Planning a Trip to NYC?

As the warmer weather approaches, your attention might turn toward your annual vacation. If New York City is your ideal destination for this year, you’ve probably created a list of must-experience restaurants, shows, and tourist stops. Why not explore the darker side of the city that never sleeps? Visit these haunted locations and you might see a few unforgettable spectral manifestations.

Washington Square Park

If you have plans to tour Greenwich Village in Lower Manhattan, be sure to stop by Washington Square Park. While most people spend time in the park for a bit of outdoor recreation, lovers of the paranormal have another reason for visiting the public park. Paranormal encounters aren’t out of the question since this is one of the most haunted locations in NYC.

Why is Washington Square Park haunted? Between 1790 and 1830, the Yellow Fever epidemic ravaged the city and led to thousands of deaths. Some reports estimate NYC lost up to 10% of its population to the disease through this era. Disposing of the bodies proved problematic with city officials organizing mass burials where Washington Square Park now sits. Even today, archeologists continue to unearth skeletons in and around the area.

Morris-Jumel Mansion

If your haunted road trip brings you to Washington Heights, take some time to visit the oldest building in the city: Morris-Jumel Mansion. The home allows self-guided tours from Thursday through Sunday. Built in 1765, the mansion served as a vacation home for British Colonel Roger Morris. In 1776, General George Washington established his Revolutionary War headquarters in the mansion.

What makes the Morris-Jumel Mansion a haunted place? While the site has a long history that’s intertwined with the country’s birth, more insidious events led to the potential for supernatural activity. Shortly after Eliza and Stephen Jumel bought the home in 1810, Eliza started an affair with Aaron Burr. The name should sound familiar. Burr, once a U.S. vice president, killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. Later, Stephen Jumel suspiciously died in an accident with a pitchfork. According to the rumors of the time, Eliza buried Stephen alive. In addition to the spirits of Aaron Burr and Stephen Jumel, visitors to the site have reported seeing the ghost of a servant girl who ended her life in the mansion.

Hotel Chelsea

If you really want to immerse yourself in a paranormal experience, consider staying in one of NYC’s paranormal hotspots. You’ll find Hotel Chelsea in the heart of the city at 222 West 23rd Street. Construction started on the 250-room hotel in 1883 and lasted until its 1885 grand opening. Even today, celebrities and politicians count themselves among the travelers who stay in Hotel Chelsea. Noteworthy guests include Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) who reported ghostly happenings during his stay.

How did Hotel Chelsea become a haunting hotspot? Some people think the supernatural dramas started with Sid Vicious (The Sex Pistols). While staying in the hotel, Sid’s girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, died mysteriously. Sid Vicious was a person of interest but never faced charges.

However, most of the paranormal activity in the hotel comes from Mary. Mary had been waiting for her husband to arrive from England. He was traveling aboard a cruise ship that was said to have been the most advanced vessel of the time. The name of the ship? The RMS Titanic. Mary’s husband perished at sea when the vessel struck an iceberg and sank.

The Dakota

The Dakota or The Dakota Apartment Building serves as corporate apartments today. Construction started in 1880 and lasted four years before the residential community opened its doors. You’ll find the 10-floor building at 1 West 72nd Street. If that address sounds familiar, you’re probably a fan of classic rock. This was where John Lennon was living when he was murdered outside the building’s entrance. Mark David Chapman murdered Lennon on December 8, 1980. Additionally, Roman Polanski shot some scenes for Rosemary’s Baby (1968) in The Dakota.

Is Lennon’s death the cause of the haunting? While some people claim to have seen the ghost of the ex-Beatles frontman on the property, his murder wasn’t the start of paranormal activity in The Dakota. Lennon reportedly told his partner, Yoko Ono, that he saw a “crying lady ghost” in the building. Other witnesses have seen a girl in a yellow dress and a short man with a poorly-fitted wig. It’s not uncommon to hear footsteps or see objects move on their own inside the building.

14 West 10th Street

Aside from its address, this Greenwich Village location has another common name: The House of Death. Every historic home has had a few deaths occurring within its walls. However, 14 West 10th Street has had more than its share of murders and self-inflicted deaths. One incident stands out among the rest. In 1987, a 6-year-old girl passed away as the result of a violent assault perpetrated by her stepfather. Visitors claim to have seen the girl’s ghost on the property.

Although there are many examples of evil books in cinema, Mark Twain isn’t known for penning stories in the horror genre. In fact, he was steadfast in his disbelief of the afterlife and supernatural phenomena. Even so, he admitted to experiencing something while staying in the residence in 1900. According to his statements, the author saw a piece of kindling move on its own near the fireplace. Taking out his pistol, he shot at the animated piece of wood. Although there wasn’t another living thing in the room, he found drops of blood on the floor near the kindling. Some say Mark Twain’s ghost is among the spirits dwelling in the home. Be sure to book your visit in advance if you want to tour this legendary haunted place.

Prepare For Your NYC Ghost Hunt

If you plan to visit these paranormal hotspots in the Big Apple, be sure you’re prepared for the potential encounters. Plan to dress comfortably. Bring a flashlight, a phone, a camera, and a temperature gauge. Ahead of time, check the weather report and try to find a map of the location’s layout. These quick tips will lead to a safer and more fruitful paranormal investigation.