25 Most Haunted Places in Michigan | Plan a Haunted Michigan Road Trip
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A dirt path leads to a cemetery, covered with fallen branches and hung with cobwebs; a strange fog closes in while bats screech overhead; the howls of a black cat echo through the night as the sun sets on the spooky setting.
With Halloween approaching, Michiganders are searching for places to scare themselves silly, so here is our list of the most haunted places in Michigan – perfect for a haunted Michigan road trip.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and has been edited for accuracy.
Haunted Places in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Old City Orphanage | Marquette
Formerly known as the Holy Cross Orphanage, the Old City Orphanage stands against the Marquette hills as a menacing reminder of the city’s past. Built in 1915 and abandoned in the mid-sixties, the Catholic orphanage remains a location of lengthy narrative and legend.
According to occupants of the orphanage, the nuns were known to physically and mentally abuse the children and were fierce in their punishments. One account recalls a little girl playing outside during a blizzard and subsequently catching pneumonia. She died several days later.
As a testament to her foolishness and a warning to the other children, the nuns put her body on display for all to view. The crying of children is said to be heard if passing the building on a quiet night.
In 2016, the Marquette orphanage was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building last operated as an orphanage in 1967. After years of vacancy, it was transformed into affordable housing in 2018.
The Paulding Light | Paulding
Paulding, Michigan, is a small town in the Upper Peninsula known for a mysterious light display that occurs along a stretch of Highway 45. Although numerous paranormal investigators and even the Ripley’s Believe It or Not team have examined the area, no explanations for the phenomenon have ever been found.
Locals say the small spherical lights of white, red, and green are the ghosts of a railroad worker who died while trying to switch the tracks, or of a Native American man dancing along the power lines.
Mackinac Island
Thought to be the most haunted place in Michigan, Mackinac Island has Haunts of Mackinac tours devoted to its most ghost-ridden locales.
From the Grand Hotel (built upon the first military post’s cemetery) to Fort Mackinac (explored by SyFy Channel’s Ghost Hunters) to Mission Point (haunted by the ghost of a young man who shot himself after a heartbreak), Mackinac Island is a paranormal investigator’s dream destination.
The occasionally bloody history and relative isolation of the island lend to its spooky atmosphere each fall.
Calumet Theatre | Calumet
Built in 1900 as an opera house, this historic theater has evolved from staging grand operas to hosting plays and films, but some say its original star never left.
Legend tells of Madame Helena Modjeska, a celebrated actress who once performed here. In the 1950s, another actress reportedly forgot her lines mid-performance, only to look up and see Modjeska in the balcony, silently mouthing them to her.
Even today, visitors describe sudden chills, faint music with no source, and the feeling that unseen eyes are still watching from the upper seats.
Seul Choix Point Lighthouse | Gulliver
Built in 1895, the Seul Choix Lighthouse, French for “only choice,” was a vital stop for traders navigating Lake Michigan’s unpredictable waters.
Lighthouse keeper Joseph Townsend once hosted his brother, Captain James Townsend, whose visit ended tragically when he fell ill and died in the tower. His body remained in the basement for weeks as mourners made their way to Gulliver, and many say his spirit never left. Visitors still report phantom footsteps, eerie noises, and the faint scent of cigar smoke.
The stories have become so legendary that they’ve been chronicled in Spirits at Seul Choix Pointe by Marilyn S. Fischer, a book that captures the lighthouse’s most chilling tales.
Stop by the museum daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. For a truly haunting experience, visit near Halloween for their Haunted Lighthouse Tour.
Most Haunted Places in Northern Michigan
The Traverse City State Hospital | Traverse City
Constructed in 1885, the Traverse City State Hospital, originally the Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane, is perhaps the eeriest place in Grand Traverse County.
Built on the revolutionary Kirkbride Plan, the hospital emphasized “beauty as therapy.” Designed by Detroit architect Gordon W. Lloyd, the sprawling 350,000-square-foot Victorian Italianate complex became a self-contained community for patients and staff. Over time, it treated everything from mental illness to tuberculosis and typhoid before closing in 1989.
Though much of the property has been reborn as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, its haunting legacy remains. Paranormal investigators still explore its underground tunnels, while books and ghost tours keep its eerie history alive, especially around the infamous “Hippie Tree,” rumored to conceal a portal to Hell.
The Ghost Town of Pere Cheney
Located near Grayling, Pere Cheney was once a bustling nineteenth-century sawmill village. Diseases like diphtheria and cholera ravaged the town and the population dwindled to double-digits before the town was eventually abandoned sometime after 1912 when the Post Office closed.
Legend has it that nothing but a strange moss grows in the village, and the cemetery, one of the very few remaining landmarks, may even hold the bones of a witch.
Many visitors hear voices and witness orbs and, perhaps most frighteningly of all, there are reports of sightseers finding handprints on cars from children who died in the area.
Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
Perched on the shores of Lake Huron, this lighthouse guided ships for 31 years before stories of eerie screams and ghostly lights began to surface.
Legend says the cries belong to a keeper’s wife once locked in the tower, but the real mystery centers on George Parris and his wife, who managed the lighthouse and museum in the 1990s. After George’s passing, the long-disabled beacon began inexplicably turning on and off, all on its own – a ghost light that still flickers.
Visitors can explore the lighthouse and its grounds from mid-May through mid-October, if they dare.
Bower’s Harbor Inn | Traverse City
In 1909, Jennie and Charles Stickney built their dream home on Old Mission Peninsula, a grand estate that now houses Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin.
Over the years, rumor turned Jennie’s story into a ghostly tale of jealousy and heartbreak, claiming she hanged herself in the elevator shaft after discovering her husband’s affair with his nurse. But historian Julie Schopieray later uncovered the truth: Jennie died of natural causes in 1947, not tragedy.
Still, Jennie’s spirit seems to linger. Staff and guests have reported playful pranks and unexplained activity. Signs that Jennie, ever the hostess, still loves to mingle among the crowds nearly 75 years later.
West Michigan’s Most Haunted Places
Michigan Bell Building | Grand Rapids
Shrouded in legend, the Michigan Bell Building stands on the grounds of what was once a lavish mansion in downtown Grand Rapids. Current employees often experience ghostly encounters due to the grisly history of this particular plot of land.
It is said the Randall couple purchased the Judd-White House from its previous owners and hadn’t lived there for long before tragedy struck. Warren Randall, a railroad brakeman, lost his leg while on the job and had it replaced with a wooden prosthetic.
This led to feelings of insecurity on Warren’s part, and he soon accused his wife Virginia of having an affair. Their marriage was no longer happy and arguments were often overheard from the street.
After noticing a pungent odor emanating from the mansion, workers in the building next door contacted officials to investigate. The two were found dead in the house; Warren had allegedly beaten Virginia to death with his wooden leg before slitting his own throat.
The ghosts of the couple argue to this day as witnessed by employees of the company, with some saying that the Randalls are responsible for eerie prank phone calls traced back to the building after hours.
Ada Witch at Findlay Cemetery | Ada
In the early 1800s, tragedy struck in Ada, Michigan – at least, according to legend. The story tells of a jealous husband who followed his unfaithful wife to meet her lover, only to catch them in the act and kill them both in a fit of rage.
Ever since, locals say the woman’s ghost, known as the Ada Witch or the Lady in White, has been spotted at Seidman Park, Honey Creek Road, and Findlay Cemetery, where she’s said to be buried.
Though historians have never found proof of the murder, police reports, or even her grave, an eerie presence, phantom touches, and ghostly cries still haunt the area. Maybe the Lady in White is still searching for her side of the story.
The Ghost of Elias Friske at Hell’s Bridge | Rockford
When Rockford was first inhabited years ago, the surrounding woods and Rogue River were a source of resources and adventure for the people settling there. When children began going missing in the early 1800s though, the townspeople banded together in the church to split parents up into search parties.
Old Elias Friske warned parents of the terrifying demons surrounding the town, and volunteered to stay behind with the remaining children while parents searched for their loved ones. As soon as the parents were out of town, Friske led his charges to the woods along the bank of the Rogue and brutally murdered them in the same place he had killed the others.
As he was pitching their bodies off the newly built bridge, horrified parents came to the scene of the crime. Although Elias Friske pled for mercy and insisted it was demons who forced his hand, the townspeople hung him from the bridge that came to be known as Hell’s Bridge, and left his body there until the water wore away the rope holding him.
Swimmers today have felt hands grab their ankles, and the devil’s laughter is said to echo on the bridge after dark!
Mid-Michigan’s Most Haunted Places
Bath School Massacre | Bath Township
Although rarely discussed, the mass murder at Bath School in 1927 is in fact the most deadly school massacre to date. Andrew Kehoe, a 55-year-old farmer and school board member, vehemently opposed the upcoming millage that would raise taxes.
When the millage passed, Kehoe’s farm was foreclosed upon. On May 18, 1927, Kehoe killed every animal on his farm, murdered his wife, burned his house down, and headed to the school, where he set off 500 pounds of dynamite.
The initial blast killed dozens of students and teachers, and as the superintendent waved Kehoe over to help get the children out safely, Kehoe ignited another round when his rifle misfired, killing himself, the superintendent, and eight more students.
The final death toll was 44 with an additional 58 injured!
It was Richard Fritz’s eighth birthday that day, and he died almost exactly a year later from complications after the bombing. He was buried next to his sister Marjorie, age 10, at the Mt. Hope Cemetery without a headstone.
Eighty-seven years later, the community rallied to ensure that all the children had headstones. And every year there are new matchbox cars that appear on every grave. No one has ever seen the cars delivered, but without fail, a friendly ghost has continued to leave tokens of childhood for these souls that passed too soon.
Keep your eyes peeled for the arrival of Richard’s toy since he finally has a headstone to rest under.
East Michigan’s Haunted Places
Bruce Mansion | Brown City
The Bruce Mansion in Brown City is a towering Victorian relic that has become a favorite stop for ghost hunters and curious travelers alike. Once the lavish home of lumber baron John Bruce, the mansion has weathered fire, decay, and death, and locals say it’s never truly quiet.
Among the most chilling tales is that of John Walker, a former owner said to have lost his mind after his wife left him. In his despair, he allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian, buried the body in the yard, and later hung himself in the tower. Visitors today claim to see Walker’s restless spirit alongside other apparitions: a woman with an unnaturally long neck, a young girl, and a bearded man who appears in the upper windows.
Whether it’s sorrow, madness, or something darker that lingers here, one thing’s for sure: the Bruce Mansion’s story isn’t finished, and its ghosts aren’t done talking.
Today, you can book your own daytime or overnight paranormal investigation at Bruce Mansion, if you dare.
Haunted Places in Southwest Michigan
Felt Mansion | Saugatuck
Felt Mansion, located on the Mitten’s west coast between Holland and Saugatuck, has worn several masks since its construction in 1928. The mansion was originally a gift to inventor Dorr Felt’s beloved wife Agnes, who died shortly after the Felt family moved in.
After they left the home, it was transformed into a seminary, and then a police and drug enforcement agency office. It is presently being restored to its former glory. Homes with such rich history rarely remain quiet: many believe that the spirit of Agnes Felt wanders the house she was never able to enjoy in life.
A shadowy figure waltzes around the ballroom frightening the mansion’s tourists, while heavy doors open and close of their own accord. There are even accounts of Agnes reprimanding guests whom she has deemed to be too offensive or crude in her presence.
Henderson Castle | Kalamazoo
Over a century old and supposedly host to a legion of ghosts, Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle is now a bed and breakfast that caters to the living… and the dead.
The ghosts of the home’s original owners Frank and Mary Henderson, as well as those of a Spanish-American War veteran, a little girl, and a dog interact regularly with paranormal teams and guests alike.
The apparently amiable spirits have favorite forms of communication, speaking through unplugged radios, tapping unsuspecting visitors on the shoulder, and sometimes appearing in full form, wearing period clothing.
Southwest Michigan Tuberculosis Sanitarium | Kalamazoo
The once-thriving Tuberculosis Sanitarium now sits abandoned on a hill overlooking Kalamazoo. It was shut down in 1969 and given to the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital until it closed for good in 1990.
Locals in the surrounding neighborhoods report hearing screams and tortured cries coming from the abandoned buildings. There are even rumors of distant neighbors seeing figures walking by the broken windows in the daylight.
After years of abandonment, the old hospital was demolished in 2011. The site was turned over to the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, which built Prairie Gardens housing for low-income seniors. By 2013, the once-troubled property had been transformed into a positive community space.
Southcentral Michigan Haunted Places
The Jewett House | Mason
This home was purchased by the Jewett family in the 1920s where it was converted into a funeral home. When the funeral home closed in 1990, it turned into a rental home for local residents.
It is not uncommon for someone to move in, only to move out again very quickly due to the extreme amount of paranormal activity that occurs. Such reports include nightly whistling, footsteps on the second floor, hearing voices that do not belong to anyone, balls moving around without aid, and the smell of cigar smoke can be detected without rationale.
So, if you are looking for a home to rent in the Mason area, might I suggest the Jewett House?
Most Haunted Places in Southeast Michigan
The Whitney Restaurant | Detroit
Step inside The Whitney, Detroit’s grand 1894 mansion-turned-restaurant, and you might get more than fine dining. Once home to lumber baron David Whitney Jr. and his family, the estate later housed the Wayne County Medical Society and the Visiting Nurse Association. Both of which reported eerie happenings long before the building became a restaurant in 1986.
Today, guests sip cocktails at The GhostBar, named for the mansion’s rumored residents, or join Dye Paranormal’s candlelit dinner tours. These monthly ghost hunts explore every haunted corner, including the old carriage house, where a Whitney daughter once cared for orphans and visitors still swear they hear children’s laughter in the dark.
Bone Head’s BBQ | Willis
This building in Willis is believed to have been built in the mid-1860s and served many purposes before becoming the Bone Head’s BBQ restaurant that we all know and love: a post office, general store, coach shop, butcher shop, and ice house.
The reason why this building in Michigan is haunted is not widely known, but supernatural activity occurs so very often. It is not uncommon for lights to turn on by themselves, long after the restaurant has closed for the day.
Many customers see a woman in a white dress on the staircase, and one little girl even saw an extra reflection in the mirror in the bathroom. Phantom footsteps and whispering have been overheard by employees and neighbors have even stated accounts of seeing someone cleaning windows on the third floor.
Seeing how this is a public establishment, I highly recommend swinging in for a spooky dinner.
Eloise Asylum | Westland
The Eloise Asylum in Westland, Michigan, originally opened in the late 1830s and was then known as the Wayne County Poorhouse, which was home to the mentally ill. There are many reports of inadequate and unsafe treatment of the patients during the time the hospital was open and functioning.
Currently, a fair number of the buildings have been torn down, but a few remain. Workers and trespassers report hearing voices, and rumors of former patients walking the halls have been reported.
The playground built for workers’ children and the cemetery that holds over 7,000 patients are considered to be the most haunted areas of all, with many incidents of growls and moans being reported.
The Holly Hotel | Holly
Note: The Holly Hotel is temporarily closed and is for sale.
Known as one of Michigan’s most haunted landmarks, the Holly Hotel has been home to ghostly happenings for decades, and it’s not shy about it.
Staff and guests alike have reported cigar smoke from long-departed owner Mr. Hirst, the scent of flowery perfume from former hostess Nora Kane, and the mischievous giggles of a red-haired little girl who loves to play with kitchen utensils—especially a meat cleaver.
Two devastating fires struck the hotel exactly 65 years apart to the day and hour, only adding to its eerie legend. Visitors still hear faint laughter, piano music drifting through the halls, and even phantom footsteps from a ghostly dog.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, one thing’s certain: something at the Holly Hotel refuses to check out.
The Masonic Temple | Detroit
Built in 1912 by a wealthy gentleman named George D. Mason, the Detroit Masonic Temple has over 1,000 rooms, and several secret staircases, concealed passages, and hidden compartments in the floors.
Mr. Mason went slightly overboard when financing the construction of the building, and eventually went bankrupt, whereupon his wife left him. Overwhelmingly depressed about his financial and personal circumstances, Mason jumped to his death from the roof of the temple.
Security guards claim to see his ghost to this day, ascending the steps to the roof. The temple, abundant with cold spots, inexplicable shadows, and slamming doors, is known to intimidate visitors with the eerie feeling of being watched…
River Raisin National Battlefield Park | Monroe
The largest and bloodiest encounters fought on Michigan soil, the Battles of River Raisin (also known as the Battles of Frenchtown) were devastating upsets for the United States during the War of 1812.
After several days of combat and eventual surrender to the British, American soldiers were led away by their captors. The maimed soldiers were abandoned, and would later be massacred by Native Americans in a surprise attack.
In this deadliest battle of the War of 1812, over half of the total of 1,000 American soldiers lost in the War were killed.
Paranormal teams have held investigations at what is now known as the River Raisin National Battlefield Park and have utilized the Singapore Theory, which employs the use of time-oriented objects, music, and other triggers to encourage the appearance of ghosts.
Figures in doorways, windows, and on the field have been photographed, and supposed sounds of war and cries of agony recorded.
Northville Psychiatric Hospital | Northville
Psychiatric hospitals have always been known for their paranormal activity. Nothing is more frightening than knowing thousands of people died unconventional deaths while locked up against their will.
The Northville Psychiatric Hospital was built in 1952 and shut down for good in 2003. Being such a large psychiatric hospital with many buildings, this hospital was constructed with many tunnels leading to the various buildings. These tunnels were used for transporting patients during times of unfavorable weather (this is Michigan, you know).
For decades, the abandoned hospital and tunnels were a favorite haunt for paranormal investigators, even though trespassing was strictly prohibited by the local law enforcement. However, those who managed to get inside reported feelings of being touched and breathed on by unknown sources, as well as mysterious noises such as footsteps and chains clanking.
The former Northville Psychiatric Hostpital has largely been demolished and plans to build a new medical facility are in place.
Cole Adams House | Detroit
Unfortunately, this haunt is now a private residence on Market St. in Detroit, but this doesn’t take away from its ghoulish history.
In the early 1960s, Bill Cole-Adams and family moved into their home, excited to have upgraded into a better home. Bill worked the graveyard shift at the Cadillac plant, and set up a bed in a small room adjacent to the kitchen in order to sleep without interruption during the day.
For the first few weeks, the bad smells and noises were shrugged off as parts of the house settling. But, after seeing an apparition of a decomposing woman in a blue dress and fur jacket multiple nights in a row, however, Bill decided to tough it out and sleep in the bedroom he shared with his wife. He blamed his unrest on stress and exhaustion.
When his mother-in-law came for the birth of their newest child, they set up a small guest area in the same back room. She reported a rotten stench, consistent bad dreams and wailing noises. Their pets and their children wouldn’t go into the room and a second visitor left terrified after seeing the apparition of the decomposing woman staring at him.
During the ghoul’s appearance to the second visitor, the rotting smell was so bad that it permeated the household for a few days. It was then that the Cole-Adams family began a new house search!
Interactive Map of Haunted Places in Michigan
Some of these haunted areas are open to the public or tours are available, however, some do state that trespassing is strictly forbidden. Have you been to any of these haunted Michigan areas? What have you seen? Are there any haunted areas near you that we need to know about?
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article contributed by Claire Moore, Jennifer Hamilton, and Lyndsey Israel
