What’s inside...
Over 90 Haunted Locations & Ghostly Adventures HauntedHistoryTrail.com
Finger Lakes
Greater Niagara
40 DURAND EASTMAN PARK
21 HISTORIC PALMYRA WM. PHELPS GENERAL STORE & HISTORIC PALMYRA
1 ROLLING HILLS ASYLUM 2 HAUNTED BERGEN HOUSE
41 SPLIT ROCK QUARRY 42 13 CURVES ON ONONDAGA HILL
22 FOX SISTERS PROPERTY/ HYDESVILLE MEMORIAL PARK
3 SEYMOUR PLACE 4 IRON ISLAND MUSEUM
Central New York 43 CHITTENANGO LANDING CANAL BOAT MUSEUM
23 MUSEUM OF WAYNE COUNTY HISTORY
5 STATLER CITY GHOST TOUR
24 SENECA FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
6 THE RAPIDS THEATRE
44 PARK AFTER DARK GHOST TOURS
25 FINGERLAKES MALL
45 ROME CAPITOL THEATRE
OCKPORT CAVE & 7 L UNDERGROUND BOAT RIDE
26 THE LANDMARK THEATRE
8 THE VAN HORN MANSION
27 ERIE CANAL MUSEUM
9 GRAESTONE MANOR
28 THE 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM
10 THE PILLARS ESTATE
29 WAYSIDE IRISH PUB
46 ROME LAMPLIGHT TOURS 47 UNION STATION 48 SHOPPES AT THE FINISH LINE ERKIMER HOME STATE 49 H HISTORIC SITE
30 OWEGO’S PARKVIEW RESTAURANT & PUB
11 WINERY AT MARJIM MANOR 12 RED COACH INN 13 HART HOUSE HOTEL
ATIONAL BASEBALL 50 N HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
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14 TILLMAN’S HISTORIC VILLAGE INN & FAIR HAVEN INN 15 GENESEE FALLS INN
8 Appleton Burt
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Gasport Medina Albion 7 Lockport Niagara Falls 12 6 Bergen 2
16 HEAVEN SENT B&B/ ANASTASSIA EVENTS
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Geneseo 33
GREATER NIAGARA REGION 17
20
Dunkirk
18 Lily Dale
Mount Morris 34
15
62
Palmyra
21
Newark
22
19
Salamanca
11
23 Lyons 24
20
36 Geneva
20A
Canandaigua L.
Naples 35
38 Middlesex
20
25 Auburn
Seneca Falls
39 Penn Yan 32
Portageville 16
CHAUTAUQUAALLEGHENY REGION
219
Himrod
17 DUNKIRK HISTORICAL LIGHTHOUSE & VETERANS PARK MUSEUM
Skaneateles L.
Owasco L.
Cortland
Seneca L.
Keuka L.
FINGER LAKES REGION Owego
20 Hinsdale 37
31 CALABOOSE GRILLE
51 HYDE HALL
32 MILES WINE CELLARS
52 COOPERSTOWN CANDLELIGHT GHOST TOURS
33 BIG TREE INN
31 30 Nichols
53 OLD STONE FORT MUSEUM
18 LILY DALE ASSEMBLY 19 THE WILDWOOD SANITARIUM
35 THE NAPLES HOTEL
55 BULL’S HEAD INN
20 THE HINSDALE HOUSE
36 BELHURST CASTLE
56 GRAPEVINE FARMS
37 FAINTING GOAT ISLAND INN
57 THE BRAE LOCH INN
38 SPOOK HILL
58 WORCESTER INN
54 DR. BEST HOUSE & MEDICAL EXHIBIT
39 BISHOP/GILLETTE HEADSTONE
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28 11
Ithaca
34 ALLEGIANCE BED & BREAKFAST
HauntedHistoryTrail.com
26 27 41 29 Syracuse Elbridge 42
Cayuga L.
Jamestown
ChautauquaAllegheny
Mexico
40 Rochester
Batavia 3 East Bethany 1
Buffalo
60 61
59 Oswego
The Adirondacks
69 75 Massena
64 GREATER ADIRONDACK GHOST & TOUR COMPANY
70 64
65 NORTH COUNTRY TOURS
Plattsburgh 11
L. C ham
1000 ISLANDS-
pl ain
SEAWAY REGION 71 74
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67 BARKEATER CHOCOLATES 68 OHANA’S DINER
Lake Placid
Tupper Lake
66 FORT WILLIAM HENRY MUSEUM
69 SPANKY’S DINER
Watertown
70 HUMMINGBIRD HOME
63 62
71 STAGECOACH INN
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72 THE SAGAMORE RESORT
ADIRONDACK REGION
73 MYSTERY SPOT OF LAKE GEORGE
67
North Creek
74 PULPIT ROCK, LAKE PLACID
72 65
75 PINE GROVE CEMETERY #2
Lake George
66 73 Sylvan Beach 45 Oneida L. 46 Rome 44
43 Chittenango
Gansevoort
Utica
47 48
80 78 81 79
Little Falls 49
Saratoga Springs 82 Johnstown
57 Cazenovia 20
CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION
Capital-Saratoga
83 Cooperstown
CAPITALSARATOGA REGION
Scotia
EW YORK STATE CAPITOL 77 N HAUNTING TOURS 78 SARATOGA SPRINGS HISTORY MUSEUM/ HISTORIC CANFIELD CASINO 79 GHOSTS IN THE YADDO GARDEN TOURS
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Cobleskill 50 51 52 5556 53 Schoharie 58 Worcester 54
76 THE ORIGINAL ALBANY GHOST TOUR
76 Albany 77
80 HAUNTED SARATOGA GHOST TOURS
Troy
81 BATCHELLER MANSION INN
Middleburgh
20
82 THE KNOX MANSION 83 GLEN SANDERS MANSION INN
Hudson Valley
CATSKILLS REGION Binghamton
Thousand Islands ORT ONTARIO 59 F STATE HISTORIC SITE
86
New Paltz 89
Millbrook
90
Napanoch
Glen Spey
91
60 CASEY’S COTTAGE AT MEXICO POINT STATE PARK 61
84 MISS FANNY’S VICTORIAN PARTY HOUSE
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Kingston 92
STARR CLARK TIN SHOP AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MUSEUM
209
84 Wappingers Falls
Pine Bush 87
44
85 SILVIO’S VILLA 86 WING’S CASTLE 87 HAMLET OF PINE BUSH: UFO CAPITAL OF EAST COAST 88 LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY
Port Jervis
88 85 Warwick
HUDSON VALLEY REGION
The Catskills 89 PRIVATE HAUNTED HUGUENOT STREET TOURS 90 THE SHANLEY HOTEL 91 BURN BRAE MANSION
62 THE PADDOCK MANSION
92 OLD DUTCH CHURCH CEMETERY
63 THOMPSON PARK VORTEX New York
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HauntedHistoryTrail.com
Plan Your Ghostly Getaway Today! Calling all paranormal-curious, eerie explorers and those intrigued by ghosts... the Haunted History Trail of New York State invites you to explore over 90 creepy, spooky and downright haunted locations. From spooky stays at our haunted inns, guided ghost tours with spine-chilling accounts, to intense ghost hunting opportunities, there is a wide range of ghostly adventures along our 400-mile trail across the state. You don’t have to wait until October to get your spook on, most trail locations welcome your visit year-round. Some are open daily while others are
available by appointment only. We suggest you contact any locations that you wish to visit ahead of time to ensure the best experience. Browse our guide to learn how you can experience the supernatural firsthand. Each location is numbered on the map and throughout each section. Visit our website to use the trip planner function to customize your adventure. There you’ll also find our list of year-round events, more information on each of our locations, image galleries and our blog. We are most active on our Facebook and Instagram pages, so be sure to check us out there too!
HauntedHistoryTrail.com HauntedHistoryTrailofNYS
@HauntedTrailNY
HauntedHistoryTrailofNYS
All photography is courtesy of the very talented Steve Shoemaker @AmityPhotos.com except Rolling Hills Asylum photo on page 5 ©AntiquityEchoes
HauntedNYS
HauntedHistoryTrail
I LOVE NEW YORK logo is a registered trademark/ service mark of the NYS Dept. of Economic Development, used with permission.
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Greater Niagara
he Greater Niagara Region often boasts Niagara Falls as its claim to fame but there is so much more hidden in its history – from mystery to tragedy and more.
Visit one of the most haunted site in the United States, stay overnight at your choice of several haunted inns, or have a hauntingly good meal. You never know who – or what – you may see.
Ghost Tours & Investigations Rolling Hills Asylum 1
Seymour Place 3
11001 Bethany Center Road / East Bethany, NY 14054 585-502-4066 As seen on Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and Paranormal Challenge, SyFy’s Ghost Hunters, Ghost Asylum, and FX’s American Horror Story Asylum Promotion Over 1,700 deaths were reported to have occurred at Rolling Hills Asylum when it served as the Genesee County Poor House in 1827. Hundreds more went unrecorded and unnoticed – widows, orphans, mentally ill and society’s less fortunate. While no living souls reside at Rolling Hills, plenty of the dead still linger there today. Ghost tours, flashlight tours, historical walks and overnight investigations are offered year-round, to anyone wishing to brave the asylum and meet those who still call it home.
201 East Main Street / Batavia, NY 14020 585-343-9313 Seymour Place was built in 1831 as the Bank of Genesee. Now a home for art exhibits and workshops, your senses are in for a treat. More than the local talent, you might see, hear and smell the spirits of Seymour Place – a man dressed in 1960s clothing, the clearing of a throat or voice recording, even the distinct smell of cigar smoke in the air. Schedule a guided tour or private investigation.
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Iron Island Museum 4
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998 Lovejoy Street / Buffalo, NY 14206 716-892-3084 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters, Ghost Lab, My Ghost Story, and Adventure Myths Iron Island Museum has held many titles throughout its lifetime. First a church, then a funeral home and now a memorial to the neighborhood it calls home – its history holds the key to its haunts. Like Edgar Zernicke, whose cremated remains went unclaimed in the basement for years. He longs for company… Book a public ghost hunt, private investigation, or haunted history tour.
Haunted Bergen House 2 6571 West Sweden Road / Bergen, NY 14416 585-297-0191 As seen on Paranormal Survivor Built in 1858, the Haunted Bergen House has a long track record of history… and ghosts. You might see the spirit of a lady walking up the long driveway. Or a figure standing in the top of the barn. Or the grumpy man and young children said to reside inside the home. A nearby swamp also houses strange legends and lore – said to be the place where witches would host ritual ceremonies. Investigate or take a private tour, by reservation.
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ROLLING HILLS ASYLUM THE VAN HORN MANSION
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HART HOUSE HOTEL 13
RAPIDS THEATRE 6
SEYMOUR PLACE
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HAUNTED BERGEN HOUSE
2 IRON ISLAND MUSEUM
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this day. And that’s just the beginning - enter sightings, seances, Ouija boards and even a basement vortex. Take a private ghost tour or participate in a paranormal investigation to see it all for yourself.
Statler City Ghost Tour 5 107 Delaware Avenue / Buffalo, NY 14202 gwnyps@gmail.com As seen on TLC’s Paranormal Lockdown Statler City was built by Ellsworth Statler in 1923 in the heart of downtown Buffalo. The former hotel’s sweeping ballrooms and 1,100 hotel rooms had some guests calling it majestic. Other guests – the ghostly kind – calling it home. Twice monthly, take a guided ghost tour of Statler City with the Greater Western New York Paranormal Society.
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The Pillars Estate 10 13800 W. County House Road / Albion, NY 14411 585-820-7199 The Pillars Estate evokes an era of elegance and an air of mystic. Guest have reported seeing ghostly children roam the halls, a woman in white and sounds of the piano playing just a single note. Visit in a group and dine at The Pillars, then tour the mansion to seek out these crafty souls.
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The Rapids Theatre 6 1711 Main Street / Niagara Falls, NY 14305 716-205-8925 x4 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters The show must go on… and it does at The Rapids Theatre, long into the night. Voices and footsteps are heard, doors open and close, a mysterious whistling fills the air, keys jingle and apparitions can appear before your eyes. Ghost hunts are offered for curious guests wishing to witness this midnight performance. Group investigations are available by appointment, as well as occasional public hunts and special events.
Winery at Marjim Manor 11 7171 E. Lake Road (Rt. 18) / Appleton, NY 14008 716-778-7001 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters and Most Terrifying Places in America Shubal Scudder Merritt built Marjim Manor in the 1800s – meant to be a home, it quickly became a place of tragedy. Merritt accidentally shot and killed his son Lewis, who today makes an appearance in the very doorway of his death, asking “who is in my house?” Now a working winery, visit for a taste of fruity wines as you learn about the other spirits that reside there.
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Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride 7 5 Gooding Street / Lockport, NY 14094 716-438-0174 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Explore the caves… if you dare. This half-mile tunnel was built in the 1880s to provide waterpower to the surrounding mills. But in the tunnel, not all is as it appears.Will you see the faces in the water, the shadows that lurk in the darkness, the strange mist? There’s only one way to find out. Group investigations by appointment, guided walking tour and boat ride, special events in October.
Spooky Stays Red Coach Inn
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The Van Horn Mansion 8 2165 Lockport-Olcott Road / Burt, NY 14028 716-778-7197 Perhaps the most famous spirit of The Van Horn Mansion is Malinda Niles Van Horn, who died over 150 years ago at the age of 21. But she’s not the only spirit noted here – figures have been seen in the attic, the kitchen, the carriage house and the scent of tobacco has been found in the men’s smoking room. Visit on a private haunted tour or group investigation, available year-round with reservation.
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Hart House Hotel 13
115 West Center Street / Medina, NY 14103 585-735-6031 The Hart House Hotel spent much of its life as an old shirt factory, producing high-end clothing to wealthy customers. But after the factory shut its doors and the building re-opened as a hotel, the hauntings began. Tuck yourself into an overnight spent in one of the rooms named after famous shirt factory customers. Or dine in the café and see who may still linger here today.
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Graestone Manor 9 4049 Root Road / Gasport, NY 14067 607-767-1480 The original owners of Graestone Manor, the Root family, used to breed thoroughbred horses. Perhaps that’s why the sounds of their hooves and the draw of a carriage can still be heard to
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2 Buffalo Avenue / Niagara Falls, NY 14303 716-282-1459 As seen on Celebrity Ghost Stories – The Haunting of Bernie Kopell Overlooking the spectacular Upper Rapids of Niagara Falls, the Red Coach Inn is home to a few ghosts – including a bride and groom who took their lives on their wedding day. Ask the staff about the ghost stories or experience them for yourself. Book a night in the historic hotel to see jewelry move across the dressers – or dine in the restaurant and catch the unexplained sounds of music drifting through the open doorway.
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STATLER CITY GHOST TOUR
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GENESEE FALLS INN 15
HEAVEN SENT B & B 16
WINERY AT MARJIM MANOR 11
RED COACH INN 12
Tillman’s Historic Village Inn & Fair Haven Inn 14
suicide, even a drowning, has haunted this particular plot of land – not to mention its proximity to a nearby cemetery. Stay the night or simply stop by when you’re in the area. Paranormal investigations are also available, by appointment.
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14369 Ridge Road / Albion, NY 14411 585-589-9151 Ask Mark, the Village Inn’s owner about the hauntings here and he’ll tell you stories firsthand. From a man in a cowboy hat to two little girls running through the halls – even stories of Mark’s own family watching over the building. Step inside and you’ll surely feel a presence here. Stay the night and you may meet an uninvited guest – especially in room 3.
Heaven Sent B&B / Anastassia Events 16 6440 Pike Street / Portageville, NY 14536 585-468-5968 While steeped in history, otherworldly activity didn’t begin at Heaven Sent B&B until renovations on the property stirred up the spirits. Owners suspect that much of the harmless activity stems from Father Maurice, the first priest to live and die in the rectory. Stay the night and you might suddenly be shaken from your slumber. Or hear the ghostly children running down the halls or hushed conversation taking place just outside of your door.
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Genesee Falls Inn 15 6901 Hamilton Street / Portageville, NY 14536 585-493-2484 If you sense a paranormal presence in this bed and breakfast, there are a few places you can start pointing fingers. Fire,
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Chautauqua-Allegheny
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n the westernmost part of the state, quaint towns and Victorian villages hide strange and spooky secrets. The Chautauqua-Allegheny Region has seen much in
the last few centuries – from exorcisms to disease to the growth of the spiritualist movement. Explore and tour four unusual stops and learn the legends for yourself…
Ghost Tours & Investigations Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum 17
The Wildwood Sanitarium 19
One Lighthouse Point Drive / Dunkirk, NY 14048 716-366-5050
716-801-5270 As seen on Destination America’s Paranormal Lockdown
71 Prospect Avenue / Salamanca, NY 14779
Do Dunkirk’s former lighthouse keepers still roam the grounds
Shadow figures, orbs, EVPs and a light touch or push might
to this day? Or does activity stem from the collection of
persuade you that the Wildwood Sanitarium is more than
military artifacts that reside on the property – dating back to
meets the eye. A holistic healing center, drug and alcohol
WWI, WWII and the Korean War? Either way, something
rehabilitation center and then a tuberculosis clinic, the house
strange is afoot at Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse.
has seen its fair share of history.
v To explore the lighthouse and veterans park museum,
v Visitors can experience Wildwood firsthand on a ghost
take a scheduled public ghost tour or grab your equipment
tour, ghost hunt or overnight investigation.
and book a private experience to seek out the spirits.
The Hinsdale House 20
Lily Dale Assembly 18
3830 McMahon Road / Hinsdale, NY 14743 716-578-4586 As seen on Discovery Channel’s “A Haunting” and Destination America’s Paranormal Lockdown
5 Melrose Park / Lily Dale, NY 14752 716-595-8721 The world’s largest center for the science, philosophy and
One of the most famous haunted houses in all of New York
religion of Spiritualism resides in Lily Dale, NY. From sacred
State, the Hinsdale House has all the elements of a good ghost
music, to daily services, to special workshops and seminars
story. Starting in the early 1970s, the Dandy family was visited
on clairvoyance and healing, the town comes out in full force every summer to study and celebrate this art.
by several spirits while living in the house, even calling in a
in the celebration. Registered mediums are also available
v Public ghost tours and overnight investigations
year-round by reservation.
monthly or by group reservation.
priest to perform an exorcism – which didn’t work for long.
v Visit during the 10-week summer season to participate
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THE HINSDALE HOUSE 20
LILY DALE ASSEMBLY 18
DUNKIRK HISTORICAL LIGHTHOUSE & VETERANS PARK MUSEUM 17
THE WILDWOOD SANITARIUM 19
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Finger Lakes
he Finger Lakes is home to two kinds of spirits – the award-winning wines the region is known for… and the otherworldly kind. A ghostly gentleman that strikes up
conversations in a bed and breakfast, an inn keeper still strolling the grounds with a lantern and a haunted museum on the banks of the Erie Canal. Explore the eleven lakes and experience the hauntings firsthand.
Ghost Tours & Investigations Historic Palmyra Wm. Phelps General Store & Historic Palmyra 21
Museum of Wayne County History 23 21 Butternut Street / Lyons, NY 14489 315-946-4943 As seen on SyFy’s Haunted Collector In 1860, William Fee was convicted of murder and sentenced to hang – the only man to be hanged in Wayne County history. Twenty-four jail cells of the former Wayne County Jail and Sheriff’s residence remain, complete with original inmate artwork. Schedule a ghost hunt or paranormal investigation to see if William Fee is still walking the cellblock. Guided haunted tours also available.
140 Market Street / Palmyra, NY 14522 315-597-6981 As seen on My Ghost Story and Ghost Detectives Named “the most haunted place in the Finger Lakes,” Historic Palmyra is home to memories, memorabilia and manifestations of spirits. Step into a time capsule at The General Store & Home Museum where the unspoken and unseen are apparent in every room through sudden whispers, footsteps and touches. Schedule a ghost hunt and meet the children from the fire and the entire Phelps family. Guided haunted tours also available.
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Seneca Falls Historical Society 24 55 Cayuga Street / Seneca Falls, NY 13148 315-568-8412 This building was once the two-story residence of the Mynderse Family. But in 1875, it was purchased and extensively remodeled into the three-story, 23-room, Queen Anne-style home that stands today. This may be one of the reasons why original owner Edward Mynderse – a man who doesn’t appreciate change in his home – has never left. Take a guided ghost tour to hear about the tricks Edward plays on staff members, or maybe even meet him yourself!
Fox Sisters Property/ Hydesville Memorial Park 22 1510 Hydesville Road / Newark, NY 14513 315-879-8804 In 1848, Kate and Maggie Fox were awoken by strange rapping noises. Communicating through a series of knocks and raps, Kate and Maggie learned of a peddler that had been murdered in the house and buried in their cellar. The sisters grew up to become famous mediums and traveled the world. Take a guided tour of the original foundation where Modern Spiritualism began and listen for the famous “rappings” that continue to occur today.
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HISTORIC PALMYRA WM. PHELPS GENERAL STORE & HISTORIC PALMYRA 21 FOX SISTERS PROPERTY/ HYDESVILLE MEMORIAL PARK 22
THE LANDMARK THEATRE 26
BELHURST CASTLE 36
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OWEGO’S PARKVIEW RESTAURANT & PUB 30
BIG TREE INN 33
ALLEGIANCE BED & BREAKFAST 34
THE NAPLES HOTEL 35 THE 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM 28
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Fingerlakes Mall 25
Eerie Eateries
1579 Clark Street / Auburn, NY 13021 315-255-1188 With reports of people being pushed, touched and spoken to by unknown entities, Fingerlakes Mall is said to be one of the most haunted locations in Auburn, NY. One late-night watchman’s encounter with the spirits even sent him running from the shopping center. Since then, ghost investigators have collected over 200 EVPs and video footage of entities roaming the halls. Conduct a private ghost hunt after mall hours or join Upstate Supernatural to see what it is about the center that attracts paranormal activity.
Wayside Irish Pub
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The Landmark Theatre 26 362 S. Salina Street / Syracuse, NY 13202 315-475-7979 Just two years after The Landmark Theatre opened its doors, a woman fell to her death from the balcony. To this day, Clarissa continues to appear in a white dress at unexpected times to workers and guests. She especially likes to make herself known to those that are not following the rules of the theatre. Book a guided tour or guided psychic tour to explore the historic theatre.
Owego’s Parkview Restaurant & Pub 30 145 Front Street / Owego, NY 13827 607-687-9873 After a small fire, flooding and many renovations and repairs, this Irish pub and restaurant holds many secrets. The second floor is where objects mysteriously move and dinner bells chime on their own. There’s even one room that was sealed off in the 1970s and left undiscovered for 40 years! Dine in the haunted restaurant, schedule a ghost hunt or guided tour or investigate all three floors of the building – available by reservation.
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Erie Canal Museum 27 318 Erie Boulevard East / Syracuse, NY 13202 315-471-0593 The last remaining Weighlock Building in America, the Erie Canal Museum stands as a monument to the importance of “the Big Ditch.” The museum is home to several ghosts, including a group of see-through children who like to play in the courtyard, a woman who was killed where the model canal boat now sits and a pair of men who argue through the 150-year-old hallways. Meet them all during a paranormal investigation, ghost hunt or guided, haunted history tour – available by reservation.
Calaboose Grille 31 176 Main Street / Owego, NY 13827 607-223-4522 Built over 100 years ago, the Calaboose Grille was once the Owego Town Jail – and maintains much of the jail’s original architecture and details. In fact, the current foundation was built by the prisoners at the time, an actual chain gang. Staff report spooky occurrences including being pushed from behind when on the second floor, glasses falling off empty tables and pictures ripped from walls. Dine in one of the very cells that once held inmates. Investigations, ghost hunts and guided tours also available by appointment.
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The 1890 House Museum
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101 West Main Street / Elbridge, NY 13060 315-689-0040 Patrons of Wayside Irish Pub have felt mysterious touches, pokes, cold spots and some women even report having their hair pulled. The culprit? It could be Sara, the young girl who hung herself on the third floor and now appears in a long dress. Or the friendly ghost Harry who is known for glasses flying across the bar or pictures falling off the wall. It may be “last call,” but these spirits and more are spending their afterlife at the pub. Dine on delicious pub fare and ask the friendly staff about their experiences with the ghosts of Wayside.
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37 Tompkins Avenue / Cortland, NY 13045 607-756-7551 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Footsteps in an otherwise empty building, shadows moving through rooms, doors opening and closing on their own and silhouettes of human figures in the windows – the 1890 House Museum has a long history of reported ghost activity. The unexplained knockings, wrappings and more are attributed to several historical figures who lived and died within the walls of Cortland’s Castle. Investigate the historic house museum on your own, conduct a ghost hunt along with Knightime Paranormal or check out their robust haunted programming around Halloween.
Miles Wine Cellars 32 168 Randall Road / Himrod, NY 14842 607-243-7742 There is little doubt that the Greek revival mansion overlooking Seneca Lake is inhabited by more than the Rieslings that the Finger Lakes is known for. Slamming doors, footsteps and unexplained sounds have manifested at Miles Wine Cellars for years. Enjoy a wine tasting of the “Ghost” wine that celebrates their otherworldly residents, dine at their café or spend the night in their haunted inn.
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SENECA FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY 24
WAYSIDE IRISH PUB 29 MILES WINE CELLARS 32
CALABOOSE GRILLE 31
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ERIE CANAL MUSEUM 27
MUSEUM OF WAYNE COUNTY HISTORY 23
Spooky Stays
The Naples Hotel 35 111 South Main Street / Naples, NY 14512 585-374-5630 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Built in 1895, The Naples Hotel has been home to countless travelers over the years – some who have never left. Six friendly spirits are said to haunt the hotel, but there’s still plenty of room to spend the night in one of the Naples’ 32 rooms. Keep an eye out for a woman, her children and a gentleman named Topper, known for moving pictures, turning on lights and locking doors. Grab a drink or a bite to eat at The Naples Hotel and if you’re really brave, spend a night in the haunted hotel. Book a private ghost tour to visit the rooms where hauntings occur.
Big Tree Inn 33 46 Main Street / Geneseo, NY 14454 585-243-5220 An old groundskeeper continues to keep an eye on the Big Tree Inn – once a home to a prominent couple that turned it into an inn for overnights and social gatherings. The groundskeeper is kept company by a young girl in a green Victorian dress and a young man in a dark suit and top hat – two travelers that once spent the night and never checked out. Dine in the haunted inn or spend the night in one of the guest rooms, each one unique and full of historic charm.
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Allegiance Bed & Breakfast 34 145 Main Street / Mount Morris, NY 14510 585-658-3524 As seen on The Today Show and A&E’s Paranormal State This mini-White House mansion is named after local Francis Bellamy, who authored the Pledge of Allegiance… but it’s not Francis who frequently pays a visit. Two friendly yet mischievous permanent residents have been spotted throughout the historic home. Karen is usually seen with her straight, gray hair and long dress and Raymond (don’t call him Ray!) is known for being chatty. Spend the night in the haunted bed and breakfast for a chance encounter with Karen or Raymond.
Belhurst Castle 36 4069 West Lake Road / Geneva, NY 14456 315-781-0201 Guests and staff alike have reported unexplainable sights and sounds – such as showers turning on and off and a soft lullaby being sung in the middle of the night. Belhurst’s most well-known ghost is Isabella, the beautiful opera singer dressed in white often seen grieving her lost lover. Spend the night in one of Belhurst’s three haunted hotels, dine at their on-site restaurants or get a spa treatment at Isabella Spa~Salon, named after the famous ghost that roams the grounds.
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remove it. The “Lady in Granite,” as she’s been nicknamed, is believed to be that of Matilda Gillette. Legend says that over time her whole image will appear, allowing her the freedom to haunt the local community.
Fainting Goat Island Inn 37 1311 West River Road / Nichols, NY 13812 607-972-9849 From a child-sized chair moving on its own to seeing eyes stare at you from within the mirror, guests to Fainting Goat Island have witnessed strange experiences that would send a shiver down your spine. Ask the owners to hear the chilling story of the doll and knife found in the ceiling. Or the two female voices and sounds of a tea party heard in the Fainting Room. The former railroad hotel built in the late 1800s is also home to a few friendly non-spirits - a herd of fainting goats and a potbelly pig. Spend the night or schedule a haunted tour or ghost hunt – call or email to arrange.
Durand Eastman Park
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Lake Shore Boulevard & Zoo Road / Rochester, NY 14617 585-753-7275 For decades, a woman in white has been spotted along the roads of Durand Eastman Park. Referred to as “The White Lady,” her past is unknown, but the spooky stories cannot be ignored. Is she a widow waiting for her husband’s ship to arrive? Or a daughter that never returned home?
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Split Rock Quarry 41
Just Plain Creepy
Onondaga Boulevard / Syracuse, NY 13031 In 1918, a hazardous munitions plant unexpectedly exploded, brutally killing more than 50 men. Ever since, visitors to the rock quarry have reported hearing footsteps, voices in the distance and the revving of the Crusher’s engine – an old piece of machinery that hasn’t run since the horrific blast. Investigate the former factory site and abandoned tunnels at your own risk.
Spook Hill 38 Newell Road / Middlesex, NY 14507 315-536-3111 An unexplained phenomenon - put your vehicle in neutral and defy gravity as your car rolls backward up Spook Hill! If it doesn’t work at first, move forward or in reverse until you find the right spot.
13 Curves on Onondaga Hill 42 Cedarvale Road / Syracuse, NY 13215 A brutal, terrifying car accident occurred on Cedarvale Road over 60 years ago, claiming the life of a bride and groom on their wedding night. Since that day, the road has been haunted by their souls. Some even say a bloody bride has appeared in the backseat of their car.
Bishop/Gillette Headstone 39 Lakeview Cemetery, Elm Street / Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-536-3111 An image of a woman’s reclining head has appeared on the Gillette family gravestone and nothing has been able to
FAINTING GOAT ISLAND INN 37
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Central New York
n the heart of New York State, the stories of spirits abound. History happened here, tragic tales are told, and playful spirits appear in the most
unexpected of places. Visit a historic amusement park to seek out a potential poltergeist, stay in a hotel so full of stories there are too many to recount in a single telling, grab a drink in the home of a former anti-alcohol advocate who frequently makes her presence known. Whether you choose one or explore them all, you’re sure to leave this region with a spooky story or exciting encounter of your own.
Ghost Tours & Investigations Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum 43
Rome Capitol Theatre 45
717 Lakeport Road / Chittenango, NY 13027 315-687-3801 As seen on Spectrum News “Your Haunted Hometown” The Erie Canal boatmen and workers of the 19th and early 20th centuries had a superstitious nature, and rightly so. It is along the canal that thieves and murderers lurked and ghost stories became prevalent. At the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, hear about the boiler explosion that killed two workers or about the young boy who accidentally died from jumping off a bridge. Take a ghost tour or investigate the museum and you might meet the ghosts of the canal firsthand.
220 W. Dominick Street / Rome, NY 13440 315-337-6277 Built in 1927, the Rome Capitol Theatre is one of the most stylish haunts in Central New York. Operating by day as a performance venue, it is said that the show goes on late into the night, with whispered conversations, doors that open on their own, shadow figures and organ music. Visit during business hours for a daytime tour of the theatre or brave the auditorium by night on a ghost hunt or guided tour (advance notice required).
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Rome Lamplight Tours 46 337 W Dominick Street / Rome, NY 13440 716-892-3084 Friday nights tend to get a little eerie in Rome, NY. The city is full of history – and maybe even a few haunts. Join a 90-minute walking tour with Rome Lamplight Tours. You’ll learn the history of Old Rome, the ghosts of the area and get a look into the life and times of those who came before us. Tours operate Fridays starting Memorial Day Weekend through the summer.
Park After Dark Ghost Tours 44 112 Bridge Street / Sylvan Beach, NY 13157 315-762-5212 As seen on Folklore & Frost and SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Sylvan Beach Amusement Park is more than just your typical bumper cars and cotton candy. In the evenings, long after the rides have stopped, something strange resides there. Like poltergeists, shadow figures and eerie encounters with the unknown. Fridays and Saturdays in the summer, join a Park After Dark Ghost Tour with CasperCops. Explore the rides, arcade and historic buildings on a guided ghost tour and see who might be waiting in the shadows, hoping to have a little fun.
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DR. BEST HOUSE & MEDICAL EXHIBIT 54 OLD STONE FORT MUSEUM 53
PARK AFTER DARK GHOST TOURS 44
NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM 50
CHITTENANGO LANDING CANAL BOAT MUSEUM 43 HYDE HALL 51
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Union Station 47
Hyde Hall 51
321 Main Street / Utica, NY 13501 315-624-7144 Union Station, built in 1914, is long reported to be haunted by the numerous accidental deaths that occurred along the railways. Witnesses have seen ghost lights moving along the tracks at the station, phantom passengers riding in the cars, ghostly conductors pacing the platforms and more. Curious? Find out for yourself. Union Station welcomes in ghost hunters and investigators by appointment, in partnership with the CNY Shadow Chasers.
267 Glimmerglass State Park Road Cooperstown, NY 13326 / 607-547-5098 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Hyde Hall is a National Historic Landmark and a New York State Historic Site. In addition, it boasts over 200 years of documented, bone-chilling, paranormal activity. From footsteps to music, knocks on doors to full-body apparitions, you never know what you might see or hear at Hyde Hall. Guided ghost tours are available by reservation, maximum of 20 people. Paranormal teams are welcome by appointment. Guided, historical tours are offered daily during normal operating season.
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Shoppes at the Finish Line 48 809 Court Street / Utica, NY 13502 315-733-0533 The Shoppes at the Finish Line has many stories to tell. First a mill, destroyed by a fire. Then rebuilt, expanded, closed, reopened. It has held many businesses and seen many people pass through its doors – some who appear to have never left. Ghosts include a young boy and an older gentleman who does not like others visiting the third floor. Reports include apparitions and seeing furniture move on its own. Visit on a ghost hunt or investigation and learn the stories firsthand. By appointment only.
Cooperstown Candlelight Ghost Tours 52 Pioneer Park / Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-8070 Along with a rich and vibrant history, the village of Cooperstown, NY is home to a series of true, documented ghost stories. Many revolve around the Cooper family – the founding family of the town who settled here in 1786. Slaves and servants of the Coopers are said to appear each midnight in the Christ Church Graveyard, while a trio of homes on River Street lay claim to haunts of their own – each formally owned by a member of the Cooper family. Take a one-hour walking tour to learn the tales, see the stops and maybe catch a glimpse of a ghost… or two.
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Herkimer Home State Historic Site 49 200 State Route 169 / Little Falls, NY 13365 315-823-0398 General Nicholas Herkimer was en route to help defend Fort Stanwix when he and his men were ambushed by British-allied Loyalists. Herkimer was injured and returned home to his Central New York-based mansion, where he would later pass away of infection. But while Herkimer was gone in body, his spirit may remain, making itself known in the form of ghostly voices, footsteps, flying objects and strange mist. Visit the Herkimer Home State Historic Site and take a haunted history tour, investigate by appointment or attend a special event to learn (and see) more.
Old Stone Fort Museum 53 145 Fort Road / Schoharie, NY 12157 518-295-7192 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters The Old Stone Fort was built as a church in 1772, fortified during the American Revolution in 1777 and attacked by British forces in 1780. Surrounded by a cemetery and filled with historical artifacts, it’s no surprise the amount of paranormal activity reported here. Like a presence preventing guests from going upstairs, a woman’s scream coming from the tower and apparitions in the doorway to the library. Take a self-guided tour of the museum (May-Oct.) or a guided ghost or group tour with advance notice. Ghost hunts available by reservation.
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National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 50 25 Main Street / Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-7200 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Did you know that baseball has a long-standing relationship to ghosts and horror? Just see for yourself at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. While paying tribute to some of sport’s greatest moments and players, you can also learn about Shoeless Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb who are said to haunt the Plaque Gallery, or the shadow figures seen in the Ted Williams display. Personalized haunted tours available by advance reservation, approximately one hour long.
Dr. Best House & Medical Exhibit 54 1568 Clauverwie Road / Middleburgh, NY 12122 518-827-7200 Dr. Best House is a time capsule waiting to be unveiled. Housing medical apparatuses of old that will turn your blood cold, this house has witnessed the death of a family, a community and Dr. Best himself. Investigators have captured recordings of a piano playing by itself, distant voices and EVPs. Open only by appointment, take a guided historical haunted tour complete with eye-witness accounts and photographic evidence. Professional investigations also available year-round.
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Eerie Eateries
Spooky Stays
Bull’s Head Inn 55
The Brae Loch Inn 57
105 Park Place / Cobleskill, NY 12043 518-234-1802 The Bull’s Head Inn is noted as the oldest building in Cobleskill and has a history that tells a tale of time. Now serving as a restaurant, the paranormal problems began when its new owner opened a bar, unknowingly, in the bedroom of former owner and anti-alcohol advocate Mrs. John Stacy. She made her displeasure known, knocking over glasses, throwing napkins about and tossing silverware off the tables – sometimes even appearing in the dining room in a long white dress or nightgown. Though the bar has since been moved to the basement, the trouble continues to this day… Stop in for a bite and you may see Mrs. John Stacy for yourself. Guided tours and ghost hunts also available by reservation.
5 Albany Street / Cazenovia, NY 13035 315-655-3431 A warm, inviting Scottish inn, the Brae Loch feels like home the moment you walk through the door. Perhaps that’s why some chose to make it their forever home – like a ghostly girl in a long blue dress or a man and woman who often make surprise appearances in the guestrooms. Stay the night, grab a bite or take a self-guided tour of the inn. You might be surprised by the residents you find welcoming you in.
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151 Main Street / Worcester, NY 12197 607-397-8500 Built in the early 1800s, the Worcester Inn has borne witness to death and murder. So it’s no surprise that spirits and stories abound here – almost too many to recount in a single telling! Despite their tragic ends, the spirts of the hotel are happy, playful and take on many different forms – an orb, a bright flash of light, the pitter-patter of a child running down the hallway, an apparition that disappears into the wall. Visit and spend the night in one of the inn’s 18 guest rooms. Number 307 in particular has been lovingly dubbed “the ghost room” due to the high volume of activity reported there. Or choose to dine in one of the inn’s two dining rooms and ask your server for a re-telling of their own personal stories and encounters.
Grapevine Farms 56 2373 State Route 7 / Cobleskill, NY 12043 518-234-9148 Once an abandoned 1850s farmhouse, Grapevine Farms is now a flourishing country shop, bistro and wine cellar. It is also home to four ghostly spirits, found across three floors of themed rooms. Visit and you might catch a ghostly glimpse or hear “spirited” young children running through the halls. Dine in for lunch daily, explore the rooms, and ask staff about the stories. Or book an evening investigation to seek out the spirits themselves.
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HERKIMER HOME STATE HISTORIC SITE 49
THE BRAE LOCH INN 57
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COOPERSTOWN CANDLELIGHT GHOST TOURS 52
SHOPPES AT THE FINISH LINE 48
UNION STATION 47 BULL’S HEAD INN 55 GRAPEVINE FARMS 56 ROME CAPITOL THEATRE 45
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WORCESTER INN 58
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Thousand Islands
rom the Civil War and the Underground Railroad to the area’s founding
families – the Thousand Islands Region is a hotbed for history… and haunts. Tour the
“Guardian of the Northern Frontier” and search for the souls who perished in war. Visit a tin shop where the exhibits, artifacts and former owners command attention. Get sucked into a vortex and transported to another place. In a region known for its beauty and its water, experience a side to this area that you’ve never seen before.
Ghost Tours & Investigations Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum 61
Fort Ontario State Historic Site 59 One East Fourth Street / Oswego, NY 13126 315-343-4711 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Fort Ontario, known as the “Guardian of the Northern Frontier,” was built on the site of three colonial fortresses dating back to the French and Indian War. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians perished there, and it remains the final resting place for 77 officers, soldiers, women and children. Which probably explains the paranormal activity often experienced on the grounds… tales of strange lights and music, apparitions and a ghostly child calling for his cat. Visit and explore the fort during a ghost hunt, guided tour or special event. Self-guided tours are also available during normal operating season.
3250 Main Street / Mexico, NY 13114 315-963-7853 A tinsmith and abolitionist, Starr Clark hosted meetings and gave refuge to slaves in his tin shop from the 1830s up until the Civil War. Now a museum featuring exhibits and artifacts from the Underground Railroad, the shop is said to be home to strange occurrences – shadows, voices, even the feeling of being touched. Visit the museum for a ghost hunt or guided tour. Paranormal groups are welcome to investigate by appointment.
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The Paddock Mansion 62 228 Washington Street / Watertown, NY 13601 315-782-3491 The Paddock Mansion served as the home to wealthy bankers and business entrepreneurs Olive and Edwin Paddock. Built in 1878, it saw much of the life of this founding family of Watertown, and their deaths as well. Now serving as the Jefferson County Historical Society, locals believe the spirit of Olive lingers on. She has been spotted in the upstairs bedroom window and standing in the front parlor. Tour the mansion and investigate during a “Ghost Hunting 101” course with Excelsior Paranormal – offered as a special event throughout the year.
Casey’s Cottage at Mexico Point State Park 60 120 Mexico Point Drive / Mexico, NY 13114 315-963-7657 Casey’s Cottage was a project of Dr. William Casey, who spent the summers turning the carriage house at Mexico Point into an 11th century manor house. Standing as a beautiful and imposing figure, it is also home to paranormal activity since the death of Dr. Casey in 1978. You may witness candles jumping off shelves, furniture being moved, sounds of organ music or cries for help and the sight of a ghostly young girl standing near a tree in the yard. Take a ghost hunt or guided tour of the cottage to see these strange occurrences… but hang on to your keys, they are known to disappear and wind up in bizarre places.
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THOMPSON PARK VORTEX 63 CASEY’S COTTAGE AT MEXICO POINT STATE PARK 60
FORT ONTARIO STATE 59 HISTORIC SITE
STARR CLARK TIN SHOP AND 61 UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MUSEUM THE PADDOCK MANSION 62
Just Plain Creepy Thompson Park Vortex 63 Gotham Street, Academy Street, & Franklin Street Watertown, NY 13601 / 315-785-7775 Step into this park and you may be transported to another location entirely! Thompson Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, is said to contain a time vortex that transports those who discover it to another part of the park. Eyewitnesses to the phenomenon have reported that the location of the vortex seems to move – so you never know when you might stumble upon it.
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The Adirondacks eyond the great mountain peaks of the Adirondacks lies history steeped with battles, bloodshed, murder and more. From an embalming room left with bloodied utensils
to the area’s icy lakes that hold a secret or two, stories of mysteries and ghosts surround the region. Dive into its paranormal past and experience the hauntings firsthand.
Ghost Tours & Investigations Greater Adirondack Ghost & Tour Company 64
Fort William Henry Museum 66 48 Canada Street / Lake George, NY 12845 518-668-5471 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters With countless battles, terrible disease, harsh climate and hundreds of years of history, it should come as no surprise that Fort William Henry Museum is home to inhabitants of the afterlife. The ghost stories are just the beginning – experience a haunting of your own. Join a ghost hunt or candlelit tour from late May to late October. Group investigations are available by appointment.
Plattsburgh, NY / 518-645-1577 Stroll through the history, mystery and murder of Plattsburgh’s eerie past on one of four walking tours. Hear spinechilling tales of the gruesome experiments one 19th century physician conducted on less-than-willing patients. Look for the mournful “Lady in White” as she searches for her child’s grave in the historic Old Post Cemetery. Learn about the
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forgotten graveyard buried beneath a college dorm.
v Walking group tours are available Friday and Saturday evenings from April through November, with private tours
Barkeater Chocolates 67
available by appointment year-round.
3235 State Route 2 / North Creek, NY 12853 518-251-4438 Once a family home, Barkeater Chocolates was the site of a tragic accident that took the life of a child. Years later, the owners passed away inside the house in two different rooms. Since being converted into a chocolate factory and shop in 2013, nearly every employee has a ghost story to tell. Unexplained footsteps, banging sounds and voices are the most common occurrences. The spirit, affectionately named Miranda, also likes to turn the thermostat up to 85 degrees. Hear the tales during a tasty visit – complete with truffles and peanut butter cups! Schedule a guided tour or attend one of their special events in the fall.
North Country Tours 65 Warrensburg, NY 12885 / 518-222-9347 Meet the spirits that roam local cemeteries, historic battlefields and other notable sites throughout Lake George.
v Guided bus and walking tours available throughout the year by reservation.
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GREATER ADIRONDACK GHOST & TOUR COMPANY 64 OHANA’S DINER 68
PULPIT ROCK, LAKE PLACID 74
FORT WILLIAM HENRY MUSEUM
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SPANKY’S DINER 69
Stagecoach Inn 71
Eerie Eateries
3 Stagecoach Way / Lake Placid, NY 12946 518-523-9698 The oldest operating inn in Lake Placid, the Stagecoach Inn is home to one spirit that refuses to check out. Believed to be a woman, the ghost is friendly yet quite mischievous. She tends to move items – especially pillows – to odd locations around the inn for no explainable reason. Stay overnight at the haunted inn and ask the innkeeper for her own spooky stories.
Ohana’s Diner 68 284 Park Stree / Tupper Lake, NY 12986 518-359-0141
A meal at Ohana’s Diner comes with more than a side of fries. When the small repair shop-turned-bar and restaurant
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was converted into the 50s diner that it is today, the strange noises and uneasy feelings escalated. Objects move, the vol-
The Sagamore Resort 72
ume on the jukebox changes drastically, apparitions appear
110 Sagamore Road / Bolton Landing, NY 12814 518-644-9400 A woman in her early twenties named Lillian. Walter in his three-piece brown suit. A 30-year-old woman in a green gown from the 1930s. Most of the ghosts at The Sagamore Resort are guests who vacationed there in life and continue to vacation there even in death. One little boy was hit by a car in the 1950s while chasing golf balls. He continues to roam The Sagamore’s golf course, often playing pranks on the golfers. You never know who you might meet when you spend the night at the haunted Sagamore Resort. Ghost tours are offered throughout the year and ghost hunting is allowed by appointment.
of teenage boys standing in old-fashioned clothing.
v Grab a bite to eat at the haunted diner and ask the staff for their own recounting. If you’re feeling brave, dine in booth 8 where the hauntings were once the worst.
Spanky’s Diner 69 3 N Main Street / Massena, NY 13662 315-764-1216
Behind Spanky’s Diner sits Pine Grove Cemetery and the
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original site of the first hospital in Massena. Many say it is the spirits from these two spots that continue to haunt the diner – from a girl who drowned in the Grasse River to a former patient with a severe hip injury. Lights, radios and
Just Plain Creepy
stoves turn themselves on, orbs appear with faces on them and staff feel as if someone walked past them when no one is around. One diner even had her shoelaces tied together
Mystery Spot of Lake George 73
as she ate! These are just some of the reasons why Spanky’s
Beach Road – Mayor Blais Park / Lake George, NY 12845 Scientists are stumped by the perplexing audio phenomenon inside Mayor Blais Park. Stand in the center of the peculiar spot and speak out loud – your voice will come back louder than when it left!
Diner is known as one of the most haunted places in St. Lawrence County.
v Stop in for a meal or book a ghost hunt or guided tour of the diner’s haunted basement.
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Spooky Stays
left behind from previous inhabitants - from an innocent
Lake Placid Lake / Lake Placid, NY 12946 While out rowing on Lake Placid, Mabel Smith Douglass disappeared. Nearly 30 years later, scuba divers found her body in the lake near Pulpit Rock. She had been perfectly preserved due to the depth and cold temperatures of the water. Although her body was recovered, her spirit may have never left that watery grave. Campers and boaters have spotted the ghostly figure they call “the Lady in the Lake” hovering near Pulpit Rock.
child’s baseball bat to a casket lift used when the residence
Pine Grove Cemetery #2 75
Hummingbird Home 70 94 Court Street / Plattsburgh, NY 12901 518-335-8311
The Hummingbird Home has been restored to its former glory, but remnants of its past remain. Like several objects
was turned into a funeral home. Visitors comment on the
Cook Street Road / Massena, NY 13662 When the St. Lawrence-Power Project and Seaway were constructed in 1955, graves from nineteen cemeteries were moved to Pine Grove Cemetery #2. As a result, many tombstones were broken beyond repair and buried in a heap – especially those of the Barnhart family. Legends surround their new plot in Pine Grove #2, such as claw marks found on the inside of rotting caskets. Visitors to the cemetery have also reported seeing children running and playing throughout the graveyard.
energy felt within the house. Could it come from the dentures, eyeglasses, rosaries… left by those long departed?
v Spend the night in one of the mansion’s five
bedrooms or take a guided ghost tour of the property. Do you dare venture into the embalming room?
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THE SAGAMORE RESORT 72
MYSTERY SPOT OF LAKE GEORGE 73 BARKEATER CHOCOLATES 67
HUMMINGBIRD HOME 70
PINE GROVE CEMETERY #2 75
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Capital-Saratoga eep in New York’s Capital-Saratoga Region… something strange is afoot. From the former presidents who haunt the capitol building in Albany to the first
families who still linger and lurk in Saratoga’s History Museum, it seems that spirits and spooks can be found around every turn. Settle in and start exploring…
Ghost Tours & Investigations
Saratoga Springs History Museum/ Historic Canfield Casino 78
The Original Albany Ghost Tour 76
Congress Park / Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-6920 As seen on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Unexplained phenomena have been witnessed and reported at this 140-year-old landmark. And while the cause is unknown, staff and guests speculate that it may have something to do with an antique clothing exhibit featured in the Saratoga Springs History Museum, showcasing items from some of the area’s most prominent first families. Featuring three floors of exhibits – plan some time to explore the secrets of Saratoga. Pre-scheduled ghost tours are offered June-October for groups of 10-18 participants. Self-guided exploration is available year-round during regular museum hours.
15th Street & Sage Avenue / Troy, NY 12180 518-350-7365 Experience the haunted side of New York’s Capital Region on a series of three spooky tours. First, visit the Ten Broeck Mansion – one of the most haunted public sites in Albany. Seek out the famed “Woman in White” or the “Man with the Billy Goat Beard” when you visit. Then, head to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a 90-minute walking tour while your guide regales you with talks of Nurse Betsy. Finally, hit the downtown area on a paranormal pub crawl and tour, complete with haunted, historic facts. Guided group tours of Ten Broeck Mansion are available May-October by appointment. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute tours and Hops & Haunts Pub Crawl available in October, by appointment only.
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Ghosts in the Yaddo Garden Tours 79
New York State Capitol Haunting Tours 77
312 Union Avenue / Saratoga Springs, NY 12886 518-584-0746 Four marble statues, brought from Italy in 1904 and set in the Yaddo Gardens, are meant to represent the four seasons. But many believe they embody the four young Trask children who died before they reached their teenage years. Visitors mention feeling an energy when they step into this tranquil setting and gardeners have felt vibrations through their tools. See for yourself. Join a one-hour, docent-led tour through Yaddo Gardens on Fridays and Saturdays in September and October. Or book a private experience in the fall by appointment.
State Capitol, State Street, & Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12224 / 518-474-2418 See Image this page A night watchman died in a fire. A “Secret Demon” lies near the Great Western Staircase. Two presidents paid a visit here, long after their death. The New York State Capitol Building is more than meets the eye… Take a guided tour to learn all about the haunted history of the state capitol. Available multiple times, weekdays in October.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS HISTORY 78 MUSEUM/HISTORIC CANFIELD CASINO
GHOSTS IN THE YADDO 79 GARDENS TOUR
GLEN SANDERS MANSION INN 83
BATCHELLER MANSION INN 81
THE KNOX MANSION 82
Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tours 80
The Knox Mansion 82
518-832-3796 Prepare to be enchanted, entertained, and perhaps a little spooked on a Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour. You’ll seek out the spirits and hear the stories with the help of your tour guide, who will take you to meet Old Smoke of the Canfield Casino, or Angeline, known as the “Witch of Saratoga.” Hattie haunts her restaurant since her passing and may just pop by to say hi. Tours are available May through October. Lasting 90-minutes, participants will take the town at a leisurely pace as they learn about Saratoga’s many infamous ghosts and haunted locations. Less than a mile total distance covered.
104 West 2nd Avenue / Johnstown, NY 12095 518-752-8231 The Knox Mansion was built in 1889 by the gelatin magnate and businessman, Charles Knox. It has 42 rooms, an elevator, grand staircase, and solid lava ash fireplace – and plenty of places to hide secrets, spirits, and the unknown. Among the Knox Mansion’s most popular stories are that of a still-born baby buried under the home and the appearance of a ghostly gardener that loved the company of children. Guests have also reported hearing footsteps, voices, a piano playing, seeing lights flicker, lamps dropped, and sheets being pulled off the bed. Stay overnight in this haunted B&B and settle in for an unsettling experience. Guided historical and haunted tours are available by reservation and special events are held throughout the year.
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Spooky Stays Batcheller Mansion Inn 81 20 Circular Street / Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-584-7012 As seen in motion picture thriller “The Skeptic” (filming location) The Batcheller Mansion Inn sits as the “Crown Jewel” of Saratoga Springs. Perhaps that’s why George Batcheller never left his treasured home and is said to still haunt the place to this day. Tales of supernatural experiences have been shared by the mansion’s staff and guests alike – and evidence of the supernatural has been collected twice by The Albany Paranormal Research Society. Seek out the spooky when you stay the night in this haunted mansion B&B. Investigations are also available by appointment and with rental of the Batcheller’s nine guest rooms.
Glen Sanders Mansion Inn 83 One Glen Avenue / Scotia, NY 12302 518-374-7262 Built as a trading port in 1658, the Glen Sanders Mansion Inn was a family home until 1961. It was then transformed into an inn and began welcoming guests – while discovering a few former residents who weren’t quite ready to check out. It is thought that some of the paranormal activity is the product of a residual haunting. EVPs, ghostly sightings, and even interactions are commonplace. Stay overnight in this haunted inn or enjoy traditional pub fare in the restaurant.
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Hudson Valley ften known for its natural, serene beauty, the Hudson Valley Region is proof that looks can be deceiving. A cozy home on the outside houses several spirits
on the inside. A beautiful castle is found full of strange and mysterious items. An Italian restaurant hides a dark secret. Explore in this area and you may find more than you bargained for… along with a few unforgettable stories.
Ghost Tours & Investigations murder, then suicide. To this day ghostly shapes, unexplained
Miss Fanny’s Victorian Party House 84
footsteps and sounds, disappearing items and a basement that
4 Van Wyck Lane / Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
will bring you chills pervade the home – now serving
845-518-0950 As seen on My Ghost Story, SyFy’s Ghost Hunters and TLC’s Four Houses
as a well-known Italian restaurant.
v Dine at Silvio’s or settle in for a drink in the cocktail lounge. Keep your eyes peeled for the strange and suspicious,
This three-story farmhouse, circa 1860-70, is named for the
especially near Table 24 where Roy Vail took his own life.
last of the Van Wyck family who lived there. The current owners share the space with spirits who have made their
Spooky Stays
presence known – through footsteps and voices, opening and closing doors and appearances around the home.
Wing’s Castle 86
v Visit Miss Fanny’s by booking a special event or party,
717 Bangall Road / Millbrook, NY 12545 845-677-9085 As seen on HGTV’s Extreme Homes and the Travel Channel Step into Wing’s Castle and it’s like setting foot in a medieval castle meets art installation. Everywhere you turn are antique memorabilia and collectables – from military artifacts to primitive trinkets. Each have a story to tell, some more strange than others. Perhaps that’s why trick-or-treaters seem to fear the place, never venturing past the front entrance… Tour the castle home and seek out the spirits by reservation and special request, or book an overnight in the castle B&B.
with personal or group medium readings as an add-on option. Or reserve time to take a ghost tour or conduct an investigation, available to groups of up to 20 participants.
Eerie Eateries Silvio’s Villa 85 274 State Route 94 South / Warwick, NY 10990
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845-987-1500 As seen on SyFy’s Haunted Collector
Silvio’s Villa has seen much throughout its lifetime. Built in the 1700s by Revolutionary War veteran Levi Ellis, it served its time as a family home for over 200 years. From 1920-1960 it housed the Vail family – playing part in a tragic tale of
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MISS FANNY’S VICTORIAN PARTY HOUSE 84 SILVIO’S VILLA 85
WING’S CASTLE 86
LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY 88
Just Plain Creepy Hamlet of Pine Bush: UFO Capital of East Coast 87
Laurel Grove Cemetery 88 247 East Main Street / Port Jervis, NY 12771 845-858-4000 x.4029 In Laurel Grove Cemetery, three states converge at Tri-State Rock, bringing New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania together as one. Some call it a place of peace, while others report strange crashing sounds and a woman in white who often appears and runs from river to river. What will you see when you visit? Explore on a self-guided tour, available year-round from dawn to dusk.
121 Route 302 / Pine Bush, NY 12566 845-744-8230 As seen on UFO Hunters Serious activity, of the extraterrestrial kind, is taking place in Pine Bush, NY. UFO enthusiasts have been flocking to the town since the early 1960s, asking about the latest sighting and trying to catch a glimpse of their own. The month of May brings the largest crowd out for the town’s annual UFO Fair – a celebration stocked with novelties, street performers, seminars, the “Alien and UFO” parade and more.
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The Catskills
lthough the Catskills Region has been known as a relaxing vacation spot for two centuries, its history dates back to the 1600s. But it’s what lies within the dark
forests and a jagged mountain range – the mysterious sights, stories and spirits – that make it a destination you’ll never forget.
Ghost Tours & Investigations
Burn Brae Mansion 91 573 High Road / Glen Spey, NY 12737 845-856-3335 As seen on SyFy’s Stranded – Haunted or Not? and Paranormal AfterParty Following renovations for its 100-year anniversary, overnight guests at the Burn Brae Mansion started reporting ghostly sights and sounds. Further research into the former estate of George Ross MacKenzie, third president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, revealed a rich history of eerie experiences. To this day, many have looked for answers about Burn Brae’s past and previous residents. Spend the night in what The Exorcist star Linda Blair calls “one of her favorite places to stay” in Upstate New York. Ghost hunting groups can also request a private investigation upon availability.
Private Haunted Huguenot Street Tours 89 81 Huguenot Street / New Paltz, NY 12561 845-255-1660 The seven historic homes of Huguenot Street each hide a paranormal past. Inside the Abraham Hasbrouck House, a family revealed the bones of a child buried in their basement. But who the bones belong to remain a mystery. This basement is also where visitors have registered spikes on EMF readers. Take a private, guided group tour to learn about the history and hauntings of Haunted Huguenot Street.
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Spooky Stays The Shanley Hotel 90 56 Main Street / Napanoch, NY 12458 845-217-3112 As seen on Discovery Channel’s Ghost Lab and SyFy’s Ghost Hunters Whistling, footsteps, piano music, the sound of children’s laughter, even the aromas of cooking when no food is being prepared. This is just the beginning of what you will find at The Shanley Hotel. The historic building has played host to legendary personalities, Statesmen and a few tragic incidents. Could the resident spirits be those of the Shanley family? Or the barber’s three-year-old daughter who hit her head as she fell and drowned in a nearby well? Check into The Shanley Hotel for an overnight paranormal investigation or perhaps a friendly game of hide-and-seek with a ghostly child.
Just Plain Creepy Old Dutch Church Cemetery 92 272 Wall Street / Kingston, NY 12401 845-475-7973 Dating back to 1658, Old Dutch Church Cemetery has seen many groups of people, each with their own story – Dutch Settlers, Native Americans, African slaves and servants and British soldiers. It’s also the final resting place of many Revolutionary Kingstonians whose homes were burnt by the British in 1777. Guided group tours are available by reservation and ghost hunting equipment is allowed – you may just spot some of the town’s infamous residents, as previous participants have witnessed.
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OLD DUTCH CHURCH CEMETERY 92 BURN BRAE MANSION 91
PRIVATE HAUNTED HUGUENOT STREET TOURS 89 THE SHANLEY HOTEL 90
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Trail Partners s you begin to explore our hauntings, A
don’t hesitate to reach out to our participating counties to request their free visitor guides. They’ll tell you what to see and do, where to stay and eat, and share fun facts about each area as you make your way around the state. Any or all of these brochures can also be requested on the Haunted History Trail website at hauntedhistorytrail.com/request-brochures GREATER NIAGARA Destination Niagara USA
Oneida County Tourism
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce
Cooperstown & Otsego County Tourism
877-FALLS-US » www.NiagaraFallsUSA.com
800-622-2686 » www.VisitGeneseeNY.com
800-724-0314 » www.OrleansCountyTourism.com
Orleans County Tourism Visit Buffalo Niagara
888-228-3369 » www.VisitBuffaloNiagara.com
Wyoming County Chamber & Tourism
800-839-3919 » www.GoWyomingCountyNY.com
CHAUTAUQUA-ALLEGHENY Cattaraugus County Tourism
800-331-0543 » www.EnchantedMountains.com
Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
866-908-4569 » www.TourChautauqua.com
FINGER LAKES Cayuga County Office of Tourism
800-499-9615 » www.TourCayuga.com
Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau
607-753-8463 » www.ExperienceCortland.com
Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
877-386-4669 » www.VisitFingerLakes.com
Livingston County Office of Tourism & Marketing
585-243-2222 » www.FingerLakesWest.com
800-426-3132 » www.OneidaCountyTourism.com 607-322-4046 » www.ThisIsCooperstown.com
Schoharie County Tourism www.VisitSchoharieCounty.com
THOUSAND ISLANDS 1000 Islands International Tourism Council
800-847-5263 » www.Visit1000Islands.com
Oswego County Tourism
800-248-4386 » www.VisitOswegoCounty.com
THE ADIRONDACKS Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism
518-523-2445 » www.RoostAdk.com
St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
877-228-7810 » www.NorthCountryGuide.com
Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau
877-242-6752 » www.GoAdirondack.com
Warren County Tourism Department 800-365-1050 » www.VisitLakeGeorge.com
APITAL-SARATOGA C Discover Albany
800-258-3582 » www.Albany.org
Seneca County Chamber of Commerce
Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tioga County Tourism
Saratoga County Tourism
800-732-1848 » www.FingerLakesGateway.com 800-671-7772 » www.ExperienceTioga.com
800-676-3858 » www.44Lakes.com
Visit Rochester
800-677-7282 » www.VisitRochester.com
Visit Syracuse
800-234-4797 » www.VisitSyracuse.com
Wayne County Tourism
800-527-6510 » www.WayneCountyTourism.com
Yates County Chamber of Commerce
315-536-3111 » www.YatesNY.com
CENTRAL NEW YORK Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce
877-984-4636 » www.HerkimerCountyChamber.com
Madison County Tourism
800-684-7320 » www.MadisonTourism.com
518-584-3255 » www.ILoveSaratoga.us
THE CATSKILLS Sullivan County Catskills
800-882-2287 » www.SullivanCatskills.com
Ulster County Tourism
845-340-3566 » www.UlsterCountyAlive.com
HUDSON VALLEY Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
800-445-3131 » www.DutchessTourism.com
Orange County Tourism
845-615-3860 » www.OrangeTourism.org
New York State Tourism
800-CALL-NYS » www.ILoveNY.com