This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Greater Cleveland
Something about the month of October makes us crave spookiness. 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 some Halloween aficionados. 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 autumn road trip.
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.
2. Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, Public Square, Cleveland
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.
5. Kingsbury Run, Kinsman Ave. to the Cuyahoga River, Cleveland
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!
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 the most of Cleveland’s local haunts is to embark on a road trip, and there’s truly much to see. What would you add to our list?
