9 Creepy Places to Visit Around Atlantic City

Atlantic City, New Jersey, is famous for its boardwalk, serene beaches, casinos, shopping destinations, and vibrant nightlife. But beyond the glittering lights and glamorous attractions, the city has a darker side with a rich history of paranormal activity. From the Absecon Lighthouse, linked to the tragic Powhatan disaster, to the Jonathan Pitney House, rumored to be haunted by the city's “father,” Atlantic City has its fair share of spooky spots.

Explore the Pine Barrens with tales of the infamous Jersey Devil, or wander the hallways of the Flanders Hotel, where Emily, a ghostly figure in white, is said to roam. These eerie experiences are perfect for adventurous travelers seeking a thrill.

Ready to explore Atlantic City’s haunted side? Here’s a list of 9 creepy places you won’t want to miss.

Standing 171 feet tall, the Absecon Lighthouse was first illuminated in 1857 and is one of the oldest lighthouses in the U.S. It was built to guide ships safely across the dangerous Graveyard Inlet, which saw numerous shipwrecks—including the tragic Powhatan disaster of 1854 that claimed 200–300 lives. Today, visitors can climb to the top, explore the museum and gift shop, and join ghost tours that reveal the lighthouse’s haunted history. Reports include apparitions, Civil War spirits, unexplained sounds, and even sightings of the Jersey Devil. Paranormal enthusiasts can also use ghost-hunting technology for an immersive experience.

Located in Absecon, this house was built in 1799 by Dr. Jonathan Pitney, known as the “Father of Atlantic City.” He lived here with his wife Caroline and requested she never leave the house. After Pitney’s death, Caroline remained, and locals claim this is when paranormal activity began. Guests report strange noises, slamming doors, the sounds of bells and flutes, ghostly apparitions of two men, and mysterious voices, particularly in Caroline’s room. Today, the house operates as a bed and breakfast, complete with period furnishings and made-to-order breakfasts.

The Pine Barrens is a vast forested region in New Jersey steeped in myth and legend. Most famously, it is home to the Jersey Devil, a creature said to have been born to Mother Leeds in 1735, which terrorized local farms and livestock. Visitors can explore abandoned mills, old industrial ruins, and preserved historical sites like Atsion and Batsto. Paranormal sightings here date back centuries, including spirits of early settlers, restless souls like Bloody John Bacon, and other mysterious apparitions, blending history, folklore, and nature into a haunting experience.

Estell Manor, located within the Pine Barrens, is known for numerous ghost sightings. The Abbott House is said to be haunted by the adopted daughter of the Abbott family, often seen playing with a ball. Visitors to the Ocean City bed and breakfast report moving objects, footsteps, and unexplained voices, linked to the property’s history as a former funeral home. Other haunted sites nearby include the Emlyn Physick Estate, known for whispers, cold spots, and ghostly touches, and the crash site memorial of Captain Emilio Carranza, where eerie mist and engine noises are often reported.

A uniquely haunting attraction on the Atlantic City boardwalk, the incubator babies exhibit was created by Dr. Martin Couney in the early 1900s. Premature infants were treated in incubators and displayed for public viewing, a technique that saved many lives. Not all survived, however, and visitors today claim to hear faint cries and feel the presence of spirits along the boardwalk, preserving a chilling yet historically significant story of medical innovation.

About a 50-minute drive from Atlantic City, the Surf City Hotel is a hotspot for paranormal activity. Built before Prohibition, it is rumored to be haunted by victims of the Powhatan shipwreck, whose remains were once kept at the hotel. Guests have reported flickering lights, shadowy figures, glowing orbs, a Union soldier with one arm walking near the beach, and four women holding hands in a ghostly procession, making it a must-visit for thrill-seekers.

This historic hotel in Ocean City, a half-hour drive from Atlantic City, survived a major city fire and retains its Jazz Age charm. Visitors report sightings of Emily, the Lady in White, who appears in a nightgown, rattles doorknobs, unscrews lightbulbs, and hums or sings in the hallways. Legend says she may have been a young bride waiting for her soldier’s return. The hotel’s underground catacombs are also said to be haunted by mob victims and a drowned girl.

Formerly the Trump Taj Mahal, the Hard Rock Hotel is one of the most infamous haunted casinos in the U.S. Ghost sightings include a man who reportedly jumped from the tenth floor and now roams the halls at midnight, as well as an angry ghost with an orange glow wearing a toupee. These spectral legends add to the casino’s dark past, drawing paranormal enthusiasts from around the country.

Opened in 1978, Resorts Casino Hotel consists of two towers: Rendezvous Tower and Ocean Tower. Haunted activity reportedly started during earlier renovations in 1903, including howling sounds, unexplained elevator noises, chilling areas, and a man believed to be Charlie Chaplin tipping his hat. Hallways are said to be haunted by World War II soldiers, and the 13th floor is avoided due to superstition, adding to the hotel’s eerie reputation.

Book Your Stay at FantaSea Resorts — Your Base for a Haunted Atlantic City Adventure!