6 Creepiest Abandoned Places in Ohio You Can Still Visit on Halloween

It’s not every day you admit you’re here for the goosebumps, right? But here’s the thing: Halloween is the one time a year you can fully lean into that itch for the unsettling. Ohio has more than enough haunted leftovers to scratch it, and I promise, none of these spots involve plastic skeletons or pumpkin spice.

Think ancient walls that still echo, ghost stories that make your teeth clack, and enough rusted iron to give your tetanus shot anxiety. Come on, if we’re going to get spooked together, let’s make it worth the drive.

1. Madison Seminary

Some places practically dare you to look away. Madison Seminary is one of them. This hulking brick relic started in 1847 as a school, then became a Civil War hospital and later a refuge for widows. The moment you see the barred windows and weather-beaten stone, you’ll wonder who might be watching from inside.

I had a friend swear she felt cold fingers on her neck in the old infirmary wing. No, she was not okay after that. Paranormal shows love this place, and for good reason: people report seeing shadows slip past doorways that haven’t opened in decades.

If you listen closely, the main hallway sometimes coughs up whispers that sound a little too intentional. The seminary now offers guided ghost hunts, but don’t expect the spirits to perform on cue. If you’re bold (or just don’t believe in ghosts), try walking alone at dusk. You’ll either come back with a story or a personal ban on haunted history tours.

2. Fairfield County Infirmary

If you think silence can’t be loud, stand outside the Fairfield County Infirmary. Built in the 1840s, it’s the kind of place where time feels frozen between heartbeats. It once housed the poor, the mentally ill, and the forgotten.

There’s a heaviness here, probably because so many stories never left. My cousin tried a flashlight tour and swore she heard footsteps trailing hers, except no one else was on her floor. The infirmary closed in 2013, but the walls still seem to carry the weight of everyone who passed through.

Ghost hunters love this spot for its activity, but even skeptics come away uneasy. Peeling paint, creaky floors, and the distant sound of something falling: these aren’t just details, they’re the soundtrack. Visiting is like reading a diary nobody wanted you to find. Just remember, some pages are better left unturned.

3. Gore Orphanage

If you grew up in Ohio, you’ve heard someone whisper about Gore Orphanage. The legend is relentless: a fire, dozens of lost children, and cries that still cut through the night. Here’s the twist: no one’s even sure the orphanage existed.

Still, people trek out past Vermilion to the woods where the ruins of the Swift Mansion, which burned in 1923, stand like accusations. I once dared a group of friends to visit at midnight, and we all swore we heard faint giggles that weren’t our own. Rational or not, the sense of loss hangs heavy in the air.

Locals love debating the truth, but even the skeptics avoid these woods after sunset. Maybe it’s the fog, maybe it’s the way branches scratch at your coat, but Gore Orphanage makes you feel like someone (or something) wants to be remembered. Fact or fiction, the chill is real.

4. Moonville Tunnel

Not all ghosts wear white sheets. In Vinton County, the Moonville Tunnel is infamous for a headless conductor who’s apparently terrible at letting things go. The abandoned railroad tunnel, built in the 1850s for a vanished mining town, still stands among thick woods.

I once tried to walk through with only a phone light. Halfway in, every footstep echoed so sharply it made my hands sweat. People claim to see lantern lights flickering mid-tunnel, long after the last train’s whistle died out.

There’s real beauty here, too, especially when a mist curls in and hides the forest edge. Local legends say the spirits just want you to pay attention. If you’re wary, bring a friend who tells bad jokes. If you’re brave, go at dusk and listen for footsteps that aren’t yours.

5. Squire’s Castle

If you’ve ever wanted your haunted house to come with a turret, Squire’s Castle is the pick. Built in the 1890s by oil tycoon Feargus Squire, it was never finished, and his family barely lived there. Locals whisper that his wife’s ghost paces the halls, even though she didn’t actually die on the property.

Still, the vibe is peak Gothic drama. You can wander empty rooms, peer through cracked windows, and imagine a party that just never showed up. I once picnicked here with friends. We left early because we all felt watched, even in broad daylight.

Now part of Cleveland Metroparks, you can roam free, but after dark, the castle’s stone skeleton feels less fairy tale and more cautionary tale. Some say you can hear laughter echoing if you linger too long. If you want a ghost story with a side of architectural envy, this is your spot.

6. Sedamsville Rectory

Some places don’t just feel haunted; they seem to want you to know. The Sedamsville Rectory in Cincinnati pulls no punches. Built in the late 1800s, it’s been home to priests, parishioners, and (allegedly) something far darker.

Visitors whisper about doors slamming, disembodied voices, and a child’s ghost with a noose who lingers in the halls. The air is always colder than it should be, even in July. I know a skeptic who refused to step inside after hearing a growl from the staircase.

If you go, bring nerve and respect. Paranormal groups love the Rectory, but neighbors will tell you it’s more than a tourist stop; it’s a warning. Haunted or not, walking away with all your courage intact feels like its own kind of miracle.