Spooky cemeteries, haunted hotels, and more eerie DFW locations to visit this Halloween season (if you dare).
“You go first,” my friend whispered in the pitch-black night. I shivered as the chilly fall air left a trail of goosebumps down my arms, and I quickly shook my head no. It was nearing midnight, circa 2009, and—like other brave high schoolers before us—we were hanging out at Mills Cemetery in Garland, Texas.
The challenge? Lie down on Charlie Smiley’s grave to feel his presence weighing you down. It turns out, tempting ghosts was not on my to-do list!
In the end, we both chickened out. (What are two scared teenage girls to do when faced with a famous ghost story?) But that hasn’t stopped me from wondering over the years about the legend of Smiley’s Grave and other spooky spots in Dallas-Fort Worth.
As Halloween creeps in, I’ve researched some of the most haunted spots in DFW and the chilling stories behind each. Armed with the benefit of adult skepticism (and a healthy fear of the undead), I’m ready to look back on what scared me so much as a kid.
Visit them if you dare, but don’t come running to me if you sense a spooky presence…
1. White Rock Lake
Address: 8100 Doran Circle, Dallas
If you drive around White Rock Lake at night, you might stumble across a ghostly hitchhiker: the Lady of the Lake!
Anne Clark wrote about this legend in 1943, when she described a girl dressed in white and soaking wet who asked for a ride (per For the Love of the Lake). After climbing in the back, she gave them an address in Oak Cliff. But before they arrived, their back seat was empty.
The girl vanished into thin air, as she was supposedly a ghost who had drowned in the lake. This story sounds like a spooky campfire tale, but there’s no harm in driving around to see if you can spot any apparitions.
2. Adolphus Hotel
Address: 1321 Commerce Street, Dallas
Another ghostly lady supposedly haunts the historic Adolphus Hotel: the Lady in White. The story of this spirit takes place in the 1930s, when a bride was left at the altar and roamed the 19th floor, distressed over her ruined nuptials (according to Visit Dallas). She reportedly died by a self-inflicted hanging and can still be seen floating around the hallways.
Sadly, several untimely deaths have occurred at this hotel throughout history, including many people dying after falling down the elevator shaft (per D Magazine). Rumor has it you might hear spooky visitors moaning in the elevator, so listen closely on your next stay.
3. Goatman’s Bridge
Address: Old Alton Road, Denton
No ordinary ghost hangs out at Goatman’s Bridge. According to rumors—which have been swirling since 1938 (per Dallas Observer)—a half-man, half-goat demon haunts the area, also known as Old Alton Bridge.
People claim that if you knock three times on the bridge, the Goatman will make his appearance known, something you definitely won’t want to try if you’re alone.
4. Recycled Books, Records, and CDs
Address: 200 North Locust, Denton
Don’t judge a book by its cover, or a bookstore by its pink and purple walls. It may seem cheery, but Recycled Books, Records, and CDs reportedly has a ghost nestled among the shelves.
This bookstore sits on the site of the old Denton courthouse, which was struck by lightning in 1894. A retired rancher built the Wright Opera House from the re-used bricks. It became a theater, a department store, and more before transforming into its current iteration as a bookstore in 1983.
Local lore says people can spot flying books by a ghost named Emma, who haunts the bookstore (per Discover Denton). A literature-loving apparition? That’s my kind of spirit!
5. Miss Molly’s Hotel
Address: 109 West Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth
Built in 1910, Miss Molly’s Hotel has a long and sordid history. It started as a boarding house, then became a speakeasy and brothel in the 1940s. Now, it’s a bed and breakfast with eight historical-themed rooms—but be warned, if you stay here, you might have some unexpected ghostly guests appear, too.
According to the hotel itself, paranormal activity has been seen in all of the rooms, especially the Cattleman’s and Cowboy rooms. People claim to see spirits of former working girls or smell random perfume scents that can’t be explained. Maybe ghostly women looking for their johns?
Even if you don’t see any eerie signs from the spiritual world firsthand, you can still get a spooky experience at Miss Molly’s. The hotel displays photos and tape recordings of supposed paranormal activity captured over the years in the living area. It has all the spooky vibes perfect for this time of year!
6. The Stockyards Hotel
Address: 109 East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth
Back in the days of the Wild West, the Stockyards Hotel was a popular spot for cowboys—and criminals. Famous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde even stayed here in 1933. Legend has it that their room, suite 305, is still haunted by their spirits, who will turn the faucet on and off and make noises after dark (per Dallas Terrors).
The Stockyards Hotel is currently closed due to a $30 million renovation, but it is estimated to reopen in 2027. Book a stay to see if the spirits go away after all that construction or continue to haunt the grounds.
7. Smiley’s Grave at Mills Cemetery
Address: 1952 Commerce Street, Garland
As I mentioned before, Smiley’s Grave is one of the most famous ghost stories in our corner of the state. It’s located inside Mills Cemetery, which is very much a real and respectable local cemetery.
(By the way, visiting hours end at sunset in case you had any ideas about going after dark. There’s nothing scarier than having the police called on you for trespassing!)
According to local lore, Charlie Smiley murdered his entire family and continues to haunt the grounds, looking for more victims. However, the real deaths of the Smileys were actually due to a tornado that killed 17 people in May 1927, per Local Profile.
So, while the story is definitely tragic, it’s not as evil as people say—and if the ghost of Mr. Smiley is still hanging around, he’s probably just mourning that fateful day.
Though, just to be on the safe side, I’m still not going to go lie down on his grave.
