From haunted crypts to macabre historical incidents, these haunted places to visit will send chills down your spine. Explore them on tours led by knowledgeable local guides who understand their dark history.
Not so polite spirits can often be found around us – from those turning on TV sets (which would be considered very polite) to giggling with children who don’t exist (not so politely). Spirits like these can be found anywhere across the world.
Fort McHenry in Baltimore
Fort McHenry is best-known for its pivotal role in the War of 1812 and for inspiring Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem; however, it is also one of Baltimore’s most haunted spots – visitors have reported apparitions walking the walls or hearing footsteps as they visit this historic landmark.
Erebus Fort is home to some haunting experiences, from hearing voices and the sounds of rifles firing to guests reporting seeing a ghostly figure wearing an 1800s uniform marching along its outer battery and wearing an 1800s uniform, possibly representing Lieutenant Levi Clagett, killed when British shells struck his bastion and hit its bastion wall.
Fell’s Point is home to Club Charles bar, said to be haunted by Edgar Allan Poe and where many have reported seeing his ghost flitting around – sometimes pulling away your chairstool!
Gladesville Mental Hospital in Bedlam Point
Gladesville Mental Hospital was constructed on Bedlam Point near Gladesville in 1838 as an out-of-sight solution, insanity was considered taboo and many families sent their members away for care at asylums like Gladesville Mental Hospital – eventually becoming one of Australia’s largest of its kind.
This terrifying building was where doctors would administer harsh treatments like starvation, submersion in cold water and rotational therapy, where patients would be spun in chairs up to 100 times every minute. Furthermore, patients received bloodletting, leeches and cupping glasses as part of the program.
Today, the remains of this asylum are popular with tourists and ghost hunters who walk tours on foot through its grounds. Reports have come in of scratching metal beds and moving furniture as well as disembodied voices heard.
Toyama Park in Shinjuku
Toyama Park in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district may be smaller than nearby Shinjuku Gyoen and Yoyogi parks, but it certainly makes an impressionful statement about Japan’s darker side. At the close of World War II, Toyama Park housed facilities belonging to Imperial Army Unit 731 which were notorious for unethical human experimentation practices.
People visiting Toyama Park have reported hearing violent sobs, seeing Japanese will-o’-the-wisps known as hitodama at its eastern hill and hearing gunshots nearby. Ghost hunters in search of an investigation have also found Toyama Park to be an intriguing site to visit.
Sunshine 60 in Ikebukuro offers a haunted experience without being as intense, where seven criminals executed by Unit 731 are said to roam freely. It provides a more family-friendly alternative than places like Sendagaya Tunnel which was hastily constructed over a cemetery.
Fort Ontario in Upstate New York
New York offers plenty of ghosts and haunting histories for visitors to explore. From lighthouses to abandoned mental asylums, New York boasts numerous haunted places.
Fort Ontario in Oswego is a state historic site known for being haunted. Constructed back in 1755, its walls reportedly house the souls of both fallen soldiers and civilians who may haunt it.
Other haunted locations include the Genesee County Poor House, which once housed orphans and those considered mentally ill or poor. Rolling Hills Asylum reportedly remains haunting with chalkboards documenting patient intakes and decayed furniture left behind – another place reputedly filled with paranormal activity.
The 1,000 Islands-Seaway Region
The Thousand Islands-Seaway Region offers breathtaking beauty to travelers from around the globe. Boasting sparkling blue waters, captivating history, friendly people, charming villages and idyllic settings; it makes this international travel destination one that upholds your soul and refreshes it with every visit.
The region features lavish island castles, maritime museums, historic battlefields and scenic boat cruises. Additionally, there are lighthouses, children’s farm villages and zoos featuring animals indigenous to New York State.
Singer Castle is an exquisite example of Victorian architecture and features stunning furnishings, secret passageways and exquisite details. Take an Uncle Sam Boat tour to Dark Island where Frederick Gilbert Bourne built his family summer retreat and later named it “Singer Castle.” It lies only yards away from Canada-United States border along Saint Lawrence River.
