Iowa was founded in 1846, prior to which it was organized as a separate territory. With such a long existence, it is no surprise that spooky haunts have been discovered over the years. Halloween in Iowa is often celebrated with trick-or-treat and pumpkin carving. But, if you’re looking for something a lot more scary, visit these five haunts below.

5. Meskwaki Bingo Casino And Hotel

Spooky rating: 4/10

Not many ghost enthusiasts know that the Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel is haunted. Visitors have reported screams and arguing in the corridors, even when no one is around.

There are several other unexplained occurrences that guests have reported. The biggest spooky standout is the constant feeling like you’re being watched, while some patrons even report feeling ghostly hands on them.

But don’t be put off from gambling just because the Meskwaki may be haunted. You can enjoy online casinos from your ghoul-free home by accessing online platforms. The top casinos offer a quick payment speed, allowing you to play and instantly withdraw your funds before you’re heading out trick-or-treating for the night.

4. Franklin Hotel

Spooky rating: 6/10

The Franklin Hotel remains stuck in the Victorian era since some residents never left, specifically the two ghosts who haunt the hotel today. Lily is a mostly jovial apparition in a lavender dress who is often singing as she lingers in what was once her room. Sometimes, when she is more disgruntled, she will moan while moving furniture around.

Leo was in charge of the hotel’s laundry for three decades. He is pretty harmless, ringing the bell messaging system in the hotel. It is annoying if he does it at night, but the two permanent residents seem fairly peaceful.

4. Squirrel Cage Jail

Spooky rating: 7/10

Squirrel Cage Jail was constructed in 1885 and is one of only a few rotary jails still remaining in the country. Despite the name reminding you of an adorable forest creature, the jail was a macabre place. The cells were built so that interactions between convicts and staff were limited, since the cells would be turned around. The jail was closed in the late 1960s, mainly because the rotary system often malfunctioned.

The jail is now a museum, but beware… Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, whispers, disembodied voices, and catching movement out of the corner of their eyes in the cells. The ghost that haunts the jail has been described as a young girl wearing grey, who is often spotted after a door inexplicably closes by itself.

2. Edinburgh Manor

Spooky rating: 9/10

Edinburgh Manor has a sordid past. It is located on a property which was once a “poor farm”, where the disabled, mentally unwell, or destitute were housed in exchange for working gruelling hours on the farm. During its 60-year existence before closing in 1910, more than 150 people lost their lives. Existing structures were demolished, and the Edinburgh Manor was constructed to house the same kind of individuals.

It was decommissioned a century later, and ghost hunters have since reported many unexplained sightings. One is of a young girl who you can hear giggling. Another is a woman dressed in white, who seems real until she mysteriously disappears. Then there is The Joker, a violent poltergeist who throws plates at visitors or attempts to choke them.

1. Villisca Axe Murder House

Spooky rating: 10/10

The Moore family, along with two visitors, were found gruesomely murdered at home in 1912. The crime remains an unsolved mystery, and their home still stands today. Although the home has been sold several times and remodeled, it seems that the vengeful spirits of the Moores never left.

Lights turn on and off by themselves, overnight visitors report cold spots, and there are many EVP recordings. The six murdered children can be heard playing with toys in empty rooms, doors slam, and objects have been seen moving by themselves.