These 13 Haunted Places In Washington Will Keep You Up At Night
Washington State is home to numerous haunted locations, including cemeteries, old buildings, and hotels, each with its own eerie history and ghostly sightings.
Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, Washington is definitely home to some seriously spooky places. From abandoned ghost towns to chilling cemeteries, there are more than enough creepy places in Washington for any lovers of all things haunted. Here are 13 of the most haunted places in Washington State sure to keep you up at night!
Our list of the most haunted places in Washington state begins, of course, at a cemetery. Due to its location, it's not too surprising there have been consistent reports coming from Black Diamond Cemetery, but reasonable explanations can usually be given for most instances. For example, some people have said they've heard whistling and voices in the wind but it could be argued that since it's an open area, the sounds could have come from anywhere, especially from being carried in the breeze. Regardless of what you believe, Black Diamond Cemetery is not a place you want to be after dark!
Excerpts from the Tacoma News Tribune on February 18, 1974, documented that police were called to the old city hall building repeatedly because break-in and fire alarms were being set off but there was no logical explanation as to why. Lights also flickered in rooms that had been empty, but no intruders were ever actually found. Spooky! It's one of the most haunted locations near me in Washington.
In 2005-2006, the Washington State Ghost Society allegedly performed a number of investigations here and picked up several EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomena). To this day even, there are mysterious incidents being reported! Today, folks can come, sip wine, and mingle with ghosts at Oxford Saloon!
4. Campbell House, Spokane (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, or the MAC)
While you may think eyes moving in a portrait only happens in movies, you'll be horrified to hear that type of creepy activity has been reported here. It was also peculiar that there were stories widely circulating that three of the Campbell children who lived here in the early 1900s were murdered by an intruder, then kidnapped a fourth kid who was never seen again - but the Campbell family only had one child, who lived healthily into her adulthood. It's definitely one of the creepiest places in Washington.
A female apparition has been seen walking the halls at this 1886 hotel. Another attraction is the McMillin building nearby which contains a dining room setup and each place has a section that holds the ashes of a family member. The ghost family has been reported to be seen sitting in their places at sundown! It's one of the most historic haunted places in Washington.
Since the theater opened in 1927, inexplicable noises, ghosts, and frigid corridors are only a few of the spine-tingling experiences that have been said to have occurred here, especially when the audience is leaving. More reports include gusts of cold air, balls of light, and a strange voice calling out people's names. Creepy!
The group Paranormal Investigations of Historic America deemed this Washington museum haunted after a 2010 search picked up many recorded voices responding to things the investigators said. Visitors and employees have also noted seeing the ghosts of two different men and a Native American woman walking around the building! It's one of the most haunted places in Washington state.
This school later turned community center is believed to have a young boy that haunts its halls who used to be a student there. People have claimed they've heard children laughing and playing at University Heights, one of the most haunted places in Washington.
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9. Butterworth Building - now Kells Irish Pub, Seattle
The Butterworth Building, a mortuary turned bar in downtown Seattle was actually featured on Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel! There has been an abundance of dead bodies at this location due to disease, mining accidents, and violence back during the early 1900s. Today, there are two ghosts who regularly haunt the bar. Truly, Kells Irish Pub is definitely one of the most haunted places in Washington!
The Rucker family gained their fortune by helping establish the city of Everett and resided in this mansion. Mrs. Rucker is believed to haunt the home and rumors say that since she leaped to her death from the bedroom window, her spirit has been heard playing the piano.
Eliza and Ezra Meeker were pioneers who were influential in founding the city of Puyallup and more of the Puget Sound region and their ghosts are thought to still haunt this home. There have been a number of claims of suspicious activity, such as the strong smell of perfume coming from nowhere and a clear, full-on phantom of Ezra has been seen by quite a few people during some of the events here.
Supposedly, this hotel is haunted by a Chinese immigrant from the early 1900s who is commonly referred to as Charlie. One day, he had been hiding in a secret spot behind the fireplace and accidentally suffocated and died. Now, his ghost wanders (and haunts) the halls of the Tokeland Hotel, making for a rather interesting experience for diners and guests! It's one of the most fascinating haunted places in Washington.
Nearly 2,000 patients lived at this psychiatric clinic. Some died naturally but some were murdered through strenuous physical labor, electroshock therapy, sterilization, and even lobotomies. There have been a variety of ghost sightings here, including a man being pushed in a wheelchair by a nurse! Northern State Mental Hospital truly takes the top spot in our roundup of the most haunted places in Washington.
The most haunted places in Washington are not for the faint of heart. So proceed with caution because you never know what you'll find hiding in The Evergreen State! Are there other scary places in Washington that you know of or have experienced firsthand? Let us know in the comment section below!
If you want to check out even more haunted places near me, take a look at this haunted road trip in Washington. And don't forget to check out our road trip packing list and road trip snack list before you go!
Between the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival and the dozens of city tree lighting ceremonies, you’ll have abundant opportunities to get into the holiday spirit this year. But if you’re looking for a special event the entire family will enjoy, head to Elbe for the Polar Express Train Ride. This holiday spectacular will transport you straight into the classic storybook, and it'll fill you with Christmas cheer. Be sure to get your tickets early. This event often sells out. You won't want to miss out on this Polar Express train ride in Washington.
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The Mt. Rainier Railroad hosts the Polar Express Leavenworth Train Ride every year. All aboard the Christmas train in Washington!
It's just like the iconic storybook. As you watch the giddy performers spread cheer through the train, you can munch on delicious cookies and sip decadent hot chocolate. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a reading of "The Polar Express." This North Pole train in Washington really has it all.
Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa Claus boards the train. Santa gives every child on board the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell. Families are welcome to wear pajamas on the train ride. If you really want to experience the thrill of this lovely Christmas tale, you have to dress the part!
Girl riding a train and looking out of the window.
Whether or not you have little ones, this is a must for every Washingtonian this holiday season. Mt. Rainier Railroad hosts a variety of excursions, but nothing beats this Christmas event. Gather up your loved ones and celebrate this happy season.
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
