The Most Haunted Places in New York City: Exploring the Dark Side to Meet the Supernatural

New York City, one of the most famous cities in the world, is known for its rich history, iconic landmarks, and vibrant culture. It’s a place filled with towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and famous spots like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park. But did you know that behind all the excitement and lights, there’s a darker side to this city? Many people believe that New York City is home to haunted places, where ghostly incidents and spooky tales have been passed down for generations. From haunted hotels to eerie parks, there are locations across the city where people have reported strange happenings, mysterious sounds, and even sightings of ghosts. Some say that spirits still wander these haunted places in New York City, lingering from events long ago. Are you ready to uncover these spooky spots and find out what makes them so chilling?

Top 10 Haunted Places in New York City: Spooky Tales and Paranormal Experiences

New York City isn’t just about the bright lights and busy streets—it also has its share of haunted places. The city’s long history is filled with stories of strange occurrences and paranormal activities. For years, visitors and locals alike have reported creepy experiences at famous locations like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the old St. Mark’s Church. Whether it’s footsteps in empty halls or whispers in the night, there’s something mysterious about these places. Some people believe the spirits of those who lived or worked in the city long ago are still here, making these spots haunted places in New York City. Imagine walking through a museum and feeling a cold chill or hearing something unexpected—these stories might sound like something from a scary movie, but they’ve been happening in real life for years!

Would you dare to visit these haunted spots and see for yourself? Let’s get into the scary stories of these scary places in NYC:

• The Merchant's House Museum
• The Dakota
• House of Death
• One if By Land, Two if By Sea
• New Amsterdam Theater
• Kreischer House
• The Manhattan Well
• St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
• Morris-Jumel Mansion
• Washington Square Park · Brittany Hall at NYU

1. The Merchant's House Museum

Let me tell you about the Merchant's House Museum. It’s a beautiful old house in New York City. But there’s a spooky side to it. Many people say they’ve seen ghostly figures wandering the halls. Visitors heard strange noises and even felt cold spots. Some believe the spirits of the Tredwell family, who lived there, still haunt the place. Since the 1930s, guests started visiting this historic house, and most have felt an uncommon existence. They have reported hearing noises, perfumes, and smell of food products, and even the sound of piano at night. A few of them have talked about objects moving on their own. Now people go there for candlelit ghost tours as well. If you want to experience one of the most haunted places in New York City, this is among the must-sees. Would you dare to visit?

Location: 29 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003, United States

Opening Hours:

• Monday- Tuesday- Closed
• Wednesday to Sunday- 12 pm to 5 pm

Contact Number- +12127771089

Nearby Attractions-

• The Channel Gardens
• Rockefeller Park
• Top of the Rock
• Rockefeller Center
• SUMMIT One Vanderbit

Nearby Things to Do-

• Explore the historic interiors of the house
• Learn about the Tredwell family and their role in New York’s history
• Participate in themed tours or special events (such as ghost tours)
• Attend educational programs on 19th-century life
• Enjoy the museum's temporary exhibits and lectures

Nearby Hotels-

• Carlton Arms Hotel
• Hyatt Union Square New York
• W New York - Union Squre
• Washington Square Hotel
• The Bowery Hotel

Nearby Restaurant-

• Molly's Shebeen Bar + Restaurant
• Orion Diner & Grill
• The Grill Dog - Union Square
• The Grey Dog
• Cathedrale Restaurant

2. The Dakota

Dakota is famous for its luxury, but there’s more to the story. This building is one of the most haunted NYC places. If you have ever been a fan of the Beatles, you must know John Lennon. One of his diehard fans stalked him and shot to death in front of the Dakota Apartment in 1980. People say the ghost of John Lennon, who tragically died outside, still roams the halls. Many reported seeing ghosts of a small girl and a man with the face of a small boy. Others report hearing whispers and feeling cold drafts. Not only these stories but the famous movie, Rosemary’s Baby, which was one of the creepiest American haunted movies was filmed at the Dakota. Are you curious to know if the spirits of those who lived here still be around? If you’re into spirits and spooky stories, this place should be on your list!

Location: 1 W 72nd St, New York, NY 10023

Opening Hours: Not open to the public (private residence)

Attractions Nearby:

• Central Park
• Strawberry Fields (John Lennon Memorial)
• The American Museum of Natural History
• The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
• The Belvedere Castle

Things to Do:

• Walk around Central Park and visit Strawberry Fields
• Take a guided tour of the American Museum of Natural History
• Explore the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Visit the Central Park Zoo
• Take a boat ride at the nearby Loeb Boathouse

Nearby Hotels:

• The Park Lane Hotel
• Hotel Beacon
• The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
• The Westbury Hotel
• The Plaza Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

• Café Lalo
• Jean-Georges
• The Smith
• The Boathouse
• Sarabeth’s Central Park South

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3. House of Death

This place has a name that says it all. The House of Death is known for its creepy vibe. It’s a historic townhouse on the Upper West Side, and many people have reported ghost sightings. The most famous ghost is that of author Mark Twain, who once lived there. Some even say he still visits! But more than these ghostly stories, the house is more haunted because of the human deeds, truly beyond the paranormal. This house used to be the residence of former New York defense attorney Joel Steinberg during the 1980s who was arrested for beating his 6-year-old adopted daughter Lisa to death. The good part of this story is only that he got charged with first-degree man slaughtering. Would you dare to visit one of the scary places in the world like this where humanity has been killed and buried.

Location: 14 W 10th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Attractions Nearby:

• Washington Square Park
• The Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl
• The Stonewall Inn
• The Rubin Museum of Art
• The New York University campus

Things to Do:

• Join a ghost tour to learn about the hauntings
• Explore the unique architecture of the building
• Visit the nearby Washington Square Park
• Check out the Greenwich Village nightlife
• Visit other historical landmarks in the area, such as The Stonewall Inn

Nearby Hotels:

• The Marlton Hotel
• Washington Square Hotel
• The Greenwich Hotel
• The Standard, High Line
• Hotel 50 Bowery

Nearby Restaurants:

• Minetta Tavern
• L’Artusi
• Café Mogador
• The Grey Dog
• John’s of Bleecker Street

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4. One if By Land, Two if By Sea

Here’s a story that will make you think twice. ‘One if By Land, Two if By Sea’ is a fancy restaurant now and often referred to be the most romantic restaurant in the world, but it used to be a tavern in the 1800s. People say it’s haunted by spirits from the past. At this haunted restaurant in NYC, many have experienced paranormal activities including the manager herself and the guests. Picture frames tilting, machinery activating by itself, strange drafts, flying plates, and flickering lights and footsteps and being watched, even when no one is around a few of them. A parapsychologist believes there are 20 ghosts active in the restaurant, all from different periods, aware of each other. Even some believes that 3rd Vice precident of USA Aaron Burr haunts the place, as it was his carriage house. Other stories include a woman who walks down the staircase but never up, an entity who has an encounter with, a Ziegfield follies girl, and a man who lingers by the fireplace. After reading all this, do you still feel brave enough to dine in this NYC haunted place?

Location: 17 Barrow St, New York, NY 10014

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Attractions Nearby:

• Greenwich Village
• The High Line
• The Whitney Museum of American Art
• The Stonewall Inn
• Chelsea Market

Things to Do:

• Enjoy a gourmet dinner with wine pairings
• Attend a live piano performance while dining
• Visit the nearby Whitney Museum of American Art
• Take a walk through the picturesque Greenwich Village
• Explore the High Line and surrounding areas

Nearby Hotels:

• The Greenwich Hotel
• The Standard, High Line
• Hotel 17
• The Marlton Hotel
• The Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

Nearby Restaurants:

• Blue Hill
• The Spotted Pig
• The Little Owl
• Minetta Tavern
• Osteria Morini

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5. New Amsterdam Theater

The New Amsterdam Theater is one of the oldest theaters in New York City. While it looks beautiful, it’s also known for its ghostly activity. Some say they’ve seen a woman in a long, white dress walking through the theater. Others claim they’ve heard faint voices. It’s one of the haunted attractions NYC you might not want to miss, but will you dare to visit?

Location: 214 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Opening Hours: Varies based on performances

Attractions Nearby:

• Times Square
• Broadway theaters
• Bryant Park
• Rockefeller Center
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Things to Do:

• Attend a Broadway show or musical
• Take a guided tour of the theater district
• Visit Times Square
• Explore nearby restaurants and shops
• Walk through Bryant Park

Nearby Hotels:

• The Westin New York
• The Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
• Hotel Edison
• The Knickerbocker
• InterContinental New York Times Square

Nearby Restaurants:

• Carmine’s Italian Restaurant
• Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery
• The Olive Garden
• Sardi’s
• The Russian Tea Room

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6. Kreischer House

The Kreischer House has a dark history, making it part of the list of haunted places in New York City. People claim it’s haunted by a family who lived there years ago. One story goes that the caretaker of the mansion was murdered, and his ghost still haunts the property. Legend has it that it was built upon an ancient burial ground, and the spirits of those buried there roam the halls. A young woman's spirit is trapped within the mansion, and "The Shadow Man" has been spotted by many visitors. Visitors often report inexplicable occurrences, such as sudden temperature drops or footsteps echoing through empty rooms. People walking near the house say they feel cold chills and hear strange sounds at night. If you’re looking for creepy places in New York City, this is one of them!

Location: 4500 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309

Opening Hours: By appointment only (closed to the public except for special events)

Attractions Nearby:

• Historic Richmond Town
• Staten Island Greenbelt
• The Staten Island Zoo
• The Staten Island Museum
• Conference House Park

Things to Do:

• Visit Historic Richmond Town
• Explore the Staten Island Greenbelt
• Check out the Staten Island Zoo
• Take a tour of the Staten Island Museum
• Walk through Conference House Park

Nearby Hotels:

• Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island
• Hampton Inn & Suites Staten Island
• Holiday Inn Express Staten Island West
• The Staten Island Inn
• The Verrazano Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

• Da Noi
• The Full Cup
• Bayou
• La Bella Cucina
• Joe and Pat's Pizzeria

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7. The Manhattan Well

This well has been around for hundreds of years, but it holds dark secrets. The Manhattan Well is said to be haunted by spirits of people who were thrown in during the early years of New York City. Some say they can still hear their voices echoing from below. The most famous story that goes behind the well is in fact a love story that did not end well. During a construction work in around 1800, the body of a young woman named Gulielma Sands AKA Elma Sands was found in a well. She was believed to killed by her lover Levi Weeks who was punished later in court. This case was the first trial to ever be recorded in the history of America. So, do you still want to explore haunted places in America? This eerie spot could be just what you’re looking for that too with a history!

Location: 77 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours (historical site)

Attractions Nearby:

• The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• One World Trade Center
• South Street Seaport Museum
• Statue of Liberty Ferry
• Trinity Church

Things to Do:

• Explore the historical significance of the Well
• Visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• Take a ferry to Liberty Island to visit the Statue of Liberty
• Walk through Battery Park and enjoy views of the harbor
• Discover nearby Wall Street and learn about the financial history

Nearby Hotels:

• Conrad New York Downtown
• The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
• Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Financial District
• Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York Downtown

Nearby Restaurants:

• Delmonico's
• Stone Street Tavern
• The Capital Grille
• The Dead Rabbit
• Bryant Park Grill

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8. St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

St. Mark’s Church looks calm, but it has a terrifying past. It’s said that the churchyard is haunted by a ghost of a woman in a white dress also named "The Grey Lady." She is believed to be a woman who died in the 1800s, still wandering the church at night. The Church in-the-Bowery is said to be haunted by the ghost of Peter Stuyvesant, a former Dutch governor of New Amsterdam, who was a stern and short-tempered man. He has been seen wandering the church grounds and even inside the church. Some people have even claimed to hear him stomping around on his wooden leg. As time passed by people have also reported other ghostly activity at the church, including the sound of bells ringing on its own. If you’re curious about scary things to do in NYC, this church is one place you should visit. Would you be brave enough to go?

Location: 131 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (varying hours for services)

Attractions Nearby:

• The Bowery
• Washington Square Park
• The New Museum
• Tompkins Square Park
• The Public Theater

Things to Do:

• Attend a concert or art exhibit at the church
• Explore the Bowery and its cultural significance
• Visit nearby Washington Square Park
• Walk around the historic East Village
• Check out the vibrant street art and murals in the area

Nearby Hotels:

• The Bowery Hotel
• The Standard, East Village
• Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
• The Mercer Hotel
• The Greenwich Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

• Prune
• Momofuku Noodle Bar
• Superiority Burger
• Russ & Daughters
• The Smith

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9. Morris-Jumel Mansion

The Morris-Jumel Mansion in New York City is famous for its history—and its hauntings. Built in 1765, it’s a place where ghostly figures and strange noises are often reported. Some believe the ghost of Eliza Jumel, the mansion’s last owner, still haunts the house. Eliza’s life was full of mystery. Her husband, Stephen, died under suspicious circumstances—some say he fell from a wagon, others that Eliza let him bleed to death. She had tricked him into marrying her by pretending she was dying. After Stephen’s death, she took control of his fortune and later married Aaron Burr, only to divorce him when he used her money for his debts.

Eliza died from Alzheimer’s, but her spirit is said to linger in the mansion, along with the ghosts of soldiers and even Aaron Burr. So, do you still want to visit one of the most haunted places in New York City? The Morris-Jumel Mansion is waiting for you!

Location: 65 Jumel Terrace, New York, NY 10032

Opening Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Attractions Nearby:

• Jackie Robinson Park
• The New York Botanical Garden
• The Bronx Zoo
• Fort Tryon Park
• The Cloisters (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Things to Do:

• Explore the exhibits from American Revolution
• Take a guided tour of the mansion
• Walk through the nearby Jackie Robinson Park
• Visit The Cloisters and explore medieval art and architecture
• Enjoy the nearby New York Botanical Garden

Nearby Hotels:

• Edge Hotel
• Best Western Plus Arena Hotel
• The Michael's Inn
• The Sugar Hill Harlem Inn
• Aloft Harlem

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Hamilton Grange
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• The Cecil Steakhouse
• The Red Rooster
• Harlem Shake

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10. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is a beautiful spot in New York City, but it has a spooky history that makes it one of the most haunted places in the world. Before it became a public park in 1825, it was a potter’s field—a burial ground for the poor, executed criminals, and plague victims. Over 20,000 bodies are believed to be buried beneath the park, and like many places built over graves, the spirits underneath aren’t exactly at peace. Some visitors have reported strange shadows and eerie sounds late at night. The most commonly seen ghost is a man who haunts the northeast corner of the park, lingering near the fountain where many souls rest. If you’re into creepy places, this park will leave you wondering if it’s haunted. Would you dare to visit after dark?

Location: New York, NY 10012

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours

Attractions Nearby:

• New York University (NYU)
• The Grey Art Gallery
• The Public Theater
• The Rubin Museum of Art
• The Strand Bookstore

Things to Do:

• Relax in the park and watch people
• Attend public events and music performances
• Walk around the nearby NYU campus
• Visit nearby cultural institutions like The Rubin Museum of Art
• Browse books at the famous Strand Bookstore

Nearby Hotels:

• The Washington Square Hotel
• The Marlton Hotel
• The Standard, East Village
• Hotel 50 Bowery
• The Greenwich Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

• Lupa Osteria Romana
• Minetta Tavern
• Carbone
• The Spotted Pig
• Joe's Pizza

Thus, if you are planning a tour to the USA, book your flight to New York and fly to explore the urban charm of the city and if you have heart for the scary side of the city, well haunted places in New York City are something you must look for. From the Merchant's House Museum, The Dakota, House of Death, and St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery are just a few on the list of scary places in NYC. If you are lucky enough, you can even click the sight of these ghosts at the places. Are you feeling compelled to be at one of such sites? If your answer is a Yes, then don’t have any further delay. Book yourself one of the best New York tour packages and embark on a paranormal tour in NYC.

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