New York Lands Among the Spookiest States in America

Halloween is this Friday and it turns out most of us are ready to celebrate. About 75% of Americans plan to get into the spooky spirit this year, whether that means dressing up, visiting haunted houses, or handing out candy.

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But here’s a fun question if every state got a “spookiness score,” here would New York land? According to a new study from Hard Rock Bet, New York ranks as the 15th spookiest state in the entire country.

How They Figured It Out

The team looked at four creepy categories: haunted locations, ghost towns, UFO sightings, and haunted house ratings. When it was added up, New York earned a solid spooky score thanks to its mix of haunted history, eerie encounters, and out of this world activity.

Haunted Hotspots and Ghost Towns

If you love a good scare, you’re in luck. New York has 91 haunted locations scattered across the state, from historic hotels to abandoned asylums and eerie theaters. The Empire State also has 12 ghost towns and each one tells its own mysterious tale from the past.

UFOs in the Empire State

The skies above New York have seen their fair share of strange sights too. The study found 1,778 UFO sightings reported across the state. So, if you’ve ever thought you saw something weird up there, you’re definitely not alone.

Haunted Houses That Deliver

If you prefer your scares with a safety net, New York’s haunted houses rank high with thrill seekers. On average, they’ve earned an 8.4 out of 10 rating, meaning there’s no shortage of high-quality frights waiting for you this Halloween.

The Top Spooky States

While New York earned a #15 ranking, California took the crown as the spookiest state of all. Texas came in second, and Florida landed in third. Each of these states had a high number of haunted spots, ghost towns, and UFO activity basically a trifecta of terror.