Spooky Places in Ontario: Perfect for Halloween Season and Beyond!
Across Ontario, eerie encounters await in locations where history lingers. From long-gone soldiers recounting their battles to heartbroken lovers and spirits unable to move on, Ontario’s rich past is kept alive by its ghostly inhabitants.
As October approaches, thoughts turn to the spooky and the supernatural. Why not plan a visit to a destination that promises thrills and chills?
Brace yourself for a spine-tingling adventure with this list of haunted places in Ontario.
Haunted Locations in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake boasts stunning scenery and a vibrant history, but this rich past comes with a darker side. The area is home to several notoriously haunted sites.
Fort George, known for its role in the War of 1812, is famous for its ghost tours and is said to host many spirits, including the playful ghost of a girl named Sarah Anne who delights in playing peek-a-boo with guests.
Close by is St. Mark’s Church, established in 1792, where spirits are said to roam the graveyard, gliding among the ancient tombstones. Look out for the horizontal grave markers with hatchet marks—rumored to be either from battlefield amputations or vandalism, depending on who you ask.
Prince of Whales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
For those seeking to dine or stay among the spirits, check out historic venues like the Prince of Wales Hotel and Pillar and Post. Both properties are known for their ghostly occurrences. At the Prince of Wales, a love-stricken maiden awaits her lover’s return, while at Pillar and Post, a ghostly girl is reported to make surprising appearances in The Cannery restaurant.
Don’t limit yourself to Niagara-on-the-Lake; in nearby Queenston, the Laura Secord Homestead Museum is thought to be haunted by the famous Canadian heroine herself. Additionally, on the battlefields of Queenston Heights, ghostly soldiers are said to continue their fight long after the war’s end.
Haunted Locations in Toronto
The capital of Ontario is filled with locations where history meets the supernatural in thrilling ways.
The mill at Black Creek Pioneer Village.
Black Creek Pioneer Village is a reconstructed 19th-century settlement that hosts a Halloween event each October, filled with family-friendly activities. But amidst the fun, don’t be surprised if you come across a real ghost!
Among its haunted stories is that of a sorrowful woman who weeps for her deceased child as she roams Burwick House. Approach the elegant residence with caution; keep a tight hold on your children lest she mistake yours for her own! You might also hear spectral horses galloping by, their hoofbeats echoing as they vanish, forever tied to the blacksmith shop where they met their fiery demise.
Other haunted sites in the city include Mackenzie House, the former home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto’s first mayor, where ghostly encounters are reported, including piano music playing on its own at night. Additionally, Colborne Lodge in High Park is rumored to be a haunt for the spirits of its builders, John and Jemima Howard, who constructed it in 1836.
Notably, the infamous Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Toronto Island is also considered haunted due to the violent murder of its keeper back in 1815.
Haunted Locations in Muskoka
Known for its stunning lakes, Muskoka is also home to some of Ontario’s most famous haunted spots. Is that haunting sound echoing across the water a lonely loon, or something supernatural? The mystery remains.
Woodchester Villa
Take a stroll around Woodchester Villa in Bracebridge, famous for its octagonal design. Witness sightings of a shadowy woman peering from the windows even when the villa is securely shuttered, hear ghostly screams, and observe mysterious lights flickering inside.
Another haunted attraction is the historic Gravenhurst Opera House, the birthplace of summer theatre in Canada, where ghostly activities have been reported for years. The alleged spirit of a former stagehand, who some say took his own life, keeps the intrigue alive as he seems eager for the spotlight.
If you’re interested in dining or staying overnight amidst restless spirits, consider:
Inn at the Falls
The recently renovated Inn at the Falls was once the residence of Judge William C. Mahaffy in the 19th century. It is said that his spirit has returned from Britain where he passed away in 1912. Guests often report encounters with Mahaffy, particularly in the Inn’s Basilico Restaurant. If you dare, Room 104 is considered the most haunted!
Bala Bay Inn
Equally renowned for its ghosts, Bala Bay Inn has a storied history of hauntings, including sightings of founder E.B. Sutton and a mysterious young woman in a light dress, defying the cold. The Inn is hosting a paranormal weekend from November 15-17.
Haunted Locations in Ottawa
Ottawa’s rich history often manifests in supernatural sightings throughout the city. People have reported encounters with spectral figures, eerie sensations, and chilling sounds. Explore this haunted history if you dare!
Staff at the Canadian Museum of Nature frequently share tales of strange sounds echoing after dark, doors opening and closing by themselves, and shadowy figures moving about. Some even speculate that the spirit of Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier, who lay in state here after his death in 1919, may still haunt the museum. You can investigate for yourself on a guided tour offered by Haunted Walks.
The Bytown Museum, located along the Rideau Canal, is another hotspot for paranormal activity, with reports of loud footsteps on stairs and poltergeist behavior. Since it occupies a former commissariat built in 1827, some believe that Duncan Macnab, a quartermaster from the era, or Lieutenant-Colonel John By—the founder of Bytown—may be among the spirits that linger.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa’s most luxurious hotel, has set the standard for elegance for over a century. It’s so inviting that some ghosts choose to stay indefinitely! Interestingly, the man who commissioned the hotel, Charles Melville Hays, tragically died aboard the Titanic. Book an overnight getaway now.
Undoubtedly, the most chilling site in Ottawa is the former Carleton County Jail, now the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel. It has even made Lonely Planet’s list of the world’s most haunted places. What adds to its creep factor? The prison operated from 1862 to 1972, and many met untimely ends here, leaving behind a lingering, dark energy.
Written by Andrew Hind.
Explore more of Ontario’s eerie destinations in his books: Ghosts of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Muskoka’s Most Haunted Volumes 1 & 2, and Haunted Museums and Galleries of Ontario.
Find Affordable Accommodations & Travel to Haunted Ontario Destinations
Affordable stays near Niagara-on-the-Lake & Niagara Falls:
White Oaks Resort & Spa
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview
Affordable accommodations in Ottawa:
The Westin Ottawa
Ottawa Marriott Hotel
Affordable accommodations in Toronto:
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Affordable accommodations in Muskoka:
Sherwood Inn
JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka
Quality Inn Bracebridge
ToDoOntario.com is an excellent resource for discovering thrilling activities and unique getaway ideas across Ontario. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, cultural exploration, or relaxing retreats, this site provides a comprehensive guide to attractions and activities throughout the province. From immersing yourself in nature at provincial parks to enjoying local festivals and culinary tours, ToDoOntario.com helps you find the perfect experience suited to your interests. The platform also showcases seasonal events, hidden gems, and travel packages, making it easy to organize everything from weekend retreats to longer vacations in Ontario. Visit the website and let us help you create your Ontario To-Do List!
