A Comprehensive Guide To Haunted Places In Nashville

Using this list to take a self-guided ghost tour is a great way to stretch your vacation budget. For more ways, check out our list of free things to do in Nashville.

Alley Taps

(162 Printers Alley)

Alley Taps, which was located in Printer’s Alley, closed to much sadness in August 2026. But no one is more sad than the ghosts inside. And, due to the building being a gin mill (a bar during prohibition that sold homemade alcohol aka bathtub gin) and having tunnels beneath it that connected Printer’s Alley underground — tunnels used by Al Capone when he was running alcohol when he was in town — well, there are a lot of apparitions.

The most common sighting is of a man in a fedora, maybe a mobster, likely from prohibition times. He’s usually smoking a cigar at the end of the bar, leaving the scent behind when he vanishes.

There’s also a woman who screams from either below the building or from its walls. No one sees her, just hears her potential last moments. Some believe she was murdered by a boyfriend then buried within the building’s walls.

Workers have also heard things knocked over in the basement, which was used as storage when the bar was open but was used as underground tunnels to deliver illegal alcohol back during prohibition. Workers have heard footsteps and found locked doors unlocked.

Inside, people have noticed things falling off the walls, pool balls moving, lights turning on and off, and an apparent poker game (with spirits saying “I’m all in”) happening too.

Belmont Mansion

(Belmont Blvd. and Acklen Ave.)

The Belmont Mansion is a stunning pink house on a mountain that now operates as a museum as part of Belmont University. It was built for Joseph and Adelicia Acklen between 1850 and 60. At the time, the 180-acre estate was the largest in Tennessee.

Adelicia kept the home, despite awful tragedies like the loss of six of her 10 children before they turned 12, and the loss of her husband during the Civil War. Still, she hosted lavish parties, which included famous men like Alexander Graham Bell and President Andrew Johnson.

She passed away, but never left the home. Museum guests see her in an antebellum dress, often critiquing the current furniture layout. Staff have noticed motion detector lights going off on their own, attributing that to Adelicia.

It has also been said that cold spots have been felt throughout the home, including in the nursery, where the word “Mama” has been heard. Adelicia’s young children being there may be the reason she won’t leave the home.

Benchmark Bar & Grill

(117 2nd Ave N)

Benchmark Bar & Grill was at once a boating/sporting goods store, piano repair shop, a photography studio, a bar called Mulligan’s and the site of a murder, if you believe the story.

Allegedly, a man named Jerry murdered his wife Margaret there. People have heard Margaret’s footsteps and whispers around the restaurant.

I can’t find anything corroborating the murder, so Margaret may just be the wind.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

(600 James Robertson Pkwy)

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a really nice open space near Nashville’s Germantown. Before it got cleaned up, it was Smokey Row, the seedy part of town known for prostitution, gambling, and murder.

None of that remains, unless you count the spirits from that time.

When construction was being done to create the park in the 1990s, workers mentioned tools moving, shadows on construction equipment, and the feeling of being watched.

Visitors have noticed two women, one in her 20s in a Victorian-era dress and a young teen. Both were probably ladies of the night in the 1860s and it’s been speculated that the young teen was murdered and her spirit is still fleeing the scene. Others have reported hearing children’s voices but seeing no kids.

We went to Nashville Oktoberfest at Bicentennial Park and didn’t have any encounters with spirits (unless you count the beer Pete drank that night).

Demonbreun’s Cave

(700 Omohundro Drive)

The cave, yes literally a cave along the Cumberland River, was used by fur-trader Jacques-Timothe De Montbrun when he was trapping and hunting. De Montbrun, also known as Timothy Demonbreun, is credited as being the first white resident of Nashville (around 1769).

The 150-foot cave, which is incredibly narrow now but of course was different almost 300 years ago, was three rooms total, and, if you believe the story, is where Demonbreun’s wife once gave birth.

The cave used to be open to the public, but it’s closed now. The only ones there are trespassers and spirits. No one says who the spirits are, specifically, but people claim they’re there.

Dream Nashville (formerly Climax Saloon)

(210 4th Avenue North)

The Climax Saloon, which was also known as the Embers Building, was opened in 1887 in Printer’s Alley. George A. Dickel (whose name is actually perfect for the next few sentences), owner of Cascade Tennessee Whiskey, opened a three-story saloon in the building.

There was can can dancing in the basement, a bar on the first floor, gambling and pool tables on the second floor, and a brothel on the third. That floor had false walls and hiding spaces in case of police raids.

The original structure was mostly demolished in 2016 and the Dream Nashville, a boutique hotel, was put up shortly after.

But the ghost of Tim Hanifin, who was shot by a sheriff in 1897, still remains. He has been heard wandering the hallways. Guests have also seen a woman, crying in a Victorian-era dress.

Dutchman’s Curve

(no exact address, West Nashville)

Dutchman’s Curve is the site of the deadliest train accident in American history. Two trains collided on July 9, 1918, killing 100 people and injuring another 171.

Visitors to the area hear unexplained voices and strange noises, mostly in the morning.

Ernest Tubb Record Shop

(417 Broadway)

The record shop has been open since 1947, but in its current downtown Nashville location since 1951. The land where the building is now was used as a hospital during the Civil War with the basement used as a morgue. And the story is that ghosts from that time haunt the building now. And did back then, too.

Workers reported feeling like they were being watched and some later even saw men in Civil War clothing including a young soldier in the basement. There are also sounds that seem to be leftover from Civil War procedures, amputations, and the screams of pain associated with those. Some also report seeing a wartime nurse as well.

Those ghosts seem to have learned a little about music after existing in a record shop for decades. It’s been said that there’s a CD player that will start playing songs when an artist is being discussed — even if there’s no CD inside. And women have felt someone grabbing their behinds (one woman even blogged about that here).

That’s not the only space associated with Ernest Tubb that’s haunted. It’s been reported that people have heard voices on his old touring bus. The bus used to be housed inside the record shop, but it’s out in Music Valley now.

Gaylord Opryland Resort

(2800 Opryland Dr.)

The Gaylord Opryland Resort is a huge hotel, with over 600 rooms within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry. The large conservatory inside is always decorated beautifully and is very popular with visitors, even ones not staying at the hotel — and even one woman dressed in black.

Lore says that she’s Mary Louise McGavock, the previous owner of the land. She passed in 1965 and left the land to her church to build a school or orphanage. Instead, the land was purchased and the Opryland USA theme park was built there and The Gaylord Opryland Resort was built next door.

Mary may be visiting the hotel more out of anger of what her generous gift has become and less out of her desire to see its annual Christmas display.

Nashville City Cemetery

(1001 4th Ave S)

One of the best free things to do in Nashville is to visit the Tennessee State Museum. It was filled with drama, which was great for me because I love some hot tea.

One of the stories was a duel between attorney Charles Dickinson and future president Andrew Jackson. Based on who became president and who didn’t, well, you can figure out who survived that duel. You can (and should) read all about it here. Dickinson was buried, dug up, and reburied at the Nashville City Cemetery where people have felt taps on their shoulders, cold spots, and had the feeling of being watched while at his grave.

Polk’s Tomb

(600 Charlotte Ave)

President James K. Polk is buried in a tomb on the Tennessee State Capitol grounds — for now.

He retired from office and was on a trip with his wife, Sarah, which included a trip to New Orleans, a trip to Columbia, Tennessee, and a contraction of cholera that would take his life. He was buried in a mass grave at the Nashville City Cemetery. A year later, he was dug up and buried near his family home, Polk Place.

When Polk Place was sold, he, along with Sarah, were dug up and buried in Polk’s Tomb.

No rest for the Polks. There was a proposal in 2017 to move his remains again, this time to the James K. Polk Home and Museum in Columbia, but it failed to pass.

But, all this moving has Polk restless, if you believe the stories. It’s been said that he haunts his tomb, with some visitors seeing a human shape near his tomb and others seeing orbs above it.

Ryman Auditorium

(116 Rep. John Lewis Way North)

The Union Gospel Tabernacle was opened in 1892 by Thomas Ryman as a place for religious people to congregate and have lectures, revivals, fundraisers, and to act as a house of worship.

Ryman passed away in 1904 and the name was changed in his honor. The subject matter inside was also changed to include plays, concerts, boxing matches, and operas. Ryman didn’t seem to like that because when risqué performances would be on stage, there would be loud stomping, attributed to Ryman’s ghost.

In 1943, the Ryman Auditorium became home to the Grand Ole Opry — and began the Opry curse. Over 30 Opry performers died tragically, including Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, Sr., both of whom have been heard singing loud and clear at the Ryman — despite neither of them being of this earth anymore.

Skull’s Rainbow Room

(222 Printers Alley)

David “Skull” Schulman opened Skull’s Rainbow Room in Printer’s Alley in 1948. It was home to a house band that Willie Nelson played it. Skull’s was visited by music royalty; everyone from Elvis to Paul McCartney spent time there.

And it was where Skull met his demise in a robbery gone wrong.

He’s credited as saying “The Alley will always be here, I expect … and I’ll stay here with it.” And so, as the story goes, he did. He does. He … well, he’s been seen around the Alley, and in Skull’s, often with one of his poodles, sometimes just making cold spots in the basement bar, even during non-air-conditioned summer days.

Printer’s Alley is still there, bustling in Nashville, and so is Skull.

Southern Turf Building

(222 4th Ave N)

The back of the Southern Turf Building is where Skull’s Rainbow Room is. And, as we know, that’s haunted. But so is the top of the building.

The top of the building operates as the Southern Turf Lofts. In Room 201, guests have heard footsteps and rattling doors, plus noticed shadows. They’ve been attributed to Isaac “Ike” Johnson, the owner of the Southern Turf Saloon, which was housed in the building, who died by suicide in that room in 1916 when prohibition forced his saloon to close.

St. Mary Of The Seven Sorrows

(328 Rep. John Lewis Way N)

St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows, build in 1845 by the same architect who built the Belmont Mansion, is Tennessee’s oldest Catholic church. The church was founded by Richard Pius Miles, who eventually became bishop — and eventually was buried beneath the church’s altar in 1860.

He laid there, quietly, for 112 years. When the church was undergoing renovations, his casket was dug up and opened, revealing a perfectly intact corpse that looked like it was recently buried. It also awoke his spirit.

Since then, workers started hearing footsteps near the alter and smelling incense. This has been attributed to Bishop Miles.

Tennessee State Capitol

(600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard)

The Tennessee State Capitol is the 10th oldest state capitol building still in use. Its architect, William Strickland, was overseen by Capitol Commission chairman, Samuel D. Morgan. The two men argued frequently over the design and budget.

Strickland died before the building was finished and he was interred in a vault on the northeast side of the building. When Morgan died, decades later, someone with a sense of humor designated his final resting place to be on the southeastern side.

But, there’s no rest to be had. The spirits of the two men still argue, so loudly that cops have actually been called to the capitol building.

Tennessee State Penitentiary

(6404 Centennial Blvd)

The Tennessee State Prison opened in 1898 and closed in 1992 because of overcrowding. The building remains (and was used as the outside shot of Stephen King’s The Green Mile), but the interior was deemed off limits in 2011.

Still, though, stories of footsteps in corridors, clanking of metal, and whispered voices remain.

The Finch (formerly Flying Saucer Draught Emporium)

(111 10th Ave S, Ste 310)

After 23 years in the Baggage Building of Union Station in The Gulch section of Nashville, the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, a chain taproom, closed. The Finch American Grill opened three years later in that space. Before it was either, it was briefly a morgue.

If you remember, Dutchman’s Curve was the site of a deadly train accident in 1918, killing over 100 passengers. Those passengers needed somewhere to go, temporarily, and so, after the hospitals and morgues were filled, they went to the baggage area of Union Station.

When it became the Flying Saucer in 1998, people started noticing paranormal activity. There were pool cues getting knocked over, pool balls moving on their own, and the money slot on pool tables bring pushed in and out.

Televisions in the bar would randomly turn on and off, especially when they’re on mute.

There’s no word if the ghosts continued haunting the area since The Finch opened in 2024 or if they’re just taking a break.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge

(422 Broadway)

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge has been a Broadway mainstay since 1960. It’s the longest operating bar on Broadway, one of the few non-celebrity bars and restaurants in Nashville, and became a super popular spot for performers at the Ryman Auditorium since they could easily hop in the alleyway between them and go from one to another between performances.

The bar was originally named Mom’s until it was painted a bright purple and was bought by Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess. Tootsie ran the bar, which has multiple floors and stages, for 18 years until she passed — and maybe every one after too. It’s been said that when a performance isn’t up to her standards, she’s heard tapping her fingers against the bar, trying to hurry the act along.

She’s not the only ghost in the area. Hank Williams, who is famously known to haunt the nearly adjacent Ryman Auditorium, has been seen passing from the Ryman to Tootsie’s — despite passing away before Tootsie’s even opened.

Two Rivers Mansion

(3130 McGavock Pk)

Two Rivers Mansion is a little funny, in my opinion. See, if you remember, Mary Louise McGavock haunts the Gaylord Opryland Resort because she donated the land to build a school and orphanage and yet it was sold and a resort was built. Well, turns out more of her land may have its own storied history.

She’s the last remaining member of the McGavock, though entered the family by her marriage to Spence McGavock. Spence was the only grandchild of David H. and William “Willie” Elizabeth McGavock (née Harding) and thus inherited the Two Rivers Mansion David had built for Willie. At the time, the property was 1,100 acres with stables, barns, and, well, gravesites.

The land, it’s said, was previously a Native American burial ground, plus a space to bury both Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War.

Footsteps have been heard on the property, along with groups of laughter, and a lady in black roaming the home and adjacent golf course. The lady may be Willie McGavock, unaware that she passed in 1895, spirits of soldiers, or a curse put on by Native Americans.

Whatever you believe, believe it’s not Mary Louise, as she’s too busy at the resort.

Union Station Nashville Yards

(1001 Broadway)

Union Station was a train station, as we’ve established. There’s a story that says a young woman in her 20s, named Abigail, went there to say goodbye to her boyfriend as he left for France during World War II. She went back after the war, to reunite with him … but he never arrived. And so, she threw herself onto the tracks.

Her body may have left, but her spirit never did. She’s haunted the building, and now Room 711, since the building was converted into a hotel. The hotel has embraced her, decorating the room with pieces just for her. Guests who have stayed in her room have seen flickering lights and heard furniture being dragged above it — despite it being on the top floor. Other guests have seen shadowy figures in mirrors on the 7th floor as well.

Haunted Places Near Nashville

We made sure to only include haunted sites in Nashville proper. Because Nashville is already a large city, so it’s a lot to visit all of these haunted places.

But, if you live nearby or you’re visiting Music City strictly for the paranormal, there are a few nearby locations worth checking out.

Bell Witch Cave (430 Keysburg Road, Adams, Tennessee): The Bell family peacefully lived on this 330-acre farm until an entity, eventually known as the Bell witch, started tormenting the family, physically hurting the children and eventually poisoning and killing patriarch John Bell Sr. Non-family members have seen animals on the property, heard scratching, and even President Andrew Jackson’s horse and carriage froze once upon visiting the property, not moving until it changed directions.

Chapel Hill Ghost Light (Louisville & Nashville (L&N) railroad tracks, west of Chapel Hill, Tennessee): The Headless Signalman warns trains of a potential hazard with his shining signal light. Oddly enough, this isn’t the only headless train track ghost we’ve talked about. There’s one near Wilmington, NC and another in Durham, NC too.

Fairvue Plantation (1301 Rozella Way, Gallatin, Tennessee): The plantation was built in 1832 by Isaac Franklin, co-founder of Franklin & Armfield, the largest domestic slave-trading firm in US history. His mansion was used as a makeshift hospital during the Civil War. It’s said to be haunted by enslaved spirits and a Union soldier (who flagged down one of then owners to let him know his wife was trapped in an ice house on the property; the wife was saved and the soldier was never found).

The mansion has been reported to be cursed, as well, as Franklin and his wife lost all four of their children (one who has been seen on her tricycle). The property was eventually purchased by horse-breeder Charles Reed who lost 28 horses when a lightning strike set one of his stables on fire.

Hermitage (4580 Rachel’s Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076): President Andrew Jackson’s historic plantation home is said to be haunted by the former president. Some have seen him on horseback, some have smelled his cigar smoke and coffee, and some have heard him yelling, “What are you doing in my home?” Others have seen his daughter Rachel and seen dolls move in her room.

Thomas House Hotel (Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee): There’s a little girl named Sarah who asks hotel guests to play. Visitors have mentioned seeing moving beds, dark shadowy figures, and felt cold spots, probably by Mr. Cloyd who originally built the hotel and named it Cloyd Place Hotel in 1890.