Haunted Hotels in Indiana You Can Stay In
Discover the most haunted hotels in Indiana with real ghost stories and paranormal activity
Cities in Indiana with haunted hotels
14 Haunted Hotels Found in Indiana
McDonald B&B
508 E Jackson St, Attica, IN 47918, United States
The McDonald B&B is believed to be haunted by members of the McDonald family, particularly 'Kate' McDonald. The house dates back to the 1850s, and experiences include hearing unexplained music or talking, lights turning on/off, and objects being moved. Some guests feel gentle presences, suggesting friendly spirits tied to their former home.
Inn at Aberdeen
3158 S State Rd 2, Valparaiso, IN 46385, United States
The Inn at Aberdeen is said to host several spirits. One notable ghost is 'Sarah,' believed to be a former resident or related to the property's history. Guests have reported hearing footsteps in empty hallways, doors opening or closing on their own, and unexplained cold spots. There's also mention of a 'Soldier' spirit, possibly linked to the home's use during historical periods.
Whispers Estate
714 W Warren St, Mitchell, IN 47446, United States
Whispers Estate is named for the disembodied voices frequently heard within. It's considered extremely haunted due to a tragic history involving previous residents, including orphaned children adopted by Dr. John Gibbons, some of whom died in the house. Reported phenomena are extensive: voices, full-bodied apparitions (including children and a 'dark figure'), objects moving, doors opening/closing, physical touches, and extreme temperature changes. Many consider it one of Indiana's most active locations.
Roads Hotel
150 E Main St, Atlanta, IN 46031, United States
The Roads Hotel is renowned for intense paranormal activity, attributed to multiple spirits including children, a former caretaker, and possibly negative entities due to its complex past, which includes being a boarding house and hotel. Reports range from disembodied voices, shadow figures, physical touches, and objects moving. Specific entities mentioned include 'Sara' (a child spirit), and potentially darker energies in areas like the basement.
West Baden Springs Hotel
8538 W Baden Ave, West Baden Springs, IN 47469, United States
As part of the French Lick Resort, West Baden Springs Hotel shares some of the general paranormal aura. While less overtly 'haunted' in reputation compared to French Lick Springs Hotel, its grandeur and long history invite speculation. Some feel residual energy from its past as a Jesuit seminary and hospital. Unexplained occurrences like cold spots, faint sounds, and feelings of presence have been reported, particularly in less-trafficked areas or late at night within the vast atrium.
Old Jail Inn
127 S Meridian St, Rockville, IN 47872, United States
The Old Jail Inn, operating within a preserved former county jail (1879), is intensely haunted by presumed former inmates and possibly sheriffs. Activity includes cell doors slamming shut, disembodied voices, moans, shadow figures, and physical sensations like being touched or pushed. Specific areas like the processing area, cell blocks, and sheriff's residence are hotbeds for paranormal activity, making it a destination for ghost hunters.
Ivy House Bed & Breakfast
224 S Merrill St, Fortville, IN 46040, United States
The Ivy House has gained a reputation for being haunted, possibly tied to its past uses or residents. Reports from paranormal groups and guests suggest activity like disembodied voices, shadow figures moving in peripheral vision, and unexplained cold spots or drafts. While an official website isn't readily found, local paranormal interest suggests ongoing phenomena.
The Story Inn
6404 IN-135, Nashville, IN 47448, United States
The Story Inn, particularly the 'Blue Lady' room above the restaurant, is famously haunted. The Blue Lady is believed to be the spirit associated with the old general store. Guests report smelling tobacco or perfume when none is present, seeing blue apparitions, hearing footsteps, and encountering flickering lights. Her presence is considered mostly benign, and logbooks detail guest encounters.
Historic Hannah House
3801 Madison Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227, United States
The Hannah House's hauntings are famously linked to its alleged use as part of the Underground Railroad. Legend says that enslaved people seeking freedom were hiding in the basement when a fire started, and some perished. Their spirits, along with that of Alexander Hannah, the original owner, are said to remain. Visitors report smelling decay, hearing voices and movement, seeing apparitions, and encountering locked doors unlocking.
The Barbee Hotel
3620 N Barbee Rd, Warsaw, IN 46582, United States
The Barbee Hotel is rumored to be haunted by spirits connected to its long history, including potential connections to Al Capone and speakeasy days. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences such as unexplained noises, flickering lights, and sightings of apparitions, particularly in older parts of the building. Some believe past patrons or residents remain.
French Lick Springs Hotel
8670 West State Road 56, French Lick, IN 47432, United States
The spirit of former owner Thomas Taggart, who died in 1916, is believed to be the primary ghost haunting French Lick Springs Hotel. Dedicated to maintaining high standards even in death, his presence is often noted on the sixth floor and near the service elevator, sometimes accompanied by phantom tobacco smoke or disembodied voices. Another reported entity is a ghostly bell-hop, occasionally mistaken for a living employee by guests unfamiliar with the hotel's spectral staff roster.
Broadway Historic Hotel and Tavern
313 Broadway St, Madison, IN 47250, United States
The Broadway Hotel & Tavern, dating back to the 1830s, has accumulated many ghostly tales. Being one of Indiana's oldest hotels, it's believed to host numerous residual spirits from its long past. Staff and guests report seeing apparitions (including a woman in white and a man in older clothing), hearing unexplained footsteps and voices, and experiencing objects moving on their own, especially in the older sections of the hotel and tavern.
The Canyon Inn
451 McCormick Creek Park Rd, Spencer, IN 47460, United States
The Canyon Inn is rumored to be haunted, possibly by past guests or individuals connected to the park's history. Stories include faint laughter, unexplained noises, and shadowy figures in hallways or guest rooms. As it's nestled within a state park, some attribute feelings of being watched to the spirits of those who once roamed the land.
Rockport Inn
130 S 3rd Street, Rockport, IN, 47635
Built as a private home in the 1850s, the Rockport Inn is reputedly haunted by the apparition of a former owner's wife. Guests and staff have reported sighting her figure and hearing disembodied footsteps moving through the hallways. Its reputation as a haunted location is noted within local paranormal folklore.
Haunted History of Indiana
Indiana's haunted history is a tapestry of chilling folklore, woven from the dark whispers of its infamous prisons and asylums, the spectral secrets of the Underground Railroad, and the lingering spirits of notorious criminals. The Hoosier State is home to some of the most intensely haunted locations in the Midwest, where the veil between worlds feels particularly thin. Legends like that of the "Whispers Estate" in Mitchell, a home plagued by a host of troubled spirits, are just the tip of the iceberg in a state with a deep and often dark past.
The southern part of the state, bordered by the Ohio River, is rich with tales of riverboat ghosts and the sorrowful spirits of those who sought freedom on the Underground Railroad. Further north, the dunes along Lake Michigan tell the lonely story of "Diana of the Dunes," a mysterious woman whose ghost is still seen walking the shores. From the restless ghost of gangster John Dillinger in Indianapolis to the thousands of souls said to linger at former sanatoriums, Indiana's paranormal landscape is a compelling destination for any ghost hunter.
Other Haunted Attractions in Indiana
- Whispers Estate: This former doctor's home in Mitchell is considered by many to be one of the most haunted houses in the country. Visitors who are brave enough to spend the night at the Whispers Estate have reported encounters with numerous spirits, including a young girl named Rachel, a shadowy entity that lurks in the basement, and the doctor himself.
- Indiana State Sanatorium: The massive, decaying ruins of this former tuberculosis hospital in Rockville are a paranormal investigator's dream. The immense suffering and death that occurred within its walls have left a profound spiritual stain, and visitors on ghost tours report hearing disembodied coughs, seeing shadow figures, and being touched by unseen hands. Tours can often be booked through groups like US Ghost Adventures.
- Indiana Medical History Museum: Located in the Old Pathology Building on the grounds of the former Central State Hospital for the Insane in Indianapolis, this museum is inherently creepy. The Indiana Medical History Museum preserves an intact 19th-century medical lab, and the entire area is said to be haunted by the spirits of former patients from the asylum.
- Crown Hill Cemetery: This sprawling, historic cemetery in Indianapolis is the final resting place of President Benjamin Harrison and infamous bank robber John Dillinger. Dillinger's ghost is said to haunt his family plot, and visitors to Crown Hill Cemetery have also reported strange mists, disembodied voices, and encounters with other spectral residents among the thousands of graves.
Travel Tips for Haunted Hotel Stays in Indiana
- Explore the Ohio River: Take a drive along the scenic Ohio River Byway in southern Indiana. The historic river towns like Madison and Vevay are filled with beautiful architecture, antique shops, and plenty of ghost stories.
- Book Asylum Tours Early: Ghost tours at locations like the Indiana State Sanatorium are extremely popular and sell out months in advance, especially around Halloween. Plan ahead to secure your spot.
- Visit Historic Indianapolis: Don't miss the haunted history in the state capital. You can visit Crown Hill Cemetery to see Dillinger's grave, walk the historic Lockerbie Square neighborhood, and explore the grounds of the former Central State Hospital.
- Prepare for Midwestern Weather: Indiana experiences all four seasons to the fullest. Pack for hot, humid summers or cold, snowy winters. Autumn is often the most pleasant and atmospheric time for a paranormal road trip.
FAQ about Haunted Hotels in Indiana
Are haunted hotels in Indiana safe to stay in? Yes, absolutely. All hotels, regardless of their paranormal reputation, must adhere to strict safety and health regulations. The hauntings are a part of their unique history, not a danger to guests.
What is the most haunted hotel in Indiana? The grand historic resorts in southern Indiana, like those in French Lick, have some of the most famous and elaborate ghost stories in the state. Many of the old inns in the river towns are also known for their resident spirits. Browse our listings to find your perfect haunt.
Do haunted hotels in Indiana offer ghost tours? Many historic hotels and inns are proud of their spectral guests and offer ghost tours or share their stories freely. They are also frequently featured on local city-wide ghost tours.
Can kids stay in haunted hotels? Most hotels welcome families. However, the stories behind many of Indiana's most famous haunts, particularly those involving former asylums and prisons, can be quite disturbing and may not be suitable for younger children.
What time of year is best for haunted hotel stays in Indiana? Autumn is the ideal season for a spooky trip to Indiana. The crisp fall weather, beautiful foliage, and Halloween festivities create the perfect backdrop for exploring the state's most haunted locations.