Where in the U.S. are you most likely to stumble upon a supernatural experience?
To mark National Twilight Zone Day on May 11 -- which honors the mysterious TV show -- Lawn Love ranked 2023's Best Cities for Paranormal Activity.
The website compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on four categories: paranormal sightings, Bigfoot sightings, haunted sites and paranormal conventions and events -- among 14 total otherworldly metrics. Scores (out of 100 points) were calculated for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall.
According to the rankings, many of America's oldest and biggest cities land at the top of the list, with plenty of paranormal energy built on centuries of ghost stories and urban lore. Meantime, younger cities and suburban regions have a less haunted history and sparse paranormal activity.
The analysis determined Los Angeles is the top city for paranormal activity, coming in 11 points higher than the second-place New York.
"LA possesses the highest number of haunted sites and the most paranormal conventions and events. The City of Angels is spellbound as the No. 2 best city for witches and No. 4 for vampires. California is also the most ideal state for spotting UFOs," the rankings note.
As for New York, it offers 328 cemeteries — the most in the rankings — and the second-highest number of haunted sites to explore.
The Lone Star State is especially spooky, with 13 Texas cities in the top half of the rankings. San Antonio (No. 7) claims the third-largest number of haunted sites, followed closely by Houston (No. 11) and El Paso (No. 24) tied at fifth. El Paso also spooks residents with the most ghost sightings, followed by Austin (No. 13), as well as Laredo (No. 44) and Corpus Christi (No. 83) tied for third place.
As far as Sasquatch stomping grounds, legend has it that Bigfoot roams around the Pacific Northwest, so it's fitting that Tacoma, Washington (No. 56), claims the highest number of Bigfoot sightings, followed by Seattle (No. 18), Bellevue, Washington (No. 153), and Portland, Oregon (No. 19).
Phantoms won't find peace in Las Vegas (No. 10), home to the most paranormal societies and investigative organizations, followed by Indianapolis (No. 9). However, supernatural events occur most often in spooky San Diego (No. 4), with the most paranormal sightings, followed by Dallas (No. 8), Chicago (No. 3), Philadelphia (No. 6), and Cleveland (No. 30).
Whether you're interested in witches, vampires, or ghosts, New Orleans (No. 5) is full of supernatural spirits. NOLA offers the highest number of haunted hotels and ghost tours and is among the top 20 cities for witches and vampires.
Best Cities for Paranormal Activity
1. Los Angeles, CA
2. New York, NY
3. Chicago, IL
4. San Diego, CA
5. New Orleans, LA
6. Philadelphia, PA
7. San Antonio, TX
8. Dallas, TX
9. Indianapolis, IN
10. Las Vegas, NV
11. Houston, TX
12. Phoenix, AZ
13. Austin, TX
14. Pittsburgh, PA
15. Savannah, GA
16. Columbus, OH
17. Denver, CO
18. Seattle, WA
19. Portland, OR
20. Atlanta, GA
Most Paranormal Sightings
1. San Diego, CA
2. Dallas, TX
3. Chicago, IL
4. Philadelphia, PA
5. Cleveland, OH
Most Haunted Sites
1. Los Angeles, CA
2. New York, NY
3. San Antonio, TX
4. Pittsburgh, PA
5 (tie). Houston, TX & El Paso, TX
Most Paranormal Societies
1. Las Vegas, NV
2. Indianapolis, IN
3. Phoenix, AZ
4. Springfield, MO
5 (tie). San Antonio, TX & Pittsburgh, PA
Most Ghost Tours
1. New Orleans, LA
2. Savannah, GA
3. Charleston, SC
4. New York, NY
5. Los Angeles, CA
Worst Cities for Paranormal Activity
1. West Valley City, UT
2. Sioux Falls, SD
3. Honolulu, HI
4. Hampton, VA
5. Overland Park, KS
6. Olathe, KS
7. Orange, CA
8. Surprise, AZ
9. Boise, ID
10. Lakewood, CO
11. Carrollton, TX
12. Baton Rouge, LA
13. Bridgeport, CA
14. Alexandria, VA
15. Torrance, CA
16. Roseville, CA
17. Thornton, CO
18. Anchorage, AK
19. Frisco, TX
20. Fullerton, CA
"Horrorable" Mentions
The list notes that the U.S. is full of legendary creatures and cryptids -- from the Michigan Dogman to Wendigos in Minnesota. The kangaroo-like Jersey Devil has allegedly been lurking in the Pinelands of New Jersey for over 250 years, Mothman was first spotted flying around West Virginia in 1966, and tales of the dragon-esque Snallygaster go back to the 1730s in Maryland. Florida has its own spin on the Bigfoot legend, known as the Skunk Ape, while Ohio is home to the Loveland Frogman, an elusive, 4-foot-tall humanoid frog.
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