When spooky season comes around, I can’t help but get excited about getting some chills from visiting a “haunted” destination somewhere in New York State. There are numerous places in the Buffalo/Niagara Region of New York State with a reputation for being haunted. Here is our list of reputedly haunted places in the Buffalo/Niagara Region of New York.
Please Note: Some locations listed here need permission to visit or investigate. We do not condone nor encourage trespassing.
Cemeteries
White Haven Cemetery
2950 Whitehaven Rd, Grand Island
Step through the gates of this cemetery and you might see glowing gravestones, hear footsteps, or feel cold spots. There are several ghosts that are said to haunt White Haven such as a soldier, a little girl (her grave is the one that glows), and a young woman, who people have reported to have seen sitting on her grave holding a baby.
Elmlawn Memorial Park
3939 Delaware Ave, Buffalo
This cemetery is haunted by the spirit of a bride who was killed crossing the street on her wedding day. She can be seen crossing the street after dark. Orbs and strange lights can also be seen, not inside the cemetery but by people driving by between the hours of 12 midnight and 3 pm.
Dewittville Cemetery/Poor House Cemetery
5620 Meadows Rd, Dewittville
This cemetery was designated for the residence of the poor house. Although the cemetery was in use between 1833 and 1918, there were no grave markers until 1869. There is supposed to be a barn on site that is reportedly the most haunted area in the cemetery. People have also reported seeing orbs and hearing strange sounds from the woods.
East Otto Cemetery
9073 Otto-E Otto Rd, Cattaraugus
This one is a bit strange and hard to believe (and that’s saying something.) According to legend, two headless women can be seen running and screaming away from an ax-wielding maniac. Visitors will feel their car shake and their horn will sound all on their own.
Inns & Restaurants
Genesee Falls Inn
6901 Hamilton St, Portageville
Stay the night here and you might just encounter one of the many spirits that inhabit this historic inn. Guests have reported numerous sights and phenomena, such as having personal items go missing (which will be promptly replaced when guests politely request the ghost to return them.) Other incidents reported are hearing disembodied footsteps walking the hallways at night. the ghost of a child has been seen in the kitchen as well as a man appearing in a chair in one of the guest rooms.
Graestone Manor B&B
4049 Root Road, Gasport
Built-in 1865, this historic B&B has a multitude of restless spirits. If you aren’t scared easily, you might just enjoy having a ghost follow you around this haunted manor, which is a possibility. Guests have reported hearing whistling and disembodied voices. From the outside, people have mentioned seeing a woman watching them from a window. People have reported smelling scents such as perfume and cigar smoke.
Hull Family Home
5976 Genesee Street, Lancaster
The Hull Home was built in 1810 by Revolutionary War hero, Warren Hull. The house has been completely restored to its original state and perhaps this is why the spirits here feel right at home. Visitors have heard disembodied voices, knocking, or footsteps. Wander into the yard and you could encounter a man in the family cemetery or a young boy.
Red Coach Inn
2 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls
As Niagara Falls is the Honeymoon Capital of the World, it seems fitting that this famous inn would be haunted by the ghost of a bride and groom. Visitors have reported seeing objects move as well as hearing music playing in the middle of the night.
Hinsdale House
3830 McMahon Rd, Hinsdale
The recorded haunted history of this house dates back to the 70s when this was the home of Clara and Phil Dandy and their children. This house had so much spiritual activity that a priest from St. Bonaventure was called in to perform an exorcism. As the house is still incredibly haunted, clearly it wasn’t effective. This house is considered one of the most haunted places in western New York. If you are looking to try a paranormal investigation, you can do it here, even staying overnight.
Van Horn Mansion
2165 Lockport-Olcott Road, Burt
There is no shortage of spirits at this haunted mansion. The Van Horn Mansion was built in 1823 and was home to the Van Horn Family until 1910. The mansion’s most famous ghost is that of Malinda Niles, the first wife of James Van Horn Jr, who died in childbirth just days before her 21st birthday. Her grave is located on the property. People have reported seeing a girl (who is believed to be Malinda) fleeing the mansion and running into the road, where they would have to swerve to avoid hitting her, only for her to disappear. Other reports have mentioned strange sounds such as whistling, flickering lights, as well as faces staring out the window, and shadowy figures wandering in and out of rooms.
Winery at Majorim Manor
7171 E. Lake Road (Rt. 18), Appleton
This Winery has been featured on several television shows such as Ghost Hunters and Most Terrifying Places in America. There are apparently more than 5 spirits including sightings of full-body apparitions. Stop in for a wine tasting and get the lowdown on all the paranormal activity.
Allegiance Bed & Breakfast
145 Main St, Mt Morris
Spend the night here and you might encounter one of the two resident spirits who haunt this historic Bed & Breakfast. One is a man, named Raymond, who people have seen reading in the library, and apparently enjoys talking to guests. The woman named Karen has been seen walking the stair or watching guests from the corner of their rooms. Be on the lookout for falling objects because the ghost here enjoys tossing things around.
Dos on the Lake
3800 Hoover Rd., Blasdell
This restaurant has been serving customers since the War of 1812, and some of the former customers haven’t left. Footsteps can be heard moving above the bar, and there is a man in black who will appear to people from time to time.
Parks & Outdoor Hauntings
Indian Falls
1227 Gilmore Road, Corfu
This large waterfall is located behind the Log Cabin Restaurant. The legend behind this haunting is a husband and wife were visiting the falls and the husband slipped and fell over the falls, the wife, distraught with the idea of losing him, threw herself over after him. People have reported seeing orbs and red lights. Some people have reported full-body apparitions near the falls. There have been numerous accidents and drowning over the years, so that might account for all the supernatural activity.
Buffalo & Erie County Naval Museum
1 Naval, Marina Park S, Buffalo
The USS Sullivan is decommissioned Fletcher-Class Destroyer and in addition to its fascinating history, The USS Sullivans is compelling because of its spooky reputation of being haunted. People have experienced strange paranormal phenomena on the ship over the years. It is believed that the ghost is the eldest Sullivan brother, George, searching for his younger siblings. Caretakers of the USS Sullivans have reported having lights turn on and off on their own, finding doors that were locked the night before, unlocked in the morning. Some have even claimed to have seen George Sullivan himself.
Lockport Cave
5 Gooding Street, Lockport
The Lockport Cave might just be one of the most haunted places on the list with so much paranormal evidence that has been recorded here. People have witnessed faces in the water, seen shadows, heard moans, running footsteps, and disembodied laughter, as well as seeing an unusual mist. Take a tour and you might find yourself on one of the creepiest, most hair-raising experiences of your life.
Delaware Street
Off Goodrich Rd in Clarence Center
This street is known as the most haunted road in Buffalo. If you are brave enough to drive down this road, you might be lucky enough to encounter the spirit of an old man carrying a lantern on this pitch-black road. People have sometimes seen a young girl with him. Others report seeing large otherworldly dogs patrolling the woods surrounding the road. You might hear them howling or worse, growling at you.
Angola Horror Site
Holland Rd at the bridge crossing Delaware Creek in Angola
Site of one of the deadliest train wrecks in American history, there is a great deal of supernatural activity here. On December 18, 1867, the New York Express bound for Buffalo derailed and slid down a ravine killing 50 people. People have reported feeling incredibly uneasy at this location. Some people have even seen ghosts of the victims here as well. There is also a legend attached to this area about a murderer known as the Pigman.
Devil’s Hole
Devil’s Hole State Park, Niagara Falls
This state park looks harmless on the surface but there is a legend behind Devil’s Hole that anyone who enters the Cave of Evil Spirits at the bottom will be plagued with misfortune and tragedy. It is a popular hiking destination, as it allows hikers to climb down to the Niagara River. This is the site of the Battle of Devil’s Hole also known as the Devil’s Hole Massacre, where a squad from the British 80th Regiment of Light Armed Foot was attacked by 300 Seneca warriors. 81 British soldiers were killed. People have reported hearing chatting, feeling something unseen brush up against them, and feeling like they are being watched.
Buildings and Memorials
Old Fort Niagara
102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown
Like most old and historic forts, Old Fort Niagara is reputedly haunted. One of the reenactors told of his own personal experience while working at the fort. He claimed to have been a non-believer until he was rudely awakened by a ghost when he stayed at the fort overnight. There are countless tales of ghosts and supernatural occurrences all over the fort. Reenactors have reported seeing people appear and disappear around the fort, as well as objects moving, and strange noises.
Frontier House
460 Center St, Lewiston
This building has changed hands numerous times over the years. I visited this building when I was a kid and it was a McDonald’s. There was a downstairs area where patrons could eat. I remember feeling unnaturally cold and uneasy being down there in the downstairs dining area, long before I learned that this area is where the most paranormal activity occurs. People have heard the ghost, who is believed to be an old man, crying while in the basement.
Shea Performing Art Center
646 Main St., Buffalo
Shea Performing Art Center is reputed haunted by the ghost of Michael Shea, the original owner. Witnesses report having a well dress man with a mustache approaches them and asks, “Isn’t this place magnificent?” and then disappear. Other witnesses have reported here strange sounds, seeing flickering lights and Shea’s own portrait often of kilter, even after it’s been set right.
Buffalo Central Terminal
495 Paderewski Dr., Buffalo
There are plenty of spectors at this historic destination. The Buffalo Central Terminal is a stunning example of art deco architecture built in 1929. There is a ghost on the 3rd floor of the tower who will follow people around. It is said that he will answer questions, but only if they are intelligent ones. There are the spirits of two children, who can be heard playing and running around the third floor. There is a ghost of a girl in the baggage area, who doesn’t like men. She will apparently talk to women if men aren’t around. There is a German POW who doesn’t seem to know he is dead and continues to work. There are countless other ghosts wandering the vast building.
Town Ballroom
681 South Main Street, Buffalo
When the Ballroom was the Town Casino, it was a first-class restaurant and nightclub, where people like Al Capone came to play cards, and ogle showgirls. Anyone who was anyone played the Town Casino such as Les Paul, Nat “King” Cole, Miles Davis, and old blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. Employees have reported hearing what sounds like a party coming from the basement, security alarms being tripped, and some employees have even seen full-body apparitions.
Iron Island Museum
998 Lovejoy Street, Buffalo
This church turned funeral home turned museum is ripe with paranormal activity. This building is teeming with spirits. Witnesses have reported hearing disembodied voices, and even seeing full-body apparitions here.
Lancaster Open House
21 Central Ave, Lancaster
If you come to watch a play at this opera house, you might get to see more than you expect, such as the Lady in Lavender, who watch the stage from the balcony. Another ghost called William, a man who apparently hung himself in the clock tower in the 1920s. William is a fan of practical jokes.
Dunkirk Lighthouse
1 Lighthouse Point Drive, Dunkirk
Dunkirk lighthouse on Lake Erie was built in 1827 and has one of the brightest lights on the lake, which can be seen from over 27 miles away. The Lighthouse grounds are said to be haunted by the soldier, a Dunkirk native who died in the Civil War. A former lighthouse keeper might also even haunt the grounds. There is a great deal of paranormal activity here. Visitors have the sensation of being touched or grabbed and even followed. Others have heard disembodied voices.
Rapid Theater
1711 Main Street, Niagara Falls
This concert venue might be one of the most haunted destinations in New York. People have reported hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, jingling keys, and whistling, seeing doors open on their own, and witnessing full-blown apparitions.
Rolling Hills Asylum
11001 Bethany Center Rd., East Bethany
When it comes to ghostly sites, Rolling Hills Asylum is the crown jewel of New York State’s haunted places. This world-famous creepy location has been featured on countless ghost hunter TV shows and is widely considered the 2nd most haunted location in the United States. This haunted asylum runs public tours so that you can explore the sprawling 53,000 sq. ft. building that was once a poor house.