New York City is a popular travel destination, yet also one of the most haunted spots in America. Manhattan contains historic buildings, parks and graveyards that play host to mysterious spirits that haunt this place.
Van Cortlandt House, built during Colonial times and believed to be haunted by a ghostly servant girl looking for her master’s silver, and the Kreischer House (built by a brick manufacturer for his twin sons) are said to be equally creepy.
Morris-Jumel Mansion
The Morris-Jumel Mansion, a lesser-known museum located in Washington Heights section of Manhattan, is considered one of the city’s most haunted locations. Over centuries-old fabric lies a rich tapestry of history which tragedy has marked with pinpricks of bloodstains.
Eliza Jumel’s spirit reportedly haunts her house today, along with that of servants and Revolutionary War Patriot soldiers who used it during and after the conflict as their Army Headquarters. Additionally, this home served as Madam Jumel’s place of residence – who was murdered by her own husband Stephen Jumel.
Visitors and staff have reported various forms of paranormal activity at the Mansion, from disembodied voices to ghostly footsteps. Paranormal investigators such as Hans Holzer and Zak Bagans, as well as Gotham Paranormal Research Society hosted sold out investigations at this house. Director of Programming Vinny Carbone describes it as a “living museum”, where his colleagues work to bring out stories of former slaves who once resided here.
The Merchant’s House Museum
The Merchant’s House Museum has earned itself a place as one of New York’s most haunted spots and is often referred to as Manhattan’s “most haunted house”. Open for tours Thursday through Monday, this museum also hosts several educational programs on 19th century life and culture as well as period room tours during the year.
Museum also hosts candlelight ghost tours during October, led by paranormal investigator Dan Sturges of Sturges Paranormal. Since 2007, Dan has been investigating Merchant’s House since 2007 as well as appearing on several television programs to conduct these tours.
Gertrude, one of the family’s youngest daughters, may still watch over the house since becoming a museum in 1936. Staff, volunteers, and visitors to the museum have reported hearing footsteps slamming doors or creaky floorboards as well as hearing voices at night in mysterious instances reported here.
The Zernicke Asylum
The Zernicke Asylum in Buffalo is considered to be one of the most haunted places in New York, and many believe a ghost known as George haunts its halls looking for his four missing brothers. Other spirits that have been seen at this institution include an angry nurse and an inmate suffering from gigantism.
When the building that now houses the museum was donated to the Iron Island Preservation Society of Lovejoy, staffers found strange events occurring there. Since then, paranormal investigators have captured shadows, orbs of light, and voices at this haunted site.
Hornell House, thought to be haunted, has long been reported as haunted. A family who moved into its Dutch Colonial-style abode reported seeing ghost footsteps and feeling watched by someone not alive; other haunted spots include Hornell’s old train station where many have reported moving apparitions or Rose herself making her appearance known.
Washington Square Park
Greenwich Village park’s history is full of sorrow. According to reports, over 20,000 bodies may have been interred within its borders prior to becoming a park; among these were victims from Revolutionary War conflicts as well as slaves who committed crimes and members of writer Emma Lazarus’s family.
Washington Square Park is home to many buildings and landmarks said to be haunted, including Hangman’s Elm – an ancient 350-year-old tree once used to hang traitors and robbers; Marquis de Lafayette may even have witnessed its branches being used to hang at least 20 horseback robbers during his time here.
Other haunted locations include Edgar Allan Poe’s house, where he wrote one of his most well-known works – The Raven. Also on this list is Tredwell family’s former residence that may or may not be haunted by members and those killed in its fire in 1905.
