The Most Haunted Spots in Chicago

Chicago ranks as one of the most haunted cities in the world, with countless destinations believed to be frequented by otherworldly beings. Before attending the city’s largest and scariest Halloween costume party at the Congress Plaza Hotel, get into the Halloween spirit by visiting a few local haunted spots. From theaters and cemeteries to castles and disaster sites, there are many must-see destinations sure to give you a spook.

Congress Plaza Hotel

The Congress Plaza Hotel is where you can attend the Haunted Halloween Ball the weekend before Halloween, and it’s also considered the most haunted hotel in the city. Located on South Michigan Avenue, it has a dark and tortuous past – it’s the place where America’s very first documented serial killer, H. H. Holmes, was believed to have searched for his victims. The hotel holds plenty of other ghostly secrets, too.

Historic Water Tower

The story behind the haunting at the Historic Water Tower is both sad and mysterious. Legend says that during the Great Chicago Fire, one man stayed behind to keep the water tower safe. When the flames took hold, he was forced to climb to the top, where he chose to hang himself rather than burn. Some say they have seen an apparition hanging from the rafters of the tower to this day.

Country House

You’ll find Country House nestled in Clarendon Hills, a family-friendly suburb just southwest of Chicago. It’s a favorite local spot for a cold beer and a mouthwatering burger – and a known haunted location. The ghost believed to haunt the venue is a blonde woman who was having an affair with the tavern’s bartender. After a fight, she took off in her car and died in a crash just half a mile down the road. A remodel in the 1970s is said to have released her spirit.

Battle of Fort Dearborn Park

In 1812, an ambush by Potawatomi warriors in what is now the Prairie Avenue District resulted in many casualties. A total of 68 people were killed, including some women and children. Human remains were believed to have been uncovered during excavation work in the 1980s, which led to reports of apparitions dressed in 19th-century attire.

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge

The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge sits just a few blocks from Lawrence Avenue in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Originally named Pop Morse’s Roadhouse, the lounge and jazz club were frequented by gangster Jack “Machine Gun” McGurn, one of Al Capone’s top lieutenants. It later became a speakeasy where hooch was smuggled through underground tunnels. Employees and patrons have claimed to hear odd noises, see things mysteriously move, and feel cold spots.

Iroquois Theatre

During a fire that broke out at the Iroquois Theatre in late 1903, more than 600 lives were lost. The building was later razed, but the alleyway behind it – where many victims landed while trying to escape the flames – remains busy with supernatural activity. Many theatre-goers have claimed to hear ghostly children laughing, women crying, and footsteps from people who are not there.

Cap Off Your Haunted Tour at the Ball

Even if you’re not a fan of ghost stories, there’s no denying the supernatural presence that lingers in many places throughout Chicago. Before heading to the Haunted Halloween Ball at the Congress Plaza Hotel this Halloween, be sure to catch up on your local history and hauntings.

Ready for the ultimate haunted night out? Get your tickets for the Haunted Halloween Ball and celebrate Halloween where Chicago’s history is at its spookiest.