The Most Haunted Places in Canada to Stay & Eat (If you Dare)

Haunted places and ghost stories have fascinated people for ages. From friendly Casper-like stories to menacing, terrifying phantoms; for some reason, humans are drawn to the idea of the supernatural and, as such, dark tourism has become quite the trend. Especially in places like Edinburgh, and New Orleans, Prague. But, did you know, that Canada has some pretty creepy places too? From haunted hotels to haunted restaurants, here are some of the most haunted places in Canada that you can easily visit.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Located in: Banff, Alberta

Banff is known for its mountains, lakes, and wildlife, and the stunning Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Located in the Rocky Mountains, this famous hotel appears regularly in photographs, must-stay lists, and more. However, there’s something you should know before you book your stay. The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is home to several regular guests of the ghost variety.

There have been numerous ghost sightings at this historic hotel. The most popular stories involve a young bride who, according to the legend, fell down the marble staircase to her death. She’s typically seen dancing in the ballroom.

Room 873 is considered the most haunted room in the hotel. In fact, so many horror stories were reported from guests who stayed in this suite that it was actually sealed off and is no longer available. Allegedly, a man murdered his wife and daughter here before committing suicide.

Finally, the third common sighting is that of Sam the bellman. This spirit is friendly and cheerful and has actually been mistaken for a real, live employee more than once.

Hopefully, if you stay here, you do actually make it to check out.

Want to stay at the this haunted Canadian hotel? You can book your stay here. Hopefully, unlike the guests above, you will make it out alive.

Five Fishermen Restaurant

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Most people have fish and chips with a pint. But here you may also get a ghost with your order. The Five Fishermen Restaurant is a popular family-style restaurant today, but it wasn’t always a happy place. Originally, this building served as a funeral home for the victims of the Titanic as well as the 1917 Halifax explosion; both incredibly horrific tragedies.

With that being the case, it’s no surprise that this establishment has become one of the most haunted places in Canada. It seems to be a playground for ghosts and poltergeists. Spectral beings are seen on a regular basis along with reports of taps turning on by themselves and objects being moved or broken.

Despite its eerie reputation, Five Fishermen Restaurant remains a popular place to eat for the food and the creepy company.

Fort Garry Hotel

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Haunted hotels in Canada are a common theme and one of the creepiest is Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. The spookiest spot here is room 202. Apparently, a woman committed suicide in this room after hearing that her husband was killed in a car accident. For those wondering, yes, you can book a night in the room.

So, what can you expect?

Blood dripping from the walls is one of the most common sightings in room 202 along with a spectral being in a cloak hovering at the bottom of the bed. In 2004, an Ontario Liberal MP stayed in the room and claims that she felt someone try to get in the bed with her twice during the night.

The female ghost has also been seen wandering the hallways and sitting, crying in the lounge. However, while she is the most commonly seen ghost, there have also been reports of male ghosts sitting in the dining room or wandering through the halls.

Want to stay in room 202 and see what happens? You can book your stay at the Fort Garry Hotel here.

HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Lonely Planet named this building as one of the spookiest buildings in the world and it’s easy to see why. This hostel was actually a jail established in the 1860s. It didn’t close its doors until 1972 due to inhumane conditions. To this day, it is still considered to be one of the most haunted places in Canada.

Why?

Well, it was a jail for over a century which isn’t exactly a pleasant place to start with. Many individuals died here in terrible conditions and an ominous feeling is said to linger in many areas, especially in ‘the hole’ which was the solitary confinement area. Furthermore, those that died never actually left these grounds. Their bodies were burned and buried in a makeshift graveyard behind the jail.

Perhaps the eeriest area though is ‘death row’. As you can no doubt guess from the name, this is where prisoners were put to death, two of which were believed may have actually been innocent. Several spirits are said to wander this hallway though the best known is that of Patrick Whelan who was the victim of Canada’s last public execution in 1869. He was hung for his accused crime (murder) but maintained his innocence until his last breath.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most unique hostels in the world and spookiest spots to visit in Canada. Visitors report seeing ghosts at the end of their beds, hearing footsteps and screaming coming from the hallways, and allegedly one woman even experienced sleep paralysis caused by the ghost of a little girl who held her so she wouldn’t wake.

I’m an Ottawa local and having heard these stories I have no desire to spend a night sleeping in one of these cells (yes, the rooms are converted jail cells). But, if you are brave enough to want to sleep in this haunted jail, you can book your stay here. Don’t want to spend the night but still want the experience? The HI-Ottawa hostel jail is a stop on the local Haunted Walks Tours.

The Keg Mansion

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Canadians will recognize the Keg Mansion in Toronto as a fine-dining experience. What many may now know, however, is that it is one of the most haunted places in Canada so you may unknowingly, have an unexpected dining companion.

The Keg Mansion is you see it today is housed in a historic building known as Euclid Hall that dates back to 1868. It was built by a man named Arthur McMaster and sold to another man, Hart Massey, and his family in 1882. This family’s maid hung herself in the foyer and it is her ghost that is said to haunt the restaurant.

The story behind why the maid committed suicide is up for debate. Some say she took the Massey daughter’s death too hard and that was the reason for her decision to end her life. Another version of the tale says the maid had an affair with a Massey man.

Whatever the story, the ghost of this maid has been seen by staff and patrons alike haunting the Keg Mansion in Toronto. Additionally, there have been reports of ghostly children running and playing in the restaurant. The sounds of their footsteps are commonly reported climbing up and down the stairs.

Chateau Frontenac

Location: Quebec City, Quebec

Another famous and historic hotel is the stunningly beautiful Fairmont Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. Personally, I think it looks a bit like how I imagine Hogwarts. Those similarities come into play even more now that I have learned it is, in fact, another iconic haunted hotel in Canada.

Guests at this luxury hotel have reported two regular ghosts. The first is that of a woman in a white nightdress who frequently appears at people’s bedsides when they wake in the night. The second is that of Louis de Buade de Frontenac, the 17^th-century governor of New France for whom the hotel is named. He died here in 1698 and many guests have reported seeing him walking through the halls, easily distinguished by his period clothes.

I stayed at this hotel for two nights in 2017 and had no spooky experiences (which is ideal, because I’m a big baby). However, if you want to give it a try you can book your stay at the Chateau Frontenac here.

Would you be brave enough to visit any of these haunted places in Canada?