Haunted Places Upstate New York

The Hudson Valley and Catskills’ rich, varied history means fertile grounds for ghost hunting. If haunted-house attractions aren’t going to fulfill your Halloween hankering for something hair-raising, plan a visit to one of these truly haunted destinations in the Hudson Valley and Catskills instead.

Haunted Places Upstate New York

Burn Brae Mansion. Photo via Burnbraemansion.com

Burn Brae Mansion (Glen Spey, Sullivan County): For the past four decades, guests and owners of this circa-1907 Grand Victorian have reported ghost sightings, unexplained occurrences and general feelings of an otherworldly presence.

The original owners’ son, Charles Elkin, was said to be a skilled organist, and guests and staff have reported hearing organ music playing in the house. During an investigation, South Jersey Ghost Researchers found evidence that was “off the charts compared to an average investigation,” according to Burn Brae’s website.

Want in on that ghost-hunting action? Burn Brae invites you to play the paranormal investigator every third Saturday of the month. On Saturday evening, guests/investigators (investi-guest-ors? guest-vestigators?) train to use paranormal investigating equipment for their own ghost hunt later that night. Sunday morning, the guests’ investigation findings are revealed over breakfast.

Groups of 12 go for $2,000 per group, but you can arrange an individual investigation…IF YOU DARE.

Getting There: Burn Brae Mansion is located in the Catskill Mountain hamlet of Glen Spey, in western Sullivan County. It will come as no surprise that public transportation options in this area are not plentiful. The Short Line Bus stops in Monticello, and from there it’s 25 minutes to Glen Spey. Likewise, Port Jervis on the New Jersey Transit line is 20 minutes south of Glen Spey.

Haunted Places Upstate New York

Cemetery and Recreation of the 1717 Reformed Church on Huguenot Street, New Paltz. Photo by Swampyank via Wikimedia Commons

Huguenot Street Historic District (New Paltz, Ulster County): There’s nothing creepier than an old cemetery at night, where ragged, crumbling stones spring from the earth, the final marking places of people who died centuries ago.

In the village of New Paltz’s historic Huguenot Street, the dead tell tales directly from their burial plots in the old church graveyard every October during Haunted Huguenot Street.

The annual event takes place during the second, third and fourth weekends of October and gives guests the opportunity to explore the 17th-century French Huguenot enclave (now a National Landmark Historic District), learn its history, and tour the most famous haunts at night.

The PG-rated Haunted Huguenot Street tours run from 7-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during event weekends.

Getting There: Traveling to New Paltz from Brooklyn without a car is completely doable. Take a Greyhound, Wanderu or Trailways bus to the village and grab a cab for a three-minute ride to Huguenot Street. Stay overnight at one of the many nearby B&Bs, like the Inn at Orchard Heights, Moondance Ridge or the aptly named Hungry Ghost, which offers vegan breakfasts and cooking classes.

Haunted Places Upstate New York

Shanley Hotel. Photo via Facebook

Shanley Hotel (Napanoch, Ulster County): Like the Burn Brae Mansion, the Shanley Hotel is known for both its hauntings and its paranormal investigations. Paranormal investigators and guests have reported sounds of children laughing, music playing, cold breezes, doors slamming and rocking chairs rocking of their own accord in the circa-1845 hotel, so chances seem good that you’ll experience some ghostly weirdness, yourself. Couple that with the Shanley’s checkered past of tragic losses throughout its history, and you’ve got fodder for a haunted adventure.

Every Friday and Saturday, guests can participate in a genuine paranormal investigation — but book early, as most ghost-hunting weekends sell out well in advance. You can stay overnight or you can explore the existence of the afterlife for $65 per ticket with no overnight stay.

The Shanley forbids alcohol onsite or food in the guest rooms, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Getting There: The Short Line Bus stops on Plank Road in the hamlet of Napanoch, and the Shanley Hotel is a five-minute walk away. Driving from Brooklyn takes approximately two hours without traffic.

Haunted Places Upstate New York

Esopus Island Boathouse. Photo by Victor VanCarpels via Marist.edu

Esopus Island (Norrie Point, Dutchess County): The mysterious Esopus Island — located in the middle of the Hudson River near Norrie Point on the Hudson’s east shore — may not necessarily be haunted, but one of its former residents certainly gives the island a mystical air.

Infamous occultist/founder of the Thelemic religion/lover of the ladies Aleister Crowley lived on the island for 40 days during 1918. There, he subsisted on food and necessities delivered by friendly locals while he took to scrawling “Do What Thou Wilt” on the island’s rocky walls.

Reachable only by boat, the island provides a smattering of camping spots for a spooky overnight adventure sleeping under the very same stars Crowley observed during his hermitage. If you don’t travel with your own boats, you can take a guided tour of the island through Atlantic Kayak Tours.

Don’t worry, ‘fraidy-cats. The three-hour Norrie Short tour takes place during daylight hours.

Getting There: Any way you slice it, you’re going to need a boat to get to Esopus Island. To get to the guided kayak tour launch site at Norrie Point, take the Amtrak to the Rhinecliff station and cab it to Norrie, about nine miles away.

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Haunted Places Upstate New York

52 Shivertown Road, New Paltz: $234,900

This tidy little cottage on an acre-plus of land is in New Paltz village, about a mile away from where all the action lives and across the street from historic Huguenot Street. Bright and cheerful, the cottage offers lots of natural light and plenty of privacy close to town. Our favorite feature: The blue tile and counter in the bath. Beds: 2. Baths: 1. Square Feet: 1,602. Lot Size: 1.13 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,804. 52 Shivertown Road, New Paltz [Century 21 Alliance] GMAP.

Haunted Places Upstate New York

49 Hunczak Boulevard, Glen Spey: $199,900

Located about five minutes south of Glen Spey hamlet in Sullivan County, this contemporary ranch offers a wide-open living room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, cathedral ceilings, wood floors and some seclusion thanks to the trees surrounding the property. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,764. Lot Size: .92 acres. Est. Taxes: $5,860. 49 Hunczak Boulevard, Glen Spey [Century 21 Geba Realty] GMAP.

Haunted Places Upstate New York

8 State Route 55, Napanoch: $219,000

Rambling farmhouse fans, take note of this huge specimen that, according to the listing, was built in the 1800s. Includes large windows, high ceilings, exposed brick and period wood trim. There’s also a detached workshop/studio, as well as an additional studio apartment with separate entrance. Outside, the quarter-acre property sports some seriously gorgeous garden spaces. Situated right in the hamlet of Napanoch. Beds: 4. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 3,100. Lot Size: .31 acres. Est. Taxes: $,3894. 8 State Route 55, Napanoch [Mary Collins Realty] GMAP.

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[Top photo: Burnbraemansion.com]

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