As autumn arrives in Cleveland, things start to get… well, spooky. A delightful darkness settles over the region each fall and local legends come to life. Stories of hauntings circulate with renewed fervor, and around this time the rustle of falling leaves may start to sound like disembodied footsteps. There’s a plethora of fall fun in Northeast Ohio, but there are also unusual places in Cleveland that will make the spooky season particularly memorable. If you’re ready for a bit of nontraditional fall fun, add these places to your autumn bucket list:

1. The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft

When one thinks of witchcraft, cities like Salem, Massachusetts tend to come to mind. What connection does Cleveland have to famous witches, after all? Amazingly, our city has come to house the impressive collection of well-known occultist Raymond Buckland. Buckland is often credited with bringing Wicca to the United States… can you imagine a more interesting collection?!

Learn more about The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft in our previous feature article here.

2. The Witch's Ball

Now, now, don’t get too excited... there is not actually a witch buried under the Witch’s Ball – but this site is still a cool destination if you’re a fan of local legend. According to lore, a murderous witch was buried here in a standing position, with the granite sphere placed atop her grave to weigh her soul down. Of course, the truth is much more mundane… nobody is buried under this strange gravestone at all!

Want to explore this spooky place? You can find the full legend in our previous feature article here.

3. Punderson Manor

Punderson State Park provides solace to nature lovers, but it also thrills and entices fans of the paranormal. Why? Because it’s haunted! At its heart is a gorgeous Tudor manor that has maintained elements of the area’s original edifices. Many specters have been spotted here, ranging from a teenage girl to a lumberjack. You can even plan a trip to stay overnight in this spooky destination!

4. A Harry Potter-themed Escape Room

For years, Halloween has offered a unique opportunity for muggles to bring their magical fashion fantasies to life. Even if you’re not exploring your wizardy alter ego this spooky season, a trip through our local Harry Potter-themed escape room is all sorts of fun. Escape Room Cleveland has three locations with different themed rooms at each one; the Harry Potter-themed room is offered at the Mentor location.

Want to learn more about this magical challenge? Check our previous feature article here.

5. Angel of Death Victorious

Like the aforementioned Witch’s Ball, the Haserot Angel (as this statue is known colloquially) is a site of local legend. It is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of graves, but the seemingly tear-streaked face of this angel draws particular attention. Though she seems to be weeping, these black "tears" formed over time as a result of the bronze eroding.

6. The site of the Ashtabula Train Disaster

Ashtabula is a bit of a drive from Cleveland, but it’s close enough to home for a day trip. While this community is known for its gorgeous lakefront scenery, it was once known for an infamous train trip that ended in tragedy. On December 29, 1876, two locomotives carrying 159 passengers plunged off of a railroad bridge. The tragedy shook the community, which perhaps explains why locals began hearing disembodied cries and seeing ghostly lights near the crash site.

You can find more on this enduring local legend in our previous feature article here.

7. The Victorian House Museum

A place like the Victorian House Museum is somewhere that one might think would house many fond memories made over the years. However, those familiar with history know that the era wasn’t all about doilies and lace – in fact, there was a lot of tension in many households. Perhaps that is why ghosts linger in this spooky Amish Country museum?

For more information about the Victorian House Museum and its history and hauntings, check out our previous article here.

8. Cleveland Grays Armory Museum

The Cleveland Grays are integral to our local history, but their influence is largely unbeknownst to many. Fortunately, a few original members of this private military company still call Cleveland home… even after death. The Grays’ Armory still stands in Cleveland, and though it is a museum nowadays, visitors have heard the voices of former soldiers.

You can dive deeper into the Cleveland Grays Armory lore in our feature article here.

9. Rider's Inn

Believe it or not, Cleveland is rife with stops on the Underground Railroad. The city was once codenamed "Hope," which is understandable considering its proximity to Canada (a country where escaped slaves finally became free men and women).

Over in Painesville, one former stop on the road to freedom continues to operate as a bed and breakfast. Rider’s Inn has all the dramatics of any good haunting – cold spots, flickering lights, and a ghost with a craving for caregiving. Suzanne Rider, who was the lady of the house and a fine hostess during the building’s life as a stagecoach stop, is purported to haunt the structure to this day… but only to make sure her guests are comfortable!

Fall in Cleveland is a season full of family fun… but it’s also the perfect time of year for lovers of local lore. Which of these unusual Cleveland attractions is your favorite? Are there any other interesting or haunted places in Ohio you would add to this list?

Are you a fan of spooky fun? You should add these destinations to a haunted road trip through Cleveland!