Ontario’s Most Haunted Places That You Can Actually Visit
By Natalie Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Ontario has no shortage of ghost stories, but some of the creepiest aren’t hidden inside abandoned buildings or places you’re not allowed to enter.
You can actually walk through the dark tunnels of a reportedly haunted War of 1812 fort, step inside the cells of one of Canada’s most notorious prisons, tour a museum after dark or even spend the night in a hotel where some guests swear they’re not alone.
From Niagara-on-the-Lake to Kingston and Ottawa, these are some of the most haunted places in Ontario you can actually visit — including a few where you can take a ghost tour after the sun goes down.
KEY POINTS
Many of Ontario’s best-known haunted locations are historic forts, prisons, museums and hotels that are still open to the public.
Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of the province’s most famous paranormal hotspots and offers candlelit ghost tours, including special Halloween dates.
Kingston is one of the best destinations in Ontario for a haunted road trip, with Fort Henry, Kingston Penitentiary and several ghost tours.
Old Fort Erie sits on the site of some of the bloodiest fighting of the War of 1812 and hosts candlelit ghost experiences in the fall.
Some locations can be visited year-round, while ghost tours and nighttime experiences may only run seasonally.
Ghost stories are legends and reported experiences rather than proven paranormal events — but that doesn’t make exploring these places after dark any less creepy.
1. Fort George National Historic Site – Niagara-on-the-Lake
If we’re going to start with one of Ontario’s most famously haunted places, this is it.
Fort George National Historic Site played a major role in the War of 1812 and was the headquarters for the British Army’s Centre Division. The fort was captured by American forces in 1813 after heavy fighting in the area.
More than 200 years later, stories of unexplained activity continue.
There have reportedly been hundreds of paranormal encounters at Fort George, ranging from strange noises and unexplained footsteps to full apparitions. Among its best-known spirits is a young girl known as Sarah Ann, while another, considerably more ominous presence has become known simply as “The Watcher.”
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Fort George is open to visitors as a Parks Canada National Historic Site, but for the full experience, book a Ghost Tour of Fort George.
These aren’t haunted-house tours with actors jumping out at you. Guides lead visitors through the fort by candlelight while sharing accounts of paranormal experiences that have reportedly taken place on the property.
Special Halloween Ghost Tours run October 16–18, 23–25 and October 30–November 1 in 2026.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻👻
2. Old Fort Erie – Fort Erie
If a battlefield could hold onto its past, Old Fort Erie would have quite a story to tell.
The fort was the site of some of the fiercest fighting of the War of 1812 and is known as the location of Canada’s bloodiest battlefield.
One of its most disturbing legends involves two American soldiers killed during the British assault in 1814. For generations, people have claimed to see two soldiers wandering the battlefield — one without a head and another without hands.
Then there’s Captain Kingsley.
Kingsley spent his final months seriously ill in the Officers’ Quarters. After his death, reports began of footsteps, moving doors and windows and even his bed appearing to have been disturbed when no one had touched it.
His original bed is still there.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Visitors can tour Old Fort Erie during its regular season, but fall is when things get really interesting.
On October 16, 23 and 30, 2026, All Hallows’ Eve takes visitors through the fort by lantern and candlelight for ghost stories, local legends and eerie tales from the battlefield.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻👻
3. Kingston Penitentiary – Kingston
There is something unsettling about walking into a maximum-security prison that operated for nearly 180 years.
Kingston Penitentiary opened in 1835 and became one of Canada’s most notorious prisons before finally closing in 2013.
Its history includes riots, escapes, violence, executions and generations of prisoners who spent years — sometimes decades — behind its enormous limestone walls.
Unsurprisingly, it has also accumulated plenty of ghost stories.
One of the best-known is connected to inmate George Hewell, who was killed by a guard in 1897 and is said in local lore to have vowed revenge. Stories of unexplained footsteps, voices and apparitions have also become part of the prison’s darker mythology.
Even if you don’t encounter anything paranormal, standing inside the old cell ranges and segregation areas is creepy enough.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Kingston Pen Tours run through October 31 in 2026 and take visitors behind the walls into cell ranges, inmate areas and other parts of the former prison.
There are Standard, Extended and Express tours, and limited evening Express Tours give you the chance to explore the prison later in the day.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻👻
4. Fort Henry National Historic Site – Kingston
Kingston isn’t done with us yet.
Sitting high above the city, Fort Henry has a long military history — and an equally long collection of ghost stories.
Visitors and staff have reported strange footsteps, unexplained lights and ghostly figures around the fortress. One legend tells of a wandering soldier, while other stories are connected to prisoners who were held at the fort during the rebellions of the 1800s.
Its underground passages, stone rooms and dark tunnels already feel eerie during the day.
At night? Completely different story.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Fort Henry operates as a historic attraction during its regular season, but October brings Fort Fright, when the historic fortress transforms into one of Ontario’s biggest haunted attractions.
For 2026, Fort Fright runs select nights from October 2–31 with immersive sets, professional costumes, animatronics and special effects throughout the historic fort.
If Kingston is on your fall road-trip list, you could easily combine Fort Henry with Kingston Penitentiary and one of the city’s ghost tours for an entire haunted weekend.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻
5. Bytown Museum – Ottawa
What looks like a beautiful little stone museum beside the Rideau Canal has a much darker reputation after the doors close.
Built in 1827, the Bytown Museum occupies Ottawa’s oldest stone building and tells the story of the city’s early years.
It’s also considered one of Ottawa’s spookiest historic sites.
Over the years, stories have circulated about strange sounds, objects moving and apparitions inside the building. The museum itself doesn’t shy away from the reputation — it partners with The Haunted Walk for nighttime tours.
Imagine wandering through an almost 200-year-old stone building after dark while hearing stories about the people who may have never left.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Visit the Bytown Museum during regular museum hours or book Ghosts of the Bytown Museum through The Haunted Walk for nighttime access and the museum’s darker stories.
On Halloween 2026, the museum is also hosting special programming during the day.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻
6. Laurier House National Historic Site – Ottawa
This one gets strange for a completely different reason.
Laurier House National Historic Site was home to two Canadian prime ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King.
King also had an intense fascination with spiritualism and communicating with the dead.
Following the deaths of people close to him — including his mother — King participated in séances and consulted mediums in an attempt to communicate with spirits.
And now you can explore his former home after dark.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
For 2026, Parks Canada and The Haunted Walk are offering Ghosts of Laurier House from September 25 through November 28.
The nighttime experience takes visitors through the mansion while exploring King’s fascination with spiritualism and the supernatural — in the same house where many of his paranormal pursuits took place.
This might be one of the most unusual haunted experiences on the entire list.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻
7. Mackenzie House – Toronto
Hidden among downtown Toronto’s skyscrapers is a small Victorian home with a very big paranormal reputation.
Mackenzie House was the final home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto’s first mayor, who died in the house in 1861.
Over the years, visitors and staff have reported strange activity including unexplained footsteps, mysterious noises and ghostly figures. One recurring story describes the apparition of a small man dressed in 19th-century clothing who bears a suspicious resemblance to Mackenzie himself.
There have even been stories of the historic printing press seemingly coming to life on its own.
The City of Toronto itself acknowledges that the house is rumoured to have resident ghosts.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Mackenzie House is part of Toronto History Museums and general admission is free. The historic portion of the house is currently undergoing restoration, so check what areas are accessible before making a special trip.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻
8. Discovery Harbour – Penetanguishene
You might not expect one of Georgian Bay’s prettiest historic sites to have such a creepy side.
Discovery Harbour traces its roots to the British naval and military base established in Penetanguishene after the War of 1812.
Staff and visitors have reported some seriously strange occurrences over the years.
Artifacts have allegedly disappeared only to mysteriously reappear. Chess pieces are said to have moved without explanation. And perhaps creepiest of all, there have been reports of the image of a small child appearing in a window.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
Discovery Harbour offers regular daytime admission during its operating season, but its summer Ghost Tours take visitors through the historic property after dark.
The guided experience lasts approximately 1.5 to two hours and includes stories of reported paranormal activity at the site. Later tour times are deliberately scheduled after dark for visitors who want the full effect.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻
9. Fairmont Château Laurier – Ottawa
One of Canada’s grandest hotels also comes with one of the country’s most famous hotel ghost stories.
Fairmont Château Laurier was commissioned by Grand Trunk Railway president Charles Melville Hays.
Hays travelled to England before the hotel’s grand opening and was returning to Canada aboard the Titanic when the ship sank in April 1912.
He never saw his hotel open.
Over the years, stories have persisted that Hays never entirely left his grand Ottawa hotel, with reports of unexplained noises and a ghostly presence associated with the property.
Whether you believe the story or not, spending a night inside the castle-like hotel knowing its connection to the Titanic adds an entirely different dimension to your stay.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
You don’t have to be an overnight guest to get inside. The Haunted Walk offers a 75-minute Secrets of the Château Laurier guided hotel tour that takes visitors behind the scenes of the landmark.
The tour explores concealed passageways, grand ballrooms, the hotel’s swimming pool and areas normally reserved for guests while sharing stories about the Château’s history and notable visitors. It’s important to note that this is not technically a ghost tour — the focus is on the hotel’s history and secrets, although you may hear a ghost story along the way.
If you want the paranormal version, the Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa includes the Fairmont Château Laurier among its haunted stops and shares some of the ghost stories connected to the hotel.
And, of course, you can always take it one step further and book a room for the night.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻
10. The Olde Angel Inn – Niagara-on-the-Lake
You don’t even have to leave Niagara-on-the-Lake to find another famous ghost.
The Olde Angel Inn dates its history back to the 1700s, although the original building was destroyed during the War of 1812 and later rebuilt.
Its resident ghost is said to be Captain Colin Swayze, who according to local legend was killed at the inn during the War of 1812 while waiting to meet his sweetheart.
Stories say his spirit still wanders the building.
Visitors have reported unexplained noises, moving objects and other strange activity, and the inn is one of the stops featured on Niagara-on-the-Lake’s ghost walks.
In fact, the Olde Angel Inn is just one of many places that have helped give Niagara-on-the-Lake its reputation as one of Canada’s most haunted towns. With its War of 1812 history, centuries-old buildings and countless stories of ghostly encounters, the town is packed with haunted legends. Fort George, which we mentioned earlier, is another of its best-known paranormal hotspots.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
No sneaking into an abandoned building required.
The Olde Angel Inn is still a working pub and inn, so you can stop for a drink, grab something to eat or — if you’re feeling especially brave — spend the night.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻
11. Fairmont Royal York – Toronto
Thousands of people pass through the Fairmont Royal York every year without realizing that Toronto’s landmark hotel has accumulated plenty of ghost stories during its nearly century-long history.
Among the stories are reports of children laughing or running through otherwise empty hallways, unexplained music and an older gentleman who has reportedly been spotted wandering the eighth floor.
There are even tales of elevators behaving strangely and delivering guests somewhere they didn’t intend to go.
That’s probably not what you want to think about when the elevator doors close late at night.
HOW YOU CAN VISIT
The Royal York is still one of Toronto’s landmark luxury hotels, directly across from Union Station. Book a stay, visit one of the hotel’s restaurants or stop in while exploring downtown Toronto.
SFG Scare Factor: 👻👻👻
WANT SOMETHING EVEN SCARIER?
hese locations are spooky because of their real histories and the ghost stories connected to them — but if you’d rather have someone actively trying to scare you, Ontario has plenty of options for that too.
Check out our Best Halloween Events in Ontario for haunted houses, scream parks, ghost walks and Halloween events across the province.
For one of the biggest scares in Niagara, read our guide to Haunt Manor: Hayrides and Haunted Houses at One of Ontario’s Scariest Halloween Attractions.
Looking for something a little less terrifying? Explore Fall Farms, Pumpkin Patches & Harvest Festivals in Ontario or find the perfect pumpkin in our Best Pumpkin Patches in Ontario guide.
Just remember — if you hear footsteps behind you while exploring one of Ontario’s most haunted places, you might want to resist the urge to turn around. 👻
Happy haunting!
Natalie
