Eerie Road Trip Spots in the 1000 Islands

The Oswego and 1000 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 transported by a moving vortex, found in a local park. In a region known for its beauty and its water, experience a side of this area that you’ve never seen before. 

Start your getaway with a guided tour or seek out the spirits on a ghost hunt:  

Haunted Oswego Tour | Oswego, NY 

Take a walking tour through Oswego and learn the folklore of the spirits that haunt the Port City. Hear about the lingering souls that inhabit homes, businesses, tunnels and the streets you’ll walk along—and one restless spirit who has even made an appearance in broad daylight. This 90-minute tour begins at dusk and takes place May-October.

The Paddock Mansion | Watertown, NY

Tour the home of one of Watertown’s most prominent founding families, now the site of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Olive and Edwin Paddock built the Victorian mansion in 1878—and 100 years after her death, her spirit is said to still call the residence home. Ghost hunts, events and investigations are available for those curious to learn more.  

Check out this unusual experience:  

Thompson Park Vortex | Watertown, NY 

Step onto the grounds of Thompson Park, and you may find yourself pulled into a vortex tearing apart the very fabric of time and space. This unexplainable force is believed to transport those who discover it to different areas of Thompson park, but over the years, eyewitnesses have reported that the location of the vortex seems to move… can you find it? 

For private ghost hunts and tours, add these locations to your trip:  

Casey’s Cottage at Mexico Point State Park | Mexico, NY 

A project of Dr. William Casey, this Medieval Manor was converted from a 1906 carriage house into a stunning and surprising 11th-century manor. Visitors to the property have experienced sightings, cries for help, moving furniture and the sense of being watched. Ghost hunts, guided tours and investigations are available by appointment.  

Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum | Mexico, NY 

Take a guided tour of this historic landmark, known for being a stop on the Underground Railroad. Full of artifacts, exhibits and original spaces, local investigators have called the site “very interesting” based on the strange activity found here. The building is only open by appointment, so call ahead to take a guided tour or conduct a ghost hunt of your own.  

Fort Ontario State Historic Site | Oswego, NY 

This star-shaped fort is known as the “Guardian of the Northern Frontier”—a formidable fortress dating back to the French and Indian War. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians perished on its ground – which might explain reports of strange lights and apparitions. Bring your ghost-hunting team to explore or take a guided tour, by appointment.