Austin, Texas story
The Haunted Halls of The Driskill
Discover the eerie legends of Austin's oldest operating hotel, a Romanesque landmark from 1886 where governors, presidents, and resident ghosts share the grand halls.
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Step inside Austin's oldest operating hotel, where the spirits of the past might just be sharing your room. This is The Driskill, a striking Romanesque-style landmark that first opened its doors on December 20, 1886. Over the decades, its grand halls have welcomed a glamorous parade of guests, from Texas governors and US presidents to foreign emperors and Hollywood celebrities.
But some visitors here are rumored to have never checked out. Today, The Driskill is famously celebrated on local ghost tours as one of the most haunted hotels in all of Texas. Walk past the grand staircase, and you might hear whispers of the legendary ghost of a young girl who is said to still play on the steps.
So, as you stroll through these historic corridors, keep your eyes open—you never know who, or what, might be walking right alongside you.
Updated June 2026