3 Haunted Places in America: Best Northeast Adventures

There’s something uniquely captivating about the Northeast, where history and hauntings go hand in hand. 

Gettysburg, a town forever marked by war, teems with ghostly soldiers. In Washington, DC, the nation’s political heart hides stories of restless apparitions. Meanwhile, Boston’s cobblestone streets are alive with whispers from its colonial past.

From Gettysburg’s haunted fields to the ghostly landmarks of DC to Boston’s spectral tales, here are the spookiest haunted places in America to visit in the Northeast. 

Listening to Gettysburg’s Ghostly Echoes From the Civil War

The Battle of Gettysburg had a lasting impact on this Northeastern city. Although the Civil War took place so very long ago, it’s very real to the people who have had ghostly encounters with the phantom soldiers still roaming the streets of Gettysburg. 

Gettysburg is brimming with ghosts who have been stuck in the city forever since the Battle of Gettysburg, making it one of the most famous haunted places in America. Not surprisingly, most of them are concentrated in the area where the brunt of the battle took place – there are many haunted buildings concentrated in that small area. 

The Welty House, Brickhouse Inn, and Jennie Wade Museum are all within close proximity to each other. It was at the Jennie Wade House where Jennie Wade, the only civilian casualty of the battle, was shot dead as she was baking bread for some soldiers stationed outside. 

The bullets likely came from sharpshooters on top of the Welty House, where the Welty children cowered in the basement, fearing for their lives. With Confederate soldiers on one side of the house and Union soldiers on the other, they had no choice but to hunker down and wait until the storm passed. 

Today, the Welty House makes up part of the Brickhouse Inn, a haunted Gettysburg hotel where phantom Confederate and Union soldiers are seen roaming the halls and walking through the walls. Orbs of light are sometimes captured floating in the rooms on videos taken by guests. 

At the Jennie Wade House, one of the top spots in local Gettysburg ghost tours, where the floorboards are still soaked with Jennie’s blood, the cries of a young woman are sometimes heard at night, shortly after the faint crack of gunfire, seemingly coming out of nowhere. Not everybody hears them; they’re only heard by a select few. 

At the Farnsworth Inn in Gettysburg, disembodied footsteps are sometimes heard. In the dead of night, the faint sound of a harp sends chills down the spines of guests; it is believed to belong to a soldier, playing it at his post, which he vowed never to desert, even in death. Some guests report feeling tucked in, a terrifying phenomenon that disturbs their sleep and keeps them awake for the rest of their stay. 

Exploring Washington, DC’s Haunted Halls of Power

Another ghostly Northeast city is the capital. Washington, DC, has seen all sorts of tragic events, from political assassinations to old-time duels to brutal battles, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most haunted places in the country. 

It’s one of the most famous haunted places in America that Wikipedia has an entire page dedicated to the haunted nature of DC.

In the White House, several important politicians, including Winston Churchill and President Truman, have reported seeing the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. A demon black cat has been sighted before important political events and other catastrophes that have led to massive turmoil, including the assassination of Lincoln, the stock market crash of 1929 (which led to the Great Depression), and outbreaks of war. The first time it was spotted was back in the 1800s. 

According to DC Ghosts, which runs ghost tours in the area, Woodrow Wilson’s former abode is still haunted by his ghost. Many achievements marked Wilson’s presidency, but the latter part of his term was a rather sad affair. 

In 1919, Woodrow Wilson suffered a paralyzing stroke, causing him to be unable to properly lead the country. This, however, was largely kept a secret from the American public. The extent of his stroke and resulting disability was unknown due to a cover-up by his wife, First Lady Edith Wilson, who helped lead the government in his stead. 

President Wilson had some pretty grandiose plans for himself. He had hoped to seek a third term in office (which was not yet prohibited by the Constitution) and, after his presidency, wished to start his own law firm. 

Of course, all of his dreams were shattered when he suffered his debilitating stroke. Although he refused to admit his disability and hand over the seat of power to his Vice President, he was certainly miserable during his final years as President. The rocking chair in his former home rocks back and forth and the sobs and groans of an old man are sometimes heard. It seems like Woodrow Wilson’s ghost has never been able to come to terms with his dashed dreams. 

Walking in Boston’s Revolutionary Shadows

As you walk along Boston’s (one of the best places to travel solo in USA!) cobblestone paths and gaze at its centuries-old architecture, you might feel a chill unrelated to the New England air. 

Boston, the cradle of the American Revolution, has long been a city of transformation and resistance. But its storied past seems reluctant to let go, leaving behind ghostly traces in some of its most iconic locations, starting with the Boston Common Park. 

Today, Boston Common is a popular place to go when people need a breath of fresh air, are hanging out with friends, or want to have a quick outdoor lunch.

However, for over 100 years, the area served as a burial ground for the unwanted. British soldiers, foreigners who died in the city without any relatives to claim their bodies and other outcasts were buried here. Over 800 skeletons, their bones strewn about, were discovered in 1895 when construction for a train was started in the area. It is presumed that the skeletons belonged to British soldiers who died during battle and were haphazardly buried in a mass grave. 

While a few famous people, like Gilbert Stuart, are buried in this cemetery, it was generally considered a cemetery for undesirables. Gilbert Stuart painted a famous portrait of George Washington, one that every American is familiar with—the one on the $1 bill. 

The park was also where several women were hanged on suspicion of being witches – which was just another way of punishing women who spoke their minds or were otherwise indecent in the eyes of the ruling Puritans. 

For example, Anne Hibbins was hanged from a great elm in the center of the park (one that no longer stands) due to her disagreements with a group of carpenters working on her house, whom she accused of overcharging her. Hibbins, a widow, was the third such woman to be tried in Boston and stood out due to her high social standing. Mary Dyer, a Quaker, was hanged for blasphemy and witchcraft. Pirates and other criminals were also executed in the park. 

It is also where 50 Native Americans were shot and hung for fighting in King Philip’s War, also known as the Pometacomet’s Rebellion. 

Many report hearing strange whistles and seeing strange shadows falling upon them on the Boston Common. Others report feeling strange breezes of icy air, even during warm, non-windy sunny days. 

And although the Boston Common may have been one of the haunted places in the city for hundreds of years, the tragic events did not stop there. In 1996, a young Swedish lady by the name of Karina Holmer was found murdered in a dumpster, her body washed clean and sawed in half. She was last seen dancing outside Zanziber, a popular nightclub near the Boston Common. Her lower half was never discovered, and nobody was ever charged for her murder, nor was a clear motive ever found. 

The Boston Common is just one of a long list of haunted places in Boston. Take a Boston ghost tour to discover Boston’s other ghost-infested places, like the Old Granary Burial Ground and the Omni Parker House Hotel, perhaps the creepiest place to spend a night. 

Haunted Places in America Northeast FAQ

Haunted Places in America Northeast: Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Northeast is a treasure trove of history and eerie intrigue, making it a must-visit region for fans of ghost stories and paranormal adventures. From Gettysburg’s haunted battlefields to the ghostly halls of Washington, DC, and the spectral shadows of Boston’s cobblestone streets, these haunted places offer a unique blend of history and mystery. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, exploring these locations is sure to leave you with chills and unforgettable stories to share.

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