13 Most Spooky Places in Chicago That Will Take Your Breath Away in the Windy City
Chicago, known as the Windy City, is not only famous for its stunning architecture and deep-dish pizza. But did you know it also it has some of the most spine-chilling haunted locations in the world? This article uncovers the 13 most spooky and scary places in Chicago that will leave you breathless. Prepare yourself for a journey through the eerie and mysterious corners of this vibrant city.
The Congress Plaza Hotel, Credit IvoShandor, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
1. The Congress Plaza Hotel
The Congress Plaza Hotel is reputed to be one of the most haunted hotels in Chicago. Guests and staff have reported ghostly apparitions, strange noises, and unexplained phenomena. The hotel’s Room 441 is particularly infamous for its spooky and chilling occurrences. Dare to stay the night and experience the supernatural for yourself.
2. The Hauntings of Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery
Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, located in the suburb of Midlothian, is one of the most haunted places in the area. Rumored to be the location where Al Capone dumped the bodies of his victims, it draws those enticed by dark tourism from all over the world.
Photographs have been taken that have shown a woman in old-time dress, a spooky apparition of a house that is not really there, and dark-robed figures. Some have even reported hearing the sounds of a horse-drawn carriage along a road that no longer exists.
The Hull House, via The Jane Addams Papers Project
3. The Haunted Hull House
Hull House, founded by social reformer Jane Addams, is known for its ghostly legends. One of the most famous stories is that of the “Devil Baby,” a deformed infant said to have been born there. Multiple stories exist about a deformed child that as hidden away in the attic.
It was also Mrs. Hull who passed away in the house. Visitors and staff have reported her ghostly apparition and unexplained sounds, making it a truly spooky place to visit.
4. Resurrection Cemetery and the Ghost of Resurrection Mary
Do you recall the spooky story of the vanishing hitchhiker? A car drives along a dark rural road at night only to come upon a girl hitchhiking.
In each story, the driver picks the girl up and offers her a ride. In some versions, it is not long after driving away that they notice she has vanished. Others make conversation and the girl gives them her home address only to notice upon pulling up to the house she has vanished.
Resurrection Cemetery is the final resting place of the infamous ghost Resurrection Mary. Many have claimed to see her apparition along Archer Avenue, hitchhiking and then vanishing from cars. This haunting legend makes Resurrection Cemetery a must-visit for those seeking a spooky experience.
Inside the Oriental Theater, credit Eric Allix Rogers via Open House Chicago
5. The Oriental Theatre (formerly Iroquois Theatre)
The former Iroquois Theatre, which had a disastrous fire in 1903 that left over 600 people dead, is the location of the Oriental Theatre. There have been accounts of spectral apparitions and unsettling noises, suggesting that the victims’ ghosts are haunting the theater. You’ll definitely get shivers when you come here.
6. The Iconic Haunt at Drake Hotel
Chicago’s other well-known haunted place is the Drake Hotel. The hotel’s roof is frequently visited by the spectral figure known as the “Woman in Red,” a lady who committed herself by jumping to her death. It’s a haunting place for thrill-seekers since hotel visitors have recorded additional unexplained events.
The infamous H.H. Holmes Murder Castle
7. The Murder Castle of H.H. Holmes
Imagine stepping into a grand hotel during the 1893 World’s Fair, unaware that you’ve just entered the lair of one of history’s most notorious serial killers. In Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, there once stood a building that was no ordinary inn—it was the Murder Castle of H.H. Holmes. Beneath its unassuming exterior lay a labyrinth of secret passages, soundproof rooms, and hidden trapdoors. Those who entered often never left, falling victim to the twisted mind of Holmes, who delighted in creating this house of horrors.
Holmes, with a charm that masked his malevolence, lured countless victims, particularly young women, into his web of deceit. Some were gassed in their rooms, others tortured in hidden chambers, and many were never seen again. When Holmes was finally captured, he confessed to 27 murders, but whispers suggest the true number could be far higher—perhaps hundreds.
The Murder Castle was eventually demolished, replaced by a post office that now occupies the cursed ground. Yet, the spirits of those lost there seem unable to rest. Postal workers have reported eerie encounters, from ghostly apparitions to unsettling sounds echoing through the basement—a place some believe still holds remnants of the original Castle. One can only wonder if the souls trapped within those walls continue to cry out, their stories forever woven into the dark history of Englewood.
Dare to visit, and you might just feel the chill of a presence that refuses to fade, a reminder of the evil that once thrived in the heart of Chicago.
8. Graceland Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery is the final resting place of many famous Chicagoans, but it’s also known for its spooky atmosphere and ghostly sightings. The statue of Inez Clarke, a six-year-old girl, is said to move during thunderstorms. Visitors often report feeling an otherworldly presence among the tombstones.
Cloudy view of the John Hancock building
9. The John Hancock Center
The John Hancock Center is known for its breathtaking views, but it also has a spooky side. The ghost of a construction worker who fell to his death during the building’s construction is said to haunt the observation deck. Visitors have reported feeling a ghostly presence and seeing strange shadows.
10. The Excalibur Club (Castle)
The Excalibur Club, housed in a castle-like building, is rumored to be haunted by several spirits. Built in the late 19th century, the building has a dark history of mysterious deaths and ghostly apparitions. Visitors and staff have reported paranormal activities, including ghostly figures and unexplained noises.
Inside The Red Lion Pub via Eater Chicago
11. The Red Lion Pub
Situated in the Lincoln Park district, the Red Lion Pub is well-known for its spectral clientele. There are rumors that the bar is haunted by the ghosts of previous owners and patrons who, even in death, don’t seem to want to leave their favorite hangout.
Reports of unexplainable paranormal activities, including footsteps echoing through empty hallways and the appearance of ghostly figures, have been made by visitors.
On calm evenings, you might see a shadowy figure at the bar or sense a draft coming from somewhere other than the door—as though the ghosts are continuing to enjoy the cozy companionship of the pub long after closing time.
12. The Alley at Clark and Belmont
The Alley, a popular shopping destination for alternative fashion, is also known for its spooky atmosphere. The building, which dates back to the early 20th century, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of former residents. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy figures and hearing eerie sounds.
Dusk at the Lincoln Park Zoo via Shutterstock
13. The Spookiest Zoo in America
Imagine walking through Lincoln Park Zoo on a quiet, fog-laden evening. The sun has dipped below the horizon, and the shadows of the ancient trees stretch long across the pathways. As you wander past the animal enclosures, the atmosphere feels spooky—heavy, as if the air itself is whispering secrets of a time long forgotten.
What many don’t realize is that the zoo sits atop what was once the city’s main cemetery. Beneath the charming walkways and bustling attractions, thousands of souls remain buried, their graves undisturbed for over a century. This hidden history has left its mark, and many believe the spirits of the departed still linger, their restless energy seeping into the very bones of the zoo.
Visitors and staff alike have reported spooky experiences—an inexplicable chill in the air, the soft, mournful cries that seem to come from nowhere, and fleeting glimpses of figures that vanish upon closer inspection. But it’s near the zoo’s oldest buildings where their haunting presence is felt most strongly. Some say they’ve seen a spectral figure in old-fashioned clothing, wandering as if searching for something lost long ago.
Others have heard the faint sound of footsteps behind them, only to turn and find no one there. In the stillness of the night, when the zoo is empty and the animals have settled into an uneasy sleep, the past comes alive, reminding us that the dead are never truly gone—they simply wait, watching from the shadows.
Explore Chicago’s Most Spooky and Haunted Locations
For those who dare to explore, Chicago’s haunted locales provide a spine-tingling experience. The strange locations of the Windy City will leave you speechless, from spooky theaters and bars to gloomy hotels and haunted cemeteries. Take a spooky excursion and discover the terrifying tales that make Chicago a real hotspot for aficionados of the paranormal.
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