Take A Haunted Road Trip To Visit Some Of The Spookiest Places In Delaware
If you’re not afraid of the Delaware ghost stories that you grew up hearing, gather your bravest friends and set off to discover the most haunted places in Delaware. In order to make this road trip list, these places all had to be explorable, so you won’t just be driving around looking at places that someone claims were haunted. Get the full Delaware haunted road trip experience – if you dare.
See the spookiest places in Delaware by following the directions below.
This trip will take you from Fort Delaware, down to Lewes, over to Frankford and back up to Bear, with several stops along the way. Get the full directions here.
1. Of course, we've got to start at Fort Delaware.
Not only is Fort Delaware considered one of the most haunted places in Delaware, but many call it among the most haunted places in the world! Fort Delaware was once a Confederate prison, and today they are open for tours. There have been reported hauntings here for decades, thanks to a dark history of torture and terrible conditions experienced by the prisoners. In the fall, you can even experience an overnight excursion, if you dare.
2. Running from Fort Delaware Ghosts will work up an appetite - go have lunch at Crabby Dick's.
The restaurant is located in the old Delaware City Hotel, which is another one of the most haunted buildings in Delaware. What is it with Del City? Don't be surprised if you find orbs and shadows in your photos here. Ghost hunters have logged strange paranormal readings here, too, and many guests hear unexplained noises and see objects being moved or flung about. You'll hear many Delaware ghost stories if you ask around.
Previously, the building was used as a Civil War recruiting house. Apparently, some soldiers regretted their decision to sign up, because they just won't leave. Visitors talk about how they feel watched, see furniture move, and hear unexplained noises and voices when they're in the museum. These eerie ghosts in Delaware like to linger and tell others of their sad and hopeless fate.
4. Make sure you stop at Woodburn, the Governor's House.
Woodburn is one of the most haunted places in Delaware, and many of the most famous Delaware ghost stories come from this spooky Governor's mansion. Nearly every resident of Woodburn Mansion has reported ghosts, spirits, or strange happenings in the house. Luckily, the ghosts of Woodburn seem pretty friendly, and they prefer drinking the owners' wine more than they like to jump out and scare people. Read more about the Woodburn Ghosts here.
5. From Woodburn, it's time to head to the beach town of Lewes.
Nearly everyone knows where this house is located in Lewes, but did you know about the paranormal history of the home? The Cannonball House survived the shelling of Lewes during the war of 1812, and apparently some spirits who did not have now flocked to the house for safety. Screams, footsteps and voices have been heard by many, many people over the years here. It's one of the most talked about Delaware hauntings if you ask the locals for their creepiest stories.
6. Catmans' Grave in Frankford might be the end of your road trip, if you aren't careful.
Catman's Grave at Long Cemetery in Franford is one of the spookier places to check out on your Delaware Haunted Road Trip. The Catman is a gravekeeper who had catlike features, watches over the cemetery. Local legend says if you disturb his rest, he'll tinker with your car, and you might not be able to leave. This is one of the few haunted places in Delaware that you'll hear about over and over again, no matter where you go.
7. Before you head back upstate, take a quick detour over to Seaford to see Maggie's Bridge.
Maggie's Bridge, on Rt 78 in Seaford, is named after a pregnant woman who died here in a car accident. If you want to summon her ghost, stand on Maggie's Bridge at night and shout "Maggie, I have your baby!" you'll hear the rustling of a mother trying, at last, to find peace.
8. Lums Pond is where you'll finish your Delaware Haunted Road trip - hopefully, it's dark out by now.
We dare you to explore Lums Pond after the sun goes down - but not before first reading about the dark history and the ghost of a girl whose screams can still be heard from the Swamp Trail today. The trail is one of the eeriest haunted places in Delaware, and you can almost feel a sad stillness in the woods on a clear and quiet night.
Hopefully, after you visit the most haunted places in Delaware, you’ll make it back home with some great ghost stories. You can also modify it and check out just a few places, or make a weekend out of it and stay overnight somewhere in between. If you’re really brave and want to pitch a tent and stay in the woods between all of these spooky locations, check out our guide to the best camping sites in Delaware.
Address: Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
Address: 30 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
Address: 11 S Main St, Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Address: Woodburn: Governor's House, 151 Kings Hwy SW, Dover, DE 19901, USA
Address: The Lewes Maritime Museum at the Cannonball House, 118 Front St, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
Address: Frankford, DE 19945, USA
Address: 3488-3598 Red Lion Rd, Bear, DE 19701, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
most haunted places in Delaware
January 09, 2020
Kim Magaraci
What is the most famous ghost story from Delaware?
The tales from Woodburn are some of the most popular Delaware ghost stories. After all, who wouldn’t want to tell the tale of a ghost that helps himself to the Governor’s finest wines? These comical ghosts are generally though of as benevolent and fun-loving. There is one evil spirit that sticks around, though, and it belongs to a slave-raider who was accidentally hanged in the yard one night.
What is the most haunted town in Delaware?
Delaware City is rumored to be the most haunted town in Delaware. Not only do the ghosts of Fort Delaware stick around, but Crabby Dicks, Fort DuPont, the Central Hotel, and Pachette’s Playhouse all have hauntings of their own. You can learn more about this paranormal town here.
What is the creepiest abandoned place in Delaware?
Delaware is a state that consistently tears down and rebuilds on land that has been abandoned, but for some reason, the old Bancroft Mills has escaped that fate. After several fires have caused delays in construction projects, the eerie old mill lies abandoned on the river. This creepy spot is accessible from Alapocas Run State Park.
Address: Fort Delaware State Park, 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
Address: 30 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706, USA
Address: 11 S Main St, Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Address: Woodburn: Governor's House, 151 Kings Hwy SW, Dover, DE 19901, USA
Address: The Lewes Maritime Museum at the Cannonball House, 118 Front St, Lewes, DE 19958, USA
Address: Frankford, DE 19945, USA
Address: 3488-3598 Red Lion Rd, Bear, DE 19701, USA
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Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
