Spookiest Haunts Found in New York City

With its extensive history, New York City has a good amount of ghost stories. Read our list of spooky spots found throughout the Big Apple.

St. Paul’s Chapel

St. Paul’s Chapel’s graveyard, which dates to 1697, is reported to be haunted. One of the graves belongs to the English actor George Frederick Cooke of the17th-century, who loved to gamble. It is said that when he was broke, he resorted to selling his head for research. Supposedly you can see his headless ghost wondering the graveyard and the neighboring alley.

Mulberry Street

History tells us that in the 19th century in Manhattan, violent gangs ruled what is now known as Little Italy. In 1972, Columbo mobster “Crazy Joe” Gallo was shot dead as he had dinner at the original Umberto’s Clam House.

84 West 3rd Street

The ghost of Firefighter Schwartz haunts this converted fire station. It’s now a private residence. Apparently, in 1930, this firefighter hanged himself after learning about his wife’s infidelity. Some have reported hearing or seeing his ghost.

Washington Square Park

Did you know that Washington Square Park was used as a burial ground? During yellow fever outbreaks from 1791 to 1821, the city used the land as the site for a mass grave. In 1827, the park was established but human remains continue to be discovered.

12 Gay Street

While a very beautiful area, No. 12 is a very picturesque brick building. During Prohibition, it was a speakeasy called The Pirate’s Den. Bought by Mayor Jimmy Walker who was known to be corrupt, it was a home for his mistress (a Ziegfeld Dancer). Neighbors report ghosts that appear as flappers and a dapper man wearing a cloak and top hat.

Hotel Chelsea

This 100-year-old place is well known via iconic artists but it’s probably known more for its spooky stories. There’s the murder of Nancy Spungen. Allegedly her boyfriend, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols murdered her. Also, it is reported that Mary the ghost is there. She is reported to be seen staring at mirrors throughout the hotel.

St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery

The second-oldest church in Manhattan, St. Mark’s Church makes our list. Built on Dutch colonial governor Peter Stuyvesant’s family farm, the story goes that the peg-legged governor still haunts it. It is reported that he harasses church staff and parishioners by ringing bells or stomping around.

The Manhattan Well

The body of a young woman named Gulielma Sands was found in 1800 at the bottom of the Manhattan Well. Located at what is now 129 Spring Street, this well is truly spooky. The trial involved in this scandal is well known. Brother of well-known builder of the time, Levi Weeks was accused of her murder after he allegedly impregnating her. Top lawyers Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton had him acquitted. In 1817, the Manhattan Well was filled in and built over, but it was unearthed in 1980.

Merchant’s House Museum

Our last haunt on our list is the Merchant’s House Museum. Built in 1832 and later purchased by rich merchant Seabury Tredwell, the museum features insight into the intimate domestic lives of the 19th-century cultural elite. But it is reported that Tredwell’s daughter, a lonely, isolated unmarried woman wanders the museum.

Now that we have you all spooked out, we hope you will visit one of these haunts in NYC, if you dare!

Spookiest Haunts Found in New York City

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