Here are Ohio’s Top 24 haunted attractions

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally authored by the Ohio.org staff and published at this site.

COLUMBUS – This Halloween season, TourismOhio invites thrill-seekers and ghost enthusiasts to explore 24 haunted locations across the state. From eerie state parks to historically haunted hotels, Ohio is brimming with paranormal hotspots waiting to be discovered. 

In celebration of the spooky season, TourismOhio has unveiled “Haunted Ohio: 24 Must-Visit Places,” showcasing unique destinations that offer both spine-tingling experiences and family-friendly options.  

“TourismOhio’s extensive list of haunted locations is always popular, regardless of the season,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, which oversees TourismOhio. “Whether you’re seeking thrills or looking for a more family-friendly option, this list showcases many unique Ohio destinations.”

Intrepid travelers can check out the full list online now at Ohio.org. The list also includes additional nearby attractions and seasonal events, and a downloadable map for ghost hunting on the go.

Highlighted spots include the infamous Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, the not-so-hopeful Hope Furnace Ruins in Lake Hope State Park, and the paranormally packed Park Hotel in Put-in-Bay.  

“This fall, let Ohio be the heart of your Halloween adventure,” said Sarah Wickham, state tourism director.

“From experiencing the haunted history of Cleveland’s Franklin Castle to making yourself at home with the ghostly guests of Marietta’s Lafayette Hotel, there’s no shortage of spooky fun here in the Buckeye State.” 

Find more not-so-scary adventures at the Fall in Ohio landing page on Ohio.org. 

Operating within the Ohio Department of Development, TourismOhio works to showcase all Ohio has to offer as a place of adventure, a place of promise, and the place for you.   

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov. 

For north central Ohio readers, we’ll start with a couple of local attractions, already well-known in the community.

Ohio State Reformatory 

One of Ohio’s most haunted places is tucked away in Mansfield. Once serving as a state prison, The Ohio State Reformatory housed more than 150,000 inmates throughout its time. This haunted Ohio prison, which is also called the Mansfield Reformatory, has led to several ghost sightings. 

Today, at the Ohio State Reformatory, there are several types of paranormal events available for visitors looking to experience its haunted history first-hand.  

Otherworldly presences at the Ohio State Reformatory include a guard making his rounds and a shadow person in a former administrative office area on the third floor. Visitors also say they experience strong energy and unsettling emotions, which is attributed to the more than 200 people, including two guards, who died in the prison. 

When visiting in the fall, be sure to check out their haunted experience: Blood Prison. From Sept. 27 – Nov. 2, you’ll experience a harrowing walk through the unrelenting horrors of the notoriously haunted prison. 

The Ohio State Reformatory is also famous for being the backdrop of The Shawshank Redemption. Anyone looking for a less spine-tingling experience this fall in Ohio can take a self-guided driving tour of the Shawshank Trail.  The movie is celebrating its 30th anniversary and the Shawshank Trail, which highlights 15 filming sites, is a great way to learn more about the movie and filmmaking.  

While the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield is widely regarded as one of Ohio’s most haunted places in the state, it’s not the only haunted site in town. Mansfield proclaims itself to be the “Haunted Capital of Ohio,” and visitors can explore four other known haunted sites in the area. 

Ceely Rose House at Malabar Farm State Park

Malabar Farm State Park  near Lucas was the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield. With historic cabins, a working farm, and views from Mt. Jeez, this park offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty.

Visitors to the Ohio state park property can also explore the 32-room Big House, once visited by Hollywood legends like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.  

The hiking trails at Malabar Farm State Park pass by two other historic structures: the Pugh Cabin, where the opening scenes of The Shawshank Redemption were filmed, and the Ceely Rose House. 

The Ceely Rose House is a must-see site during the fall, because of its rumored haunting. It’s the site where a young woman killed her parents and brother in 1896. Bromfield wrote about Ceely’s gruesome crime in his memoir, Pleasant Valley, and some say her spirit still roams the house. 

While the Ceely Rose House has the most well-known ghost at Malabar Farm State Park, it’s not the only ghostly presence that’s been felt. There’s been sightings inside the Big House with visitors experiencing unexplained noises, mysterious smells, ghostly apparitions, and the feeling of cats brushing up against their legs. 

The gruesome ghost stories and haunting sights at Malabar Farm State Park provide solid support for it being one of the country’s 10 most haunted destinations, according to USA Today.

Collingwood Arts Center in Toledo

The Collingwood Arts Center (CAC) is not only one of the oldest buildings in Toledo, but it’s also considered one of the city’s most haunted places.  

The Collingwood Arts Center is a registered historical site. The building was once home to a convent, as well as the Mary Manse College and St. Ursula Academy. Now, the Gothic and Romanesque-style space is used for visual arts studios and artists in residence.   

Visitors interested in serious (but informal) attempts at documenting the paranormal activity of the Collingwood Arts Center can sign up for “Ghost Hunt the CAC” events. Past supernatural sightings include orbs being seen – and photographed – throughout the facility.

There’s also a rumor the basement is haunted by the ghost of a nun who died down in its depths.  

Unsurprisingly, there’s been ghostly sightings of other nuns throughout the building. Both a friendly and oppressive presence have been ascribed to the different specters, who haunt the hallways and attic. There’s even been reports of piano music being played late at night.  

Whether you see a ghost during your visit to the Collingwood Arts Center – or merely feel their chilling presence on your back – you can still claim to have walked the halls of Toledo’s most haunted attraction. 

Elmore Ghost Rider

The bridge over Muddy Creek, a branch of the Portage River, looks like a serene spot in the northwest Ohio town of Elmore. But a tragic tale has led curious paranormal investigators to the spot, in the hope of seeing a ghostly motorcycle rider.

The Elmore Ghost Rider (also referred to as Spooky Light) haunts the stretch of road and has become part of the area’s local folklore.  

The Elmore Ghost Rider is said to be the spirit of a WWI soldier. Before leaving, his sweetheart bid him goodbye and promised to marry him when he returned. A year later, he returned home on a shiny new motorcycle. Looking to surprise his girlfriend, he cut the motorcycle’s engine as he neared her farmhouse and quietly rolled towards the house. 

She was indeed surprised when he entered the house, but the returning soldier was met with aneven bigger surprise.

He discovered she was wearing a wedding ring. The heartbroken man fled, speeding off into the night. Locals later found his lifeless body lying alongside a nearby bridge … and near his severed head. 

If you’re brave enough to venture over the bridge, it’s believed that the Elmore Ghost Rider still speeds down the road at night. If you honk your horn three times, then blink your lights three time, you might see him appear as a bright light that races to the bridge and quickly disappears.  

It’s popular to try and see the Elmore Ghost Rider on Halloween and March 21, which is thought to be the anniversary of the supposed death. 

Park Hotel in Put-in-Bay

The Park Hotel in Put-in-Bay is a popular destination among both the living and the dead. Located in the center of a charming town near Lake Erie, the Park Hotel is surrounded by restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. 

Built in the 1870’s, the hotel still has many of its original features – like the original fireplace, tin press ceilings, and front picture windows. Present day visitors to the Park Hotel will feel like one of the hotel’s original Victorian-era guests when they book a stay.  

Known for being one of the Ohio’s most haunted hotels, the Park Hotel is haunted by several ghosts. Perhaps the most well-known is the spirit of a woman called “The Governess.”

She’s been sighted throughout the hotel, but frequents Room 14 and is said to linger around children who are staying at the hotel.  

Another ghost is reported to haunt the hotel’s bar and he’s been sighted looking out Room 17’s window. Other spooky sights include a variety of ghosts in period clothing and eerie music coming from the ballroom.  

If the ghosts at this haunted hotel haven’t scared you off, head out on Oct. 26 for Put-in-Bay’s Halloween at the Bay event. During this spooky and fun celebration, local taverns are decked in Halloween décor and the streets are filled with visitors and residents alike dressed in costumes. Perhaps your Halloween costume can be inspired by one of the Park Hotel’s notable spirits? 

South Bass Island Lighthouse at Put-in-Bay

A favorite Ohio vacation spot has its fair share of eeriness and mystery. South Bass Island Lighthouse sits on the southern end of the Lake Erie island. Operated by the Ohio Sea Grant, this historic lighthouse has been an iconic sight in northwest Ohio for years.

The grounds are open all year, with private tours available in the summer months.   

Visitors to the lighthouse report creepy footsteps, slamming doors, and unexplained noises coming from the lighthouse. Eerily, the origin of one notable ghost thought to haunt the building is a century old mystery.  

Prior to a smallpox outbreak in 1898, Sam Anderson had been hired to look after South Bass Island Lighthouse. When police went to check on Anderson (and to make sure he hadn’t left the quarantined area), they discovered his body at the bottom of a cliff near the lighthouse. 

Samuel Anderson’s death was ruled a suicide, yet rumors circulated of a more nefarious demise. Some believed he’d been pushed – and his restless soul was doomed to haunt the lighthouse.  

About a 30-minute walk from the lighthouse is South Bass Island State Park. It’s a great spot for fishing, but the reel catch are the cabins you can rent for a seasonal getaway.

It’s possible that during your stay at the state park campground, you might be able to hear the anguished cries of Anderson along the white cliffs of South Bass Island.  

Franklin Castle in Cleveland

An iconic haunted attraction in Ohio is Cleveland’s Franklin Castle. The notorious building, also known as the Tiedemann House,  is a landmark for its haunted history.

The stone house was built by Hannes Tiedemann between 1881-83 and was designed by Cleveland’s renowned Cudell and Richardson architectural firm.  

Hannes’ wife died in the house, and he sold it a year later in 1896. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that rumors about the building being haunted started.

People report flickering lights, sounds of crying babies, and even the ghostly image of a woman in black (who some believe is the ghost of Hannes’ wife Louise).  

The building wasn’t accessible to the public for years but was recently converted into a haunted attraction. You can now book an overnight stay at Franklin Castle but be on the lookout for its spectral guests who also roam the halls of this historic spot.  

If you want a caffeine boost – or a gourd-eous inspired drink – to help you stay awake for Franklin Castle’s ghosts, Rising Star Coffee Roasters‘ Hingetown location is just 10 minutes down the street. 

Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse

The Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse is another iconic haunted place in Ohio. The original lighthouse was built in 1825, then rebuilt in 1871 because of deterioration to the tower and keeper’s house.

Additionally, the museum was founded in 1945, which makes this spot a two-fer: a unique museum and classic Great Lakes lighthouse tower in one!  

This lighthouse offers tours and is super-easy to access. It’s also part of the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail, a scenic byway that highlights the area’s beaches, state parks, and charming towns. 

And it’s not just the towns that are charming, but Fairport Harbor Lighthouse’s ghost as well.  

Captain Joseph Babcock was the Head Keeper in 1871. His family lived on the second floor (where the museum is now) and to keep his sick wife company, Babcock gifted her several cats.

After she died, most of the cats disappeared … except for one gray cat which continued to roam about the lighthouse.  

Years later, one of the lighthouse’s curators recalled seeing the ghost of a gray cat. She would catch glimpses of it from time to time, saying it seemed like the cat was playing on the floor. She also claimed she felt its presence jump onto her bed one night while she was living there.  

There hasn’t been reports of other ghost sightings at Fairport Harbor Lighthouse. But that doesn’t mean you won’t have a purr-fectly spooky time when you visit. 

Rider’s Inn in Painesville

Another of Ohio’s most haunted hotels is Rider’s Inn in Painesville. The hotel, which dates back to 1812, was originally built as a stagecoach stop along the Oregon Trail. Later it served as a station on the Underground Railroad and a speakeasy in the 1920-30s.

The hotel’s storied past offers guests a unique chance to embrace Ohio’s history during their stay.  

But being known as one of the most haunted locations in Ohio is Rider’s Inn’s claim to fame. Its most notorious ghost is Suzanne, the late wife of the hotel’s owner who died shortly after their wedding.

She’s been seen throughout the property and some accounts mention her coming to the hotel door in her nightgown, where she proceeds to let guests inside (if the hotel owners aren’t around).  

Also in Painesville, the historic Evergreen Cemetery is the final resting place of a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. Along with the Civil War Memorial in Veterans’ Park , both sites serve as reminders of Ohio’s role in the Civil War.

It’s no surprise then for overnight guests at Rider’s Inn to see ghosts in Civil War era attire. In particular, there’s sightings of a Civil War soldier standing behind the window of the inn and waving to passersby.  

To shake off the scares from Ohio’s haunted hotel, make your way to Rec Park, as its locally known. This park is the site of the Painesville Fall Fest on Oct. 12. The event is free and includes an afternoon of fall family fun. No spooky specters in sight, but seasonal treats aplenty. 

Punderson Manor State Park Lodge in Newbury

Sitting on the edge of Punderson State Park‘s lake, Punderson Manor is a sight to behold during fall in Ohio.

The Ohio state park lodge was built in a Tudor revival style, but construction wasn’t completed until the 1950s. By then Punderson Manor was part of the Ohio state park bearing its name. 

The woodlands surrounding Punderson State Park provide visitors with 11 miles of trails, including seven hiking trails and one multi-use trail. Punderson Lake is also the largest and deepest of its kind in Ohio. While it’s a perfect destination for paddling and fishing, it also plays a part in Punderson’s haunted history.  

Legend says Lemuel Punderson, who settled in the area in 1802, drifted out on Punderson Lake one day in a bathtub before pulling the plug and drowning.* This story seems to be the first in a series of mysterious deaths at Punderson, but it’s by no means the last. 

*By most accounts though, Punderson died from complications relating to malaria in 1822. 

Punderson Manor falls into the “most haunted hotels” category of haunted attractions, as its one the state’s most active sites for ghost sightings. There’s been reports of a woman’s laughter drifting through Punderson near the circular staircase that goes from the main lobby to the second floor.

Many of Punderson’s visitors and employees also report hearing ghostly children’s laughter in the lodge when there are no known children in the building.  

There are no death records or other evidence to support some of these hauntings.

However, when televisions, water faucets, and lights inexplicably turn off and on in the middle of the night – and guests report hearing ghostly laughter accompanied by cold blasts of air – it’s hard to discount that there’s no otherworldly presence roaming the halls of Punderson Manor. 

Everett Covered Bridge in Peninsula

Everett Covered Bridge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a quiet and scenic spot. It’s the last remaining covered bridge in Summit County and near a well-known bridle trail.  

However, some visitors to the area tell a spookier tale. They report ghostly sightings and strange, disembodied voices pleading for help. Perhaps it’s the pleas of a local farmer and his wife.  

In 1877, Farmer John Gilson and his wife went to visit friends one cold winter night. A storm arose as the couple returned home. The couple needed to ford Furnace Run with their horse-drawn wagon, but rising water and ice blocked their usual crossing.

Mr. Gilson began leading his horses across the creek at another crossing, but he and the horses lost their footing. Mrs. Gilson survived the incident, even though she fell into the water as well, but Mr. Gilson did not. 

Some say that the construction of the Everett Road covered bridge was a response to the Gilson tragedy. But it’s not just the spirit of Farmer Gilson who might haunt the covered bridge, as a ghostly hitchhiker reportedly frequents the road around the wooden bridge. 

Everett Covered Bridge was rebuilt in 1986 due to flood and water damage. But ghosts continue haunting even the rebuilt bridge. Some ghost hunters claim to have seen nocturnal ghostly orbs, fogs, and disembodied voices at the site. 

Set against the backdrop of Ohio’s only national park, Everett Covered Bridge is a bucolic sight. Surrounded by trees in full fall color, the bridge’s red color and truss style make for a striking picture.

But as the sun sets and night takes hold, you might change your mind when the ghosts start walking the road alongside you. 

Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool

East Liverpool’s Beaver Creek State Park is filled with rugged charm. The Ohio state park sits along Ohio’s eastern border in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and features breathtaking views of its 2,722 acres of forested lands, but Beaver Creek State Park isn’t just a must-visit fall attraction for outdoor adventurers.

Sometimes called the “most haunted state park in Ohio,” it’s also the perfect place for ghost hunters and fans of spooky tales.  

A historic marker in Beaver Creek State Park stands in the field where the FBI’s Public Enemy #1 – a.k.a. Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd – was shot and killed by federal agents and policemen from nearby East Liverpool in 1934. Is it possible his ghost lurks among the trees?  

Throughout Beaver Creek State Park are remnants of the Sandy & Beaver Canal locks. These locks are tied to one of the state park’s more notable hauntings. It’s believed an area known as “Jack’s Lock” is haunted by the spirit of a former canal worker.

On stormy nights, he’s been sighted holding a ghostly lantern while seeming to inspect the canal lock.  

Another nearby lock is said to be haunted as well. “Gretchen’s Lock” is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a canal worker’s daughter. The story goes that after immigrating to Ohio, Gretchen contracted malaria and died.

Her father stowed her coffin inside one of the locks until it could be loaded onto a boat headed for their home country (where she was to be buried). The boat was lost at sea, and now her restless spirit haunts the state park. She’s usually seen every year around the anniversary of her death.  

With so many spooky sights to see at Beaver Creek State Park, a stay at the campground might be in order. Each site at the family campground has picnic tables and a fire ring, making it an ideal spot to finish the day with a session of spooky campfire stories. 

Licking County Historic Jail in Newark

The Ohio State Reformatory isn’t the only haunted Ohio prison. One of Ohio’s most well-known historic buildings – and jails – is the Historic Licking County Jail.

Built with brownstone quarried in nearby Millersburg, the county jail opened in 1889, and its Richardson Romanesque style gives it the appearance of a Gothic castle.  

And like any good Gothic tale, there’s ghosts at this haunted attraction. At least 22 confirmed deaths happened at Licking County Jail.

The three sheriffs and 19 inmates who met untimely demises at the jail are thought to be the source for most of the building’s ghostly activity.  

There are reports of disembodied voices calling out, cell doors slamming shut on their own, plus sounds of footsteps and jingling keys. Some visitors even say they’ve had someone whisper in their ear and seen shadowy figures accompanied by strange lights.  

Public and private tours are available at the haunted historic Licking County Jail, but the haunted prison experience is the main draw for thrill seeking visitors in the fall.

Between Sept. 13 – Nov. 2, visitors to the Jail of Terror will receive a spine-chilling adventure through this infamous haunted prison. 

Thurber House in Columbus

Ohio native James Thurber was one of the most notable American humorists, authors, and cartoonists of the 20th century. Thurber and his family lived in Columbus on Jefferson Avenue.

The restored Jefferson Avenue home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now named the Thurber House. 

The Thurber House is a museum dedicated to his life and work, but there’s more than Thurber’s works residing in the house. Even while Thurber himself was living in the house, strange occurrences would happen. Thurber shared his own haunted experiences in his story, “The Night the Ghost Got In.”  

People who visit the house say they’ve seen books flying off shelves and heard footsteps on the back staircase. While there’s rumors some of the ghostly activity is Thurber, others wonder if it’s the distressed spirits from the psychiatric hospital that used to be on the grounds.

In 1868, The Ohio Lunatic Asylum burned down and the land was divided into three residential parts, one of which later became the Thurber House. 

There’s still traces of the Ohio Lunatic Asylum. The State of Ohio Asylum for the Insane cemetery is located in downtown Columbus. The markers for the deceased are only the size of bricks with an M (male) or F (female) and a patient number.

Several grave markers only say the word “Specimens” on them. Over the years, there’s been a lot of speculation about the kinds of experiments or torture that resulted in the deaths of some of these patients. 

The Thurber House is considered one of Columbus’ most haunted places, with Thurber himself and the former owner of the house supposedly haunting the home.

But the question remains: is it the former inhabits of the house doing the haunting … or the spirits from the burned down asylum who are doomed to restlessly roam the grounds?

John Bryan State Park near Yellow Springs

Nestled near charming town of Yellow Springs, John Bryan State Park has an abundance of things do. In addition to its 10 hiking trails, there’s miles of mountain bike trails.  

The splendid views of fall foliage aren’t the only sights seen during a fall trip to this Ohio state park. John Bryan State Park is where the spirit of Wiley the Hermit resides.

It’s believed Wiley is the ghost of a man who drowned in 1910 during a terrible storm when he was trying to cross a bridge over the Little Miami River. 

He’s been seen along State Route 370, wearing his signature handkerchief and whistling while he walks through the state park. Visitors to the area also report seeing him at the west gate around dusk, but he disappears before reaching Meredith Road. These reports led to Wiley being dubbed the “Twilight Man.”  

Yellow Springs is also the site of Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. It’s known for beautiful waterways and a tragically haunting ghost story. A young woman climbed the clifftop at The Blue Hole, hoping her precarious perch would inspire the man she was pining over to come and “rescue” her.

Sadly, he did not come to her aid and she fell. Today, hikers going past the area say they’ve seen a young woman climbing up the cliff, letting out a chilling scream, and then disappearing from sight.  

A venture into town also yields several spooky encounters. Ghosts have been seen throughout Yellow Springs, in various homes and buildings. There’s been reports of ghostly music and apparitions at Ye Olde Trail Tavern, in particular, the ghosts of two different women.

One is a smiling blonde woman in blue period clothing who walks across the building, and the other is a woman in a long black dress who’s heard weeping upstairs 

The Sunrise Café has its own share of ghostly patrons as well. Former employees admit to seeing shadowy figures and items being thrown off countertops.  

Yellow Springs seems to be a nexus for ghostly activity, with both the town and surrounding area being frequented by these otherworldly presences. 

Hills & Dales Lookout Tower in Kettering

Dating back to 1907,  Hills & Dales Metropark was designed by famed landscape architects the Olmstead Brothers. Key features of this urban park include hills, woods, and wetlands. But its most notorious attraction is the Hills & Dales Lookout Tower.  

Built in 1940, the 30-foot-tall stone lookout tower has been known by many names: the Patterson Tower, the Witches Tower, and Frankenstein’s Castle.

There’s some spookiness attributed just to the monikers alone, but it’s the untimely death of two teens that lend the Hills & Dales Lookout Tower its haunted designation.  

Peggy, a 16-year-old resident of Bellbrook (a town about 20 minutes from Kettering) was caught in a thunderstorm with her 17-year-old friend Ronnie. Hoping to get out of the storm, they took refuge inside the lookout tower.

Unfortunately, Peggy died when lightning struck the structure and her body was later found on the 11th step. After the tragic death, visitors claimed to see her scorched image on the wall inside the lookout tower.  

While the tower entrance is now sealed and closed off, it’s still a notable landmark. And it’s been said that whenever lightning streaks across the sky above Hills & Dales Metropark, a ghostly couple can be seen walking towards the tower. 

Spring House Gazebo at Eden Park in Cincinnati

One of Cincinnati’s most popular attractions is Eden Park. The city park has beautiful grounds that’ll make visitors feel like they’re in another world. The park is also home to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Krohn Conservatory, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.  

While strolling along the walking paths and footbridges of Eden Park, it’s not uncommon to see the otherworldly apparition of Imogene Remus. A bootlegger’s wife, Imogen was shot and killed at Eden Park in 1927. It’s said her ghost haunts the Spring House Gazebo and Mirror Lake.  

While many visitors to Eden Park are looking to see Imogen’s ghost, there’s plenty of other activities in the area to enjoy this spooky season. For something to do besides glimpsing the ghostly image of a woman in a black dress strolling through the park, head over to Caldwell Nature Preserve.  

About 15-20 minutes north of Eden Park is Caldwell Nature Preserve, which boasts 3.5 miles of nature trails (including a level-paved trail). On Oct. 19 from 7-9PM, they’re hosting a Jack O Lantern Hike.

This moonlit hike through the woods takes groups along a trail illuminated with Jack-o-lanterns.  

Whether the path is lit from the glow of artistically carved pumpkins or the eerie luminescence of a ghost, there’s seasonally spooky sights to see in the vibrant city of Cincinnati and its haunted Eden Park. 

Majestic Theatre in Chillicothe

Known as “America’s oldest continuously operating theater,” Chillicothe’s Majestic Theatre has been screening into the hearts of film fans since 1853. The restored Masonic opera house offers live comedy, movie nights, special events, and a few ghosts.  

The ghost of a little girl appears to haunt the historic theatre. Past paranormal investigations have captured her presence on audio recordings, but she’s not the only ghost in this haunted place.

Visitors have also reported an unsettling presence in the hallway and a man dressed in a suit and tie has been spotted walking up the aisles toward the stage.  

Other unexplained occurrences at the Majestic Theatre include the sounds of jangling keys (believed to belong to a former janitor who was devoted to the upkeep of the theatre), and a feeling a being watched from the crow’s nest.  

Maybe some of the Majestic Theatre’s ghosts were laid to rest at one of Ross County’s historic cemeteries. There’s a self-guided tour available for those visitors interested in the cemeteries of Ross County.  

Chillicothe‘s most haunted place is the Majestic Theatre, but who knows where else the ghosts in this charming town might be waiting to brush past with their ghostly hands. 

Hocking Hills State Park in Logan

One of the most popular places in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park. Located in the state’s southeast region, this outdoor attraction features towering cliffs, stunning waterfalls, and vivid fall foliage. But there’s more than just breathtaking views and fall color on display at this Ohio state park.  

The ghost of Richard Roe roams Old Man’s Cave at Hocking Hills State Park. Roe lived in Old Man’s Cave during the early 1800s but died from an accidental gun shot. He’s supposedly buried near the cave in an unmarked grave.

Visitors to Hocking Hills claim to have seen him walking around with the two hound dogs he kept for hunting. There’s also the story that during a full moon, his hounds will call out and lead anyone nearby to Roe’s grave.  

Hocking Hill’s Ash Cave is one of the most haunted places in all Ohio. Known as either the “Pale Lady” or the “White Lady,” the ghost of woman in a flowery dress and no shoes is notorious for quietly following hikers up the various trails around Ash Cave.

Visitors to the Ohio state park also report hearing drumming in back of  the cave.  

Aside from ghosts, Hocking Hills State Park is also the location of several Bigfoot sightings. Most recently, the infamous cryptid was spotted in 2022 but it’s been seen in the state park (and other Ohio state parks) as far back as the 1800s.

While there’s lots of ways to learn more about this Ohio creature of legend, Hocking Hills is hosting a “Creepy Cryptids” event at the campground amphitheater on Oct. 19.   

Visitors to Hocking Hills State Park are guaranteed unforgettable sights, but whether those sights are natural – or supernatural – is the question.

Lake Hope State Park in McArthur

Lake Hope State Park is a 2,983-acre park within Zaleski State Forest (where the haunted Moonville Tunnel can be found). The most notable landmark at Lake Hope State Park is the Hope Furnace Ruins. 

Back in the 1800s, Vinton County was part of the largest iron-producing region in the U.S. Built in 1853, the Hope Furnace was used to process the area’s iron ore. The furnace needed tending to 24 hours a day, which is how a tragic death created one of the park’s most notorious ghost stories.  

While making his solo rounds, one of the night guards for the Hope Furnace decided to take a shortcut over the top of the furnace. He lost his footing and fell into the molten iron. The accident happened unbeknownst to the residents, who were holding a town meeting at the same time.  

In the middle of the town meeting, a loud banging startled everyone in attendance. Thinking it was youths playing a prank, they chose to ignore it. Until it happened a third and fourth time. By then, the townspeople decided to investigate and catch whoever was causing the disturbance. During their search, they never found “the source” of the noise but did discover the guard’s body.  

It’s said on certain nights the guard’s ghost can be seen walking around the Hope Furnace, carrying a lantern as if making his evening rounds.  

Interested in learning more about Hope Furnace and Lake Hope State Park? Visitors can attend a “History Hike” this fall on Sept. 20, Oct. 11, or Oct. 18. And who knows … as the sun sets at the state park, the guardsman’s ghost might join the discussion. 

Moonville Tunnel in McArthur

One of the most haunted attractions in Ohio is Moonville Tunnel. Located in Zaleski State Forest, about 10 minutes from Lake Hope State Park, Moonville Tunnel is a remainder of the Marietta and Cincinnati (M&C) Railroad railway line.

In 1856, the railroad company wanted to construct a better line between Marietta and Chillicothe, and a parcel of land around the town of Moonville provided the perfect opportunity.   

Over time, the community declined and Moonville became a ghost town. Only the old schoolhouse’s foundation, community cemetery, and Moonville Tunnel remain.  

This abandoned stretch of railway leading to the old town attracts paranormal enthusiasts hoping for a glimpse the unfortunate souls killed by trains over the years. There have been several ghost sightings in the area, but the most well-documented is the ghost of Frank Lawhead.  

According to legend, in 1880 train engineer Frank Lawhead was operating a train when another incoming train caused a head-on collision. Today, visitors say they’ve seen his ghost walking the railway lines, holding a lantern. There’s also been reports of people seeing train lights. 

Anyone hoping for a ghostly encounter at Moonville Tunnel can trek the nearby trails, some of which are along portions of the old railroad line. 

The Ridges at Ohio University 

On the hill overlooking Ohio University sits The Ridges. The 700-acre property was originally the site of the Athens Lunatic Asylum. Opening in the 1800s, the asylum eventually closed down and the vacant land and buildings transferred to Ohio University around 1993. 

Several of the buildings, like the Kennedy Museum of Art, have been renovated. The museum is home to a collection of artwork that aims to enrich cultural life, and while you can explore inside the museum’s collection and exhibits, the building exterior casts its own spell. Art enthusiasts who visit the High Victorian Italianate building describe an eerie feeling from just walking around. 

Because the conditions many patients at the asylum endeared, people believe their restless spirits haunt the buildings that make up The Ridges. In addition to the uneasy feelings, visitors report hearing disembodied screams, rattling door handles, and figures that seemed to vanish in thin air.  

More spooky encounters can be found by hiking the area’s nature trails. One of the trails leads to the Ridges Cemetery, where visitors might encounter the graves of patients from the asylum. 

Hackett Hotel in Marietta

Built by Marietta oil man John H. Riley in 1899, the space was renovated and opened in 2012 as The Hackett Hotel. The boutique hotel provides guests with a unique stay where they can experience the Mid-Ohio Valley Region. But there’s more than antique charm lining the walls of The Hackett Hotel.  

Another of Ohio’s most haunted hotels, The Hackett Hotel has reported ghost sightings throughout the building. While overnight guests report seeing spectral figures, it’s nothing compared to the presence that haunts The Galley restaurant.  

Housed in the old Hackett Hotel, The Galley is a top restaurant known for its food and atmosphere in the heart of historic Marietta. Built in 1899, the building was a popular local spot for decades and was renovated in the 1980s into a restaurant. At which point, the ghosts made themselves known.  

And the ghostly activity has continued. From bottles crashing to the floor, glasses flying off shelves, and chairs screeching across empty rooms. The spectral incidents are so frequent, many staffers have come to believe it’s the work of the same ghost – one they’ve named Charlotte.  

So, raise a glass and say a toast to Charlotte, and hopefully she’ll let you enjoy your Marietta getaway uninterrupted. 

Lafayette Hotel in Marietta

There’s no shortage of haunted hotels in Ohio and the historic Lafayette Hotel definitely makes the list. Located in the heart of Marietta’s downtown, the hotel evokes the charming town’s days of old in the riverboat era. Iconic views of the Ohio River greet guests, as well as a few ghosts.  

Potential guests who scare easily at the slightest noise, might not want to book a room at the Lafayette Hotel. The strange occurrences reported at the hotel include footsteps and voices heard in empty rooms and hallways. Appliances have been known to turn on and off by themselves, and doors open and close on their own. 

Some visitors even claim luggage and furniture have been moved away from rooms, as well as misty apparitions. And the “Do Not Disturb” sign might not deter the ghostly maid wearing a black dress that’s been seen roaming the halls of this haunted hotel. 

But if the ghost sightings at Lafayette Hotel sound like a spook-tacular attraction, then go ahead and book the next vacation to this haunted Ohio hotel.