New York might be famous for its bright lights and big cities, but once the sun goes down, things get a whole lot creepier.
Hidden among the skyscrapers, quiet towns, and rolling countryside are places with ghostly legends, eerie whispers, and spirits that refuse to rest.
From abandoned asylums to grand mansions, there’s no shortage of haunted spots waiting to send chills down your spine.
If you’re brave enough to explore, keep reading—just don’t be surprised if you start to feel like you’re not alone.
1. Amityville Horror House (112 Ocean Avenue)
The Amityville Horror House is a creepy-looking Dutch Colonial home in Amityville, Long Island, famous for its terrifying history.
In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family inside, and a year later, the Lutz family moved in—only to flee after 28 days, claiming paranormal activity.
The house originally had spooky quarter-moon windows that looked like eyes, but they were later changed to make it less recognizable.
Even though the current owners say it’s just a normal house, horror fans still visit the area, drawn by the legend that inspired books and the famous Amityville Horror movies.
2. Merchant’s House Museum, NYC
If you’re looking for ghosts in New York City, the Merchant’s House Museum in Manhattan is the place to go.
This 19th-century townhouse, located on East 4th Street, was home to the Tredwell family for nearly 100 years, and some say they never really left.
Visitors and staff have reported strange noises, cold drafts, and even sightings of Gertrude Tredwell, the last family member to live (and die) there.
With its perfectly preserved furniture, creaky wooden floors, and candlelit ghost tours, this museum feels like stepping into the past.
3. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
For a ghostly experience straight out of a legend, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Westchester County is a must-visit.
This massive, centuries-old graveyard is the final resting place of Washington Irving, the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
People have reported shadowy figures, faint whispers, and an unsettling feeling of being watched, especially near the bridge where Irving’s Headless Horseman is said to roam.
Whether you’re strolling past historic mausoleums or joining a nighttime lantern tour, it’s easy to see why this cemetery still gives people chills.
4. Letchworth Village, Haverstraw
If abandoned asylums give you the creeps, then Letchworth Village in Haverstraw is worth visiting.
It’s next-level terrifying.
This former psychiatric institution, which opened in 1911, was meant to care for people with developmental disabilities but became infamous for overcrowding and neglect.
Today, its crumbling buildings and overgrown paths make it look like a horror movie set, and people who explore the ruins report the feeling of being followed.
Walking through this decaying facility is enough to make your skin crawl, whether you believe in ghosts or not.
5. Burn Brae Mansion
For a haunted house that feels a bit more luxurious, Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey is the perfect blend of spooky and elegant.
Built in 1908 as part of a wealthy family’s estate, this Victorian-style mansion has a long history of paranormal activity, from flickering lights to sinister laughter echoing through the halls.
Guests who stay overnight have reported seeing apparitions, hearing footsteps on empty staircases, and even waking up to find objects mysteriously moved.
Whether you’re here for the ghost stories or just the old-world appeal, spending a night at Burn Brae might leave you with more than just a good night’s sleep.
6. The Fainting Goat Island Inn
The next place on the list is The Fainting Goat Island Inn in Nichols and you can actually stay here overnight (if you dare).
This former railroad hotel from the 1800s has been transformed into a cozy bed and breakfast, but some guests check in for more than just the hospitality.
People have reported hearing whispers when no one is around, seeing shadowy figures in the hallways, and even feeling a cold hand touch their shoulder.
With its antique decor and a resident spirit, this inn proves that even the friendliest places can have a few unexpected guests.
7. Foster’s Pond, Elmira
Foster’s Pond may look like just another small body of water, but its history is steeped in misery.
Used as a waste pit for thousands of prisoners at Elmira’s notorious Civil War camp, it became a breeding ground for disease and despair.
Some say that on quiet nights, you can hear faint whispers rising from the water, as if the past is still trying to speak.
Whether it’s just the wind or something more, no one can say for sure.
8. The Haunted Hinsdale / Dandy House
If you’re looking for one of the most intense hauntings in New York, the Hinsdale House—also known as the Dandy House—might be the scariest spot on the list.
This remote farmhouse in Hinsdale gained a terrifying reputation in the 1970s when the Dandy family experienced everything from poltergeist activity to exorcisms.
Visitors report disembodied voices, odd figures lurking in the woods, and an overwhelming sense of dread that makes even skeptics uneasy.
With its isolated location, violent paranormal history, and a lingering energy that just feels wrong, the Hinsdale House isn’t for the faint of heart.
9. Iron Island Museum
If haunted history is your thing, the Iron Island Museum in Buffalo is packed with it—along with a few spirits who never left.
This building started as a church in the late 1800s before becoming a funeral home.
With so many cremated remains once stored in the basement, it’s no surprise that strange activity is off the charts.
Visitors and paranormal investigators have recorded weird voices, seen dark figures, and even captured photos of what appear to be faces.
Whether you’re here for a history lesson or a brush with the supernatural, Iron Island has a way of making sure you never feel alone.
10. Rolling Hills Asylum
For a place with a tragic past and nonstop paranormal activity, Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany is as creepy as it gets.
Originally built in 1827 as a poorhouse, it later housed the mentally ill, the elderly, and even criminals, many of whom died and were buried in unmarked graves.
Ghost hunters have captured blood-curdling screams, seen doors slam on their own, and even encountered the spirit of “Roy,” a seven-foot-tall former resident.
With its decaying rooms, endless dark hallways, and a history of suffering, Rolling Hills is the kind of place that stays with you.
11. Historic Palmyra Museums
If you want a whole town’s worth of hauntings in one place, the Historic Palmyra Museums have plenty of ghosts to go around.
This collection of 19th-century buildings, including a general store and a print shop, is packed with artifacts and spirits that refuse to be forgotten.
Visitors have heard phantom footsteps and even spotted apparitions, especially in the William Phelps General Store.
Whether you’re here for the history or the hauntings, Palmyra has a way of making the past feel very, very present.
12. Landmark Theater, Syracuse
For a ghost story with a touch of drama, the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse has spirits that love the spotlight.
This grand 1920s theater is stunning, but beneath the chandeliers and velvet seats, hair-raising things have been happening for decades.
The most famous ghost is Clarissa, a woman who supposedly fell to her death from the balcony and now lingers, making her presence known with lilac scents.
Whether you’re here for a Broadway show or a ghost hunt, don’t be surprised if you catch something—or someone—watching from the shadows.
13. Utica State Hospital
If old asylums make your skin crawl, Utica State Hospital is the kind of place that sticks with you.
Opened in 1843 as New York’s first state-run psychiatric hospital, it saw decades of treatments that you might now consider inhumane.
Most notably the ‘Utica Crib’ was invented here, an 8-foot by 3-foot restraining device that was basically a horizontal cage for humans.
Just imagine the countless untold stories that took place within its massive, castle-like walls.
Though the building is now abandoned and off-limits, those who have been near it report hearing distant screams and feeling an overwhelming sense of unease.
With its decaying structure and dark history, Utica State Hospital remains one of the eeriest places in the state.
14. Hyde Hall, Cooperstown
Next up on the list is Hyde Hall in Cooperstown, a fancy mansion with a spooky past.
This grand 19th-century mansion sits on the shores of Otsego Lake and is known for both its stunning architecture and its resident spirits.
Staff and visitors have reported hearing footsteps echoing through empty halls and doors slamming on their own.
Whether you’re here for the history, the lake views, or the chance to meet a long-departed aristocrat, Hyde Hall has a way of making sure you never feel alone.
15. New York State Capitol
The New York State Capitol in Albany isn’t just home to politicians—it’s also packed with ghost stories.
This massive, castle-like building took over 30 years to construct, and with that much history, it’s no surprise that a few spirits have stuck around.
The most famous ghost is a former night watchman who died in a fire and is still seen patrolling the halls.
Others have reported hearing footsteps on the grand staircase when no one is there.
Whether you’re taking a tour or just passing by, you might feel unseen eyes watching you.
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