Canada, a land known for its stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and multicultural charm, also holds a dark side cloaked in ghost stories, abandoned buildings, and chilling folklore. From eerie lighthouses on remote coasts to haunted hotels nestled in majestic mountains, Canada offers a spine-tingling journey into the paranormal.
If you’re curious about the supernatural or planning a ghostly getaway, here’s a deep dive into the most haunted places in Canada that will leave you questioning what’s real—and what isn’t.
1. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta — The Phantom Bride Awaits
Location: Banff, Alberta
Established: 1888
Set against the majestic Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is breathtaking—both for its beauty and its hauntings.
The Ghostly Bride:
The most famous ghost is that of a young bride who allegedly fell down the marble staircase on her wedding day. She is often seen dancing in the ballroom in her wedding gown.
Other Hauntings:
- A ghostly bellman named Sam who helps guests
- Strange lights and sounds in vacant rooms
- Cold drafts and unexplained shadows
This luxurious resort offers comfort—and perhaps a ghostly companion.
2. Keg Mansion, Toronto — Ghosts in the Dining Room
Location: Jarvis Street, Toronto
Original Owner: Industrialist Hart Massey
Now a popular steakhouse, the Keg Mansion has a haunted history tied to its Victorian roots.
The Tragedy:
Legend says a maid, distraught over the death of a Massey family member, hanged herself in the main hall. Some say she was covering up a scandal and was murdered instead.
Paranormal Incidents:
- Apparitions of a woman hanging from the staircase
- Phantom footsteps
- Mysterious cold spots and flickering lights
Guests have reported feeling watched while dining—making dinner here more than just a meal.
3. The Ghost Road, Port Perry — A Motorcyclist’s Final Ride
Location: Scugog Island near Port Perry, Ontario
Nickname: Ghost Road
This seemingly ordinary dirt road is one of Ontario’s most infamous paranormal sites.
The Legend:
A motorcyclist died tragically on this road, and locals say his ghost still rides at night. People report seeing a single bright headlight in the distance that vanishes as it gets closer.
Other Reports:
- Distant laughter
- Screams from the woods
- Engine noises without any vehicles
The road has become a hotspot for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters.
4. Craigdarroch Castle, British Columbia — Spirits in the Halls
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Built In: Late 1800s by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir
A symbol of old wealth and tragedy, Craigdarroch Castle is known for both its stunning architecture and its hauntings.
The Ghosts:
- The lady in white—believed to be one of the Dunsmuir daughters
- Piano music from an empty music room
- Children’s laughter in the upper corridors
Staff and visitors often mention a heavy energy that seems to follow them room to room.
5. The Plains of Abraham, Quebec — Battlefield Phantoms
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Historical Significance: Site of the 1759 Battle between French and British forces
The Plains of Abraham is not only a historic battlefield but also a place of numerous ghost sightings.
Paranormal Reports:
- Soldiers in red coats marching silently at dawn
- Cannons firing in the distance
- Cries of wounded men and horses
Visitors often feel an overwhelming sense of sorrow, as if the land itself remembers its bloody past.
6. St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia — Ghosts on Campus
Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Founded: 1853
This quaint campus is home to more than just students—it is said to house several restless spirits.
Most Famous Spirit:
A former nun is believed to haunt the campus chapel, often seen during evening prayer times.
Student Reports:
- Books falling off shelves in the library
- Locked doors opening on their own
- Whispers in empty dorms
Ghost tours are often held to explore the haunted history of the university.
7. The Old Spaghetti Factory, Vancouver — Dinner with a Ghost
Location: Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia
Established in Building: Early 1900s
One of Vancouver’s oldest dining spots, this restaurant is built on a decommissioned streetcar and holds multiple paranormal stories.
The Conductor:
The most well-known spirit is the ghost of a tram conductor, who appears in vintage uniform near the old streetcar.
Other Unexplained Events:
- Objects moving on their own
- Guests feeling invisible taps on their shoulder
- Unexplained cold drafts
It’s a delicious experience with a side of fear.
8. Ottawa Jail Hostel — The Executioner Still Walks
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Built In: 1862
Now: A Hostel
Once a functioning jail with a history of executions, the Ottawa Jail Hostel is one of the most haunted places in Canada.
Who Haunts It?
Patrick Whelan, hanged for the assassination of a politician in 1869, is said to walk the halls.
Chilling Encounters:
- Screams and whispers during the night
- Chains clinking in empty corridors
- Apparitions in the old death row cells
Guests often say they barely sleep—because the ghosts don’t let them.
9. Tranquille Sanatorium, British Columbia — Echoes of the Insane
Location: Kamloops, BC
Built In: 1907
Original Purpose: Tuberculosis hospital, later a mental asylum
Tranquille Sanatorium’s long corridors and underground tunnels are home to terrifying tales of mistreatment and death.
Paranormal Highlights:
- Screams echoing through empty halls
- Flickering lights in sealed rooms
- Apparitions of former patients
The sanatorium is now closed to the public but remains a magnet for urban explorers and ghost hunters.
10. Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg — A Lady in Room 202
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Opened: 1913
This elegant hotel is said to house one of the saddest hauntings in Canadian history.
The Tragic Tale:
A woman reportedly committed suicide in Room 202 after learning of her husband’s death. Since then, numerous paranormal events have occurred.
Eerie Phenomena:
- Blood dripping from the walls (reported by staff)
- A woman in a cloak appearing at the foot of beds
- Crying sounds in the night
Many guests request not to stay in Room 202 after reading the hotel’s haunted history.
Final Thoughts: Canada’s Chilling Side Awaits
Beyond its peaceful lakes and snowy peaks, Canada holds secrets—echoes of lost souls, tragic love stories, and battle cries from beyond. From luxury hotels to abandoned asylums, these haunted places are more than tourist spots; they’re living legends that continue to fascinate and terrify.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these chilling Canadian destinations promise a journey you won’t forget. And remember—sometimes, the quietest places have the loudest stories.
