Westchester NY, famous for its bustling city life and picturesque landscapes, also holds an underbelly of spectral secrets waiting to be explored!
π June 09, 2023
π New England | Haunted | Cemeteries | Explore | Shopping | Dining | Tours | Group | Historical Haunts
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READY TO GET YOUR SPOOK ON IN WESTCHESTER, NY?
You've hit the jackpot, fellow phantom-seekers! As a spirit-chasing New York native, I've collected the five most bone-chilling haunted destinations in Westchester County, NY. Not for the faint-hearted, these ghostly hotspots are sure to send shivers down your spine.
Pressed for time? No problem! Dive headfirst into the spectral world with our top pick, Sleepy Hollow. It's a mecca for supernatural fans, boasting chilling tales and a history steeped in the eerie unknown.
Year-Round Haunts of Sleepy Hollow
Westchester NY, famous for its bustling city life and picturesque landscapes, also holds an underbelly of spectral secrets waiting to be explored. From haunted inns echoing with ghostly whispers to foreboding castles hiding restless spirits, it's an otherworldly journey that'll leave you spellbound.
Take the leap, brave adventurer! These spooky realms are a mere click away. Ready to face the ethereal unknown? Letβs get going!
Table of Contents
Our Top 3 Picks: Best Accommodations Near Haunted Destinations
Top 5 Haunted Destinations and Nearby Accommodations in Southern NY
Conclusion
Our Top 3 Picks: Best Accommodations Near Haunted Destinations
![A spooky, Victorian-style hotel with an ominous vibe]
π» TOP PICK - The Tarrytown House Estate
ποΈ Sleeps 2 guests
π³ Complimentary breakfast
πΈοΈ Rumored ghostly sightings
β³ Book it here
π» Haunted Hollow B&B
ποΈ Sleeps 2 guests
π³ Freshly baked ghost cookies
β³ Book it here
π» Spectral Stay Hotel
ποΈ Sleeps 2 guests
π³ Ghost-themed room service
β³ Book it here
Sleepy Hollow, a town etched in folklore, tops our spectral list. Infamous for the Headless Horseman tale, it brims with uncanny history. But it's not just the Philipsburg Manor or the eerie Sleepy Hollow Cemetery that hosts the supernatural.
Year-Round Haunts of Sleepy Hollow
Nestled within this ghostly realm is the Tarrytown House Estate, one of America's oldest hotels offering a blend of elegance and thrill. Its panoramic views of the Hudson River can steal your breath away, but the real thrill comes from Room 293.
Enter if you dare, for you might share your stay with Sybil, the Duke's daughter, said to haunt the King's Mansion. Beware of her shadowy figure lurking in the corridors or the chilling, faint sounds signaling her presence.
The Estate doesn't just offer ghostly companions. Unwind with a dip in the pool or treat your taste buds at the in-house Cantonese restaurant. Whether you're in for the supernatural or a tranquil retreat, Tarrytown House Estate won't disappoint.
βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | ποΈ Check Rates and Availability
Next on our spectral journey is the magnificent Lyndhurst Mansion. Perched on 67 acres of picturesque landscape overlooking the Hudson River, this Gothic Revival gem invites you to explore its rich history and haunting legends.
A 19th-century castle, Lyndhurst was first home to the former NYC mayor, William Paulding Jr., later owned by Jay Gould, a prominent railroad tycoon. The mansion's grandeur has been preserved throughout the years, even serving as a backdrop for Hollywood films like House of Dark Shadows and Night of Dark Shadows.
Today, this American icon is a treasure trove of original art collections and decorative furnishings. It offers guided tours through its grand rooms, servants' spaces, and even the mansion tower. The seasonal special events and theatrical performances will take your experience a notch higher.
However, the true thrill at Lyndhurst comes from its resident phantoms. Take a stroll around the mansion, and you might just hear the innocent laughter of a little girl in a white dress, a spectral resident said to bring luck to those who see her. Be on the lookout for the crying statue as well. This tarnished figure, reaching towards the sky, is rumored to shed tears every October, guarding the estate from those who wish to harm it.
Lyndhurst Mansion's Eerie Allure in Tarrytown, NY
If you thought the hair-raising tales end at the Lyndhurst Mansion, brace yourself for the chills that await you along the infamous Buckout Road in White Plains, NY. Buckout Road has been the stuff of legends for generations. Rumors of witches, vengeful apparitions, and even fearsome cannibals have given this road a reputation as one of the most haunted in the state. And if you're a fan of horror movies, you might have seen "The Curse of Buckout Road", a 2017 Canadian film inspired by the eerie tales associated with this road.
The stories that prevail about Buckout Road are indeed stuff of nightmares. It is said that three women accused of witchcraft were burned at the stake here in the 1600s. Their restless spirits, they say, still haunt this narrow strip of asphalt.
Adding to the spectral population is the spirit of Mary Buckhout. Mary, one of the original settlers in the area, tragically took her own life and now, it is said, roams the road in a white dress, eternally mourning.
As if witches and ghostly apparitions weren't enough, the road also lays claim to a terrifying tale of cannibal albinos. Legend warns that if you park your car in front of the ominous Red House (also known as the Albino House) and honk thrice, a ferocious family of albinos will come charging after you!
Buckout Road (White Plains, NY)
Our gothic voyage leads us next to the Copcutt Mansion, also known as Saint Casimir's Rectory, nestled in the city of Yonkers. Steeped in history and infused with spectral hauntings, the mansion is an unmissable stop for lovers of the paranormal.
Built in 1854 by prominent industrialist John Copcutt, the mansion displays an elaborate Italianate style, with its structure being cruciform in plan, two and one half stories high. A central, projecting three-story tower adds an element of grandeur and mystery to the mansion, which is divided into five bays wide.
The mansion has borne witness to significant events, including the wedding of John Copcutt's daughter to Dr. Charles Leale, but its supernatural allure stems from the tales of spectral visitations. The most enduring of these is the account from Mr. Frederick Hughes in 1907, who encountered an ethereal old man who floated towards him through closed rosewood doors in a corridor of 'strange light.' The apparition reportedly issued a warning, "Too bad! Too bad! The place is cursed! The place is cursed! The trees will die! The trees will die! Betrayed for money! For money! The old home sold!"
Today, the mansion is still a place of significant activity, echoing its haunting past. So, if you're up for a gothic thrill, take a tour and maybe, just maybe, you'll encounter the spectral old man yourself.
The Phantom of Copcutt Mansion (Yonkers, NY)
The final chapter of our spectral journey across Westchester, NY takes us to Irvington, home to the mesmerizing Church of St. Barnabas. This architectural gem built in stone Gothic Revival style brims with an aura of antiquity and a dash of the supernatural, making it a must-visit destination for every gothic lover.
The Church, apart from its architectural beauty, is renowned for its haunting tales. Stories abound of former occupants whose spirits are said to dwell within the church's walls. Most notable is the spectral knitter, whose apparition reportedly matches a photo of a 19th-century pastor's family member. Visitors have reported seeing her knitting in one of the Church's rocking chairs. However, the most spine-tingling account hails from 2000 when workmen installing a new organ encountered the ghost of the church's first pastor, William McVickar. The workmen, as one would expect, fled the scene, making their tale a staple in the church's folklore.
The church also houses seventeen magnificent stained glass windows, dating from 1880 to 1999, that cast mesmerizing, colorful hues across the sanctuary. Other notable features include the lych gate, the parish hall added in 1902, the Luke Memorial Chapel added in 1945, and the office and Sunday school wings added in the 1960s.
The Chilling Charm of St. Barnabas Church (Irvington, NY)
So, there you have it, thrill-seekers! Southern NY is a treasure trove of haunted hotspots that promises an unforgettable journey into the supernatural. From chilling graveyards to haunted houses, it's a must-visit for any self-respecting ghost hunter.
Don't forget, these handpicked accommodations offer a unique experience to extend your spectral adventure beyond the daylight hours. Who knows, you might even share a breakfast table with a phantom!
Book your stay using the links provided and delve into the ethereal world of Southern NY. Here's to an adventure that's sure to be an absolute scream!
Happy Haunting!