Spooky season is almost upon us, and it turns out Ontario has its fair share of scary spots. You can visit some creepy places around the province that are crawling with real-life ghost stories. Set your horror movies aside, because Ontario's haunted places will give you major goosebumps.
This article contains graphic content that might not be suitable for some readers.
You'll want to have Ghostbusters on speed dial before going to these spots.
Ontario has tons of sites that are visited by both the living and the dead.
Editor's Choice: Gas Prices Will Be Dropping Dramatically This Weekend Across Ontario
You can discover creepy stories and unexplained happenings at these paranormal places.
From prisons wrought with skin-crawling pasts to restaurants with ghostly patrons, you'll need to have your wits about you when exploring these spots.
Daredevils can spend the night with spirits at two Ontario locations.
The HI Ottawa Jail Hostel lets you sleep in a solitary confinement cell, although it may not be as solitary as it seems.
An Airbnb is notoriously haunted, and guests have told tales of a strange man and angry woman appearing in their room.
If the thought of ghosts has you turning a nightlight on before bed, then you can stay safe at some less terrifying fall attractions.
There are tons of pumpkin patches and apple orchards to check out that so far have only been visited by the living.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Price: Ferry fee
Address: Toronto Islands
Why You Need To Go: According to an article on The Torontoist, in 1812, the lighthouse keeper disappeared mysteriously from his home. It has been said that he was murdered by two soldiers, dismembered, and buried around the lighthouse. His ghost still haunts the area today.
Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Price: Fees vary
Address: 1219 Burloak Dr., Oakville, ON
Why You Need To Go: Bronte Creek's Spruce Lane Farmhouse has had several reportings of hauntings. Strange footsteps, self-locking doors, and paranormal apparitions are just some of the sightings at this old Victorian manor. The house is open several times throughout the year, and you can contact the park for more information.
Screaming Tunnel
Price: Free
Address: Warner Rd., Niagara Falls, ON
Why You Need To Go: According to the St. Catherine Standard, legend has it that a young girl was killed by her father and burned in the creepy tunnel. Her spirit still haunts the underground crevice.
HI Ottawa Jail Hostel
Price: $41.25 + per night
Address: 75 Nicholas St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: You might have nightmares when sleeping in this place. The historic jailhouse lets guests sleep in old cells, and still contains the original gallows. Bodies were found beneath the parking lot, and reviews suggest that ghosts are very much at home in this spot.
Kingston Penitentiary
Price: $35 +
When: Until October 31, 2020
Address: 560 King S. W., Kingston, ON
Why You Need To Go: You might glimpse several ghosts when touring this jail. One who has been rumoured to wander the prison is George Hewell, a violent inmate who used to strike guards. He swore he would seek revenge on a guard who struck back in self-defence.
Old Fort Erie
Price: $13.27 per adult
Address: 350 Lakeshore Rd., Fort Erie, ON
Why You Need To Go: The site of Canada's bloodiest battlefield, visitors say they have witnessed two soldiers wandering through the darkness, one without hands, and one without a head.
Coach & Lantern Pub
Price: Prices vary
Address: 384 Wilson St. E., Hamilton, ON
Why You Need To Go: This British pub is swimming with stories of strange glowing orbs exposed in photographs and a disappearing gentleman who has shown up several times.
The Olde Angel Inn
Price: Prices vary
Address: 224 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: Legend has it that in 1813, a Canadian militia officer was killed by American soldiers as he went to meet his lover in the Inn. His ghost is thought to walk the halls at night, longing for his sweetheart. He is considered to be harmless as long as the British flag flies over the Inn.
PRZ Paintball
Price: $20 + per player
Address: 204 Kingsley Rd., Picton ON
Why You Need To Go: Originally a Canadian Forces base, the site was used as a “hospital for the mentally disabled” in 1917. Unconfirmed stories of patient abuse and possible fatalities have drawn paranormal investigators over the years. The area is now an epic paintball field.
Fort George
Price: $11.90 per adult
Address: 51 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Why You Need To Go: It has been said that the spirits of soldiers and their families haunt this historic military base and battle site. Ghostly figures of a tall man following guests and a man in white lounging on beds have been reported.
Oakville Market Square
Price: Free
Address: Corner of Navy St. & William St., Oakville, ON
Why You Need To Go: At least one group of tourists reported smelling a unique burning scent, which is particularly creepy as an old jailhouse once burned to the ground at that spot.
Fergus
Address: Fergus, ON
Why You Need To Go: Referred to as Canada's Most Haunted Village, spend a day wandering the streets and visiting historic sites in hopes of spotting a ghost.
The Haunted Airbnb
Price: $125 / night
Address: Penetanguishene, ON
Why You Need To Go: The quaint Victorian house has something sinister lurking inside. Guests have reported sightings of ghosts, including a man looking in a mirror with an angry woman beside him.
Skeleton Park
Price: Free
Address: 30 Alma St., Kingston, ON
Why You Need To Go: If the name isn't spooky enough, this park has a grim past. It was once a cemetery, which was bulldozed as it fell into disrepair. Human remains are still discovered to this day, and you can spot pieces of gravestones in the ground. Visitors have reported paranormal sightings, spooky mists, and more.
Dundurn Castle
Price: $14 per adult
Address: 610 York Blvd., Hamilton, ON
Why You Need To Go: According to the Hamilton Public Library archives, Dundurn Castle has some spooky secrets. Sir Allan MacNab, premier of pre-Confederation Canada originally inhabited the castle with his family. The history is strewn with hangings, illnesses, and death, and reports of singing, moving objects, and strange drafts have been reported.
Humber College Lakeshore Campus
Address: 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke, ON
Why You Need To Go: According to an article on Humber ETC, the Lakeshore Campus is spookier than it seems. The building was once a psychiatric hospital, and hundreds of people have reported seeing the ghost of a nurse who hung herself in the orchard.
Burkholder Church Cemetery
Address: 465 Mohawk Rd. E., Hamilton, ON
Why You Need To Go: According to the Hamilton Public Library, a strange light used to move along the roof of the church right before a death. Sometimes, the light would even float away and rest over the house of the dying person.
Orangeville Town Hall
Address: 87 Broadway, Orangeville, ON
Why You Need To Go: Apparently, Orangeville Town Hall is haunted by more than one spirit. It was featured in the book Haunted Town Halls and has been visited by paranormal investigators.
Agnes Etherington Arts Centre
Price: Free
Address: 36 University Ave., Kingston, ON
Why You Need To Go: Staff have reported seeing the ghost of Agnes Etherington, who the building was named after, wandering the halls of the art gallery. A staff member once saw a piano playing by itself, another heard a disembodied voice reminding her to turn off the lights before she closed for the night.
Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
