Every spot in New York City has a story to tell. No matter which borough you visit, you’re bound to find a piece of history waiting to be discovered. It’s not just buildings that get left behind, though.

Explore Haunted NYC

Several ghost sightings have occurred at these locations throughout the years, and they may still be there when you arrive. If you’re a true believer, take a visit to one of these New York City landmarks and learn which spooky guests are waiting for you.

Merchant’s House Museum

One place that holds an authentic piece of New York City history belongs to the Merchant’s House Museum. This building in NoHo was built in the early 1800s and was declared a historic landmark by the city in 1965. Guests can visit and learn about the architecture of the time and the Treadwell family who lived there for over 100 years. While you may get an education during your visit, you may also get a haunting. Legend has it that the youngest Treadwell, Gertrude, spent her entire life in the house, and her spirit continues to haunt the property to this day. Several paranormal investigations have been held there, and their findings included voices being heard as well as ghost sightings and odd smells coming from the rooms. Merchant’s House takes great pride in its ghost stories, and guests will be able to hear more of them thanks to the ghost tours and books they offer about the Treadwell ghosts.

A Room at Merchant’s House Museum (©Dylan Chandler) 

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

You’ll be able to find this iconic site, thanks to its catchy name. One if by Land, Two if by Sea is a restaurant in the West Village that serves classic, upscale American meals to guests. However, the building holds much more than food. It began as a carriage house in the late 1700s that belonged to politician Aaron Burr and his family. His daughter, Theodosia, disappeared on a ship in 1813, leaving Burr to fall into sorrow for the rest of his life. It’s said that the two haunt the restaurant to this day, and there have been numerous sightings of ghostly activity. Portraits fall off the walls, plates are thrown across the room, and women’s earrings tend to get stolen if they sit at the bar. There have also been sightings of other ghosts in the restaurant, such as a woman dressed all in black on the staircase. If you’d like to spend your meal with a genuine spirit, this restaurant is the place for you.

The Campbell

Another restaurant haunting in New York City can be found hiding in plain sight. The Campbell is a bar located inside Grand Central Terminal that maintains its 1920s design. Guests can sip a cocktail while also enjoying a small lunch, but they may find a ghost joining them as well. Many staff members and the previous owner have reported feeling a cold draft throughout the restaurant, and some have even felt a spirit pushing them as they walked. The most common ghosts to be seen in the bar are a couple wearing true 1920s fashion that can be spotted sitting together on the upper level. Despite the paranormal activity, there’s nothing to fear. The ghosts are said to be very friendly and love nothing more than to visit this stylish bar with guests.

Hell Gate Bridge

The Hell Gate Bridge is a place in New York City that has a more ominous history attached to it. The bridge connects visitors to Queens and Randall’s Island, and trains continue to travel across it to this day. However, its name, faded red color and spooky beginning allow it to hold many dark secrets. Long before the bridge was built in 1916, multiple ships sank at the site thanks to its troubled waters. Once the train tracks were built on the bridge, locals began to see ghosts around the area. The legends state that a “ghost train” rides over the bridge and stops to let the victims of the sunken ships on and off. If you visit the bridge early in the morning, you may be able to see this train arriving at its destination.

Hell Gate Bridge (©Joe Cingrana) 

Renwick Smallpox Hospital

While it may look ominous up close, these ruins on Roosevelt Island hold a thrilling history. The Renwick Smallpox Hospital was declared a landmark in 1956, but it once held thousands of patients treated during the smallpox pandemic in the 1850s. The hospital was later expanded to treat various patients and became a nursing school before it was abandoned in the 1950s. With such an eerie history attached to it, the property was bound to host several ghost sightings. Visitors have often reported hearing sounds with no source and seeing lights and dark shadows around the property. Despite a ghostly presence on the grounds, they still hold an extraordinary history that is definitely worth exploring.

House of Death

This house in Greenwich Village is named for a reason. The House of Death is a landmark built in 1856 that has been the host of many gruesome deaths and ghost sightings. Former tenants have reported seeing moving shadows on the walls and smelling rotting food around the house. The property is said to be the home of at least 22 spirits, so there have been plenty of ghostly visitors over the years. The most famous is author Mark Twain, who lived in the house for about a year. Twain had his share of paranormal sightings when he lived there, but recent years have provided stories of his own ghost wandering around the property. While the House of Death is currently privately owned, its legends still echo throughout the neighborhood.

Find the House of Death in West Village (©Tagger Yancey IV/NYC & Company)