People Travel To This Tiny Tennessee Town For Overnight Ghost Hunts At A Historic Hotel

Would you spend the night in a hotel where ghost hunters arrive with cameras, recorders, and plans to stay awake until morning?

In one tiny Tennessee town, that is exactly what draws curious visitors through the door. This historic hotel hosts overnight paranormal investigations that turn a quiet night away into something much stranger.

Guests settle in, learn a little about the building’s past, then spend hours listening for footsteps, voices, and other unexplained sounds after dark.

The setting makes the experience even more memorable. Red Boiling Springs already feels removed from the rush of bigger cities, and once night falls, the old hotel takes on a completely different mood.

Tennessee has no shortage of spooky stories, but this one comes with a room key. If ghost hunting sounds more exciting than a normal hotel stay, this overnight experience may be worth the trip.

A Grand Old Hotel With A Fiery Comeback Story

Few buildings can say they rose from the ashes, but this one truly did. The story starts in 1890, when the Cloyd Hotel opened as a fancy resort.

Guests came for the mineral springs, hoping the water would make them feel better.

Back then, the town was a busy spot for wealthy travelers. Fine dining, wide porches, and fresh country air made it a favorite retreat. The original hotel was built of wood, which turned out to be a problem.

Fire swept through the building in 1924. Instead of giving up, the owners rebuilt it in 1927 using sturdy red brick.

That brick version is the one still standing today, and it looks proud of its second chance.

Over the decades, the hotel changed hands and changed jobs. It even served as a summer camp for boys at one point.

Each new chapter added layers to its already rich past.

Today it carries the name Thomas House, and it sits at 520 E Main St in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee. The owners, the Cole family, run it as a bed and breakfast. Booking ahead is a must, since walk-ins are not accepted.

Before your trip, take a moment to read about the old resort days. Knowing the history makes every creaky floorboard feel more meaningful.

Springs, Creeks, And An Ancient Trail Beneath Your Feet

Mother Nature clearly had big plans for this patch of ground. The hotel sits above an underground spring that cuts through layers of limestone. Long ago, that water was the main reason people traveled here.

Red Boiling Springs earned its fame for mineral water. Some springs were rich in sulfur, and others held different minerals.

Folks believed the water could ease all kinds of aches and troubles.

Here is a fun twist. The property also rests where two creeks meet, along the path of an old Native American trail.

Many paranormal fans believe this mix of water and history stirs up extra energy.

Inside the hotel, the springs still make their presence known. The séance room has its own earthy scent, and stories say it once had no floor at all. Doors were opened so the cool spring air could chill the rest of the building.

You might notice a light sulfur smell near the entrance too. Think of it as the town’s signature perfume, a reminder of why it was built.

If you want to explore further, take a stroll around the grounds before dark. Look at the land, the trees, and the creek paths.

It helps you understand why so many believe this spot feels special.

Meet Sarah, The Little Girl Of Room 37

Every famous hotel needs a star, and Sarah is the Thomas House headliner. She is the best-known spirit said to live on the property. Legend says she was a young girl who once lived at the hotel.

Her favorite place is believed to be Room 37. Many people think it was her very own bedroom. Because of that, it is one of the most requested rooms in the whole building.

The stories about her are more sweet than scary. Sarah is said to stand quietly by a bedside, watching guests rest. Then, as the tale goes, she softly says one simple word: play.

Ghost hunters often try to talk with her using recorders and small devices. Some ask yes or no questions and wait for a response.

Others bring a toy or two, hoping to catch her attention.

Want to try it yourself? Ask for Room 37 when you book, and do it early. Rooms close by, like Room 35, are also popular with curious guests.

Bring a voice recorder and leave it running at night. Speak kindly and calmly, as if chatting with a shy child. Whether or not you hear anything, it makes for a memorable evening in Tennessee.

The Tall Shadow And The Whistling Hallway

Whistling while you work is cheerful, unless nobody is there doing the whistling. That is the odd tale tied to Mr. Cloyd.

He was one of the original owners of the hotel, and many believe he never checked out.

People describe him as a tall, dark shadow figure. He seems to move through the halls like he is still keeping an eye on things. Some say a soft whistle drifts along with him.

The White Hallway is the place most linked to this shadow. It is one of the main areas ghost hunters visit during the night.

Another spot, the Green Hallway, also gets plenty of attention. Hallways like these feel different after midnight. The lights are low, the floors creak, and every sound seems louder.

Even skeptics tend to walk a little slower here.

A tip for hallway hunting is to stay still and silent for a few minutes. Let your ears adjust to the quiet.

Small sounds become much easier to notice that way.

Bring a small flashlight with a soft beam, too. Bright lights can ruin the mood and make photos harder to read. A gentle glow keeps things spooky and safe at the same time.

Strange Sounds, Cold Spots, And Moving Beds

Picture settling into bed, only to feel it shift a little on its own. That is one of the many odd reports tied to this hotel.

The list of strange events here is long and pretty colorful. Cold spots are a common one. A warm room can suddenly feel chilly in one corner. Ghost hunters often use thermometers to track these quick temperature changes.

Then there are the sounds. People mention soft voices, whispers, and the faint noise of children playing in empty halls. Some even catch these sounds on recorders while they sleep.

Lights that flicker for no clear reason also get plenty of talk. Dark figures are said to slip past at the edge of your vision. Objects are rumored to move when no one is looking.

Of course, an old building makes noises of its own. Floors creak, pipes rattle, and wind sneaks through old windows. Part of the fun is figuring out what is normal and what is not.

Keep a small notebook nearby during your stay. Write down the time and place of anything unusual. Later, you can compare notes with your group and see if any patterns pop up.

Famous On Television And Across The Country

Small towns rarely make national headlines, but this hotel keeps landing in the spotlight. CNN once listed the Thomas House as the second most haunted place in the United States. That is quite a title for a hotel in a town this size.

Television crews have also packed their gear and come calling. A&E’s Paranormal State filmed here. So did Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and Travel Channel’s Portals to Hell.

These shows brought the hotel’s stories to millions of viewers. Fans who watched at home started planning trips of their own.

Suddenly, a quiet corner of Tennessee had people buzzing about it far and wide.

Watching an episode before your stay is a smart move. You will recognize rooms and hallways as soon as you arrive. It feels a bit like stepping onto a famous set.

Some ghost hunt events even show clips from these programs during the evening. That gives everyone a shared starting point before the hunt begins. It also sparks fun conversations about what the TV crews found.

Remember that TV is edited to be exciting. Your night may be quieter or louder than what you saw on screen. Either way, you get to form your own opinion.

How An Overnight Ghost Hunt Actually Works

Forget sitting in front of a screen with popcorn. Here, you become the ghost hunter yourself. Overnight events are often run with the group Ghost Hunt Weekends.

The evening usually starts with a hearty Southern dinner. After that comes a presentation about the hotel’s history and its famous spirits. Experienced researchers share tips on using tools like recorders and meters.

Next, guests split into smaller groups. Each team visits key spots such as the séance room, the Green Hallway, and the White Hallway. Open, empty rooms may also be explored during the hunt.

The search runs late into the night. A midnight snack helps keep everyone going. In the morning, breakfast is served before you head home with your stories.

Packing smart makes a big difference. Bring a phone charger, extra batteries, comfy shoes, and a light jacket for chilly halls.

A small recorder is one of the easiest tools for beginners. Keep in mind this is a very old building. Rooms may have small bathrooms and uneven floors.

Some areas also smell of mothballs used to protect the antiques, so plan ahead if you have breathing troubles. Ask the staff questions too. They know the stories well and love to share them.

Southern Cooking, Antiques, And Front Porch Charm

Ghosts may be the headline, but the food deserves its own applause. Meals here lean into classic Southern home cooking.

Think fried chicken, homemade biscuits, green beans, fried apples, and banana pudding.

Many guests come hungry and leave very happy. The dining room feels like a big family supper. It is a cozy way to start a long night of exploring.

Then there are the antiques, and there are a lot of them. Almost every corner is filled with old furniture, photos, and memorabilia. Some rooms exist just to show off these treasures from past eras.

Take time to wander and look closely. You might spot old tools, vintage clothing, or quirky decorations. Each item hints at how people lived long ago.

The Thomas House also hosts special events beyond ghost hunts. Holiday parties, Halloween weekends, and lively stage plays bring in all kinds of crowds. The plays are known for being full of laughs.

When things slow down, step outside to the porch. It is a peaceful spot to chat, sip coffee, and soak up the small-town calm.

Red Boiling Springs sits about an hour from Nashville, so it makes an easy weekend escape in Tennessee.