out if you wanna get a few chills for Halloween!