With Halloween Right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to list some of my favorite haunted places in the Midwest. I’m sure this list hardly scratches the surface, so be sure to let me know if any other haunted places in the comments! So here is my top ten favorite haunted places, enjoy!!

The Soap Factory

You know you’re in for a scare when you have to sign a waiver before entering a haunted house. Anyone that’s experienced The Soap Factory in Minneapolis, Minnesota will tell you it’s the haunted house of the Midwest. The factory is actually an old warehouse renovated for art exhibitions. But the basement holds a different type of art, a dark art. Patrons that purchase a ticket embark on a nightmarish path. The artist’s vision was to create a surreal environment utilizing special effects and breathtaking carnage. Tickets sell out every year! The Soap Factory is located at 514 Second Street SE in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, click here. 

Raven’s Grin Inn

Conveniently nestled at the end of a dark, dead in road sitting on a cliff across from a cemetery,  lies the Raven’s Grin Inn!  Just the site of the building is enough to gives visitors chills. Inside the house, gets even creepier. There is a labyrinth of twists and turns that would be easy to get lost in.  The Ravens Grin Inn is open year round.  411 N Carroll St, Mt Carroll, IL 61053. For more information, click here.

Ohio State (Mansfield) Reformatory

Visit one of the most famous haunted prisons in America. OSR has a long, documented history of paranormal activity and is a premiere location for all paranormal enthusiasts. The Ohio State Reformatory provides several ways to interact with the macabre history of the stunning limestone architecture of the former prison. Most of our paranormal programs are conducted in the evening with the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable guide.  The Ohio State Reformatory is located at 100 Reformatory Rd, in Mansfield, Ohio. For more information, click here.

Sylvan Island

Abandoned industrial site that is approximately 37 acres by the Mississippi/Sylvan Slough. Offering crushed limestone hiking trails & dirt bike trails. The park is riddled with ancient ruins from the industrial era, and is a popular spot for fishing, picnic’s and bird-watching. According to hauntedillinois.com the island is also thee most haunted place in Illinois. The island is located at 1st Ave & 2nd Street, Moline, IL. For more information, click here.

Story Inn

One of the most haunted places in the Midwest is just an hour south of Indianapolis. One of the most well-known ghosts is the “Blue Lady; Guests have recorded hundreds of encounters with her. They say her eyes are hypnotic blue and she smells like cherry tobacco.  She also frequently leaves behind items blue in color. If you’re interested, you can stay in the “Blue Lady Room” and summon her by turning on the blue light next to the bed.

McPike Mansion

Many haunted houses claim to be the most haunted. It only takes a few minutes inside the McPike Mansion in Alton, Illinois for a visitor to see why. Built in 1869 the house was designed using a combination of Italianate-Victorian style architecture. With 16 rooms, 11 fireplaces and a vaulted wine cellar the house has earned a spot on the National Historic Registry. And after hundreds of paranormal reports ranging from the sight of apparitions to the sound of footsteps the McPike Mansion has also earned itself a spot on the series, Scariest Places On Earth. Decide for yourself by scheduling a guided tour. The McPike Mansion 2018 Alby Street in Alton, Illinois. For more information, click here.

Missouri State Penitentiary

There are hundreds of documented paranormal stories linked to the Missouri State Penitentiary. I won’t go over them all, but I will give some brief examples. There are various reports of an entity known as “Fast Jack” who usually is in a hurry, with a clipboard and white lab coat. Tour guides have had experiences locking doors through the control room, only to have them unlocked. They often say this is done by “Fast Jack” who some believe used to work in the medical wing. In the female wing of the prison, there have been sightings of a woman dressed in vintage clothing. The more common guest experiences are hearing cell doors slam, the smell of smoke, loud banging noises, shadowy figures and footsteps. The Missouri State Penitentiary is located at 115 Lafayette St, in Jefferson City, Missouri. For more information, click here.

Villisca Axe Murder House

With a dying main street and surrounded by cornfields the quaint and tiny town of Villisca doesn’t seem much different than most Iowan towns. But Villisca holds a horrific and unsolved secret that defines this small community. On June 10, 1912 Josiah and Sarah Moore and all four of their children were axed to death inside their house. The murder(s) were never brought to justice. This gruesome unsolved mystery has made Villisca a hotspot for paranormal hunters over the past century. Tours and overnight stays are the best way to explore this historic site, and are said to reveal some of the highest paranormal activity in the Midwest. The Axe Murder House is located at 508 E 2nd Street in Villisca, Iowa. For more information, click here.

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery

Since as far back as the 1950s stories have circulated about paranormal activity taking place out at Bachelors Grove Cemetery and its immediate area. After well over five decades many of these tales have now become common knowledge among the local communities. But what are these tales that the locals speak of and are there any facts to support them? If so, how did they begin and where does it all stand today? Given the nature of paranormal phenomenon there may never be a definitive answer to all of the tales. The main parking area is at the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve in Cook County, Illinois   For more information, click here.

The Stull Cemetery

Stull Cemetery may not be one of the well known spooky spots in the Midwest, but it has earned a reputation to be a hotspot for evil. The locals have referred to it as a “Gateway to Hell”. A source for a variety of urban legends, Stull Cemetery is popular amongst Satanic and occult groups. Most rumors focus on a stone church built on the north side of the cemetery. Locals knocked it down in 2002 after occult groups and witches were claimed to be using it for worship. The town of Stull doesn’t have a great reputation either. After several mysterious deaths including a boy that was burned alive, Stull is truly one hell of a creepy place. The Stull Cemetery is located at E 250 Road in Stull, Kansas.

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The Tennessee River’s Chickamauga Dam is a marvel of engineering, holding back floodwaters while producing hydroelectric power.  The trip meets at the Hubert Fry Center Boat Ramp off of Amnicola Road in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Directly Across the Street from the Coca-Cola Bottling plant. You cross over the RR tracks and will see a boat ramp on your left. Park next to the bike share station in single car spots. For more information or to book your trip, click here.

Experience this impressive structure up close by kayaking through the dam’s lock on this remarkable guided tour. Over the course of around three hours, you’ll paddle into the lock, watch the gates close, and slowly sink down some 50 feet before paddling back out into the river.

This epic kayak tours lasts about three hours and costs $79.00. The tour is guided and everything you need is provided, all you need to do is show up and have fun! Meet your guide at Chattanooga’s Tennessee River-walk. For more information or to book your trip, click here.

For more of the best family activities in the area, click here. For the best parks and amazing locations in Tennessee, click here. For nearby lodging or campgrounds, click here.

Beautiful Sable Falls is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and is located about 1.0 mile west of Grand Marais Michigan, on Alger County Road H-58. For more information, click here.

Sable Falls tumbles 75 feet over a cascading slope of Munising and Jacobsville sandstone formations on its way to Lake Superior. The best viewing is from the bottom of a long staircase of 168 steps. The trail from the parking area to this staircase is a short one.

The trail continues past the falls for a short walk to a rock and sand beach where Sable Creek flows into Lake Superior. The trail from the parking lot all the way to Lake Superior and back is about 0.4 miles round trip.

The Jacobsville sandstone exposed at the bottom of the falls is estimated to be at least one billion years old. The area has almost a perfect combination of natural attractions. Highlights include the beach area, stunning views of Lake Superior, and of course the gorgeous Sable Falls.

The beach at the end of the Sable Falls Trail is part rock and part sand, with views of the Grand Sable Dunes towering above.

For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in Michigan, click here. For the best nearby lodging and campgrounds, click here. For a listing of family activities, click here.

Arches National Park has over 2,000 acres just waiting to be explored! The park is located in southeast Utah, five miles north of Moab on US 191.  For more information, click here.

Arches National Park is a wonderland of red rocks and blue sky. The red rock landscape at Arches might feel timeless, dream-like, or even other-worldly. People have documented over 2,000 natural stone arches within park boundaries. You can see arches, towers, pinnacles, and balanced rocks from the paved park roads. Take a hike, and you can see even more.

Balanced Rock, one of the most iconic features in the park, stands a staggering 128 feet (39m) tall. While this formation may appear to be an epic balancing act, it’s actually not balanced at all. The slick rock boulder of Entrada Sandstone sits attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone. The exposure of these two rock strata layers are ideal for the formation of arches and balanced rocks. Balanced Rock defies gravity but this won’t always be the case. Eventually, the 3,600 ton (over 4 million kg) boulder will come tumbling down as the erosional process continues to shape the landscape. In the winter of 1975-76, Balanced Rock’s smaller sibling “Chip-Off-the-Old-Block” collapsed proving that there is no better time than the present to see this awe-inspiring giant.

Plan on spending at least a few hours in the park, exploring the scenic drive and several of the viewpoints and short trails. If time permits, longer hikes lead to many spectacular rock formations, or consider attending a ranger-led program to learn more about this special place. Guided walks and/or evening programs occur daily, spring through fall.

Arches National Park is normally open year-round, 24 hours a day. Fees apply. The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, we recommend entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm.

For the most amazing lodging options, click here.

Located at the brand new Sage Creek at Moab Resort in Moab just minutes from Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Also explore Goblin Valley, Slick Rock Trail, Colorado River and much more. For more information or to check availability, click here.

Discover the ultimate retreat at Sage Creek Resort, your premium home away from home in Moab, Utah. Sage Creek is a world-class condo complex designed to offer our guests a refreshing and luxurious stay, away from the typical hustle and bustle. Strategically located just outside of town, it’s an ideal spot for explorers and adventure lovers, placing you within a stone’s throw of the region’s best attractions.

This unit is located 2.7 miles south of Moab City Limits. It sits within a resort community that includes an amazing pool area. From the property, you’re able to see the south rim of the Moab cliffs. It’s a short drive in to Moab and close enough access all of your Moab Adventures.

Dive into the excitement of our unique pool area. Here, warmth and delight meet all season long, with multiple hot tubs, playful water features, and welcoming fires. Take part in a lively bocce ball game or fire up the grill for a delicious outdoor meal.

This is an amazing place where comfort meets adventure! Do yourself a favor and book an unforgettable trip to the gorgeous Balanced Rock Retreat in Moab Utah.

For the best family activities in the area, click here. For the best nearby parks and amazing locations, click here. For more of the areas best lodging options, click here.