Michigan’s rich history is filled with tales of the unexplained. From abandoned asylums to eerie lighthouses, the Great Lakes State harbors countless haunted sites where spirits are said to linger. Whether you’re a skeptic or a ghost hunter, these 14 haunted places in Michigan offer chilling experiences that will leave you questioning what’s real.
1. Eloise Asylum – Westland
Once a massive complex housing over 10,000 patients, Eloise Asylum is one of the most infamous haunted sites in Michigan. Paranormal investigators report disembodied voices, shadow figures, and screams echoing in empty hallways. The asylum’s disturbing past of questionable treatments and patient deaths adds to its frightening lore.
2. The Whitney – Detroit
This historic mansion turned fine-dining restaurant was built in 1894 and is said to be haunted by the original owner, David Whitney Jr., and his wife. Employees and guests report seeing apparitions on the grand staircase, hearing footsteps, and encountering unexplained cold spots.
3. Henderson Castle – Kalamazoo
A luxury bed and breakfast today, Henderson Castle’s spooky reputation includes sightings of its original owners, who reportedly still roam the halls. Guests claim to have heard whispering voices and witnessed doors opening on their own—making this Victorian estate one of Kalamazoo’s most haunted places.
4. Mackinac Island’s Mission Point Resort
Mission Point Resort is known not only for its stunning views but also for the ghost of Harvey, a heartbroken student who took his own life in the 1960s. Visitors have reported hearing his footsteps in the theater and seeing his ghostly figure in the corridors.
5. The Felt Mansion – Saugatuck
Built in the 1920s, this elegant estate is rumored to be haunted by Dorr Felt and his wife. Paranormal activity includes flickering lights, unexplained voices, and the eerie sound of a piano playing by itself. It’s a popular site for ghost tours and paranormal investigations.
6. Fort Wayne – Detroit
Dating back to the 1840s, Historic Fort Wayne is believed to be haunted by soldiers who died during training or battles. Visitors describe seeing full-body apparitions, hearing gunfire and marching boots, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread in certain areas.
7. Pere Cheney Cemetery – Crawford County
Known as one of Michigan’s most haunted cemeteries, Pere Cheney was a small village wiped out by disease. The cemetery is all that remains, and it’s a hot spot for ghost hunters. Reports include glowing orbs, phantom children’s laughter, and shadowy figures among the trees.
8. South Manitou Island
Abandoned farms, an eerie lighthouse, and shipwrecks surround South Manitou Island. It’s said that a lighthouse keeper went mad and disappeared without a trace. Campers report strange noises, ghostly lights, and unexplained footsteps during the night.
9. Holly Hotel – Holly
The Holly Hotel has burned down twice—both times on the same date, 65 years apart. Now restored, the Victorian-era hotel is reportedly home to multiple spirits, including the original owner and a cigar-smoking ghost. Strange scents, voices, and moving objects are common occurrences.
10. The Terrace Inn – Petoskey
Guests at the Terrace Inn have reported seeing ghostly figures in early 1900s attire, especially near Room 211. Doors open on their own, cold spots move through the halls, and whispering voices are often heard at night, especially during the off-season.
11. Seul Choix Point Lighthouse – Gulliver
This lonely lighthouse on Lake Michigan is haunted by its former keeper, Joseph Townsend. Legend says he died in the lighthouse and refused to leave. Visitors report smelling cigar smoke (his favorite), hearing footsteps in the tower, and seeing unexplained lights.
12. Denton Road Bridge – Belleville
A local legend claims that a grieving mother haunts the Denton Road Bridge, crying for her lost baby. Passersby have reported hearing screams, spotting a ghostly woman in white, and finding small handprints on their car windows after crossing the bridge at night.
13. The Doherty Hotel – Clare
This historic hotel was once a Prohibition-era hotspot for gangsters and politicians. It’s said that the spirit of a murdered hitman still lingers in the hotel. Staff have reported hearing strange noises and footsteps when no one else is around.
14. Traverse City State Hospital – Traverse City
This former mental institution is one of the most haunted places in northern Michigan. With underground tunnels, crumbling buildings, and a history of patient mistreatment, the hospital is a magnet for ghost stories. Shadowy figures, cold drafts, and whispers fill the abandoned wards.
Final Thoughts
From ghostly whispers to full-body apparitions, these haunted locations across Michigan each tell a story filled with tragedy, mystery, and spine-chilling encounters. Whether you’re planning a ghost tour or just love a good scare, the Mitten State offers plenty of paranormal hotspots to explore—if you dare.