This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Greater Cleveland
Nothing delights the senses quite like popcorn and a horror movie while you’re cozied up under the blankets, but even such festivities aren’t enough for aficionados of all things spooky. For some, only the real deal will cut it. Yes, I’m talking about real haunted destinations, places where the living and the dearly departed coexist. If you’re a Clevelander with a craving for the macabre, you don’t have to look far for the perfect haunted places. There are several worthy of visiting, in fact, and such a creepy tour makes for an incredible road trip to some of the most haunted places in Ohio.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Get ready for a road trip through Northeast Ohio, because we're about to check out some local haunts that are delightfully infamous.
This 285-acre cemetery is one of Cleveland's loveliest urban gems, and people are dying to get in. With more than 100,000 residents resting in its expanse, this Victorian Garden-style cemetery holds many secrets and stories. Some say it is haunted, and stories surround the Haserot Angel in particular. For the full story, click here.
The picture here may not be familiar to Clevelanders, especially if they grew up with the familiarity of the gorgeous Civil War monument in Cleveland's Public Square. We haven't all toured the tunnels beneath its massive weight, and that's alright... some say they are haunted, so a visit is definitely not for the faint of heart. Visitors have reported disembodied footsteps and voices in the tunnels, perhaps the ghostly remnants of the very soldiers the monument stands to commemorate.
Ornate and beautiful, many can hardly resist the charms of this hotel when they spend the night. Some visitors never check out, however, as a multitude of stories surround this charming Public Square destination. This hotel opened its doors in 1918, but the land it resides on has a longer history. It was once the home of Mowrey's Tavern, which opened in 1815 and transferred through a series of owners before being destroyed in a fire. The site was replaced by the Dunham House in 1848, which was later renamed to the Forest City House before it was razed to make room for the current structure. Perhaps the ghostly residents of this hotel stopped in looking for the local watering hole but decided to stay for a while in the opulent surroundings they discovered.
In March of 1913, visitors must have been in awe of the beauty of this venue. It was known at the time as the Metropolitan Theatre, and since it opened its doors many performers and fans alike have enjoyed its ambiance. Some never want to leave, and some never do. A man in a yellow raincoat is said to haunt the venue, though his backstory is unknown.
This neighborhood was once abuzz with railroad traffic, but this activity could not save the area from the trauma of the Great Depression. The region was home to a shantytown and some of Cleveland's poorest residents. Sadly, in the 1930s, it also became home to the victims of a deranged serial killer. For the full story on the still unsolved Cleveland Torso Murders, click here.
Lockkeeper's originally started its life in a building that formerly housed Zimmerman's Tavern. Its owner, Sophie, was said to have a rather boisterous personality, which is perhaps why she was shot and killed in her restaurant. Sophie was said to visit LockKeepers, and she even followed the establishment when it moved across the street following the razing of the original building. While our road trip concludes here, you'll probably want to stay for a while and grab a bite to eat. Just be on the lookout for a specter or two during your visit!
Address: 8001 Rockside Road, Valley View, OH, 44125
Horror movies and walk-through haunted houses aren’t good enough for some paranormal fans, but Cleveland has exactly what they’re looking for. With so many places worthy of visiting, it can be hard to decide which destinations to swing by. The easiest way to get to the most haunted places in Cleveland is to embark on a road trip, and there’s truly much to see. What would you add to our list?
Ah, you must be in search of Ohio ghost stories! You’ll be delighted to learn that there are a variety of scary places in Ohio, and many of them are located near cities like Cleveland, providing ease of access. Perhaps the most famous haunting in the state is that of Franklin Castle – a story that has, unfortunately, turned out to be largely rooted in urban legend. However, you’ll be delighted to learn that the neighborhood around Franklin Castle is full of haunts, allowing you to experience the real Ohio ghost stories in person.
What is the most haunted town in Ohio?
Ohio hosts some spooky destinations, and it’s not unusual to stumble upon entire haunted towns. Athens is said to be one of the most convincingly real haunted places in Ohio, and this trend of spooky destinations stretches all the way to the northern portions of the state. It’s here that you’ll find infamously haunted towns near Cleveland, some of which have earned affectionate nicknames like Helltown.
What is the creepiest abandoned place in Ohio?
Sadly, many destinations have been in abandoned in this state over the years. Some say that abandoned places in Ohio are absolutely adored by spirits, and these spooky places are often said to be haunted. Mother Nature has reclaimed many abandoned places, but other destinations, like the infamously haunted House of Wills, remain standing.
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is - she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
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