14 Haunted Places In Western New York That’ll Give You Serious Chills
Western New York holds a fascinating collection of ghostly tales and mysterious encounters that have been passed down for generations.
From old theaters to historic inns, this region is packed with locations where strange sounds, shadowy figures, and unexplained events continue to puzzle visitors and locals alike.
Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just curious about local legends, these spine-tingling spots offer a glimpse into the area’s eerie past that you won’t soon forget.
1. The Hinsdale House
When you think about haunted houses, this one in Cattaraugus County truly stands out as one of the most terrifying. The Hinsdale House gained notoriety after the Dandy family experienced violent paranormal activity throughout the 1970s. Objects flew across rooms, mysterious fires started without explanation, and family members reported being physically attacked by unseen forces.
Paranormal investigators have documented countless strange occurrences here over the years. The property has been featured in numerous documentaries and ghost-hunting shows because of its intense activity. If you’re brave enough to visit, many people claim they’ve felt an overwhelming sense of dread before even stepping inside.
It’s considered one of America’s most haunted locations by experts in the field.
2. The Rolling Hills Asylum
Are you ready to explore a place where thousands of souls spent their final days? Rolling Hills Asylum in East Bethany operated for over 140 years, serving as a poorhouse, orphanage, and medical facility. Countless residents died within these walls, and many believe their spirits never left.
Visitors report hearing disembodied voices, footsteps in empty hallways, and seeing shadow figures darting around corners. One particularly active spirit is Roy, a maintenance worker who allegedly still roams the basement. The Christmas Room is known for intense paranormal activity, with people experiencing sudden temperature drops and feeling unseen hands touching them.
Ghost tours are available if you want to experience the haunting yourself. Many paranormal teams consider it a must-visit destination.
3. The Iron Island Museum
Did you know that Buffalo’s Iron Island neighborhood houses one of the city’s most actively haunted buildings? This former church, now a museum, sits in an area rich with history and paranormal reports. Built in 1883, the structure has witnessed generations of community events, funerals, and gatherings.
Eddie is the most famous ghost here, a former caretaker who apparently enjoys making his presence known to visitors. People have captured strange orbs and mists in photographs, and many report feeling watched while touring the building. The basement seems particularly active, with investigators recording unexplained voices on their equipment.
Museum staff have grown accustomed to doors opening on their own and objects moving mysteriously. It’s become a popular spot for paranormal enthusiasts.
4. Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
How amazing would it be to catch a show and possibly spot a ghost at the same time? Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, built in 1926, is an architectural masterpiece that reportedly houses several resident spirits. The most famous is Michael, an usher who died in the theater and continues to help patrons find their seats.
Performers and staff members have witnessed strange occurrences backstage, including phantom footsteps and mysterious cold spots. Some actors refuse to be alone in certain dressing rooms because of the eerie feelings they experience. The balcony area is particularly known for unexplained activity during performances and rehearsals.
Despite the ghostly residents, the theater remains a beloved cultural landmark. Attending a show here gives you both entertainment and a chance at a paranormal encounter.
5. The Genesee County Poor House
If you’re looking for a location with a truly heartbreaking past, this abandoned poorhouse will definitely deliver. During its operation, countless people suffering from poverty, illness, and mental health issues lived and died here under harsh conditions. The building stands as a reminder of a difficult era in social welfare history.
Explorers who’ve ventured inside report hearing crying, screaming, and pleading voices echoing through the empty halls. Shadow figures have been spotted moving between rooms, and many people feel an overwhelming sadness wash over them. Some investigators have captured electronic voice phenomena that seem to be former residents asking for help.
Though the building is deteriorating and dangerous to enter, the paranormal activity reportedly continues. It remains one of the region’s most emotionally charged haunted locations.
6. The Frontier House
When President Lincoln visited this historic hotel in 1861, he probably didn’t expect to become part of its ghostly legend. The Frontier House in Lewiston has operated since the 1820s and has hosted countless famous guests throughout American history. Its long past has apparently left behind more than just memories.
Staff and guests report seeing a woman in Victorian clothing wandering the upper floors late at night. Unexplained knocking on doors happens frequently, but nobody is there when guests investigate. The bar area experiences glasses moving on their own and bottles rearranging themselves overnight.
Room 3 is considered the most haunted, with visitors reporting feeling someone sitting on their bed. Despite the spooky occurrences, the restaurant and inn remain popular with both history buffs and ghost hunters.
7. Lily Dale Assembly
It’s not every day you find an entire town dedicated to communicating with the dead. Lily Dale in Chautauqua County was founded in 1879 as a spiritualist community where mediums gather to connect with the other side. This unique village operates as a gated community during the summer season.
Visitors come from around the world seeking readings from certified mediums who live and work here. The Forest Temple, an outdoor gathering space, is considered especially active with spiritual energy. Many people report seeing apparitions walking the wooded paths or feeling the presence of spirits near the lake.
Whether you believe in spiritualism or not, the atmosphere here is undeniably otherworldly. The community welcomes curious visitors who want to explore their beliefs about life after death.
8. The Dunkirk Lighthouse
When lighthouse keeper Joseph Tona died in 1907, nobody expected him to keep working his post. The Dunkirk Lighthouse on Lake Erie’s shore has guided ships safely since 1875, but it’s gained a reputation for more than just navigation. Multiple keepers and their families have reported strange occurrences throughout the years.
Visitors frequently hear footsteps climbing the tower stairs when nobody else is around. The smell of pipe tobacco sometimes fills rooms despite the no-smoking policy. Objects move mysteriously, and some people have photographed unexplained orbs of light near the tower’s windows.
Paranormal investigators believe Joseph continues watching over the lighthouse he loved. Tour guides have countless stories from guests who’ve experienced something they can’t explain during their visit to this beautiful historic site.
9. The Catacombs at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
If underground burial chambers give you chills, these Rochester catacombs will definitely test your nerves. Holy Sepulchre Cemetery’s underground tunnels contain thousands of burial niches carved into limestone walls. The temperature stays cold year-round, and the atmosphere feels heavy with the weight of history.
Cemetery workers and visitors report hearing whispers echoing through the stone corridors. Some people have seen mysterious lights floating near certain burial sections. The feeling of being watched is so common that many refuse to enter the catacombs alone anymore.
Photography often produces strange results here, with unexplained shadows and faces appearing in pictures. During special tours, guides share stories of the prominent Rochester families laid to rest in these haunting underground passages. It’s an experience that combines local history with genuine spookiness.
10. The Statler Hotel
How would you feel checking into a hotel where the founder’s ghost reportedly still roams? The Statler Hotel in Buffalo opened in 1923 and was considered the height of luxury during its heyday. Ellsworth Statler revolutionized the hotel industry, and some believe his dedication keeps him connected to this property.
Guests and staff report elevator doors opening to empty hallways as if someone invisible just exited. Phantom sounds of big band music drift from the former ballroom late at night. Several rooms experience recurring issues with lights flickering and televisions turning on by themselves without explanation.
Housekeeping staff have witnessed freshly made beds becoming rumpled within minutes of being straightened. Despite the paranormal activity, the hotel maintains its reputation for hospitality. Your stay might include an unexpected encounter with a guest from the past.
11. The Fonthill Castle
Though technically a mansion rather than a true castle, this structure’s medieval appearance fits its haunted reputation perfectly. Built in the early 1900s, Fonthill served as a private residence before becoming a cultural center. Its dramatic architecture and secluded location make it the perfect setting for ghostly encounters.
People touring the property report cold spots that move through rooms and the sensation of invisible presences following them. Strange sounds like footsteps and doors closing happen when staff members are working alone. Some visitors have photographed mysterious figures appearing in windows from outside the building.
The tower rooms seem particularly active, with several reports of shadowy shapes moving past doorways. Local paranormal groups have conducted investigations here with interesting results. Whether the spirits are former residents or just energy from the past remains a mystery.
12. The Pfister Building
Though many people walk past this Buffalo landmark daily, few realize the paranormal activity happening inside. The Pfister Building, constructed in the late 1800s, has served various purposes throughout its long history. Its beautiful architecture hides some seriously creepy secrets that maintenance workers and tenants have experienced firsthand.
Late-night workers report hearing phantom footsteps pacing the upper floors when the building is empty. Elevator doors open and close on their own, and security cameras have captured strange mists floating through hallways. One particularly active area is the basement, where people feel an oppressive atmosphere and hear unexplained banging sounds.
Some tenants have reported seeing a well-dressed gentleman from another era standing in their offices. The activity seems to increase during renovations or construction work on the building.
13. The Haunted Schoolhouse at Middleport
When this schoolhouse closed its doors decades ago, some students apparently decided never to leave. The abandoned building in Middleport has become legendary among local teenagers and paranormal enthusiasts. Its deteriorating condition adds to the genuinely creepy atmosphere that surrounds the property.
People who’ve explored inside report hearing children’s laughter and the sound of a bell ringing. Chalk dust handprints appear on old blackboards overnight, and some visitors claim to see small figures running through the hallways. The playground equipment outside reportedly moves on windless nights.
Urban explorers warn that entering requires caution due to structural damage, but the paranormal activity continues regardless. Neighbors sometimes report seeing lights in the windows even though the building has no electricity. It remains one of the area’s most talked-about haunted locations among younger ghost hunters.
14. The Hotel Henry
Are you brave enough to stay overnight at a former psychiatric center? The Hotel Henry now occupies the historic Richardson Olmsted Complex, which once housed Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. Thousands of patients received treatment here between 1880 and the 1970s, and some never left.
Guests have reported waking up to find shadowy figures standing at the foot of their beds. Strange sounds like moaning and crying echo through certain hallways late at night. The building’s long history of mental health treatment has left behind an energy that many visitors find unsettling.
Despite its haunted reputation, the hotel beautifully preserves the architectural significance of the complex. Staying here offers a unique blend of luxury accommodations and potential paranormal encounters that you won’t find anywhere else.
