History buffs and ghost hunters alike have plenty to explore in the Buckeye State. From haunted restaurants and eerie cemeteries to historic hotels and haunted towns, exploring Ohio can be downright creepy. The following day trip leads to some of the most legendary haunted destinations in Ohio. Clocking in at about 4 hours drive time, it’s perfect to take whenever you have a free day to explore and get a little lost in some history and mystery.
Only In Your State To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.
- Waynesville
Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons
E. Schrand and J. Mitchell/ Wikimedia Commons Kick off your trip with a visit to the most haunted village in Ohio. Waynesville is a quaint, historic town with a population of approximately 2,834—but it’s rumored to have more than 30 haunted places. Founded in the late 1700s, Waynesville has a rich history as one of the oldest towns in southwest Ohio. While you’re here, visit the Museum at the Friends Home for more information about ghost tours and even ghost hunter classes.
- Greenlawn Cemetery
Becker1999/Flickr Many notable locals and Ohio governors are buried at this large graveyard, which was established in 1848. One of the most infamous private mausoleums in this cemetery is the Hayden Mausoleum, located by the pond at the edge of the graveyard. Legend has it, if you knock on one of the mausoleum’s doors after dark, some members of the family will knock back.
- Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus/Facebook
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus/Facebook While you’re in Columbus, stop for an exceptional lunch with a side of history at Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus. Once upon a time, this historic restaurant and brewery was called The Clock. Named after a famous orange clock that once hung outside, the restaurant became widely known for a bone-chilling haunting. Legend has it, Colonel Randolph Pritchard, a frequent guest of the establishment and a known womanizer, was lured out into the street just outside the restaurant and stabbed by a woman on a cold night in February of 1909. Allegedly, the clock stopped at the exact time of his death at 10:05 p.m.—and hereafter continued to stop at this precise time on a regular basis.
- Moonville Rail Trail
Mark Spearman/Flickr Walk off your lunch with a haunted hike. Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that leads to an abandoned coal mining town. Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you’ll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what’s left of its surrounding ghost town. Legend has it, the ghost of a man who was killed instantly by a train passing through the tunnel wanders along the track bed near the old tunnel at night. (For a detailed map of the Moonville Rail Trail, click here).
- Lafayette Hotel
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
Mike/Flickr End your day with a visit to one of the most historic towns in Ohio. The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. It’s a beautiful town, known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets, sternwheelers—and ghosts. Lafayette Hotel is a historic treasure with plenty of paranormal activity. This old-world hotel dates back to 1918, and is rumored to be haunted by its former owner. The third floor is infamous for paranormal activity. Consider ending your trip by spending the night—if you dare.
What do you think? Would you take this trip?
Only In Your State
To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.
Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons
E. Schrand and J. Mitchell/ Wikimedia Commons
Kick off your trip with a visit to the most haunted village in Ohio. Waynesville is a quaint, historic town with a population of approximately 2,834—but it’s rumored to have more than 30 haunted places. Founded in the late 1700s, Waynesville has a rich history as one of the oldest towns in southwest Ohio. While you’re here, visit the Museum at the Friends Home for more information about ghost tours and even ghost hunter classes.
Becker1999/Flickr
Many notable locals and Ohio governors are buried at this large graveyard, which was established in 1848. One of the most infamous private mausoleums in this cemetery is the Hayden Mausoleum, located by the pond at the edge of the graveyard. Legend has it, if you knock on one of the mausoleum’s doors after dark, some members of the family will knock back.
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus/Facebook
While you’re in Columbus, stop for an exceptional lunch with a side of history at Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus. Once upon a time, this historic restaurant and brewery was called The Clock. Named after a famous orange clock that once hung outside, the restaurant became widely known for a bone-chilling haunting. Legend has it, Colonel Randolph Pritchard, a frequent guest of the establishment and a known womanizer, was lured out into the street just outside the restaurant and stabbed by a woman on a cold night in February of 1909. Allegedly, the clock stopped at the exact time of his death at 10:05 p.m.—and hereafter continued to stop at this precise time on a regular basis.
Mark Spearman/Flickr
Walk off your lunch with a haunted hike. Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that leads to an abandoned coal mining town. Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you’ll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what’s left of its surrounding ghost town. Legend has it, the ghost of a man who was killed instantly by a train passing through the tunnel wanders along the track bed near the old tunnel at night. (For a detailed map of the Moonville Rail Trail, click here).
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
Mike/Flickr
End your day with a visit to one of the most historic towns in Ohio. The historic riverboat town of Marietta is known as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. It’s a beautiful town, known for its Victorian-style houses, European ambience, brick streets, sternwheelers—and ghosts. Lafayette Hotel is a historic treasure with plenty of paranormal activity. This old-world hotel dates back to 1918, and is rumored to be haunted by its former owner. The third floor is infamous for paranormal activity. Consider ending your trip by spending the night—if you dare.
For more haunted destinations in Ohio, check out our previous article: Take A Haunted Road Trip To Visit Some Of The Spookiest Places In Ohio.
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Address: Waynesville, OH 45068, USAAddress: Green Lawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Ave, Columbus, OH 43223, USAAddress: 161 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, USAAddress: Hope-Moonville Rd, McArthur, OH 45651, USAAddress: Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front St, Marietta, OH 45750, USA
