Despite its colorful culture, expansive vistas, and rich history, Texas has a darker side that is buried in myth and mystery. One such location is a historic hotel in the Lone Star State that is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of the deceased.
Come explore the spooky stories and mysterious occurrences that have made this Texas hotel a well-known haunt for psychics.
The Driskill Hotel (Austin): Haunted Hotels in Texas
One haunting location that is especially notorious is the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. With 137 years of legends of blood money, fatal accidents, and broken hearts, this ancient hotel is one of the most haunted in the United States. If you dare, you can stay there for the night.
Built in 1886 in the center of downtown Austin, The Driskill’s renown as a paranormal destination predates its opulent lodgings.
In fact, it has become a well-liked location for tourists who are more interested in getting a close-up look at anything supernatural than in having a leisurely stay, in addition to greeting visitors from all over the world.
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The Haunted Tales of The Driskill Hotel
Numerous ghost stories have reportedly haunted the Driskill Hotel for decades, according to local legend.
The hotel appears to be alive with paranormal activity, from the lively spirit of a young girl who died on the grand staircase to the lingering presence of Jesse Driskil, the developer of the establishment, who apparently likes to surprise female rock stars who stay there.
But among the most heartbreaking stories is the restless soul of a sweetheart who was betrayed by her fiancé. Though specifics differ, most stories center on “Room 525”, where she is reported to have committed suicide in the restroom.
Laura Judge, a front desk agent at the Driskill, acknowledged having her share of paranormal encounters in an interview with The Mirror in 2023. “I was looking in the mirror, and I saw this white, smoggy, figured lady,” she says in the interview. She simply crossed the mirror.
When I turned to look behind me, no one was there. But as time has gone on, Judge has learned to value the spirits as companions rather than enemies, even calling them her “coworkers.”
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The Driskill Hotel visit
Viator now has a Haunted Austin Walking History Tour that will take you through some of the most haunted spots in the city for 90 minutes if you want to visit the Driskill Hotel but don’t want to brave the whole experience alone.
A guide on Viator’s trip will add a little narration to each stop, from narrating spooky stories about bygone eras to murders, mysteries, and paranormal encounters.
The tour also includes a stop at The Driskill, the historic Paramount Theater, which is home to one of the most well-known ghost images in the nation, Congress Avenue, a popular destination full of ghost stories and spooky tales, and 6th Street.
With a few drinks at Speakeasy Austin, you and your friends can get over your heebie-jeebies at the final destination.
The quiet may not last long, either, as both customers and employees have reported seeing spectral apparitions, hearing cries for assistance, and even becoming victims of unanticipated poltergeist activities, such as slamming doors and shattering bottles.
The tour departs at 8:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and tickets are presently available on the Viator website for $28 per person.
The Sources:
- Explore: One Of America’s Most Haunted Hotels Is A Popular Place To Stay In Texas With A Scary History
- Mirror: ‘I talk to ghosts and they’re my friends – what it’s like working in a haunted hotel’
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