Most people don’t know it, but the Land of 10,000 Lakes is full of creepy attractions. There are stories of haunted places all over the state, from the Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing to First Avenue in Minneapolis. The ghost stories of these well-known spots are just the tip of the iceberg for Minnesota spooky places. There are many more to be discovered. So many, in fact, that we made a road trip that will take you to some of the spookiest places in Minnesota. This fall, hop in the car and brave some of the creepiest places in the state. Read below to find the full route and information about each stop.
This creepy road trip through some of Minnesota’s spookiest places covers about 290 miles through central and southeastern Minnesota.
Google Maps Without stopping, the journey is about 5 hours and 30 minutes. You could easily do the trip in one day, especially if you end at the Palmer House Hotel to stay the night, like our route suggests. You’ll find the full route here.
- Warden’s House Museum - Stillwater
Alex Pellegrineschi/Google The Warden’s House Museum is the only remaining part of the Minnesota Territorial Prison, which opened in 1853 and later became Minnesota State Prison. It was the home of the prison warden for many years until the prison closed in 1914. It opened as a museum in the 1940s, which has led to many rumors of the building being haunted. Stories say that the apparition of a woman haunts the halls, looking for her baby. The museum is open for tours, so you’ll have ample opportunity to look out for ghosts.
- Dairy Queen - Saint Anthony
Keith Hardy/Google After your first spooky spot, it’s time to grab a treat! But you aren’t stopping at just any Dairy Queen. The Saint Anthony Dairy Queen is thought by many to be haunted. While it’s not your traditional haunted prison or castle, creepy stories about it may still make you think twice about visiting at night. Employees have reported cashiers printing mysterious orders, falling objects, and even disembodied laughter. You aren’t likely to spot anything in the daytime, but it’s still a creepy spot to mark off your spooky bucket list.
- Wabasha Street Caves - St. Paul
Jeri Cherkas/Google The Wabasha Street Caves are manmade caves in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were carved in the 1840s and have been used for many purposes in the years since, including storage and growing mushrooms. But the most famous use of the caves is as a speakeasy in the 1920s. Stories say that famous gangsters used the caves as a hideout. Today, visitors claim the bar area is haunted by figures of two men. Even if you see no ghosts, this creepy spot is still well worth visiting thanks to its long history. Read more about the caves in our previous article.
- Calvary Cemetery - Mankato
Ryan Gohlinghorst/Google Next on the road trip, you’ll travel west to Mankato. Here, Calvary Cemetery is considered one of the most haunted places in town. The cemetery has been in use since 1857, when it was established as the first Catholic cemetery in Mankato. Thanks to its old headstones and sculptures, it has a creepy vibe for many visitors. The cemetery is said to be haunted by an evil doctor. In addition, a path near the cemetery supposedly leads to a place of animal sacrifice. You’ll have to visit for yourself to see if the stories are true.
- Vicksburg Cemetery - Renville
Bobby Hissam/Google Next up, the route leads to another cemetery said to be haunted. The Vicksburg Cemetery was once used by the town of Vicksburg, which existed from around 1869 to 1878. Today, it is a ghost town. But some parts of the cemetery remain intact. Thanks to the cemetery’s age, many stories have cropped up about it being haunted. Visitors have reported a glowing headstone, disembodied laughter, and even the apparition of a woman. While nothing has been confirmed, many avoid the area for that reason. You can read more about the cemetery in our past article.
- Palmer House Hotel - Sauk Centre
Palmer House Hotel, Restaurant & Pub/Facebook From the Vicksburg Cemetery, the route leads to your resting place for the night. Palmer House Hotel is Minnesota’s most haunted hotel and its most famous ghost-filled spot. Many who have stayed or worked here have reported objects moving on their own and voices or laughter when no one is around. Even creepier, some have reported waking up to see a ghostly man standing at the foot of their bed. If you want the full haunted experience during your stay, try to get room 11 or 17. They are said to be the most haunted! For more information about the hotel, check out our past article.
What do you think? Would you go on this haunted road trip? If you can’t get enough of Minnesota’s creepy attractions, also check out our previous haunted road trip through Minnesota.
Google Maps
Without stopping, the journey is about 5 hours and 30 minutes. You could easily do the trip in one day, especially if you end at the Palmer House Hotel to stay the night, like our route suggests. You’ll find the full route here.
Alex Pellegrineschi/Google
The Warden’s House Museum is the only remaining part of the Minnesota Territorial Prison, which opened in 1853 and later became Minnesota State Prison. It was the home of the prison warden for many years until the prison closed in 1914. It opened as a museum in the 1940s, which has led to many rumors of the building being haunted. Stories say that the apparition of a woman haunts the halls, looking for her baby. The museum is open for tours, so you’ll have ample opportunity to look out for ghosts.
Keith Hardy/Google
After your first spooky spot, it’s time to grab a treat! But you aren’t stopping at just any Dairy Queen. The Saint Anthony Dairy Queen is thought by many to be haunted. While it’s not your traditional haunted prison or castle, creepy stories about it may still make you think twice about visiting at night. Employees have reported cashiers printing mysterious orders, falling objects, and even disembodied laughter. You aren’t likely to spot anything in the daytime, but it’s still a creepy spot to mark off your spooky bucket list.
Jeri Cherkas/Google
The Wabasha Street Caves are manmade caves in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were carved in the 1840s and have been used for many purposes in the years since, including storage and growing mushrooms. But the most famous use of the caves is as a speakeasy in the 1920s. Stories say that famous gangsters used the caves as a hideout. Today, visitors claim the bar area is haunted by figures of two men. Even if you see no ghosts, this creepy spot is still well worth visiting thanks to its long history. Read more about the caves in our previous article.
Ryan Gohlinghorst/Google
Next on the road trip, you’ll travel west to Mankato. Here, Calvary Cemetery is considered one of the most haunted places in town. The cemetery has been in use since 1857, when it was established as the first Catholic cemetery in Mankato. Thanks to its old headstones and sculptures, it has a creepy vibe for many visitors. The cemetery is said to be haunted by an evil doctor. In addition, a path near the cemetery supposedly leads to a place of animal sacrifice. You’ll have to visit for yourself to see if the stories are true.
Bobby Hissam/Google
Next up, the route leads to another cemetery said to be haunted. The Vicksburg Cemetery was once used by the town of Vicksburg, which existed from around 1869 to 1878. Today, it is a ghost town. But some parts of the cemetery remain intact. Thanks to the cemetery’s age, many stories have cropped up about it being haunted. Visitors have reported a glowing headstone, disembodied laughter, and even the apparition of a woman. While nothing has been confirmed, many avoid the area for that reason. You can read more about the cemetery in our past article.
Palmer House Hotel, Restaurant & Pub/Facebook
From the Vicksburg Cemetery, the route leads to your resting place for the night. Palmer House Hotel is Minnesota’s most haunted hotel and its most famous ghost-filled spot. Many who have stayed or worked here have reported objects moving on their own and voices or laughter when no one is around. Even creepier, some have reported waking up to see a ghostly man standing at the foot of their bed. If you want the full haunted experience during your stay, try to get room 11 or 17. They are said to be the most haunted! For more information about the hotel, check out our past article.
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Address: Palmer House Hotel & Restaurant, 500 Sinclair Lewis Ave, Sauk Centre, MN 56378, USAAddress: Renville, MN 56284, USAAddress: 200 Goodyear Ave, Mankato, MN 56001, USAAddress: 215 Wabasha St S, St Paul, MN 55107, USAAddress: 2612 County Rd 88, St Anthony, MN 55418, USAAddress: 602 Main St N, Stillwater, MN 55082, USA
