Great restaurants, beautiful scenery, exciting outdoor activities, historical and cultural attractions—are all popular considerations for travelers planning a vacation. But what about things that go bump in the night?
It’s a fact that some people do seek out places with haunted histories and macabre mysteries when searching for an exciting getaway; whether it’s a fascination with things eerie and spooky or simply a curiosity that drives them to delve into the unknown. Whatever the reason, places with a supernatural bent tend to fascinate travelers.
And for those looking for something a little different to spice up their next vacation, a place bursting with a history of supernatural spots is surely the way to go—and Buffalo, New York is one such place.
Just a short car ride away from the famous Niagara Falls, Buffalo is an exciting city that continues to reinvent itself while still embracing its historical past. With plenty to see and do (including trying those famous wings), it’s definitely a city worth checking out when exploring New York State. And for those who want some thrills and chills in their trip itinerary, Buffalo is also in the running as one of the most haunted cities in upstate New York, too—with no less than four (and some say more!) locations known for their haunted happenings.
The Hauntings Of Hayes Hall
Located on the University of Buffalo’s South Campus, and currently, the home of the school’s department of architecture, Hayes Hall has an unusual past that gives it an eerie and somewhat mysterious reputation—possibly because it is the former site of ‘The Insane Department of the Erie County Almshouse’ after its inception in the late 19th century. Later turned into a county hospital before being bought by the university at the turn of the century, the spot has been the site of numerous unexplainable events over the years—including ghost sightings. Spookier still is that much of South Campus was used as a burial ground for those who passed away at the hospital, which certainly adds to the site’s mysterious mien.
Visit Hayes Hall: 3435 Main St. Buffalo
Ships With Heroic Pasts And A Haunted Present
The Buffalo Naval Park is a great place to visit while in the city; especially for those with an interest in military history and WWII. However, it’s also the site of some of Buffalo’s most historic hauntings. Home to several heroic ships used in both WWII and for naval training exercises, the park is also home to several spirits, according to numerous reports. The hauntings have been well documented by both visitors and ghost hunters who have reportedly seen (and heard), George Sullivan—one of five brothers tragically lost during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal when their submarine was sunk by a Japanese missile. Reportedly roaming the ship named after his fallen family, George’s footsteps can be heard echoing throughout the ship; and, some say, he does appear in visitors’ photographs taken at the museum—even when he is present in the originals. Creepy!
Visit Buffalo Naval Park: 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo
A Once Busy Terminal…And A Supernatural Site
The Buffalo Central Terminal has one of the most haunted reputations in Buffalo—it’s even been visited by the Ghost Hunters on a number of occasions. With an illustrious (but checkered) past and distinctive Art deco design, the terminal is definitely a standout in a city already famed for its architecture. But it’s the terminal’s supernaturally spooky occurrences that really get the spotlight: its basement especially is a known site of paranormal activity, reportedly a haunt of transients and homeless people that used it as a temporary home during the terminal’s unused and neglected for almost 20 years—and are rumored to have perished there. There are also reports of spirits roaming the terminal’s other floors, as well; most famously a man named Anthony Fedele, who once owned the terminal and lived there for a time in the late 1970s and early 1980s—the paranormal group Beyond Ghosts even claims to have made contact with this enigmatic specter.
Visit Buffalo Central Terminal: 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo
Iron Island Museum: Buffalo’s Most Haunted?
The Iron Island Museum began its life as a Methodist Church in the late 19th century before becoming a funeral home in the mid-1950s—perhaps the reason for its spooky reputation as one of Buffalo’s most haunted spots—a fact that was discovered once the building began undergoing renovations in 2000 before becoming the Iron Island Museum. Reportedly it was then that members of the preservation society noticed strange things happening there; in addition to making the grisly discovery of over 20 unclaimed cremations in the basement. And truly, it is the basement that seems to be the hub of the museum’s paranormal activity; though numerous visits by ghost hunting groups and other eyewitnesses have reported other strange occurrences in what is now dubbed the ‘children’s room’ which is allegedly haunted by numerous spirits. There’s also a ‘military room’ known for its eerie occurrences, too.
Visit the Iron Island Museum: 998 Lovejoy Street, Buffalo
Other Supernatural Spots In Buffalo
The above places are just some of the places in Buffalo with eerie reputations that are known as being bastions of supernatural spookiness.
- The Town Ballroom is a historic venue in Buffalo famed for its amazing concerts and performances—and also for its basement, which is reportedly the site of many strange occurrences including flickering lights; motion detectors going off in empty rooms, and alarms activated when no one is there. 681 Main Street, Buffalo
- Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a great place to catch a Broadway show—and perhaps set sights on the theater’s founder Michael Shea roaming the facilities and exclaiming, ‘Isn’t this magnificent?’ 650 Main Street, Buffalo
- A National Historic Landmark and one of Buffalo’s most iconic buildings, the almost 150-year old Richardson Olmsted Campus was once a psychiatric hospital that, once closed, fell into disrepair and neglect for years—hence its haunted reputation. However, since 2006, the building has been undergoing a major restoration, so perhaps the specters will have to find another home—though reports indicate that the site (especially the still unrestored areas) is just as spooky as ever. 444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo
- Tour some of Buffalo's most harrowing haunts on one of Mason Winfield's Haunted History Ghost Walks, a well-known attraction showcasing the city's most haunting neighborhood spots. Check the website for info and tour options
For those looking to explore upstate New York, Buffalo is a must—a historic city that preserves its storied past while revitalizing and rebuilding toward the future; and plenty of cultural and historical attractions combined with a beautiful waterfront and natural beauty to match. But Buffalo also has a supernatural side—known as one of the most haunted cities in Western New York, anyone looking for a spooky scare will have no problem finding one in the Queen City that’s known for its many supernatural sites.