Top 10 Haunted Places in San Antonio You Can Trust

San Antonio, Texas, is a city steeped in history, culture, and mystery. From its Spanish colonial roots to its pivotal role in the Texas Revolution, the Alamo City has witnessed centuries of triumph, tragedy, and the lingering echoes of lives cut short. But beyond its famous River Walk and vibrant cuisine lies a darker, more enigmatic side—haunted locations where the past refuses to stay buried. For decades, locals and visitors alike have reported unexplained phenomena: disembodied whispers, cold spots that defy logic, apparitions that vanish in the blink of an eye, and objects moving without explanation. Yet not all haunted sites are created equal. Some are based on folklore, sensationalized stories, or tourist gimmicks. Others are grounded in documented accounts, credible eyewitnesses, and consistent paranormal activity over generations. This article presents the Top 10 Haunted Places in San Antonio You Can Trust—locations verified through historical records, multiple independent investigations, and sustained reports from credible sources. If you’re seeking authentic supernatural experiences, not just staged scares, these are the places that demand your attention.

Why Trust Matters

In an age of viral TikTok videos, ghost-hunting reality shows, and clickbait blog posts, distinguishing fact from fiction when it comes to haunted locations has never been more difficult. Many so-called “haunted” sites rely on exaggerated tales, poorly researched anecdotes, or outright fabrication to attract tourists. A flashlight flicker in an old building might be labeled “spiritual energy.” A drafty hallway becomes “the breath of a ghost.” These interpretations, while entertaining, lack credibility and dilute the true significance of places where real, unexplained phenomena have occurred repeatedly over time.

Trust in haunted locations comes from three critical pillars: historical authenticity, consistency of reports, and corroboration by credible investigators. Historical authenticity means the site has a documented past tied to tragedy, violence, or unresolved emotional energy—events that could theoretically leave an imprint. Consistency of reports means that over decades, unrelated individuals have described similar experiences without prompting or influence. Corroboration by credible investigators refers to findings from professional paranormal researchers, historians, or even law enforcement who have documented anomalies beyond natural explanation.

The sites listed in this article meet all three criteria. Each location has been visited by multiple paranormal investigation teams—including those affiliated with universities and professional organizations—and has produced verifiable evidence such as EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), temperature drops recorded on thermal imaging, and visual anomalies captured on high-sensitivity cameras. More importantly, these places are not marketed as “haunted attractions” for profit. They are real, functioning spaces—hospitals, hotels, homes, and courthouses—where the supernatural is not a show, but an unsettling reality for those who experience it.

By focusing on trust, this list avoids the pitfalls of sensationalism. We are not here to scare you—we are here to inform you with integrity. If you’re planning a visit, a research trip, or simply want to understand the deeper layers of San Antonio’s spectral landscape, these ten locations are the most reliable, well-documented, and historically grounded haunted places in the city. Let’s begin.

Top 10 Haunted Places in San Antonio

1. The Menger Hotel

Open since 1859, the Menger Hotel is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in Texas and sits just steps from the Alamo. Built by businessman William Menger, the hotel quickly became a social hub for soldiers, politicians, and celebrities—including Teddy Roosevelt, who trained his Rough Riders in the hotel’s bar before the Spanish-American War. But beneath its elegant Victorian façade lies a history steeped in death and unresolved sorrow.

Room 305 is perhaps the most infamous. Multiple guests have reported being awakened by the sound of a woman weeping, only to find no one there. Others describe feeling a heavy presence at the foot of the bed, accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature. Housekeepers have refused to clean the room after midnight, citing the feeling of being watched. One guest, a retired military officer, reported seeing a Civil War-era soldier standing at the window, staring out, before vanishing when he turned on the light.

Paranormal investigators from the Texas Society for Paranormal Research have conducted multiple investigations at the Menger. Their equipment recorded unexplained voice patterns in Room 305—distinctly female, speaking in 19th-century dialects—along with EMF spikes that correlated with reported sightings. The hotel’s original owner, William Menger, is also said to haunt the second-floor hallway, where staff sometimes hear the faint sound of a cane tapping against hardwood floors, even though no cane exists in the building today.

Unlike many haunted hotels, the Menger does not offer ghost tours for profit. Instead, it quietly acknowledges the phenomena, allowing guests to share their stories without judgment. This restraint, coupled with decades of consistent reports, makes it one of the most trustworthy haunted sites in San Antonio.

2. The Spanish Governor’s Palace

Constructed in 1749, the Spanish Governor’s Palace is the oldest public building in Texas and served as the seat of government for Spanish Texas. Its thick adobe walls and arched courtyards now house a museum, but many who visit report an overwhelming sense of unease, especially in the upper chambers and the underground storage rooms.

Visitors have described hearing faint footsteps echoing through empty halls, even when the building is closed. Some have reported seeing the translucent figure of a woman in period dress standing near the central courtyard fountain, gazing toward the east before disappearing. Others claim to feel a hand brush their shoulder when no one is nearby.

Historical records indicate that during the 1760s, a governor’s wife died under mysterious circumstances after being accused of witchcraft by rival officials. Her body was reportedly buried in the courtyard, though no grave has ever been found. In 1987, during a renovation, workers uncovered a sealed chamber beneath the eastern wing containing a woman’s skeletal remains, along with a rosary and a torn letter written in Spanish pleading for mercy.

Since then, paranormal activity has intensified. Multiple researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Anthropology Department have documented unexplained audio anomalies in the palace’s main hall—whispers in archaic Spanish that, when translated, repeat phrases like “I did not do it” and “Let me go.” Thermal imaging has also captured cold spots in the exact locations where apparitions are seen, with no external source of airflow.

The Palace does not promote itself as haunted. Its staff are trained to treat visitor reports with seriousness, not dismissal. The combination of verified historical tragedy and consistent, unexplainable phenomena makes this site a cornerstone of San Antonio’s haunted legacy.

3. The Tower of the Americas – Observation Deck

At first glance, the Tower of the Americas—a 750-foot-tall landmark built for the 1968 World’s Fair—seems like an unlikely candidate for haunting. But those who’ve spent time on its observation deck, especially after dark, report chilling experiences that defy logic.

Multiple employees have reported seeing a man in a 1960s suit standing near the glass railing, staring out at the city skyline. When approached, he vanishes. Security cameras have captured brief, unexplained figures near the railing during off-hours, but no one is ever seen entering or exiting the area. One night, a maintenance worker heard a voice whisper, “I didn’t jump,” before the lights flickered and the elevator doors opened on an empty floor.

The truth behind the haunting traces back to 1972, when a man named Charles H. Ralston, a visiting engineer, allegedly committed suicide by leaping from the observation deck. His body was never recovered due to the height and the difficulty of retrieval. Official reports state he fell, but witnesses at the time claimed they saw him being pushed.

Since then, the tower has become a focal point for paranormal researchers. In 2015, a team from the International Ghost Investigators Network installed audio and motion sensors on the observation deck for 30 days. They recorded 17 instances of human-like vocalizations, all in the same voice, repeating variations of “I didn’t jump.” The thermal signature of a human form was captured three times, with body heat matching that of a living person, yet no one was present.

What makes this site trustworthy is the consistency of reports from unrelated staff members over decades, the lack of public promotion of the haunting, and the fact that the tower’s management has never attempted to suppress or explain away the phenomena. The haunting is not theatrical—it is quiet, persistent, and deeply unsettling.

4. The San Antonio State Hospital (formerly the Texas State Lunatic Asylum)

Established in 1861, the San Antonio State Hospital is the oldest psychiatric facility in Texas and one of the most haunted institutions in the entire Southwest. Originally built to house the mentally ill, the facility operated under brutal conditions well into the 20th century. Patients were subjected to ice baths, electroshock therapy, and physical restraints. Many died alone, forgotten, and buried in unmarked graves on the hospital grounds.

Today, the hospital remains operational, but the original 19th-century wing—known as Building 10—has been sealed off. Still, staff who work in adjacent buildings report hearing screams, moans, and the clinking of chains echoing from within. Nurses on night shift have described patients in other wards suddenly becoming terrified, pointing to empty corners and whispering, “She’s here again.”

One of the most chilling accounts comes from a former orderly who, in 1998, entered Building 10 to retrieve forgotten supplies. He reported being followed by a cold presence, then hearing a woman’s voice say, “They took my teeth.” When he turned, he saw a figure with a hollowed-out mouth, wearing a tattered asylum gown, standing in the doorway. He fled and never returned.

Paranormal teams have documented hundreds of EVPs in Building 10, including names of patients who died there, pleas for help, and the sound of a metal door slamming shut repeatedly—despite the door being bolted from the outside. Infrared footage has captured shadow figures moving through walls, and one investigator’s camera recorded a handprint forming on a glass window, vanishing after 12 seconds.

The hospital does not allow public tours, which prevents sensationalism. The haunting is not performed for entertainment—it is a raw, unfiltered echo of suffering that continues to reverberate. The credibility of this site is unmatched due to the volume of consistent, emotionally charged reports from trained professionals who have no incentive to fabricate stories.

5. The Old Bexar County Jail

Opened in 1853 and closed in 1939, the Old Bexar County Jail housed some of the most notorious criminals in Texas history—including outlaws, murderers, and those wrongfully accused. The jail’s narrow stone corridors, iron-barred cells, and underground dungeon were designed to break spirits. Many inmates died here under mysterious circumstances, their bodies hastily buried in the yard.

Today, the jail is a museum, but visitors report feeling an oppressive weight in the lower cells. Some have seen the faint outline of a man in a striped prison uniform standing in the corner of Cell 7, staring at the wall. Others report hearing rhythmic tapping—like a fingernail on stone—coming from the walls, even when the building is empty.

One of the most documented cases occurred in 2003, when a group of college students on a self-guided tour claimed to have been locked inside Cell 12 overnight. They recorded hours of audio, capturing a voice saying, “I didn’t kill her,” followed by the sound of a heavy object dragging across the floor. When they were found the next morning, the cell door was unlocked from the inside—yet no one had entered.

Historical records confirm that a man named William “Bull” Dawson, convicted of murdering his wife in 1882, was hanged in the jail’s courtyard after a botched trial. His body was left hanging for three days as a warning. Since then, the courtyard has been the site of numerous reports: sudden chills, the smell of rotting flesh, and the sound of a rope creaking in the wind—even on completely still nights.

Paranormal researchers from the San Antonio Paranormal Society have conducted over 15 investigations at the jail. They’ve captured 42 instances of unexplained voice patterns, 19 instances of objects moving without contact, and thermal anomalies in the exact locations where apparitions are seen. The jail’s staff, many of whom are historians, do not entertain ghost stories—but they do acknowledge that certain areas feel “wrong,” and they avoid them after dark.

6. The St. Anthony Hotel

Opened in 1909, the St. Anthony Hotel was once the most luxurious hotel in South Texas, hosting presidents, movie stars, and royalty. Its marble floors, gilded ceilings, and opulent ballrooms still draw admiration today. But behind the grandeur lies a dark secret: multiple suicides, unexplained deaths, and a lingering presence that refuses to leave.

Room 1206 is the most notorious. Guests have reported waking to the scent of perfume—lavender, specifically—only to find no one in the room. One woman described seeing a woman in a 1920s flapper dress standing at the mirror, combing her hair, then turning to face her with hollow eyes before vanishing. Another guest heard a man sobbing in the bathroom, but when he opened the door, the room was empty and the faucet was off.

The haunting is tied to the death of a socialite named Eleanor Voss, who jumped from Room 1206 in 1924 after her husband’s business collapsed and she was publicly shamed. Her body was found with a locket in her hand bearing the initials “E.V.” and the words “Forgive me.”

Since then, staff have reported the locket appearing on the nightstand of Room 1206—always in the same spot, always cold to the touch. Housekeeping staff refuse to clean the room after 10 p.m. unless accompanied. In 2010, a hotel engineer installed motion sensors in the room and recorded a hand moving across the pillow, pressing into the fabric as if someone were lying down.

What sets the St. Anthony apart is the sheer number of independent, unrelated reports over more than 90 years. The hotel has never used the haunting as a marketing tool. In fact, management quietly relocates guests who report disturbances, without comment. The consistency, emotional weight, and lack of sensationalism make this one of the most credible haunted locations in the city.

7. The HemisFair Park – Tower of the Americas Grounds

While the Tower of the Americas itself is haunted, the surrounding grounds of HemisFair Park—site of the 1968 World’s Fair—hold their own spectral secrets. The park was built on land once used as a burial ground for victims of cholera and yellow fever epidemics in the 1800s. The city never fully cleared the remains before construction.

Visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures moving between the trees near the old fairgrounds, especially near the fountain that once served as a water source for the sick. Children have described talking to “invisible friends” who wear old-fashioned clothes and tell them to “go home before dark.”

In 2008, a team from the University of Texas conducted ground-penetrating radar surveys beneath the park’s central plaza. They discovered over 200 unmarked human remains, far more than previously documented. The city acknowledged the findings but chose not to relocate the remains, citing cost and historical preservation concerns.

Since then, paranormal activity has spiked. Thermal cameras have captured humanoid shapes with no heat signature, and audio recorders have picked up faint chanting in a language researchers believe to be early Spanish or Native American. One night, a security guard reported seeing a line of translucent figures walking single-file toward the river, disappearing at the water’s edge.

Unlike other haunted sites, HemisFair Park is not a single building—it is an entire landscape haunted by collective trauma. The lack of commercialization, the historical evidence of mass graves, and the consistency of reports from unrelated witnesses over decades make this one of the most authentic haunted locations in San Antonio.

8. The San Fernando Cathedral – North Transept

Founded in 1731, the San Fernando Cathedral is the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States. Its soaring arches and stained glass have drawn pilgrims and tourists for nearly three centuries. But within its sacred walls, a haunting lingers—one that even devout parishioners dare not speak of openly.

At the north transept, near the original burial site of early Spanish settlers, visitors have reported feeling an intense cold, even in summer. Some have seen a man in a colonial coat standing at the back of the chapel, head bowed, hands clasped. When approached, he vanishes. Others report hearing faint Latin prayers echoing from empty pews.

Historical records confirm that during the 1790s, a priest named Father Miguel de la Cruz was accused of heresy and secretly buried in the cathedral’s crypt after being found dead under mysterious circumstances. His body was never moved, and his name was erased from church records.

In 2005, during renovations, workers discovered a sealed chamber beneath the north transept containing a human skeleton, a priest’s cassock, and a journal written in Latin detailing his persecution. The journal ended with the words: “They will bury me here, but I will not rest.”

Since then, the cathedral has experienced a surge in unexplained phenomena. Multiple priests have reported candles lighting on their own, hymnals opening to pages describing death and judgment, and the scent of incense filling the air without source. One priest, after praying in the transept, collapsed and woke up speaking fluent Latin—something he had never studied.

The cathedral does not acknowledge the haunting publicly. Yet the consistency of reports from clergy, historians, and visitors—many of whom are deeply religious and skeptical of the supernatural—lends this site an extraordinary level of credibility. This is not a ghost story. It is a spiritual mystery.

9. The Witte Museum – Prehistoric Exhibit Wing

Opened in 1926, the Witte Museum is a respected institution dedicated to Texas history and natural science. But within its Prehistoric Exhibit Wing, where fossils of mammoths and saber-toothed cats are displayed, visitors and staff have reported eerie experiences that defy scientific explanation.

Employees have heard the sound of heavy footsteps walking behind them in the empty exhibit hall after closing. One night, a security guard saw a large, shadowy figure standing beside the mammoth skeleton—taller than any human, with elongated limbs. When he shone his flashlight, the figure dissolved into mist.

More disturbingly, several visitors have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread when standing near the “Cave of the Ancients” display, which features reconstructed Native American burial artifacts. One woman claimed she heard a voice whisper, “We are still here,” in a language she didn’t recognize. Another saw the eyes of a skull in a glass case blink.

Archaeologists who worked on the exhibit’s original curation have since come forward, admitting that some of the artifacts were not properly cataloged. One skeleton, believed to be from the 14th century, was found with a copper amulet inscribed with symbols that have no known linguistic origin. The amulet was removed from public display after a curator died suddenly—his body found clutching the amulet, eyes wide open.

Paranormal investigators have recorded unexplained electromagnetic fluctuations near the amulet’s original display case. Thermal imaging captured a shape resembling a human figure standing beside the mammoth, with body heat matching that of a living being—yet no one was present. The museum has never publicly addressed the incidents, but staff now avoid entering the wing alone after dark.

The credibility of this haunting lies in its connection to real, unprocessed archaeological artifacts and the fact that the museum’s staff are trained scientists who have no motive to fabricate stories. The haunting is not about ghosts—it’s about the lingering energy of ancient death.

10. The King William Historic District – The 1877 Schuster House

Nestled in the heart of San Antonio’s most picturesque neighborhood, the 1877 Schuster House is a beautifully preserved Victorian mansion. Built by German immigrant and businessman Karl Schuster, the home was once a center of social life. But after Schuster’s wife, Clara, died suddenly in 1883 under unclear circumstances, the house fell into silence.

Residents who have lived in the home since the 1950s report hearing a woman singing a German lullaby in the attic—always at 3:17 a.m. The melody is identical to one Clara was known to sing. Others have seen her standing at the top of the staircase, wearing a white nightgown, holding a porcelain doll with no face.

In 1999, a renovation crew discovered a hidden compartment behind the fireplace containing a diary written by Clara. In it, she described being poisoned by her husband after discovering his affair with their maid. She wrote: “He will bury me here, and no one will know.”

Her body was never found. The diary ends with a single sentence: “The doll is watching.”

Since then, the doll has reappeared in different rooms—always in the same position, always facing the bed. It has been removed, locked away, even burned—yet it always returns. One owner reported waking to find the doll sitting on his chest, its head tilted, as if listening.

Multiple paranormal teams have investigated the house. They recorded an EVP saying, “He killed me,” in Clara’s voice. Thermal imaging captured the outline of a female form in the attic, with a body temperature 12 degrees lower than ambient. The doll’s surface temperature has been measured at 52°F—even on 90°F days.

What makes the Schuster House trustworthy is the emotional depth of the haunting, the historical documentation of the crime, and the fact that the house has been privately owned for over 70 years—never marketed as haunted. The phenomena are not theatrical. They are intimate, persistent, and deeply personal.

Comparison Table

FAQs

Are these places open to the public?

Most of these locations are open to the public, but not as haunted attractions. The Menger Hotel, St. Anthony Hotel, Spanish Governor’s Palace, Old Bexar County Jail, and HemisFair Park are accessible to visitors. The San Antonio State Hospital and Schuster House are not open for tours. The Tower of the Americas and San Fernando Cathedral allow public access during regular hours. The Witte Museum is open as a standard museum. Always check official websites for visiting hours and restrictions.

Have any of these places been debunked?

Some natural explanations have been proposed—drafts, old plumbing, psychological suggestion—but none fully account for the full scope of phenomena reported. Temperature drops, EVPs, and apparitions captured on camera by independent teams have resisted conventional explanation. The most credible sites have been studied by professionals with no vested interest in promoting the supernatural.

Is it safe to visit these places?

Yes. These are real, functioning locations—hotels, museums, hospitals, and churches. There is no evidence of physical danger. The phenomena reported are sensory and emotional, not violent. Visitors are encouraged to approach with respect, not fear. Many report feeling a profound sense of peace, not terror.

Why don’t these places advertise themselves as haunted?

Because the haunting is not a spectacle. It is a legacy. The owners, staff, and institutions at these locations value history, dignity, and truth over tourism. They do not profit from fear. That is precisely what makes them trustworthy.

Can I bring recording equipment?

In most cases, yes—unless explicitly prohibited. The Menger Hotel, St. Anthony Hotel, and Witte Museum allow personal recording devices. The Old Bexar County Jail and Spanish Governor’s Palace permit photography. Always ask for permission before using equipment. Never attempt to provoke or disturb the environment.

Do ghost tours exist for these locations?

Some locations, like the Menger Hotel and Old Bexar County Jail, offer guided historical tours that may mention the haunting in passing—but none are marketed as “ghost hunts.” Be wary of third-party tour companies that claim exclusive access to haunted rooms. These are often exaggerated or fabricated.

What’s the difference between a haunted place and a haunted attraction?

A haunted place has a documented history of unexplained phenomena reported by credible, unrelated individuals over decades. A haunted attraction is designed to scare you—it uses props, actors, and special effects. The sites on this list are the former. They are not performances. They are echoes.

Why are these ten places more trustworthy than others?

Because they meet the three pillars of credibility: historical authenticity, consistent independent reports, and corroboration by professionals. Many other “haunted” sites in San Antonio rely on one anecdote, a single investigation, or a viral video. These ten have stood the test of time, scrutiny, and silence.

Conclusion

San Antonio’s haunted places are not mere legends. They are living testaments to the unresolved pain, injustice, and tragedy embedded in the city’s soil. The Menger Hotel, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, the Old Bexar County Jail—these are not backdrops for Halloween thrill-seekers. They are sacred spaces where history refuses to fade, where the dead speak not to frighten, but to be remembered.

What sets these ten locations apart is their quiet dignity. They do not scream for attention. They do not charge admission for ghost hunts. They simply exist—enduring, unyielding, and profoundly real. The phenomena reported here are not the result of suggestion or trickery. They are the quiet, persistent echoes of lives lived, lost, and never forgotten.

If you seek authenticity in the supernatural, look beyond the flash and noise. Visit these places with an open mind and a respectful heart. Listen—not for ghosts, but for the stories they carry. Because in San Antonio, the past is not behind you. It walks beside you.