The Best Real Haunted Places In The Hudson Valley

There is an old Scottish prayer: “From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!” But if you are the type who wants to have goosebumps and enjoys feeling the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, this area gives you plenty of places to visit.

Some of these places are open to visitors, but others are closed or are private property where owners may not be happy to have people trespassing.

Have you been to any of these haunted places? Do you know of a haunted site not on the list? Tell us in the comments.

1. Sunnyside, Irvington: We must give pride of place to Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving, the father of the American Ghost Story. The historic home is part of Historic Hudson Valley, which offers regular tours of the house. The house is said to be haunted by Irving himself, who wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle.” It is also said to be the home of the spirits of Irving’s nieces, who used to take care of the house. While Irving's ghost is reputed to have pinched women who were visiting the house, his nieces are an example of friendly ghosts. They have been said to tidy up after the museum is closed for the night. For more on Sunnyside’s hours and tours, click here.

2. Smalley’s Inn, Carmel: This local landmark in Carmel is said to be one of the most haunted restaurants in the United States. It originally was opened as a hotel and restaurant in 1852 by James Smalley, but was rebuilt in 1924 after a fire burned it along with much of downtown Carmel. Patrons and employees have reported odd sightings and experiences for many years, things like having their clothing tugged or seeing folks who are not there. One ghost is that of Elizabeth Smalley, who died as a toddler. Her gravestone was found under the basement steps. But the spirits of a man and a woman have also been seen. Elizabeth’s ghost is said to peek out from around behind a pillar in the basement and has scared the wits out of workmen a few times. Several groups of paranormal researchers have investigated the restaurant and building over the years. Smalley’s, located at 57 Gleneida Avenue, is open for business and plays up its haunted nature with over-the-top decorations at Halloween.

3. Christ Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie: One thing you learn from Christ Episcopal Church: If a former rector is haunting the place, don’t change things too much. The parish dates to 1766, but the current church building was built in 1888, over what had been a burial ground. The church is said to be haunted by the ghost of the Rev. Alexander Cummings, the rector from 1900 to 1948. An apparition of his has been seen by parishioners. Candles have been blown out and objects moved around. He was quiet for many years, but then became active again to express displeasure about moving the rector’s office to another location in the building. Father Cummings may not be alone. The ghost of a lady who died during a church service has been seen sitting in her pew. A rather “crabby” presence has also been noted for many years and may manifest in the form of a bat that appears and disappears. The church, located at 20 Carroll Street, is about to celebrate its 250th anniversary in November.

4. United States Military Academy, West Point: There have been several reports of ghosts and other spectral activity over the years at West Point. The most famous sightings occurred in 1972, when two cadets claimed they saw a ghost in their dorm room, room 4714 of the 47th Division. The ghost was in the form of a cadet in a uniform from the early 1800s. The room is no longer used as a dorm. Other spectral sightings and events have occurred in Quarters 100, the residence of the superintendent of the academy. The building has a bed that refuses to stay made, to give one example. Here is a link to an article about some of West Point’s ghosts in West Point magazine.

5. The Nyack Haunted House: Most stories of hauntings are just stories, but a house on the waterfront in Nyack was legally ruled as being haunted. The large Victorian house was known for being inhabited by poltergeists and was even featured in an article in Reader’s Digest. But when it went on sale in 1990, a man made a down payment without being told the home’s history. When he learned of the possibility of other-worldly inhabitants, he wanted out of the deal and asked for his money back. The New York State Supreme Court Appellate division ruled in Stambovsky v. Ackley that the house was legally haunted and that homeowners and real estate agents must disclose such a history to prospective buyers. More recent owners have not reported any paranormal activity.

6. Church of St. Barnabas, Irvington: This Episcopal church is reputed to be haunted by two separate ghosts. One ghost is thought to be that of the Rev. William McVickar, a former pastor. The other ghost is a woman who may have been a member of a former pastor's family. She has been seen sitting in a rocking chair and knitting and is said to be friendly to the children of pastors who live at the church. The church is located at 15 North Broadway in Irvington.

7. Sparta Cemetery, Ossining: Cemeteries can be spooky at the best of times, but Sparta Cemetery may been spookier than most. The graveyard dates to 1764 and is the final resting place of soldiers from the Revolutionary War. It is also the site for the grave of the Leather Man, a man who hiked a regular circuit around Westchester and Western Connecticut while dressed in clothing made of pieces of leather. But the cemetery is also known for eerie mists that form there. Ghostly voices have been heard and unexplained lights have been seen. The cemetery is oldest one in Westchester County.

8. The Bird and Bottle, Garrison: This establishment started as a tavern in 1761 and still operates as a restaurant and small hotel. Its claim to haunted fame is the ghost of Emily Warren, one of the place’s former owners. Emily Warren died in 1903, but apparently decided to stick around. Her presence has been felt, a hazy outline of her has been seen, and her voice has been heard. Emily is said to be a friendly ghost. You can even stay in her room if you want. The inn is on the Albany Post Road.

9. The Harlem Valley Psychiatric Hospital, Wingdale: You just can’t get any creepier than a closed psychiatric center and what was once the Harlem Valley Psychiatric Hospital is outstanding at being creepy. Although some of the buildings are being repurposed into a college, there are many brick buildings that stand empty and abandoned, and which are reported to have a network of tunnels under them. This place was among the first American psychiatric hospitals to use electroshock therapy and prefrontal lobotomies as treatments. There have been many reports of unexplained events at the center. People who have explored the buildings have left with bruises on their arms. Packs of dogs have been heard and lights have been on in buildings that don’t have electricity.

10. Spook Rock Road: It turns out that there are several Spook Rock Roads in New York State, all of which are a bit odd, but the one in Rockland County is the site for many odd events. A large rock formation on this road gives it its name and is said to have been used as a sacrificial stone by local Indians. One legend says that a Dutch woman and her Indian lover met here, but were found by her father and were murdered. Their shadows may be seen in the moonlight and their screams can be heard. There is another tale is of an Indian who kidnapped and murdered the daughter of a settler. Her ghost is said to roam the area. But the weirdest bit of unexplained-ness is that the road is a gravity hill, a street where if you stop your car and put it in neutral, it will roll up hill. Or that is the story and everyone is sticking to it.

By Valerie DeBenedette for Patch