10 Stops To Make on a Creepy Tour of Dallas

As you probably know, our fair city has a bit of a dark history. Dallas may not be widely known as the “City of Hate” any more, but there are still plenty of creepy artifacts and spots littering the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Even if you don’t necessarily believe in ghosts or really hate horror movies, the so-called “haunted” spots in Dallas are generally inspired by a horrific crime, and we’re not just talking about the Kennedy assassination.

Ahead of this coming Halloween, take a tour of Dallas’ 10 most morbid spots. You’ll likely spend an entire day being creeped out by each of these locations, or you can spread out your blood-chilling explorations over the course of a few weeks if you’re not planning on getting any sleep. Or maybe you just really, really enjoy having nightmares — either way, these 10 stops are a must if you’re interested in exploring Dallas’ darker side.

The Millermore Mansion
The name of this place just sounds creepy, and the unidentified female ghost who is said to haunt this mansion in Downtown’s Heritage Village is just sort of a morbid bonus. The Mansion’s staff and visitors frequently report the woman’s presence in the master bedroom and nursery of the building, and because there is so much mystery, you can make up your own creepy-ass story to go along with her presence.


10th Street & Patton Avenue
It isn’t one of the more well-traveled Kennedy assassination tourist spots, but this South Dallas intersection is where Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed Dallas police officer J.D. Tippitt. You can retrace Oswald’s final steps before being taken into custody in this Oak Cliff neighborhood, on Neely Street and head down to the Texas Theatre, where law enforcement officials arrested Oswald.


Lake Highlands High School 
If you should find yourself in Lake Highlands High School’s auditorium late at night, you may very well encounter Elizabeth, the ghost of a student who is said to have fallen to her death in this very auditorium. Of course, grown ups dispute Elizabeth’s existence, but students and faculty alike swear up and down that Elizabeth enjoys slamming doors and moving objects across the room.


Sons of Hermann Hall
There are a number of ghosts that reportedly haunt this venue, most notably a former caretaker and some well-dressed ghostly concertgoers who keep trying to show up for weekly swing dance lessons. Others report seeing photos shifted around on the walls, doors slammed, and other spooky happenings. Fortunately, there’s plenty of beer to ease your nerves. Hopefully, the ghosts here are nice ghosts.


Goatman’s Bridge
It’s a bit of a haul to Goatman’s Bridge (also known as the Old Alton Bridge) in Argyle, but you’ll be thoroughly freaked out if you go. Since as early as 1938, people have believed that a demonic half-man, half-goat figure (who was lynched by the Klan) has haunted the bridge, causing a string of “mysterious disappearances.” Even if the Goatman isn’t hanging out on your visit, it’s scary enough to be in the middle of freaking nowhere at night. Some people even believe that the spirit of a young woman haunts Goatman’s Bridge, in search of her lost baby.


The Adolphus Hotel
This swanky hotel is terrifying for your budget, but you might also be able to get a glimpse of something even scarier when you stay. The Adolphus Hotel is widely known as one of the most haunted hotels in Texas, and most people report seeing a jilted bride on the 19th floor, who cries and occasionally plays a skin-crawling music box. Other reported ghosts are friendly and mischievous — just some overly satisfied guests, who figured they’d stick around for a while. 


Laurel Land Memorial Park
This old Dallas cemetary is home to 12 celebrities according to FindAGrave.com, but most notably is home to blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan’s grave. Vaughan’s grave is adorned by a flat headstone, so you might have to do a little walking to find it. Along the way, search for the final resting places of Dallas policeman J.D. Tippitt and Virgil Oliver Stamps, the man who arranged the music to “When The Saints Go Marching In.” If you start hearing that tune or “Texas Flood,” you know it’s time to GTFO.


Flag Pole Hill
Dallasites of all ages will tell you that you shouldn’t drive down the adjacent road to Flag Pole Hill near White Rock Lake at night, lest you subject yourself to rocks and apparitions throwing themselves at your car. According to a 2011 article by the Lakewood Advocate, though, a house on Blackbird Lane, near Flag Pole Hill, is a particularly creepy spot. A man who lived in the home as a child told the Advocate said that a builder had committed suicide as it was being finished, and in 1985, a Dallas man was convicted of hiring a hitman to murder a Playboy model and another man, whom he “lured to the home with drugs.” Damn.


Hotel Lawrence
Designated as one of Dallas’ most haunted places by people who are into that sort of thing, the Hotel Lawrence in Downtown is supposedly a hotbed of paranormal activity. Legend has it that this hotel has been home to no less than four murders, and some also believe that a early 20th century Congressman committed suicide in one of the hotel’s room. If you do decide to book a scary staycation, ask for a room on the 10th floor — it’s supposed to be the most haunted.


Miss Molly’s Hotel
This cozy bed and breakfast in Fort Worth used to be a bordello back in the wild west days, which means that the working girls and their customers are the most commonly seen apparitions. Before that, though, it was a boarding house, which means that dozens of children died of disease pre-vaccines within those walls. Many guests report seeing a creepy cowboy in the (duh) Cowboy Room, and you can browse through the collection of weird photographs and unexplainable audio that has been captured in the hotel throughout the years. If you’re really lucky, you’ll smell an unexplained perfume in the hallway and know that you definitely are not alone.