If you’re headed to the Big Apple for an adventure, don’t forget to add some of these spectacularly spooky places to your itinerary– in a city as big and as old as New York, it isn’t hard to turn your trip into a paranormal adventure.
1 Washington Sq. E. | Greenwich Village | nycgovparks.org
It’s not widely known, but before Washington Square Park was one of New York’s most visited public parks, it was a burial ground where as many as 20,000 slaves and poor New Yorkers were buried in the early 1800s. Many buried at the park died from yellow fever, and we’re sure you’ve already guessed, it’s rumored that a large portion of them stuck around after death.
Over the years many people have reported seeing apparitions that seem to disappear into nothing, not to mention ghostly smells and sounds that plague the park once the sun goes down. Don’t forget to visit the “Hangman’s Elm,” a famed execution spot dating back to the 19th century. If you want to visit, we recommend staying at:
“Beautiful park to just chill on a sunny day. The views are magnificent. Makes one thankful for the oasis's in the city.” -Yelp Review
250 W. 57th St. | SoHo| nyghosts.com
There are loads of tours to take while you’re visiting the Big Apple, but the New York Ghost Tour will take you to the best spine-chilling locations in the city. From Greenwich Village to Washington Square, this 90-minute ghost-fueled adventure will start your paranormal trip off with a boo…er, a bang. We also recommend checking out these paranormal tours as well:
“The history was interesting and well researched, and the sites were a great mix of intrigue and creepy.” -Yelp Review
222 W. 23rd St. | Chelsea | riff-chelsea.new-york-city-hotel.net
Everyone who knows about the infamous Chelsea Hotel knows that it’s haunted. In particular, Room 100 (now a large suite), is where Nancy (of Sid & Nancy) was found under the sink in the bathroom in 1978, dead from a single stab wound to the abdomen. Her sweetie, rock star Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, was arrested and charged, but died from an overdose/suicide while on bail. Perhaps it’s Nancy that still haunts the halls of the Chelsea Star?
“The hippie artist in me gives this place a full 5 stars. I love the history of musicians and writers that have stayed, lived and died here…” -Yelp Review
111 W. 44th St. | Midtown Manhattan | www.shubert.nyc/theatres/belasco/
The Belasco Theatre is in the famous NYC Theater District and it’s rumored to be haunted by none other than famed playwright and director David Belasco. His ghost has been witnessed walking the balcony during dress rehearsals, or sitting in a desk at his old office. If you catch a show here, maybe you’ll spot his ghost!
“The theater has good views from almost every seat. A joy to come here.” -Yelp Review
29 E. 4th St. | NoHo | merchantshouse.org
The “most haunted house in Manhattan” is well over 100 years old, and is allegedly crawling with ghosts from the Tredwell family—Gertrude Tredwell, to be precise. Staff and guests alike have heard the sound of pianos and seen unexplainable lights, and some have even witnessed the apparition of a woman in a brown dress moving from room to room. Or perhaps the paranormal events are ghosts from the many Irish servants that were employed in the house over the years? You’ll have to visit for yourself to find out.
“The guide did an excellent job of setting a spooky mood and gave a great deal of information about the family. I would highly recommend going to the one of the most haunted houses in NYC!!” -Yelp Review
Ellis Island | libertyellisfoundation.org
Ellis Island is one of the city’s most popular attractions: the immigration station on the island saw hundreds of thousands of people pass through. What many don’t know is that over 3,500 people died on the island, many of whom had never made it past the screening process as the result of illness.
One out of every five people were marked with chalk, meaning they were suffering from some kind of health problem and would have to be taken away from their families to get treatment at one of the hospitals. Doctors did everything they could to help heal the sick and to keep illness from spreading, but sometimes there was nothing they could do to help.
Between 1909 and 1911, 420 people died in quarantine in two separate hospitals on the island. 85% of those were children under the age of 13. A former chief ranger for the historic site experienced hearing the eerie sounds of children’s voices from the museum’s Great Hall one evening. When he went to investigate, there was no one there. Often times, people will hear doors opening and closing on their own, or even the sound of muffled crying. Those aren’t the only bizarre activities that people report experiencing, either. Reportedly, Youth Conservation Corps worker George DuRan was visiting the island one afternoon when he heard the sound of furniture moving in the Great Hall. Knowing he was alone in the building, he went to greet the visitors, only to find the room, once again, completely empty.
“The Museum was great, had lots of historical info, and the immigration research database was amazing.” -Yelp Review
1 Liberty Island | libertyellisfoundation.org
Often times people have reported seeing spectral lights that float independently around America’s most famous monument: The Statue of Liberty. It’s not uncommon for eyewitnesses to see lights shining from the top of the statue, and some have even reported seeing ghostly white faces peeking out from Lady Liberty’s crown. Make sure you snap a few photos when you go, you might catch a glimpse of a ghost!
“You can't come to New York City without experiencing the up close and personal views of Lady Liberty at least once in your lifetime.” -Yelp Review
500 25th St. | Brooklyn | green-wood.com
Just looking at New York’s famous gothic graveyard, Greenwood Cemetery, you can tell there’s no way it can’t be haunted by some chain-rattling ghosts. Imagine 478 acres of graves and above ground mausoleums, and you’ve got Greenwood Cemetery. There are over 560,000 graves at the cemetery, including the catacombs which are only opened to the public during the Halloween weekend “Spirited Strolls” event. Many guests have reported run-ins with ghostly apparitions as they explore the spooky graveyard.
“Peaceful, eccentric, scenic, historic - just a few descriptors for this very special place. Highly recommended.” - Yelp Review
1629 Bushwick Ave. | Brooklyn | theevergreenscemetery.org
Haunted by the famed “Woman in White”, the Evergreens Cemetery has been a paranormal investigation hotspot for years. The 225-acre graveyard is also said to be home to a weeping ghost, whose voice has been captured many times crying in the dead of night.
And don’t miss out on the tomb of Jonathan and Mary Reed: When Mary died in the late 1800’s, a delirious Jonathan had her buried in a vault, and proceeded to move in with his dead wife, who he was convinced was merely asleep. He lived there, attracting the attention of many curious onlookers, until his inevitable death in 1905.
“The mausoleums are gorgeous and are all works of art. The experience coming here alone can be beautiful, relaxing and a little creepy.” -Yelp Review
776 Lorimer St. | Brooklyn | nycgovparks.org/parks/mccarren-park
McCarren Park’s resident ghost is that of a little girl who drowned when the pool was first opened to the general public in the 1930s. She’s said to scream loudly at swimmers as they cool off in waters of the city’s beloved park. Paranormal investigators were even called to the park, and left confirming the ghostly activity.
“Overall feels like a good community park which is huge, lively with lots of activities.” -Yelp Review
3601 35th Ave. | Astoria | movingimage.us
The Museum of the Moving Image has been home to disembodied footsteps, unexplainable voices, bangs, bumps, and even a full-bodied apparition that has been spotted by countless eyewitnesses— it’s often seen walking with a woman in a white dress. Both of the spectral visitors have even been caught on security cameras after the museum has been emptied of visitors.
“An interesting museum in an old studio in queens. It has a little bit of everything.” -Yelp Review
2 Tudor City Pl. | Tudor City
Not only was Tudor City the first residential skyscraper in the Big Apple, it’s also rumored to be haunted by many of its previous tenants. Make sure to snap your photos from the street, as this famous building is private property, but do take some time for a stroll around it’s public greenspace outside. Who knows: maybe your pictures will turn up some compelling paranormal evidence.
“This place is pretty peaceful. There is greenery at the parks that sit on either side of the bridge. And sitting at the other vista points is relaxing.” -Yelp Review
57 E. 55th St. | Midtown East | friarsclub.com
Known for being an elite nightclub to the stars, the Friars Club is also said to be haunted by vaudeville performer Al Kelly. Kelly, who died of a heart attack in the dining room in 1966, is said to make doors open and close by themselves, and is thought to be the cause of the club’s famous mysterious knocking sounds. If you want to explore the area around the club, consider staying at:
“Really cool place, very old school vibe...The entertainment was great though and if you ever get invited to watch any type of show def. go check it out.” -Yelp Review
1 W. 72nd St. | Upper West Side
We couldn’t forget The Dakota, infamous spot of John Lennon’s death. Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman, and before he died, Lennon claimed to have seen the ghost of a spirit called the “Crying Lady,” who is often spotted walking the halls and corridors, looking forlorn. Yoko Ono even claims to have seen both the “Crying Lady” and the ghost of her husband periodically.
“A beautiful and imposing structure, it takes up the entire corner of West 72nd St and Central Park West.” -Yelp Review
65 Jumel Ter. | Washington Heights | morrisjumel.org
The Morris Jumel Mansion is said to be haunted by George Washington himself, who, during the Battle of Long Island, turned the manor house into his headquarters. His ghost is said to pace back and forth in the front room, deep in contemplation. Many people have reported hearing the sound of heavy boots on the stairs, and at times people have even experienced the smell of pipe smoke emanating from the upstairs bedrooms. The mansion has been featured on Ghost Adventures, Haunted USA, and the Today Show due to its paranormal activity. From time to time, they even offer guests a chance to partake in their own paranormal investigation!
“If you want something more off the beaten path for your NYC visit, I can't think of a better place to go than the Morris-Jumel Mansion.” -Yelp Review
So, there you have it: if you’re planning a trip to NYC, what better way to add a little thrill to your adventure than to visit one of the city’s most haunted hot spots? Don’t forget to bring your flashlight, just in case.
Where are some of your favorite haunted places in the Big Apple? Share your New York ghost stories with us on Twitter.