Now that October 1 has officially arrived, Halloween is on the distant horizon, and for those seeking a bit of a thrill, Ontario has no shortage of eerie places to explore.
While the province is known for its scenic landscapes and charming towns, it also has its fair share of haunted locations, each with spine-tingling stories and unsettling histories.
From a former maximum-security prison to a mysterious lighthouse, we’ve put together a list of some of Ontario’s spookiest spots. If you’re in the mood for a spine-tingling adventure, buckle up and get ready to discover the ghostly side of Ontario, one eerie stop at a time.
Mather-Walls House – Keewatin
Nestled within the quaint village of Keewatin, the Mather-Walls House, a Queen Anne-style Victorian residence, may offer visitors daytime tea service, yet, as the sun dips below the horizon, this 1889 relic unfolds a chilling tale of secrets concealed within its walls. It is here, in the ghostly embrace of Edna Walls, the home's most recent inhabitant, that an eerie history takes root.
As night befalls the house, whispers of otherworldly occurrences persist. Astounded employees have borne witness to inexplicable phenomena, where objects vanish into the ethereal abyss, disembodied footsteps echo along the creaking staircases, and shadowy phantoms silently waltz through the dimly illuminated rooms. With each passing hour, the house awakens to its spectral visitors, preserving their enigmatic legacy and beckoning the intrepid to partake in its spine-tingling secrets.
The Ottawa Jail Hostel – Ottawa
The Ottawa Jail Hostel is said to be one of the world’s spookiest buildings. The former Carlton County Jail was a maximum security prison with tiny cells, glassless windows, and public executions. It was closed in 1972 and now operates as a youth hostel. Now you can spend the night in one of the jail cells. Just beware of a man who appears at the foot of guests’ beds clutching a Bible.
Kingston Penitentiary – Kingston
The dark legacy of Canada's oldest and longest-standing maximum-security prison unravels a chilling tale of the nation's most sinister criminal masterminds. For 170 years, this grim institution bore witness to torture, murder, and the solemnity of capital punishment before finally closing its ominous doors in 2013. Today, it beckons the curious and the brave, offering guided tours through its haunting corridors, where a few lucky souls might catch a glimpse of the spectral inhabitants that linger.
Over the years, prison staff and visitors alike have claimed to have experienced eerie encounters within the prison's ominous walls. The unsettling phenomena include the haunting jingle of keys, apparitions of angry men storming the dimly lit halls, disembodied moans that defy explanation, and spectral visions of William Wentworth, the last staff member to meet his fate at Kingston Penitentiary in the grim year of 1961.
Colborne Lodge (High Park) – Toronto
Tucked away in High Park lies the historic abode of its original owners, John and Jemina Howard. This storied residence, Colborne Lodge, stands as a timeless testament to the past, housing secrets that refuse to be forgotten. It is here, within the very room where Jemina met her tragic end battling cancer, that her ethereal presence is said to linger.
Startling accounts of spectral sightings have permeated the corridors of this venerable home. Visitors have reported the haunting vision of Jemina herself, a ghostly figure framed within the window of her bedroom. Others have recounted unsettling encounters—a disconcerting prickling sensation on the nape of their necks, and eerie, inexplicable visions that emerge as they explore the park. In the midst of nature's serene beauty, Colborne Lodge harbours the ghostly echoes of a bygone era, inviting the curious to tread upon its haunting history.
Fort York – Toronto
Amidst the gruesome battles that once raged upon its hallowed grounds, Fort York stands as a beacon for the supernatural. The echoes of history resonate in the unsettling experiences of visitors and staff who dare to tread its historic paths. Many have reported an unsettling sensation of being under the watchful gaze of unseen eyes, while others have been privy to the spectral whispers of inexplicable noises.
As darkness falls, encounters become more pronounced. Visitors and staff have recounted unsettling visions, such as the mysterious apparition of a woman wandering near the Officer's Quarters and the haunting presence of a soldier in a distinctive red coat, lingering near the entrance to the grounds.
Mackenzie House – Toronto
Once the residence of Toronto's inaugural mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, the Mackenzie House has earned a spine-tingling reputation as one of the city's most haunted locations. Local legends speak of eerie encounters, such as Mackenzie himself lingering in his former bedroom, and the spectral presence of a mysterious woman wandering the dimly lit hallways. Adding to the supernatural ambience, a chilling sight to behold is the rocking chair in the basement, mysteriously swaying on its own accord, and the in-house printing press inexplicably springing to life without human intervention.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse – Toronto Islands
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse boasts a rich history dating back to 1908 when it began its steadfast duty of guiding vessels into Toronto Harbour. This stalwart lighthouse stood during the tumultuous Battle for York in 1813, under the watchful eye of its first lighthouse keeper, John Paul Rademuller an intrepid German immigrant. Rademuller's mission was to safeguard against enemy ships and offer solace to those seeking refuge in the harbour.
Tragically, he would never witness the war's conclusion. As for what happened to the lighthouse keeper, Radenmuller's fate remains shrouded in mystery, as he inexplicably vanished without a trace in 1813. The prevailing belief suggests that he may have fallen victim to a sinister encounter with American soldiers, who were plotting the invasion of York (as Toronto was known at the time). Since that fateful disappearance, the lighthouse has become a stage for a haunting tableau of inexplicable events. Whispers of unearthly moans and eerie lights emanating from the dormant tower persist, even though the lighthouse has stood silent for decades.
Academy Theatre, Lindsay
Lindsay’s Academy Theatre is known for its nearly 130 years of performing arts history, superb acoustics—and the tragic tale of Mary, its otherworldly tenant. Legend has it that the capacious theatre required three furnaces to keep warm through the winter, so a live-in caretaker was hired for the job.
While rushing down the stairs from her third floor apartment to shovel some more coal, she lost her footing and fell to her death. Like the Market Hall and Victoria Hall spirits, Mary now passes the time harmlessly by moving objects and flicking the lights. She’s said to enjoy taking in shows from Seat 13, so if you’re sitting in 12 or 15, she might just whisper a little unexpected commentary in your ear.
McBurney Park, Kingston
One of the eeriest spots in Ontario is said to be McBurney Park in Kingston, often referred to as “Skeleton Park” due to its unsettling history. The nickname isn’t just for effect—skeletons have literally emerged from the soil. Established in 1964, the park was previously a burial ground for soldiers and cholera victims for nearly 200 years, with over 10,000 bodies interred by the time it closed in 1830.
Instead of exhuming the remains, the city chose to cover the area with layers of soil, unaware of how Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycle would disturb the graves. Over time, skeletal remains have surfaced, giving rise to the park’s grim nickname. But it’s not just the bones that make McBurney Park unsettling—locals have reported seeing ghostly children playing before vanishing into thin air, and there are even stories of more aggressive spirits causing harm to visitors.
The Hermitage Ruins, Hamilton
According to legend, in the 1830s, Hermitage estate’s coachman, William Black, hanged himself in the stables after being denied permission to marry the estate owner’s niece. He was buried at a crossroads now known as Lover’s Lane, where visitors claim to still hear his cries and catch glimpses of his ghostly figure. Today, you can explore the eerie ruins of this once-lavish estate, including the mansion’s remains and outbuildings like the stables and laundry. Afterward, venture into the surrounding community of Ancaster, one of Ontario’s oldest towns, for more historical intrigue.
These are just 10 of the many spooky places scattered across Ontario—have you visited any of them, or know of other spots that should be on the list?
