Ghosts, ghost hunting and haunted sites in the Finger Lakes, NY

There are more than a few haunted spots around the Finger Lakes region like haunted bed and breakfasts, ghosts seen in old castles and inns, and spooked-out wine cellars. From ghostly apparitions, whispers in dark, pesky poltergeist pranks, and phantom footsteps, there is a long list of places in the Finger Lakes where curious visitors and serious ghost hunters can investigate these spooky tales for themselves. Stay overnight in a haunted B&B, or take a ghost tour at a haunted hotel.

Belhurst Castle – Geneva, NY

Belhurst Castle was built in the 1880’s. Stories from guests tell about seeing an apparition of a woman in white standing on the front lawn and around the grounds of the Belhurst in the middle at night. The stories say the ghostly woman is an Italian opera singer who fled to America to be with her lover. While hiding out at Belhurst, the couple fled into secret tunnels to evade her husband. The tunnels collapsed and the woman in white and her lover were killed.

Whether or not you believe the haunting stories or see a ghost, Belhurst Castle is a beautiful place to visit for a weekend getaway, a wine tasting, a romantic dinner or a wedding.

Naples Hotel – Naples, NY

In January of 2012, The Naples Hotel was featured on the Syfy Channel’s paranormal investigation show, “Ghost Hunters”. They were investigating claims that The Naples Hotel, built in 1895, is haunted by a ghost referred to as “Topper” by workers and guests. Various types of evidence of paranormal activity was detected in the hotel during their investigation. Framed art was moved around on the walls, lights fell off the ceiling downstairs, and whispers were heard. The hotel is closed now, but I don’t think that matters to ghosts.

Miles Wine Cellars – Himrod, NY

Miles Wine Cellars is the place to be if you are in to paranormal adventures. Ghostly apparitions and slamming doors are reported to happen at this Greek Revival mansion overlooking Seneca Lake. The winery is said to be haunted by a man and a woman, a couple who died here long ago, who have been seen standing on the porch. The ghosts appear to be harmless, but they do like to slam doors. Miles Wine Cellars has made its own wine, in honor of its ghosts, a blend of Chardonnay and Cayuga wines, appropriately named “Ghost”. A drawing of the ghost couple appears on the label of the wine bottle. Miles Wine Cellars has an Inn overlooking Seneca Lake. Stay for the night, drink a bottle of Ghost, and hope (or not) for a paranormal visit.

The Edge of Thyme – Candor, NY

Now a Bed and Breakfast, The Edge of Thyme, a beautiful Victorian home, exists as it did when Rosa Murphy, the private secretary of John D. Rockefeller, and her husband would spend their summers there. The owners and guests of this Bed and Breakfast claim of hearing phantom footsteps, doors slamming, and seeing an apparition of a blonde lady in white standing at the foot of the bed or rocking in a rocking chair. It is said that a psychic told the owners that there is the spirit of a Civil War soldier in the house, and he won’t leave because his blonde wife is buried in the basement.

Spook Hill, Middlesex, NY

Spook Hill, on Newell Road in Vine Valley on the East side of Canandaigua Lake in the town of Middlesex, NY is said to be on a Native American Burial Ground. The legend goes, if you put your car in neutral, the Native American Spirits will push you car up the hill. Try it for yourself. Although it has been proved to be an optical illusion, it’s still pretty cool to see it with your own eyes.

Valentown Museum – Victor, NY

Valentown Museum, located at the site of an abandoned shopping center, is an interesting historical museum located in Victor, NY depicting the local 19th century history of Victor, NY and the Rochester area, with thousands of artifacts, heirlooms and other objects. The Valentown Museum is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

Originally a home built in 1879, the museum is believed to be inhabited by spirits who move tools in the basement, play an old-fashioned music box, and show up as apparitions or shadows. EVP have been captured here as well. The Valentown Museum was featured in a season 2 episode of the SyFy channel’s paranormal investigation show “Ghost Hunters”.