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Whispers in the Halls: These Haunted Hotels Host Ghostly Guests
Are you afraid of the dark? Find out when you spend an evening at these haunted hotels and ghostly inns where things really do go bump in the night. You may just mingle with guests who checked in... but never checked out.
Graestone Manor Bed & Breakfast
Once home to the affluent Root family and their racehorses, Graestone Manor Bed & Breakfast in Gasport is alive with paranormal reports. Some hear phantom hoofbeats, while others note shadowy figures and a ghostly woman peering from the windows who seems to enjoy following people around. Investigators claim a vortex exists in the basement and another in the former children’s room, attributed to seances and Ouija activity from Victorian times. It all makes for an unsettling night’s sleep (if you can!) Reach out to book your stay or join a ghost tour or public investigation led by the current owners.
The Hart House Hotel in Medina first opened in 1876 as the town's finest inn before transforming into a bustling shirt factory, and then back into a boutique hotel in 2005. Known for ghostly activity, its most famous apparition is a woman in a flowing dress often seen standing at the top of the hotel’s first staircase. Guests and staff alike have reported disembodied voices calling their names and phantom footsteps echoing down those same stairs (maybe a sign to take the elevator?). Tuck yourself in to the Hart House Hotel or dine at the Shirt Factory Cafe and see who may still be lingering around after all this time.
The Genesee Falls Inn, built in 1870, is far more than a charming Victorian B&B. Guests report phantom footsteps in the hallways, doors closing on their own, and even sightings of a spectral child in period dress and a man seated in a bedroom chair. Items mysteriously go missing, only to reappear when requested they be returned from the spirits. Its dark history includes fires, suicides near the nearby waterfalls, and a protective caretaker spirit who still "locks" his old room. Paranormal teams have confirmed spirit presence and communicated with the ghosts, with flashlights responding on command. Book a stay in one of 11 renovated rooms or join a ghost tour to uncover more eerie secrets.
The Naples Hotel has been home to countless travelers since 1895—some of whom simply didn’t leave. Located in Naples, this 32-room hotel is home to six permanent spirits: a woman with her four children and a gentleman named Topper. They like to have fun with the guests by moving pictures, playing with the lights, and locking doors! Prefer to experience this stop in the daylight? You can listen to ghost stories from the staff while dining at the hotel’s restaurant or grabbing a drink in the hotel’s hidden bar.
Visitors to the 1867 Parkview Inn seem to have plenty of stories to share—bells ringing, objects moving on their own, and the lingering presence of a small girl rumored to have perished in a fire. Paranormal investigators confirm the energy of spirits roaming the inn’s halls, where its historic upper floors have been transformed into cheerful yet intriguingly haunted accommodations. Located in downtown Owego along the Susquehanna River, the inn features nine historic-themed rooms and the Duggan House Restaurant and Pub (comfort food with a side of mystery, anyone?). Guests can extend the experience by reserving ghost hunts or guided tours through all three floors of this intriguing destination.
Fainting Goat Island Inn—voted the #1 Best Haunted Hotel in the U.S. in both 2022 and 2023—is a former railroad hotel in Nichols, packed with both charm and chills. Some "guests" never left, as visitors frequently report ghostly encounters, including voices and visions of women having tea, footsteps on a vanished staircase, and mirrors reflecting more than their own images. The mischievous spirit of a little boy and unsettling occurrences like sheets being pulled off beds or a heavy presence pressing down on guests have left many intrigued. But it’s not all about the scares… The inn offers themed rooms with vintage décor, private baths, and serene river views, alongside friendly fainting goats and Porkchop the potbelly pig. Experience this delightfully haunted getaway and take a haunted tour to uncover its spine-chilling secrets.
The 4-story building housing The Glen Haven Hotel in Homer has had a checkered past. In the early 1900s it opened as a tearoom, soon transitioning to a speakeasy, a guest house, and finally a tavern. The current hotel seems to be a true “haven” for both the living and the dead — spirits lost in a fire of the original building and on the nearby lake. The sounds of running children are often heard from empty rooms and occasionally a scream from the basement is heard late at night (notably known as the "Glen Haven Screamer"). The jukebox plays strangely specific songs and visitors have felt hands on their shoulders, people sitting on them, and more. Can you survive the strange occurrences that only take place at night?
The Brae Loch Inn is a warm, inviting Scottish inn nestled beside picturesque Cazenovia Lake. Perhaps too inviting, as guests have reported a ghostly girl in a long blue dress offering to show them to their room. Other tales include a man and woman walking through closets and light orbs floating through canopy beds. While ghost tours are welcomed by reservation, most choose to book a room and settle in for the night or dine in the intimate on-site restaurant.
⬆️ Brian’s Spectral Selection: “Scotland is alive in Cazenovia! Loch Ness could have been right around the bend for all I knew, but the spirits kept me quite busy overnight…”
The Beekman House Bed and Breakfast in Middleburgh is a striking 1835 Greek Revival mansion - formerly home to Duryea Beekman, a prominent figure in banking and railroads. His presence is so strong, it seems to still linger in the halls of his cherished home. Guests and past owners report spine-chilling experiences, including the self-unlocking and creaking of a closet door under the main staircase—a place Duryea is said to vanish into. Shadows move behind locked doors, and the eerie melody of "Linger in Blissful Repose" whistles through the house before sunrise, as if sung by an unseen host. Treat your time at The Beekman House with respect and Duryea might just welcome you into his beloved former estate.
The Historic Hotel Broadalbin, once an infamous Keeley Cure hospital in the late 1800s, carries a chilling past. Known for its controversial "gold cure" treatments—which often caused blindness, pain, or worse—the spirits of those who suffered these unjust treatments may still linger within its walls. Guests and staff have reported eerie experiences, including ghostly apparitions at the top of the staircase, shadowy figures in windows, mysterious pokes in the night, and unexplained movements. Today, this historic site offers a cozy stay and a meal to remember at the 1854 Pub & Eatery, where servers might just share their own encounters with the paranormal. Haunted seasonal tours are offered in October, with special events throughout the year.
The Knox Mansion, an opulent estate in Johnstown, NY, is as famous for its grandeur as it is for its ghosts. With 42 rooms, Italian lava ash fireplace, and a grand staircase, the mansion exudes historical elegance. Yet, guests often experience the unexplained: flickering lights, phantom footsteps, self-playing pianos, and ghostly sightings, including a long-dead gardener who seems to delight in the company of children. Chilling rumors persist of a stillborn baby buried in the basement, adding to the eerie allure. Check in for the night or book an investigation and discover if its haunted reputation is more than just whispers in the dark.
⬆️ Brian’s Spectral Selection: “Imagine The Addams Family, The Munsters, and a Spirit Halloween store all rolled into one - and that is but the beginning. See if you can discover the hidden room!"
You may choose to keep the lights on when overnighting at Burn Brae Mansion. Following the renovations that took place for the mansion’s 100-year anniversary, guests began reporting unusual sights and sounds. Numerous paranormal investigations have found ethereal evidence, including recorded voices and wails, and feelings of pressure and cold patches. Linda Blair from The Exorcist calls Burn Brae “one of her favorite places to stay” when she’s in the Catskills… (but we can’t all be so brave, can we?) See the spooky for yourself when you book a stay, conduct a group investigation (available by appointment), or attend one of the mansion’s special events.
⬆️ Brian’s Spectral Selection: “One night after investigating, as I lay down to sleep, the door handle began to aggressively jiggle. I called out, “Nope, I’m done for the night!” The handle moved once more, and I repeated my assertion. All was quiet after that.”
The Borland House Bed & Breakfast
The Borland House in Montgomery perfectly blends historical charm with a touch of the supernatural. Once home to Charles Borland Jr., a distinguished politician, and Isabella Hill Borland, the house showcases intricate architectural details like Doric columns, narrow-plank floors, and elegant pocket doors. But beyond its beauty, the home holds whispers of the past—phantom footsteps, shadowy figures, and odd phenomena like TVs turning on and off. Despite these eerie encounters, the spirits seem content, leaving visitors to bask in the warmth of this well-preserved gem while pondering its spectral secrets. Book an overnight or visit on the weekend for brunch to explore public areas of the home.
King House Mansion at the Tarrytown House Estate
Nestled in the scenic Hudson Valley, King House Mansion at the Tarrytown House Estate offers a perfect blend of historical charm and modern luxury. Among its storied past lies the haunting tale of Sybil Harris King, daughter of a prominent industrialist, who passed away on the second floor in 1955. Guests have reported eerie encounters in the hallways, particularly near Room 293, where Sybil’s presence is said to linger. From ghostly footsteps to faint shadows and apparitions in white, her spirit adds an ethereal presence to this elegant escape. Stay overnight or make a reservation to dine on-site at the Goosefeather Restaurant and ask the staff to share the mansion's haunted history.
Tuck yourself in to one of the Trail’s overnight options for a spirited stay—or extend your experience with one our Ghostly Getaway Packages!
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