Brian J. Cano’s 10 Haunted New York Road Trip Picks (2026)

A New York native, paranormal investigator, author, lecturer, and television personality, Brian first entered the world of the unknown more than two decades ago while researching local legends and ghost stories on Staten Island. That curiosity eventually led him to television appearances on Scared on Staten Island, Haunted Collector, and Paranormal Caught on Camera, where he became known for his thoughtful, evidence-based approach to paranormal investigation.

Today, as Ambassador for the Haunted History Trail, Brian encourages travelers to look beyond the ghost stories and discover the rich history that makes each destination unique.

1. Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum

Perched along the shores of Lake Erie, the Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum has guided sailors home since the 19th century. But according to local legend, it may still be keeping watch over more than the lake.

The lighthouse and museum preserve the stories of generations of American service members through an extensive collection of military artifacts spanning World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Yet many visitors come searching for another kind of history, one that can't be found in display cases.

Reports of unexplained activity have long followed the property. Some visitors believe former lighthouse keepers still patrol the grounds, while others have experienced strange sensations and encounters they can't quite explain. Whether these stories stem from lingering spirits or the powerful history embedded within the site, the lighthouse continues to spark curiosity among paranormal enthusiasts.

2. The 1890 House Museum

Some haunted locations announce themselves with creaking floorboards and flickering lights. Others quietly pull you into their story. For Brian J. Cano, The 1890 House Museum in Cortland is one of those places.

A stunning example of Victorian architecture, the museum offers more than ornate woodwork and period furnishings. Behind its elegant façade lies a history filled with mystery, from reports of phantom figures and unexplained sounds to encounters that leave visitors questioning what—or who—may still linger within its walls.

For those who believe the past never truly leaves us, this Victorian treasure is well worth adding to your haunted itinerary.

3. Pratt Event Center

What makes this destination stand out to Brian J. Cano is its remarkable blend of histories layered under one roof. The sprawling complex connects a former Civil War veterans' hall, a grand opera theater, and an older stone building that once housed saloons and hotel rooms, creating a setting where every corridor seems to hold memories of a different era.

Visitors have reported watchful presences near the veterans' meeting room, unexplained sounds drifting through the theater, and the faint echo of piano music with no musician in sight. For Brian, however, the true magic of the Pratt lies in the feeling that history remains woven into every corner of the property.

The Pratt Event Center offers an experience where the past never seems quite ready to take its final bow.

4. Bull's Head Inn

Some places earn their haunted reputation over centuries. Bull's Head Inn has had plenty of time to perfect its story.

As the oldest building in Cobleskill, this historic landmark has worn many hats throughout its long life from town hall and courthouse to Masonic temple, private residence, and today's welcoming inn and restaurant. With so many chapters packed into one building, it's no surprise that a few stories refuse to stay in the past.

Among the inn's most famous residents is Mrs. Grace Steacy, a former occupant remembered for her strong opinions on alcohol. Legend has it that after her bedroom was transformed into the establishment's bar, staff began reporting flying napkins, shifting utensils, and glimpses of a woman in period clothing wandering the property.

After all, where else can you enjoy a hearty meal, uncover centuries of history, and possibly share your evening with a resident spirit? That's the kind of hospitality that keeps visitors coming back.

5. Red Coach Inn

Just steps from the mighty Upper Rapids of Niagara Falls, the Red Coach Inn has welcomed travelers since 1923 with its charming English Tudor architecture, warm hospitality, and breathtaking views. Yet beneath its romantic exterior lies a legend that has captivated visitors for generations.

According to local lore, a newlywed couple chose the inn as the setting for their honeymoon, only for their love story to end in tragedy. Since then, guests and staff have reported strange occurrences throughout the historic property. Jewelry mysteriously shifting across dressers, soft music drifting through empty rooms, and the sound of footsteps and dancing overhead when no one else is there.

Whether you're stopping in for dinner or simply soaking in the history of Niagara Falls, the Red Coach Inn offers visitors the chance to experience a haunting that feels less frightening than bittersweet.

6. Iron Island Museum

What began as a church and later served as a funeral home has spent more than a century witnessing Buffalo's joys, sorrows, and final farewells. Today, visitors arrive to explore the museum's rich heritage, but many find themselves captivated by something far less ordinary.

Unclaimed cremains once rested in the basement. Voices were captured when no one was present to speak. Strange figures have appeared in photographs, lingering at the edge of the frame as though they wished to be remembered.

Perhaps they do.

Whether you're drawn by the history or the hauntings, the Iron Island Museum offers a reminder that some stories continue unfolding long after their authors have wrapped up their final chapter. 

7. Woodlawn Cemetery

Not every haunted destination has walls.

At Woodlawn Cemetery, the stories rest beneath open skies, winding pathways, and rows of weathered monuments that have quietly watched the seasons pass for generations.

Visitors speak of a woman in white drifting among the headstones, footsteps that echo where no one can be found, and fleeting glimpses of figures dressed for another century. Here, the boundary between past and present feels remarkably thin.

Take your time as you wander the grounds. Read the names etched into stone. Listen to the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

You may discover that history feels close enough, perhaps, to brush against your shoulder before disappearing once more into the mist.

8. ParaNiagara at the Western Block

Every old building has secrets.

Standing for generations, The Western Block’s worn brick and timber carry the weight of a long and often troubled past. In the 1800s, a hotel occupied the site until a devastating fire reduced it to ruins, and according to investigators, left more than ashes behind. Today, ParaNiagara leads guided ghost hunts through the sprawling complex, inviting visitors to explore a place where history and unanswered questions still share the same halls.

Join a ghost hunt and you'll quickly discover that this isn't just a historic building, it's a place where the past still seems eager to make its presence known.

The fire may be long gone. The stories, however, are still very much alive.

9. Lily Dale Assembly

Some places claim to sit at the crossroads of worlds. Lily Dale has built an entire community around the possibility.

Known internationally as the world's largest center for Spiritualism, this historic village has welcomed seekers, mediums, and the curious for more than a century. During its summer season, visitors gather for workshops, healing services, lectures, and mediumship demonstrations, all centered around exploring what may exist beyond the veil.

What makes Lily Dale stand out isn't necessarily the possibility of paranormal encounters. It's the atmosphere. There is a quiet sense of reflection here, a feeling that the ordinary world has slowed just enough to allow deeper questions to surface. As Brian notes, the village possesses a "supernatural calm," existing slightly outside the flow of normal time.

Whether you're searching for answers, seeking a connection to the past, or simply curious about one of New York's most intriguing destinations, Lily Dale offers an experience that lingers long after you've passed through its gates.

10. Borland House Bed & Breakfast

The Borland House Bed & Breakfast has stood in the Hudson Valley since the 1780s, weathering centuries of change while preserving the elegance and character that have made it a local treasure. Once home to Charles Borland Jr. and Isabella Hill Borland, the historic residence welcomes visitors with warm hospitality, period charm, and just a touch of the unexplained.

Guests and paranormal investigators alike have reported footsteps echoing through empty rooms, electronics behaving strangely without explanation, and the unmistakable feeling that someone is nearby when no one can be seen. Nothing here screams for attention. Instead, the house seems to reveal its mysteries in quiet moments like a creak in the hallway, a flicker of light, a presence just beyond the edge of perception.

So, settle into your room, enjoy the historic surroundings, and keep your ears open after dark.

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