Haunted spots add an extra dimension of history and mystery to any vacation experience, from houses reputed to have been cursed by voodoo queens to hotels where ghosts reside – these chilling locales will send chills up your spine!
Prepare to put on your mask and uncover New York State’s mysterious side!
Kings Park Psychiatric Facility
Kings Park Psychiatric Facility (KPPC), established in 1885, once housed over 9,000 patients at its sprawling campus. Complete with its own power plant and railroad spur – KPPC was self-sufficient enough to function like its own town.
However, over time reports of abuse and cruel treatment at this psychiatric facility began surfacing. Lobotomies and electro shock therapy were among the many procedures used to treat patients. Over time these treatments were phased out and eventually there was no longer need for such a hospital.
These abandoned buildings are now popular destinations for thrill-seekers and urban explorers, though entering them is illegal; it is however possible to drive or walk on their grounds if you wish. Many locals report seeing ghosts, hearing screaming and chains rattling while traversing through this haunted site; its supposed hauntings have even been well documented as evidenced in films featuring KPPC hauntings.
Letchworth Village
Thiells in Rockland County is home to an idyllic spot that was once a center for those living with mental disabilities. Established in 1911, this hospital aimed to be progressive in its approach and treatment; with buildings covering over 2,300 acres aimed at being self-sufficient – with residents working the land in order to create humanistic care that stood in stark contrast to almshouses of previous centuries.
However, this institution quickly earned itself a bad name with regards to how it treated its patients. Reports revealed people living naked in their own filth with barely enough food available. Furthermore, children were used as test subjects for early polio vaccine trials and medical experiments involving children as guinea pigs.
Today, the abandoned hospital serves as a popular ghost tour and paranormal investigation site, where visitors have reported hearing strange noises, seeing ghostly figures appear before them and even feeling someone grab their shoulders while exploring its grounds.
Fort William Henry
Fort William Henry has seen its fair share of battles, skirmishes, disease and living conditions over its history; so much so that SyFy’s Ghost Hunters featured it and even used its setting as the setting for James Fenimore Cooper’s novel ‘The Last of the Mohicans.
Now reconstructed as a museum, the fort’s former inhabitants remain. Visitors and staff have reported being touched, breathed on or hearing disembodied voices; its western casement area in particular seems particularly lively with an unhappy energy present.
Throughout the summer months, Fort Hill offers candlelit guided ghost tours. Reservations must be made for these popular events that run from May through October. In addition to ghost tours, other activities at Fort Hill include guided tours by costumed guides and historical interpreters as well as cannon and musket demonstrations; furthermore it has a gift shop selling books, toys, candy and high-quality replica muskets and cannon.
The Winery at Marjim Manor
No matter your winemaking knowledge or search for that special bottle, The Winery at Marjim Manor in Western New York is an ideal place for either. Notorious haunted spots have even appeared on numerous paranormal shows as a testament to this Western New York winery’s charms.
Margo Sue Bittner runs this family owned winery located at Buffalo’s fruit belt and her family are involved with its operation as well as production of grape and fruit wines.
Established in 2003, this winery has quickly become famous for both its spirits and wines. Shubal and Sophia Merritt, their son Lewis, Charles and Hannah Ring and ghosts are reported roaming this home; ghostly appearances include Duke the dog spirit as well as an apparition of a young girl – many other ghostly phenomena can also be observed within its cellars where wine is stored. Visitors to this winery can take a tasting tour while also enjoying food, music and shopping booths during a tasting tour!
