Haunted Hotels in Nichols, New York

Fainting Goat Island Inn

1311 W River Rd, Nichols, NY 13812, United States

Originally built around 1850, the Fainting Goat Island Inn has a rich history, having served as an ice house, post office, railroad hotel, foundry, and even reportedly a brothel. Its long and varied past seems to have left spiritual imprints, as guests and owners frequently report paranormal phenomena. Experiences range from disembodied voices and visions, such as two women having tea, to objects moving inexplicably, like a child's chair or gumballs spilling in empty halls. Footsteps are heard on non-existent staircases, and apparitions glance back from mirrors. A prominent spirit is said to be that of a little boy, and adding to the eerie atmosphere, a doll and knife were once discovered concealed within a ceiling. Some encounters are more direct and physical, including guests feeling the presence of someone sitting on their bed, bedsheets being tugged away, or even a sensation of being held down. Its reputation is widespread, earning it the title of #1 Best Haunted Hotel in the US by USA Today readers multiple times.