This waterfall tells a tragic love story. In 1915, a young woman named Jane Riley threw herself from the top of the waterfall after learning that she would never be able to be with the man she loved. If you listen closely, you can sometimes hear the sounds of her crying amid the roar of the water.
Address: 885 Mountain Brow Blvd., Hamilton.
Bala Bay Inn
The Bala Bay Inn could be a Halloween alternative to the usual weekend cottage rental. Of course, that is if you’re ready to encounter the paranormal activity you’re promised here.
According to rumour, the inn is inhabited by ghosts, including the spirit of the well-known writer and musician E. Sutton. Incidentally, he is considered a permanent resident of the inn. Among the strange phenomena that may make you question your choice of accommodation are flying objects, the television suddenly turning on, eerie voices and footsteps.
Address: 3063 Muskoka District Road 169, Bala, ON P0C 1A0.
Discovery Harbour
Long ago, this harbour was a British military base, and it may still be home to some residents—unseen ones. Frightening stories surround the site, involving moving chess pieces and the ghost of a child appearing in a window. In summer, ghost tours of the harbour are offered, while in autumn the site is decorated for Halloween during Pumpkinferno.
Address: 93 Jury Dr., Penetanguishene.
Dundurn Castle
Dundurn Castle is a superb example of neoclassical architecture. This remarkable mansion in Hamilton belonged to Sir Allan MacNab as far back as the 1800s. Although the castle is best known as a grand retreat visited by kings and prime ministers, it also has a mystical side.
Visitors often speak of eerie sensations of cold passing through them and the feeling of someone’s presence nearby. Sometimes strange music suddenly begins playing in the castle, and some have even seen inexplicable movements from an old doll in several rooms.
Address: Hamilton, Ontario, 610 York Blvd.
Fort Henry
Many believe that this historic site is the region’s main centre of paranormal activity. Visitors repeatedly notice strange figures resembling ghosts. Moreover, it is said that one of the former prisoners, who was hanged for taking part in a riot, still wanders around the fort in his tattered prison uniform.
Address: 1 Fort Henry Dr., Kingston.
Fulford Place
Something sinister lurks in the immaculate rooms of this historic estate. Mary Fulford, a resident of the mansion, used to hold séances here; Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King even attended one. Mary was very afraid of thunderstorms, and it is said that you can still hear her desperately knocking on the doors whenever a storm rages outside.
Address: 287 King St. E., Brockville.
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Legend has it that you can encounter the ghost of Gibraltar Point Lighthouse’s first keeper. His name was John Paul Radelmüller. It is said that soldiers from Fort York often visited him for beer. One day, they had too much alcohol in their blood, and a simple argument turned into a bloody murder. The soldiers tried to conceal what they had done—according to legend, they dismembered the keeper’s body and hid the parts. Now the murdered man’s spirit is trapped in the lighthouse forever.
Address: Toronto Islands.
Hermitage Ruins
The Ancaster estate was built back in the 1800s. The house was home to the English officer Otto Ives and his beautiful fiancée, Magdalena Diamanti. According to legend, one of the officer’s nieces, who also lived at the estate for some time, fell in love with a humble coachman. When he asked her father for his beloved’s hand in marriage, he was refused.
It may seem like a standard story of mismatched social status, which still occasionally occurs in the world. However, the next day the coachman was found hanged from one of the barn’s beams. Many who have visited since then say that the unfortunate lover’s spirit still wanders through the ruins of the house. As a result, seekers of unusual adventures and paranormal enthusiasts constantly come here to test their mettle. Incidentally, the estate is also part of the Gatehouse Museum, so your visit will not be limited exclusively to walking through abandoned, haunted ruins.
Address: 650 Governors Rd., Dundas.
Inn at the Falls
If you really want to get your nerves on edge rather than simply go on an hour-long tour, you can stay for a day or longer (if you can handle it) at the Inn at the Falls. This old hotel in Bracebridge still accepts guests, although not everyone dares to stay there because of the paranormal activity for which the place is known.
According to legend, three guests never checked out of the room, remaining here forever as ghosts. Bob entertains himself by throwing various objects at people in the kitchen. Charlie simply sits on the stairs near room 105, while Sarah wanders the corridors, spreading her cries throughout the hotel.
Address: 1 Mahaffy Court, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1V3.
Mackenzie House
Mackenzie House, as its name suggests, belonged to Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie. He lived here for many years, and many claim that his spirit still remains in the house.
Visitors say that his ghost still wanders through the building, and Mackenzie’s spirit can often be seen in his old bedroom. Some have also seen the figure of a mysterious woman in the house. In addition, the rocking chair in the basement supposedly rocks on its own, while the household printing press turns on and off for no apparent reason.
Address: 82 Bond St, Toronto.
Merritton Tunnel
The Merritton Tunnel in St. Catharines is probably one of the most mystical places in Ontario. It is often called the “Blue Ghost Tunnel” because of the mysterious blue mist that frequently appears here at night.
The tunnel is believed to cause visitors various illnesses or feelings of nausea. Those who have managed to visit Merritton describe experiencing these sensations as they approach the location, as well as hearing a child crying from deep within the tunnel. The tunnel itself is currently sealed for safety reasons, but you can still walk around its perimeter. What’s more, it is said that there is another secret entrance to Merritton.
Address: Thorold (Niagara Falls), Ontario.
Old Oxford County Court House and Jail
The Old Oxford Court House and Jail houses a sinister death mask that belonged to Thomas Cook. He wore it while murdering his wife in the 1860s. The mask hangs directly on the arch at the entrance to the courtroom.
It is said that when an attempt was made to remove the mask, something strange and terrifying happened. As soon as the mask was taken from its usual place, the lights began flashing instantly, and a sinister ghostly face and a black tunnel appeared in the air. It all disappeared as soon as the mask was hung back in place.
Address: Woodstock, Ontario.
Regional Mental Health Centre
The regional psychiatric hospital in St. Thomas opened in 1939, and over the years the institution has earned a frightening reputation as a haunted building. Patients who had committed violent crimes but were deemed criminally insane were held at this medical centre.
It is claimed that the spirits of patients who died there now roam the hospital. Curtains open and close on their own, lights turn on and off without reason, and the sounds of screams and crying, frightening whispers and sudden bangs can be heard in the corridors. The hospital grounds are closed to visitors, but they can still be viewed from a short distance away.
Address: 427 Mary St W, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C1.
Rochleau Court
In Kingston, you may come across what appears to be a rather charming stone walkway leading to several shops and restaurants. However, a dark history haunts this place. According to the Queen's Journal, Therese Ignace Beam was brutally murdered by her lover in this alley while pregnant. Rumour has it that her bones lie beneath the stones, and locals claim that her spirit still wanders here in search of her remains.
Address: Kingston.
The Donnelly Farm
The Donnelly Farm may look cozy and charming, but in fact, horrific murders took place here in the 1880s. The Donnelly family was killed by a mob of local vigilantes, and none of those involved in the crime was ever convicted, despite two trials.
The old farm was rebuilt on the same site after the house was burned to the ground. Today, those who visit say they experience a sense of tension, depression, and even cold touches inside the house. Strange sounds, such as footsteps or voices coming from an unknown source, do nothing to improve the situation.
Address: 34937 Roman Line, Lucan, ON N0M 2J0.
The Jester's Court
If you would like to spend an evening over a drink and stories about local ghosts, you can easily head to the Jester's Court pub in Port Perry. According to regular patrons and staff, something strange happens here from time to time.
Sometimes the ghost of a little girl appears on the staircase landing; other times, the ghost of a woman in a blue dress starts causing a disturbance in the women's washroom; and then the spirits of the elderly start throwing things around or simply begin making loud screams that disturb the pub's guests.
Address: 279 Queen Street, Port Perry, ON.
