Casa Loma (Toronto, Canada)
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This beautiful looking castle outside the city of Toronto is one of Canada’s most haunted places. There have been a number of fascinating anecdotes from people who’ve stayed here. Some insist that various types of ghosts appear out of nowhere — including a guy gardening indoors.
The sounds of children faintly laughing has been heard by more than one guest. However, the star of the purported show involves a woman called the White Lady. As legend goes, this ghost is said to be a former hotel worker who passed away nearly a century ago.
Lizzie Borden House (Fall River, Massachusetts)
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This is a story that even the most casual person has likely heard before. Over 100 years ago, a husband and wife were killed with an axe in their Massachusetts home. The daughter of the married couple was charged with murder — though she eventually was found innocent. Over the years, the “Lizzie Borden home” has been used as a bit of a tourist attraction.
People were able to take tours of the home — and even stayed in the room where the two people were killed. Once a bed and breakfast, the home was sold in January of 2021 for $2 million. It’ll reportedly continue to function as a tourist trap — with daytime/nighttime tours of the haunted grounds.
The Skirvin Hilton Hotel (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Sean De Burca/Getty ImagesThe Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City is very controversial when it comes to NBA players. When in town to face off versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, multiple athletes from different teams have complained about random groans and other loud noises coming from their rooms. Some even reportedly spoke of bathroom doors slamming shut without anyone in the room.
The weirdest? One player woke up to see his bathtub fully filled to the brim with water. The supposed culprit behind these instances is an old housekeeper of the hotel named Effie (who was rumored to have had an affair with the owner of the hotel). She reportedly committed suicide after being locked in a room as a means to hide her pregnancy against her will. Ever since, NBA players insist that Effie is prowling around the halls — pulling pranks and scaring people with her voice.
Admiral Fell Inn (Baltimore, Maryland)
Ferrantraite/Getty ImagesAs rumor goes, there are reportedly a number of haunted hotels within the city of Baltimore. The Admiral Fell Inn in particular has been the focus of a number of ghost-centric stories over the years. Apparently, more than a handful of guests have allegedly seen butlers knocking on doors — as well as sailors floating in the corridors.
The 80-room hotel dates back to the 1700s — which could account for the unexplainable incidents of ghouls. Wanting to capitalize on the legend, the hotel itself has made profit on ghost tours (which takes people staying at the hotel through a number of rooms and hallways before ending up at the bar).
Corvin Castle (Hunedoara, Romania)
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We often hear about Transylvania when speaking about spooky things. Especially as it pertains to the legend of Dracula, you won’t be surprised to learn that Corvin Castle has a link to the blood thirsty figure with a penchant for nibbling on unsuspecting people’s necks. This castle in particular was used as a defensive stronghold versus opposing forces.
Additionally, Romania used it to house criminals, murderers, and unsavory people. Vlad the Impaler was said to be one of those individuals. According to those who are in the castle, ghosts are quite prevalent.
The Catacombs (Paris, France)
Stockcam/Getty ImagesOne look at the Catacombs in Paris is all you need to know about this location. The remains of more than six million people sit in these underground tunnels — which were originally used to help construct infrastructure advancements. Later, it was expanded to account for cemeteries which were becoming too crowded.
Now, tourists are able to take tours down here at this museum, as it’s located in the heart of the city in the 14th arrondissement (district). With the remains of so many perished people in one place, you can imagine how haunting it would be.
Moana Surfrider Hotel (Honolulu, Hawaii)
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You don’t necessarily think of Hawaii as being a place for haunted structures. However, this hotel in Honolulu was the location of something very frightening which occurred over 110 years ago. Jane Stanford — a co-creator of famed Stanford University — consumed a drink which was spiked with poison.
She ended up dying, and no one to this day knows who was behind the murder. Since Jane’s death, people who stay in this hotel insist that they’ve seen her ghost floating around the halls during the evening.
The Hollywood Roosevelt (Hollywood, California)
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A glamorous spot with rich history, the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, Calif. plays host to many swanky celebrities. Even in past years, it functioned as a party hotspot — particularly for the likes of Marilyn Monroe. Well, what if we told you Monroe has never left?
Some individuals who stay at the Roosevelt swear that Monroe’s ghost haunts the room she used to stay in. Workers at the hotel have been quoted as saying that the ghosts of former Hollywood starlets Montgomery Clift and Carole Lombard have also been seen at the Roosevelt. Other haunts in Los Angeles include The Cecil Hotel, Alexandria Hotel, and Chateau Marmont.
The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
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You know a hotel is creepy when The Shining is based on it. This Colorado hotel served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel. He and his wife stayed at the creepy location just before it shutting down for the season. Today, The Stanley Hotel has been featured in several ghost-themed television shows.
According to the hotel itself, guests have encountered weird occurrences all over the grounds — whether it be lights flickering or unexplained laughter. There’s even a staircase separating two floors (called The Vortex) where people have felt cold bits of energy — which many assume to be ghosts. Cameras have even attempted to catch orbs of light during these moments.
Poveglia Island (Venice, Italy)
Marco Di Lauro/Getty ImagesThe vast majority of Italy is looked at as being a tremendously beautiful place. However, we really can’t say the same for the island of Poveglia. Sitting of the coast of Venice, this creepy spot is in some ways the real-life version of Shutter Island. People with diseases and other incurable ailments were jettisoned from the mainland to this island. Later, it was used as a mental hospital (though has been out of use for 50 years).
Based upon its seedy history and unspeakable past, many view the island as being very haunted. The island is not only abandoned but locals and tourists alike are forbidden from visiting. Even fishermen avoid traveling near the shores for reasons unknown.
Jekyll Island Club Resort (Jekyll Island, Georgia)
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One doesn’t usually think about a resort being haunted. Normally, these establishments are reserved for relaxation and tranquility at the highest level. However, this Georgia resort is said to have all the components necessary of a perceived-to-be ‘haunted’ experience. According to legend, more than a handful of ghosts prowl the halls here at Jekyll Island Club resort. One ghost — a former individual in Railroad management — was said to have frequently visited the hotel (where he read a newspaper and enjoyed a cup of coffee).
After dying in a train accident, guests of the resort have constantly complained about their newspapers being moved. Even creepier, some insist their cups of coffee have been drunk or poured on the ground when they briefly leave the rooms.
The Pfister Hotel (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
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As we previously touched upon the Oklahoma City hotel known for scaring NBA players, there’s also a haunted dwelling in Milwaukee that does the same to MLB players. The Pfister Hotel has long been associated with more than a handful of curious happenings over the years. Several professional baseball players have recounted tales where clothes and personal items were moved in the room (even though it was locked shut from the inside).
Others insist that loud footsteps can be heard stomping around from inside the room. To top it off, two players — Marcel Ozuna and Carlos Martinez — insist they each saw different ghosts during a road trip a few years ago.
Burg Wolfsegg (Wolfsegg, Germany)
undefined undefined/Getty ImagesIn the picturesque region of Bavaria sits the ever-impressive Wolfsegg Castle. It’s the headlining feature for this hamlet, as it juts out impressively towards the sky. Over the last few centuries, the castle has been associated with ghosts and all sorts of unexplainable occurrences. As the story goes, many insist that the primary ghost haunting this castle is that of a woman (called The Lady in White) who was allegedly murdered by her husband for having an affair.
She had been living in the castle and was said to have been ‘taken care of’ in one of the chambers. Even creepier, locals mention a forested place near the castle called “The Hole” — where the bones of missing people were found deep in the Earth down a dark crevice. People speculate that a monster is the culprit behind many people who’ve gone missing over the years. To this day, no one knows for sure.
The Haunted Vicarage (Borgvattnet, Sweden)
Carl Court/Getty ImagesBorgvattnet is a small Swedish town practically in the middle of nowhere. As fate would have it, this small home used for housing religious leaders (pictured above) is said to be haunted. Since the 1920s, various people who’ve resided here have witnessed seeing ghosts. Some even insist that objects have moved from their original places.
Even scarier, one priest offered an anecdote where he was flung from a rocking chair by some invisible entity. Who is the culprit behind these occurrences? Some believe them to be deceased priests who used to practice in the area. Others believe the hauntings emanate from maids who were abused. Regardless, this home is open to the public as a bed and breakfast.
Akershus Festning (Norway)
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As we stay in Scandinavia, the Norwegian city of Oslo plays host to this medieval castle called Akershus Festning. It was originally built as a defensive stronghold. Overlooking a prominent trade harbor, Norwegian forces were situated here to protect the surrounding areas. Currently, there are several businesses offering ‘ghost walks’ for those who want to walk through this fortress.
Aside from being a defensive mechanism, this fortress was also a jail for Norway’s most dangerous criminals. While the castle shut down officially over 70 years ago, workers who kept watch were said to be pushed by some unexplainable forces. Additionally, people who enter the fortress routinely hear strange whispers — perhaps from the ghosts of those who were tortured while held captive.
Kilkenny, Ireland
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A few hours southwest of Dublin sits the city of Kilkenny, Ireland. Some people proclaim this city to be the most haunted in all of Ireland. In fact, it’s even been called one of Europe’s most haunted locations. Much of its tourism sits in the realm of ghost tours and the like. It was the location of Ireland’s first witch trial — which lends itself to the notion that there is indeed some interesting things in play within the city’s limits.
The River Nore (pictured above) is said to be the playground for ghostly figures which allegedly rise from the water during the early morning. Nearly 300 years ago, 16 people drowned in the river via a bridge collapsed.
Chateau de Brissac (Brissac-Quince, France)
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In the Northwest part of France sits this sublime-looking castle called Chateau de Brissac. At first glance, it looks both welcoming and utterly stunning. However, a different story is told from within the walls of this chateau. Chateau de Brissac is said to house the “Green Lady” — a now-ghost who was the daughter of King Charles VII.
The “Green Lady” was said to have had an affair with a man not considered her husband. Her husband reportedly murdered both her and her lover once finding out about the tryst. In the process, the husband was rumored to be haunted by the ghost of his deceased wife. Today, it’s said that the family still living in the castle is fully aware of her presence. Allegedly, she can be heard moaning early in the morning.
Lawang Sewu (Semarang, Indonesia)
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Lawang Sewu is regarded by many as one of the most haunted places in all of Asia. Originally crafted as a building for railway infrastructure, it eventually was taken over by Japan during WWII. As rumor has it, this grandiose compound was used as bit of a torture chamber. Soldiers were reportedly killed in a number of very gruesome ways. Since then, locals swear that the location is haunted by the tortured souls of those who’ve perished inside.
Most of the natives won’t even enter the structure for fear of ghosts. Tourists who’ve visited have even reportedly heard screams coming from the basement (where many of these tortuous acts were said to take place).
Raynham Hall (Norfolk, England)
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This spectacular home in the English countryside played host to one of the most famous pictures ever taken. As rumor has it, Lady Dorothy Walpole (the sister to Britain’s first-ever Prime Minister) cheated on her husband. Upon hearing this, her husband was said to lock Walpole up in a room where she couldn’t escape (or even see her children).
Hundreds of years later, the ghost of Walpole — now called “Brown Lady of Raynham Hall” had been known to haunt the famous country property. In the 1930s a photograph was taken which shows the silhouette of a figure standing on a flight of stairs. Whether this is actual Walpole or a doctored photo, nobody knows for sure.
La Fonda (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
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A very haunted place is said to exist in the quiet city of Santa Fe, New Mexico. La Fonda on the Plaza is a hotel that has existed for over 400 years. Over the years, it’s been the location for several things — including shootouts, public hangings, and even the death of a judge in the hotel’s lobby.
Speaking of which, the Supreme Court judge — John P. Slough — was said to always wear a long, black coat. Over the years, multiple hotel guests are said to have seen the ghost of a man wearing, you guessed it…a long, black coat. There are other ghosts rumored to be living at the hotel. One is said to haunt room 510 (the wedding suite). Another involves a cowboy sitting near the bar — as well as a businessman from hundreds of years ago who ended his life in the hotel courtyard upon losing all of his wealth during a card game.
The Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
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After initially being an ocean-bound ship for over 30 years, it’s since permanently docked in the city of Long Beach in Southern California. While people often stay on the ship and enjoy fine dining, there’s also a darker side to the ship. People consider The Queen Mary to be one of the most haunted places in the United States. Since first setting sail in 1936, there have been 47 deaths which have taken place on the ship.
According to the ship’s website, there are even ghosts still on the boat (including an engineer in the ship’s engine room and children sitting near one of the pools). There are walking tours both during the day and at night. Who knows…you may be able to see a ghost for yourself!
