There are so many places in the Garden State that are believed to be haunted, from abandoned insane asylums to bottomless blue holes. However, many of these places are dangerous or illegal to visit and offer little entertainment value outside of their supernatural status. If you’re looking to go on an incredible, accessible adventure that also happens to take you to some of the most haunted places in NJ – this is it. This epic road trip is even family friendly, but the possibility of paranormal activity adds some thrills and chills. Gas up the car and hit the road for a couple of days worth of spooky exploration.

The Route:
Image/Google Maps
With around eight hours of drive time, you'll definitely want to make this a multi-day trip. This list includes several haunted hotels, so if your ghostly adventure extends into the evening, you'll have a spooky spot to stay.
Your journey begins on Clinton Road in West Milford, often listed among the most haunted roads in America.
Wikipedia/Daniel Case
There are many supernatural stories surrounding this 10-mile stretch of road including a ghost boy who wanders around a bridge and hellhounds who roam the area. Some also say that the spot was a meeting place for various cults and other sinister groups. This road even has a very real chilling story - a body was found along the street, the victim of a notorious serial killer and mob hitman, Richard 'Iceman" Kuklinski.
Next up is Devil's Tower in the town of Alpine.
Image/Google Maps
Located amidst mansions in Alpine, New Jersey, this striking tower is said to be haunted by a woman who threw herself from the top. Legend says that she saw her spouse with another woman and jumped, stricken with grief. After her death, there were unexplained noises and footsteps throughout the tower along with the faint smell of her perfume. The building was closed off and eventually slated to be destroyed. After a series of strange accidents, the demolition was called off. While taking a trip past the tower, be sure to stop nearby at Alpine Lookout. Part of Palisades Interstate Park, you'll score fantastic views of New York City and the Hudson River.
Head to the famous Red Mill Museum in Clinton for another spooky spot to see.
Firoz Ansari/Flickr
Due to a lack of safety practices, many workers were maimed or killed during their time at the mill. The Mill Museum itself is a wonderful place to tour, and be sure to keep a lookout for the costumed period actor on the third floor. Many guests report seeing him, however... the museum does not employ period actors. Around Halloween, the museum and grounds turn into an eerie haunted village, startling guests since 1990. Visit on select nights for Happy Hauntings - a lights-on event suitable for younger children. As scarier scenes are still depicted, parental discretion is advised - but for the most part, this is a great place to visit as part of your family excursions.

You can learn more about the Red Mill Museum here.
Pay tribute at our next spot, Princeton Battlefield, Princeton
Flickr/Khurt Williams
Though this may be beautiful place to visit, hundreds of soldiers lost their lives here. Many report hearing screams, other strange noises and the smell of gunpowder. The park is home to the Thomas Clarke House - now a museum, once a makeshift hospital. While in Princeton, grab grub at the historic Nassau Tavern. Some have reported Revolutionary War-era ghost sightings. Consider a ghost tour through the Princeton Tour Company to see several haunted spots during your visit. All ghost tours provide access to EMF Meters, Therma-meters, Dowsing Rods and Night Vision flashlights.

You can learn more about the battlefield and park here

Related Stories

Here's The Ultimate Terrifying New Jersey Road Trip And It'll Haunt Your Dreams

Here's The Ultimate Terrifying New Jersey Road Trip And It'll Haunt Your Dreams

 These 7 Road Trips In New Jersey Will Take You To Places You'll Never Forget

These 7 Road Trips In New Jersey Will Take You To Places You'll Never Forget

 This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In New Jersey

This Epic Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks In New Jersey
The first haunted hotel on the list is the gorgeous Grenville Hotel in Bay Head.
Image/Google Maps
You'll end the night at the gorgeous (and very pink) Grenville Hotel. This Bay Head hotel is one of the most accommodating spots on the coast, and guests tend to return year after year for a vacation stay. Some people may just not want to leave... and visitors often report ghostly children wandering the halls, the sounds of laughter and strange noises coming from empty rooms. Be sure to check out the restaurant during your stay - the food is to die for.

Visit the Grenville's website, here, for more info.
After a relaxing overnight stay at the Grenville, head over to Allaire Village in Farmingdale
Flickr/Glenn Kraeck
This living history museum transports visitors to the past, but pieces of the past may also be part of the present here. Two spirits are said to linger on the premises - Hal Allaire and Oscar Smith. Both are said to be friendly ghosts who enjoy playing pranks. Mark your calendars now - in October, they often run haunted hayrides and a haunted village event, suitable for older children.

See what's happening at the Village here!
Of course, no eerie NJ road trip is complete without a stop at the Hindenburg Crash Site, at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst
Wikipedia/Gus Pasquerella
It is said that sometimes tragedy binds souls to specific spots. The Hindenburg explosion was one of the worst airship disasters in history, so it is no surprise that the hangar that once held the blimp is believed to be haunted. Hangar 1 was used as a makeshift morgue after the explosion and it can be toured today with proper background checks (it's still an active military base), in partnership with the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society.
Next, head to historic Mount Holly to visit the Burlington County Prison Museum.
Wikipedia/Susan Spitz
While most executions did not happen here, the body of former inmate Joel Clough is buried on the grounds - his spirit still lingers. The last hanging in New Jersey occurred on the grounds. Visitors report rattling chains, disembodied voices and off the charts magnetic readings. A documented murder occurred here in 1920, but now it is an interesting place to learn about prison life. You can take tours of the prison - which sits in front of the current Burlington County Jail - and then walk down to The 8th House just a few blocks away to learn more about the occult and spirits in the form of tarot and astrology. Pairing the two makes for an interesting stop on any day.

Read more about the jailhouse tours here.
A scenic drive down the shore will take you to the next stop, the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City.
Yelp/Flanders Hotel
Guests love this hotel so much that they never want to leave. Spend the night or just visit for a meal at Emily's Restaurant. Emily's ghost is said to haunt the hotel - and for a long time, her painting on the 2nd floor spooked guests so much that it was covered up. Legend has it that she was waiting for her fiance to return to her from war, and she lost her engagement ring when it fell through the elevator shaft. She still shuffles through rooms and the basement looking for any trace of her long lost love. If you're staying the night here, see if you can head out on a ghost tour.
Finally, end your trip at the southern tip of the state when you visit Cape May's Battery 223.
Yelp/Bob C.
This bunker on the beach is a strange sight and definitely worth a visit. Though this WWII munitions bunker never saw any battles, the ghosts of soldiers are said to haunt both the battery and the beach. While in Cape May, enjoy one of the many ghost tours and haunted happenings. Options include a Ghosts Of Cape May Trolley Tour, a Historic Haunts House Tour and special Halloween events like the Rest In Peace Dinner.

This is a perfect spooky road trip! For a map and directions, click here. For more info on the haunted Burlington Prison Museum, click here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

haunted places in NJ

Kim Magaraci | September 05, 2020

Are there any haunted hotels in New Jersey?

The Flanders Hotel is one of the most haunted in the state, and while guests love the boardwalk location and beach views, many truly experience the paranormal when they book their stay here.

Can I go ghost hunting in New Jersey?

You can certainly find some amazing ghost tours! Cape May County is one of the most haunted in the state, and the towns of Cape May and Ocean City both offer evening ghost tours that tell the tales of the spookiest spots around. You might even see a spirit on your walking tour.

Are there haunted battlefields in New Jersey?

New Jersey was a huge part of the American Revolution, and there are a few haunted battlefields you should check out. Princeton and Monmouth were well known battles, but the little-known Battle of Iron Works Hill was in Mount Holly, and a park sits on this eerie, hallowed ground.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Clinton Road, Clinton Rd, West Milford, NJ, USA
Alpine, NJ, USA
Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main St, Clinton, NJ 08809, USA
The Grenville Hotel & Restaurant, 345 Main Ave #4735, Bay Head, NJ 08742, USA
The Flanders Hotel, 719 E 11th St, Ocean City, NJ 08226, USA
Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Burlington County Prison Museum, 128 High St, Mt Holly, NJ 08060, USA
Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
Allaire Village, Inc., 4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, NJ 07727, USA
Hindenburg Disaster Memorial, 563 Saniuk Rd, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, USA