With Halloween coming, there’s no better time to explore the haunted sites along Upstate New York’s Haunted History Trails. Spanning more than 400 miles, the Haunted History Trail is home to more than 90 stops and features ghost tours, guided tours, haunted inns and restaurants, ghostly events and downright creepy sites throughout every region of Upstate New York.
Shanley Hotel photo credit Haunted History Trail
The Catskills and the Hudson Valley are home to several haunted mansions, hotels, and bed and breakfasts, as well as the UFO Capital of the East Coast. Meanwhile, in the Capital Region, Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tours is just one of 11 stops; there are also museums, haunted mansions, restaurants with spooky stories, a historic hotel, and other ghost tour options in Albany, including a haunted tour of the New York State Capitol.
Cemetery photo credit Haunted History Tours
Further north, in the Adirondack village of Lake George, you can also experience a haunted adventure at Fort William Henry on their Spirits of History ghost tour. Or visit the Thousand Islands-Seaway Trail region, which is also home to a haunted fort: Fort Ontario.
Nearby, you can take a haunted history tour of the city of Oswego, or visit an Underground Railroad Museum in Mexico or a haunted mansion in Watertown.
Phelps Mansion photo credit Haunted History Trail
Central New York is haunted as can be, with 18 stops along the trail packed in; they range from candlelight ghost tours in Cooperstown and nearby Hyde Hall to Utica’s historic and allegedly haunted Stanley Theatre and nighttime ghost tours at the Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, to name a few.
There are also museums, haunted houses and mansions, and even a brewery on the trail in this area.
Belhurst Castle photo credit Haunted History Trail
The Finger Lakes region is similarly stocked with haunted activities, with 18 stops of their own along the trail, including parks, inns, museums, castles, hotels, taverns and cemeteries.
One highlight is Belhurst Castle, which has an on-site winery and rooms to rent for those who would like to experience a spooky sleepover; in addition to its haunted roots, it’s been named the world’s best wine hotel by Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Rolling Hills Asylum photo credit Haunted History Trail
Finally, wind your way into Western New York and take your pick between 12 stops on the trail, including one of the most famous haunted sites in Upstate New York, Rolling Hills Asylum.
Featured on several TV series and rated by Haunted North America as second most haunted site in the United States, Rolling Hills Asylum offers public and private ghost hunts and tours year-round, ranging from three to eight hours with a variety of options to explore. Or venture further south to the Chautauqua-Allegheny region and visited the haunted Dunkirk Lighthouse, amongst other options.
In addition to the 90-plus stops along the Haunted History Trail, special themed events are going on at many locations throughout the fall season. Learn more on the Haunted History Trail’s website, where you can also learn more about hours of operation, costs and other important details before you set out to visit these spooky haunts.