Boston, long steeped in history and colonial sentiments, is among the most haunted cities in the United States. From ominous graveyards to centuries-old structures steeped with ghost stories, Boston holds a distinctive combination of historic sites and terrifying otherworldly encounters. For those who delight in the unknown or just love a good ghost story, this guide is for you.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted sites offer an unforgettable adventure into the supernatural. Let us into a world of history and hauntings!
The Omni Parker House Hotel: A Haunted Boston Landmark
The Omni Parker House History
Situated in the center of Boston, the Omni Parker House Hotel is a place to stay in luxury and also one of the most active paranormal places around. Built in 1855, this historic hotel has seen it all, from famous names such as Charles Dickens and John F. Kennedy to ghost stories with icy chills that can still be felt in its halls.
Phantom Behaviors at the Inn
Over the decades, visitors and staff members have described inexplicable events. Lights flickering, strange voices, shadowy figures are just the start. Perhaps the most spine-chilling of these ghostly legends involves the hotel elevator, which can sometimes just stop on the third floor even when no one pushes the button.
Harvey Parker’s Ghost
The hotel’s founder, Harvey Parker, is said to haunt the 10th floor. Guests have claimed to see a man resembling him walking the halls, checking up on his business long after he had died. And if you’re brave enough to spend the night, don’t be surprised if the feeling of an eerie presence watching over you visits.
Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour: A Haunted Ride
What is the Trolley Tour?
For a wider paranormal landscape, the Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour provides a thrilling ride through some of Boston’s spookiest spots. This 90-minute “frightseeing” excursion whisks travelers to 400-year-old burial grounds and other creepy locales, all while telling tales of the bone-chilling history of the city.
Spooky Highlights
The tour includes stories of:
- Grave-robbing: It was all the rage in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Tortures and Executions: Reminiscent of Boston’s brutal punishments in its past.
- Live Burials: Terrifying stories of burying people alive in plagues.
- If ghost stories mixed with history are your thing, you won’t want to miss this trolley ride.
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground: Ghosts of the Afterlife
Historical Significance
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, in Boston’s North End, is the burial place of many prominent figures including Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Robert Treat Paine. But beyond its historical significance, it has a troubling reputation for paranormal activity.
Paranormal Encounters
Visitors have also claimed to hear whispers echoing among the graves, and feel odd chilly spots. Some even say they’ve spotted the ghost of Paul Revere himself, still galloping through the graveyard on his midnight ride to warn of the British advance.
Atmosphere
It has winding pathways, ancient trees and iron gates — giving Copp’s Hill an extra spooky vibe after sunset. It’s an ideal spot to feel both history and hauntings.
George’s Island: Fort Warren: A Haunted Fortress
A Civil War Prison
Fort Warren, on George’s Island in Boston Harbor, was used as a prison during the Civil War. And the fort has since tended to land on a paranormal activity short list since, it was home to both Confederate soldiers and disloyal citizens, the latter of which were held under brutal conditions.
The Tale of the Lady in Black
One of Fort Warren’s most famous yet elusive specters is the Lady in Black, said to be the spirit of a Mrs. Lanier, a Confederate soldier’s wife. Hers was a tragedy — a failed rescue mission, followed by her capture and execution. As for the visitors, they claim to have seen her ghost wandering around the fort in black dress mourning her lost love.
Shadows and Mysterious Sensations
Union soldiers assigned to the fort also reported feeling uneasy, and many claimed to see shadowy figures and experience sudden chills. If you’re at George’s Island, watch out — you may not be alone.
Boston Athenaeum: Where Books, Ghosts, Come Together
A Literary Landmark
The Boston Athenaeum, one of the oldest independent libraries in America, is not only a sanctuary for bibliophiles — it’s also the site of forlorn stories. The unsettling reputation of the library continues with its collection of books bound in human skin.
Ghostly Encounters
Many patrons have reported sights of the ghost of Reverend Harris, a previous pastor said to linger in the library. Even Nathaniel Hawthorne said he witnessed the reverend reading his own death announcement!
Unique Features
The Athenaeum’s dark, dusty rooms and antique furnishings make for an eerily Gothic setting. If you are a fan of literatures and all things paranormal, this is not a place you should miss.
Haunted Sites in Boston
Those aren’t the only spirits surfacing in Boston. Here are some more to add to your scary itinerary:
The Pilot Hous
Near the waterfront, The Pilot House is the site of glowing figures and creepy disembodied voices. It’s a magnet for ghost hunters thanks to its location and history.
Boston University Theatre
And the ghost of a former Boston mayor and other spirits unknown are said to linger in the balcony of Boston University Theatre. It’s an ideal place for those fond of paranormal activity combined with the arts.
A Brief Comparison of Boston’s Haunted Places
| Haunted Location | Notable Ghost/Legend | Key Attraction |
|---|---|---|
| Omni Parker House Hotel | Harvey Parker | Paranormal hotel stay |
| Ghosts & Gravestones Tour | Various historical figures | 90-minute trolley tour |
| Copp’s Hill Burying Ground | Paul Revere | Spooky graveyard atmosphere |
| Fort Warren | The Lady in Black | Haunted Civil War prison |
| Boston Athenaeum | Reverend Harris | Ghostly library with human-skin books |
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