MomSkoop
New York State is famous for its skyscrapers and pizza, but it also hides some seriously spooky secrets. Scattered across the state are grand old mansions with dark histories, mysterious deaths, and ghostly residents who never quite left. Whether you’re a ghost hunter or just love a good scare, these haunted homes offer chilling tales and eerie experiences you won’t forget.
1. Morris-Jumel Mansion (Manhattan, NYC)
Manhattan’s oldest house still standing has witnessed centuries of drama since 1765. George Washington himself used this Georgian beauty as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War, and the walls have absorbed countless stories since then.
Guests frequently report bone-chilling cold spots that appear out of nowhere, shadowy figures gliding through hallways, and unsettling sounds with no source. The mansion’s former residents apparently haven’t moved on, creating an atmosphere thick with supernatural energy.
Book a ghost-focused tour to hear the most spine-tingling tales and maybe catch a glimpse of something unexplainable yourself.
2. Van Horn Mansion (Burt / Niagara County)
Out in Niagara County sits an 1823 mansion where Malinda Niles, wife of James Van Horn Jr., is said to still roam. Locals have whispered about this place for generations, sharing stories passed down through families.
Lights flicker on and off without explanation, figures vanish into thin air before your eyes, and disembodied voices echo through empty rooms. The rural isolation adds an extra layer of creepiness that urban haunted houses just can’t match.
Access can be tricky, so check ahead for guided tours. The quieter setting makes every creak and whisper feel ten times more terrifying.
3. Knox Mansion (Johnstown)
This impressive estate in Johnstown belonged to the Knox family, prominent figures in New York history with connections to Revolutionary War hero Henry Knox. The mansion’s elegant architecture masks the strange occurrences reported by those who visit or work there today.
Staff members describe feeling watched by invisible eyes and experiencing sudden cold spots that appear without explanation. Doors open and close on their own, even when locked securely. Some witnesses claim to see a woman in period clothing gazing out from second-story windows, vanishing when approached.
The grounds themselves feel heavy with energy, as if the past refuses to release its grip on this beautiful but unsettling property.
4. Roberson Mansion (Binghamton)
Now serving as a museum and science center, this early 1900s mansion carries the memory of the Roberson family who once called it home. The building’s transformation into a public space hasn’t quieted the paranormal activity that staff and visitors experience regularly.
Margaret Roberson, the family matriarch, apparently never left her beloved home after death. Her presence is felt strongest in her former bedroom and sitting areas. Museum workers report objects moving mysteriously, exhibit lights turning on by themselves, and the distinct scent of old perfume appearing suddenly.
Children visiting the mansion sometimes mention seeing a nice old lady who vanishes before their parents can see her too.
5. Hyde Hall (Cooperstown)
Overlooking the beautiful Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, Hyde Hall ranks as one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture in America. Construction began in 1817, and the massive estate took decades to complete, giving plenty of time for tragedy and mystery to seep into its foundation.
The ghost of George Clarke, the original owner, reportedly roams his former home still overseeing the property he loved so deeply. Tour guides and restoration workers have encountered unexplained phenomena including disembodied voices, phantom piano music, and apparitions in period clothing.
The mansion’s remote hilltop location creates an atmosphere where past and present seem to blur together naturally.
6. Lyndhurst Mansion (Tarrytown / Hudson River)
This Gothic Revival masterpiece rises dramatically above the Hudson River, looking more like a castle from a fairy tale than a typical mansion. Built in 1838, Lyndhurst has housed several wealthy families, each leaving their mark on the property’s supernatural reputation.
Visitors describe seeing ghostly figures in Victorian dress wandering the elaborate gardens and grand hallways. The sound of a woman crying has been heard in certain rooms, though no living person is ever found. Electronic devices malfunction frequently inside the mansion, cameras fail mysteriously, and unexplained cold drafts appear even on warm summer days.
The estate’s dramatic architecture only amplifies the eerie feelings many experience here.
7. Burn Brae Mansion (Glen Spey / Hudson Valley)
Hidden in the Hudson Valley near Glen Spey, this Scottish-style mansion was built in 1908 and later served as a resort before falling into abandonment. The stone structure with its turrets and castle-like appearance creates an instantly spooky impression that matches the paranormal reports perfectly.
Urban explorers who dare to venture inside describe overwhelming feelings of dread and the sensation of being followed by unseen presences. Disembodied whispers echo through empty ballrooms where guests once danced. Shadow figures dart between doorways, always staying just out of clear sight.
The mansion’s decay and isolation make it one of the most genuinely frightening locations in New York State.
8. Farnam Mansion (Oneida)
Standing proudly in Oneida, this Victorian mansion belonged to the wealthy Farnam family and now serves various community purposes. Despite its continued use, the building cannot shake the ghostly residents who seem determined to make their presence known.
People working late in the building report hearing footsteps on the grand staircase when they know they’re alone. Doors lock and unlock without anyone touching them. A male apparition in old-fashioned clothing has been spotted multiple times near the library, always disappearing when directly confronted.
The mansion’s elegant beauty contrasts sharply with the unsettling experiences that happen within its walls, creating a fascinating mix of charm and chills.
9. Beacon Towers (Sands Point, Long Island)
Once a magnificent castle-like mansion on Long Island’s Gold Coast, Beacon Towers now exists mostly as ruins and memories. Built in 1917 for the Guggenheim family, the property was partially demolished in the 1940s, but the remaining structures still draw ghost hunters and history buffs.
The ruins are said to be haunted by former residents who mourned the destruction of their beautiful home. Strange lights appear among the remaining towers at night. Visitors report feeling suddenly sad or angry without reason, as if absorbing emotions left behind by the mansion’s tragic fate.
Even in decay, Beacon Towers maintains an eerie grandeur that hints at its spectacular past.
10. Kreischer Mansion (Staten Island)
Perched atop a hill on Staten Island, this striking Victorian mansion has witnessed more than its share of tragedy and violence over the years. Built in the 1880s for the Kreischer family’s brick-making empire, the house later became the scene of a notorious murder that only added to its dark reputation.
Neighbors and visitors report seeing lights moving through rooms that have no electricity. The sounds of arguing and crying drift from the empty building on quiet nights. Several ghost-hunting teams have captured strange voices and unexplained phenomena on their recording equipment.
The mansion’s isolated hilltop location and violent history combine to create truly chilling experiences for those brave enough to approach.