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Request a Haunted History Trail of New York State brochure and visitor guides from each county on the trail.
Paranormal Hotspots for the Truly Fearless
There’s haunted—and then there’s haunted. Welcome to the places where shadows lurk, voices hiss, and even seasoned ghost hunters think twice about venturing inside. These spine-chilling locations aren't for the faint of heart. Prepare yourself for restless spirits, unnerving apparitions, and encounters that linger long after you've left. Enter at your own risk!
ParaNiagara at the Western Block
Time has not been kind to the Western Block in Lockport, NY—and neither have its restless spirits. Dating back to the early 1800s, this sprawling, 100,000-square-foot property has borne witness to centuries of tragedy, from deadly fires and grisly accidents to eerie disappearances. Once home to a hotel that burned to the ground in 1841, the site is steeped in mystery, with whispers of canal workers, travelers, and long-forgotten souls still lingering. Paranormal investigators have captured chilling voices hissing “Get out. Fire.” in scorched sections of the building, as if the past refuses to be buried. Visit for guided public ghost hunts, private hunts, events, and their popular “Ghost Hunt 101” Program & Paranormal Investigation, offered year-round.
⬆️ Brian’s Spectral Selection: "Every time I visit, I discover something new. The tenants, as well as the nearby Erie Canal, seem to keep the place energized for historic spirits as well as recent ones."
Established in 1827 as the Genesee County Poor House, this grim institution located in East Bethany became the final stop for society’s outcasts—widows, orphans, the mentally ill, and criminals all confined within its cold, decaying walls. Shadow figures loom in doorways, guttural whispers slither through the halls, and unseen hands grasp at the living. With over 1,700 recorded deaths and countless more lost to history, it’s no surprise why the location was named one of the most haunted places in the country. Public and private ghost hunts—including their Quarantined, Captive, ICU, Detained, and Psych Hold hunts—as well as special haunted events are offered year-round.
By day, Sylvan Beach Amusement Park is a nostalgic escape, but by night, it transforms into something far more sinister. The spirits of long-lost thrill-seekers still roam its empty rides and darkened midway, waiting for unsuspecting visitors to cross their path. Led by the CasperCops, join a chilling tour that starts with eerie tales of those who never truly left—then, after the park closes, the real hunt begins. Step inside locked buildings, explore shadowy corridors, and brace yourself for poltergeist activity, unexplained whispers, and figures lurking just beyond the light.
Historic Palmyra WM. Phelps General Store & Historic Palmyra Historical Museum
Step into the past at Historic Palmyra, one of the most haunted places in the Finger Lakes. The Phelps General Store and Residence holds echoes of a bygone era, while the Historic Museum carries the weight of an unspeakable tragedy. Once a hotel, the building was relocated after a devastating 1964 fire claimed the lives of a young mother and her six children. To this day, visitors hear their ghostly laughter as they dart from room to room, forever playing hide and seek. The eerie energy doesn’t stop there—phantom footsteps and strange noises drift from the Erie Canal Depot and Palmyra Print Shop, as if the spirits of the past are still hard at work. Private investigations are available most weekend, by reservation, or join them for a special haunted event.
⬆️ Brian’s Spectral Selection: "An entire season of Haunted Collector could have been filmed at this expansive location alone! The enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff make for a delightfully informative visit."
Saratoga Springs History Museum/Historic Canfield Casino
Beneath the glamour of Saratoga Springs’ History Museum and Historic Canfield Casino lurks a spectral secret. This 140-year-old landmark, nestled in Congress Park, has been a hotspot for unexplained activity—so much so that SYFY’s Ghost Hunters investigated it in 2010. While eerie occurrences had long been whispered about, the hauntings intensified after an exhibition of antique clothing once worn by Saratoga’s elite was unveiled. On a one-hour guided ghost tour, you may experience ghostly apparitions, disembodied voices, and objects moving on their own. With three floors of exhibits chronicling Saratoga’s past, the Canfield Casino offers more than history…
Dr. Best House & Medical Museum
Frozen in time, the Dr. Best House feels as if its namesake might return at any moment, his horse-drawn carriage pulling up to the door. This Victorian-era home, set in Middleburgh, NY, has seen its share of tragedy, including the deaths of Dr. Best, his young wife, and his beloved son. Paranormal investigators have captured chilling EVPs, eerie piano music playing on its own, and distant voices whispering through the halls. Call ahead to book a ghost tour or paranormal investigation of this terrifying locale.
Checking in at the Shanley Hotel is easy, but staying the night is another story… Dubbed one of the most paranormally active hotels in the country, this historic inn has long been a magnet for restless spirits. Rocking chairs move on their own, unseen hands chime the clocks, and the eerie sounds of whistling, footsteps, and piano music drift through the halls. Guests report the laughter of ghostly children, phantom cooking aromas, and an unsettling feeling of being watched. Shadows lurk in the corners, and full-bodied apparitions have been seen by many. Book an overnight or call ahead for a paranormal investigation to learn why The Shanley is not just haunted; it thrives on the supernatural.
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