Discover the Most Haunted Places in Minnesota: Your Complete Paranormal Guide

Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but lurking beneath its serene waters, charming small towns, and snow-covered prairies is a darker side that most visitors never expect. From Victorian mansions stained by scandal and murder to Prohibition-era speakeasies riddled with bullet holes, Minnesota’s haunted history is as deep and cold as its legendary winters.

The state’s paranormal heritage stretches back centuries, rooted in Native American spiritual traditions, frontier-era tragedies, and some of the most infamous crimes in Midwestern history. Whether you’re a dedicated ghost hunter or simply love a good spine-tingling story, this complete guide will take you through every corner of Minnesota’s supernatural landscape.

Why Is Minnesota So Haunted?

Minnesota’s haunted reputation is built on layers of history that span thousands of years. Long before European settlers arrived, the Dakota and Ojibwe nations inhabited this land and maintained deep spiritual connections to it. Many of the state’s most haunted locations sit on or near sites that held spiritual significance for these communities, and some Native American legends about restless spirits persist to this day.

The arrival of European settlers in the 1800s brought a new wave of tragedy. The brutal realities of frontier life, prison systems, mining disasters, and industrial accidents left their mark on the land. Minnesota’s role as a hub during the Prohibition era added another dark chapter, with gangsters, speakeasies, and mob-related violence leaving behind stories — and allegedly spirits — that endure nearly a century later.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, in particular, carry an extraordinary concentration of paranormal activity. St. Paul, with its Victorian mansions, gangster history, and centuries-old theaters, is frequently cited as one of the most haunted cities in the entire Midwest.

The Most Haunted Places in Minnesota

1. Forepaugh’s Restaurant — St. Paul

Address: 276 Exchange Street South, St. Paul, MN

House Beautiful Magazine named the Forepaugh mansion the most haunted house in Minnesota, and the evidence is hard to argue with. This Victorian mansion turned restaurant has been a magnet for paranormal activity for over a century.

The History: Joseph Lybrandt Forepaugh arrived in Minnesota in 1858 and built his fortune in dry goods and real estate. In 1870, he constructed a grand three-story mansion in the Irvine Park neighborhood of St. Paul for his growing family. The home was a symbol of success — but behind its elegant walls, a devastating scandal was unfolding.

Forepaugh began an affair with Molly, a young Irish maid working in the household. When his wife Mary discovered the relationship, Molly was dismissed. Heartbroken and allegedly pregnant, Molly took her own life by hanging herself from a third-floor chandelier before falling from a window — ensuring the entire neighborhood would see. Joseph sold the home in 1886, moved to Europe, and eventually returned to St. Paul, where he died in 1892 under circumstances many believe were self-inflicted.

The mansion passed through many hands before being converted into a restaurant in 1976. After a brief closure in 2019, Forepaugh’s reopened in 2024 following a million-dollar renovation.

The Haunting: The paranormal activity at Forepaugh’s is relentless. Former general manager Mimi Doran told CBS Minnesota that staff experienced something unexplainable virtually every day. Lights on the third floor would mysteriously turn back on after closing — always just one light, which staff called “Molly’s light.”

Molly’s apparition has been seen throughout the restaurant, and she reportedly has a special fondness for appearing to new brides hosting events at the mansion. Joseph’s ghost has also been spotted wearing period-appropriate clothing — a dark waistcoat, silk vest, pin-striped trousers, and a derby hat — walking through the dining rooms as though he still owns the place. During a 1990s wedding reception, a photograph captured what appeared to be a disembodied arm on the mansion’s staircase that no one could explain.

Water glasses have trembled on their own, shadowy figures dart through hallways, and a playful child spirit named Michael has been identified in the lower level by paranormal investigators.

The third floor — where Molly died — remains the most requested spot for reservations.

Can You Visit? Yes. Forepaugh’s is a fully operational restaurant open Tuesday through Sunday.

2. Griggs Mansion — St. Paul

Address: Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN

If Forepaugh’s claims the title of Minnesota’s most haunted restaurant, the Griggs Mansion is its fiercest competitor for the title of most haunted house. This imposing four-story red stone mansion on Summit Avenue has terrified owners, residents, and visitors for well over a century.

The History: Chauncey Griggs, a Civil War-era merchant, built the mansion in 1883. The building has changed hands numerous times, serving as a private residence, an art school, and a gallery. At least one owner has publicly admitted to being driven from the home by supernatural activity.

The Haunting: Professional paranormal investigators have identified at least six distinct entities residing in the Griggs Mansion. The most frequently encountered is the ghost of a young girl who reportedly took her own life by hanging from the fourth-floor landing in 1915 after a failed romance. Her apparition is the most commonly seen spirit in the building.

Charles Wade, a former property manager and gardener, is another prominent ghost. His apparition has been spotted lingering in the library, where visitors have heard pages of books rustling when no one else is present. Wade died with a garden project left unfinished, and some believe his spirit is trapped due to this incomplete work.

When the mansion served as an art school, students reported seeing disembodied heads floating through the hallways. In 1969, three reporters from the Pioneer Press spent a sleepless night on the third floor and heard a series of mysterious thumps shortly after 1 a.m.

Additional spirits include the ghosts of an old, thin man and a young child who make occasional appearances.

Can You Visit? The Griggs Mansion is a private residence and does not welcome uninvited visitors.

3. Glensheen Mansion — Duluth

Address: 3300 London Road, Duluth, MN

Glensheen Mansion is the most-visited historic home in all of Minnesota. It is also, arguably, the most haunted — a place where elegance and horror exist side by side in ways that few other American homes can match.

The History: Chester Congdon, a wealthy iron mining attorney, built the 39-room Jacobean Revival mansion on 12 acres along the shores of Lake Superior, completing it in 1908. The Congdon family was beloved in Duluth for their philanthropy and community involvement.

But on June 27, 1977, the mansion became the site of one of Minnesota’s most infamous crimes. Elisabeth Congdon, Chester’s daughter and the estate’s heiress, was found smothered with a pillow in her bedroom. Her night nurse, Velma Pietila, was discovered bludgeoned to death with a brass candlestick on the staircase landing.

Suspicion immediately fell on Elisabeth’s adopted daughter, Marjorie, and her husband, Roger Caldwell. Caldwell was eventually arrested and confessed through a plea bargain, but he later died and left a note asserting his innocence. Marjorie was acquitted. The case remains shrouded in mystery and controversy to this day.

The Haunting: The spirits of both Elisabeth Congdon and Velma Pietila are believed to haunt the mansion. Velma’s ghost is most commonly experienced as a cold spot on the staircase landing — the exact location where her body was found. Her shadowy figure has been seen moving through the mansion’s long hallways.

Elisabeth’s spirit is frequently encountered in the library, which she loved during her lifetime. Visitors have reported seeing a hazy white mist drifting between the book stacks. From outside the mansion, witnesses have seen the ghostly forms of two women standing together in upstairs windows, keeping watch over the grounds.

Other unexplained phenomena include objects moving on their own, lights flickering throughout the building with no electrical cause, sudden waves of lightheadedness or dread washing over visitors in certain rooms, and a mysterious black mass figure that appears in the basement hallways.

Can You Visit? Yes. Glensheen offers regular public tours, and during October, they host special flashlight tours for those hoping to encounter the mansion’s supernatural side.

4. Wabasha Street Caves — St. Paul

Address: 215 Wabasha Street South, St. Paul, MN

Carved into the sandstone bluffs along the Mississippi River, the Wabasha Street Caves are equal parts geological wonder and crime scene — and the spirits of the Prohibition era seem to have never left.

The History: The caves were originally carved out in the 1800s for use as mushroom-growing operations and cold storage. But during Prohibition in the 1920s and 1930s, the caves were transformed into a notorious speakeasy called the Castle Royal, which attracted bootleggers, gangsters, and some of the most dangerous criminals of the era — including, according to local legend, John Dillinger himself.

The speakeasy was rumored to be the site of multiple mob-related killings. Bullet holes are still visible in the walls near the fireplace, providing chilling physical evidence of the violence that once took place underground.

The Haunting: Visitors to the Wabasha Street Caves report encounters that feel like stepping back into the Roaring Twenties. Ghostly figures dressed in 1920s attire have been seen walking through the dim corridors. Faint strains of phantom jazz music echo through the caverns when no music is playing.

One particularly well-known ghost is a man who has been spotted more than once straightening his tie in front of a mirror in the men’s restroom. He wears a dark, double-breasted suit and is believed to be a gangster who was murdered in the caves. Staff and visitors have also reported sudden cold spots, unexplained shadows, and an overwhelming feeling of being watched.

Can You Visit? The caves have historically offered ghost tours and swing dance events. Check their current operating status before visiting.

5. Palmer House Hotel — Sauk Centre

Address: 500 Sinclair Lewis Avenue, Sauk Centre, MN

The Palmer House Hotel is considered one of the most haunted hotels in all of America and has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures.

The History: The original Sauk Centre House was constructed in 1863 but was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1900 that killed a significant number of people. The Palmer House Hotel was built in 1901 on the charred remains of the original structure. From the moment of its reconstruction, the building has been associated with paranormal activity.

During renovations, bones were unearthed in the basement — but they mysteriously disappeared before they could be examined. The hotel also has documented accounts of past tragedies within its walls, including at least one death and the story of a little boy who died of the flu.

The Haunting: The Palmer House is one of the most actively investigated paranormal locations in the Midwest, regularly attracting ghost hunters from across the country.

The ghost of the young boy who died of influenza is one of the hotel’s most frequently reported spirits. He has been seen playing with a ball in the hallways, his apparition appearing and vanishing without warning. Room 11 is considered one of the most active spots in the building, with guests reporting apparitions, unexplained sounds, and objects moving on their own.

Staff and guests have also experienced phantom cigar smoke with no identifiable source, doors opening and closing on their own, dramatic temperature fluctuations, and the unsettling sound of children’s laughter in empty hallways.

The hotel embraces its haunted reputation and welcomes paranormal investigators.

Can You Visit? Yes. The Palmer House Hotel is a fully operational hotel. You can book a room and conduct your own investigation.

6. First Avenue — Minneapolis

Address: 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN

First Avenue is world-famous as the Minneapolis music venue where Prince made his legendary debut. But long before it became a temple of music, the building had a much darker story — one that still manifests in its restrooms and dance floors.

The History: Before becoming a concert hall, the building served as a Greyhound bus station. According to legend, a woman was waiting at the station for her lover to return from World War II. When she learned he had been killed in combat, she took her own life by hanging herself in the women’s restroom.

The Haunting: The ghost of the bus station woman is said to inhabit the fifth stall of the women’s restroom. Workers have reported hearing screams and cries emanating from the stall. Some claim to have seen a full-body apparition with a noose still visible around her neck. Staff members warn one another not to enter the restroom with the lights off.

But the haunting doesn’t stop at the bathroom door. DJs and concertgoers have reported seeing the dead woman and other spectral figures dancing in the upstairs lounge. Curiously, witnesses consistently note that the apparitions have no legs — they float above the floor as they move through their eternal dance.

Can You Visit? Yes. First Avenue is an active music venue and hosts concerts regularly.

7. Lakeview Cemetery — Buhl

Lakeview Cemetery is considered one of the most haunted graveyards in America, and a visit after dark is not for the faint of heart.

The History: The cemetery opened in 1913, around the same time that nearby Shaw Hospital was built. When patients at the hospital died of tuberculosis or mental illness, they were often buried in this potter’s field with little more than a cast-iron cross to mark their graves. The cemetery is surrounded by dense forest on all four sides, adding to its isolation and atmosphere of dread.

The Haunting: The paranormal activity at Lakeview Cemetery is intense and varied. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions dressed in 1920s-era clothing walking among the plots. Disembodied voices and footsteps are heard in what is otherwise a deathly silent graveyard. People describe feeling breath on the back of their necks, smelling sudden wretched odors, experiencing unexplained flashes of light, and having the persistent, unshakable feeling of being watched.

The cemetery’s isolated forest setting amplifies every sound and shadow, making it one of the most genuinely unnerving paranormal locations in the entire state.

Can You Visit? Check local regulations regarding visiting hours before making the trip.

8. Warden’s House Museum — Stillwater

Address: 602 North Main Street, Stillwater, MN

The Warden’s House Museum carries the weight of decades of Minnesota’s correctional history — and one particularly heartbreaking ghost story that has made it a must-visit for paranormal enthusiasts.

The History: Built in 1853 as the residence for the warden of the Minnesota Territorial Prison (later Stillwater State Prison), the 14-room house was home to thirteen different wardens over six decades. The last resident warden was Henry Wolfer.

Henry’s daughter, Gertrude — known as “Trudy” — died tragically of appendicitis shortly after giving birth. Her infant son was sent to live with Henry in the Warden’s House. When the prison moved to Bayport in 1914 and the Wolfer family left, Trudy’s spirit apparently did not go with them.

The Haunting: Gertrude’s ghost is the primary haunting at the Warden’s House. Visitors have reported seeing a woman dressed in 19th-century clothing walking the upper landings, believed to be Trudy still searching for the son she barely got to know.

The most chilling phenomenon is a cradle in an upstairs bedroom that rocks back and forth on its own — with no one nearby to push it. The rocking occurs at seemingly random intervals and has been witnessed by multiple visitors and staff members over the years.

Other reports include the sounds of a woman’s footsteps on the staircase, sudden cold spots, and an overwhelming sense of sadness that pervades certain rooms.

Can You Visit? Yes. The Warden’s House operates as a museum run by the Washington County Historical Society.

9. Minneapolis City Hall and Courthouse

Address: 350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN

This massive fortress of a building takes up a full city block and has been a center of government, justice, and — if reports are to be believed — ghostly activity for over 130 years.

The History: When Minneapolis City Hall was built in the late 19th century, it served triple duty as a city hall, courthouse, and jail. The building’s most infamous chapter occurred with the case of John Moshik, who was convicted of robbery and murder. He attempted to escape twice and even tried to take his own life before his eventual execution.

The Haunting: The ghost of John Moshik is said to roam the building, particularly in the areas where his cell once stood. Employees and visitors have reported seeing apparitions wearing old-style clothing, hearing laughter echoing in empty rooms, and the distinct sound of high heels clicking down deserted hallways.

The most disturbing reported sighting is that of a man hanging from a noose — an apparition that has been seen in and around the building on multiple occasions. A phantom shoeshine man has been spotted in the lobby, going about his work as though death never interrupted his routine.

One of the strangest recurring phenomena is a mysterious daily phone call that courthouse employees have reported for years — a call that comes from nowhere and connects to no one.

Can You Visit? Yes. Minneapolis City Hall is a public building.

10. St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse

Address: 15 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, MN

St. Paul has its own haunted government building to match Minneapolis, and its ghostly history is tied to one of the last executions in Minnesota history.

The History: On February 13, 1906, William Williams was executed outside St. Paul City Hall for the murder of a teenager and his own mother. The execution was grotesquely botched — the rope was too long on the first attempt, and police had to physically hold Williams by the rope until he died. The horror of the event contributed to Minnesota’s eventual abolition of the death penalty.

The Haunting: Since that fateful day, witnesses have reported seeing apparitions in old-style clothing in and around City Hall. The most disturbing sighting is that of a man hanging from a noose — believed to be Williams, replaying his agonizing final moments for eternity.

Employees have reported seeing ghostly figures, hearing unexplained sounds, and experiencing the pervasive feeling that they are not alone in the building, particularly after hours.

Can You Visit? Yes. The building is open to the public during business hours.

11. Nopeming Sanatorium — Duluth

On the outskirts of Duluth, Nopeming Sanatorium stands as one of the most atmospheric and deeply haunted abandoned buildings in the entire Midwest.

The History: Originally built in the early 1900s to treat tuberculosis patients, Nopeming also served as an orphanage and a rest home over the decades. Countless patients suffered and died within its walls during an era when treatment options were limited and survival rates were grim. The building eventually closed and fell into disrepair, but the suffering that occurred there seems to have left a permanent impression.

The Haunting: The abandoned corridors of Nopeming are thick with paranormal activity. Visitors report hearing disembodied coughing — echoes, perhaps, of the tuberculosis patients who spent their final days here. Phantom footsteps travel the hallways, doors slam shut in empty wings, and shadow figures are seen darting between rooms.

Ghostly orphaned children are among the most heartbreaking spirits reported at the site. Their laughter has been heard echoing through vacant rooms. At the former orphanage section, books have moved on their own, phantom cigar smoke has been smelled, and the temperature has been known to change drastically and without explanation. Phone calls have even been made to police from the empty building.

Can You Visit? Access may be restricted. Nopeming has hosted occasional paranormal investigation events — check for current availability.

12. Mounds Theatre — St. Paul

Address: 1029 Hudson Road, St. Paul, MN

This century-old theater in St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood is one of the city’s most beloved haunted landmarks.

The History: Built in the 1920s as a silent movie house and vaudeville theater, the Mounds Theatre was boarded up for 35 years before being revived in the early 2000s. Its two most prominent ghosts were employees during the theater’s golden age.

The Haunting: Red, a former projectionist, is frequently seen in the old projection room where he spent his working life. Jim, a former usher, has been spotted walking up and down the aisles of the auditorium, still performing his duties decades after death.

A third ghost — a little girl — has also been reported in the building. The theater also hosted a fourth entity that some visitors describe as a male presence who watches from the balcony area.

The theater embraces its reputation and has offered Friday and Saturday night paranormal tours during October.

Can You Visit? Yes. The Mounds Theatre is an active performing arts venue.

13. Landmark Center — St. Paul

Address: 75 West 5th Street, St. Paul, MN

This castle-like building in downtown St. Paul was once the epicenter of Prohibition-era justice — and at least one of the criminals convicted within its walls never left.

The History: Completed in 1902, Landmark Center originally served as the United States Post Office, Courthouse, and Custom House for Minnesota. During the Prohibition era, it was the site of trials for some of St. Paul’s most notorious gangsters.

One of the most infamous was Jack Peifer, owner of the Hollyhocks Speakeasy. Peifer was convicted and sentenced to thirty years in prison for his role in the kidnapping of William Hamm Jr., a local brewer. Rather than face decades behind bars, Peifer took his own life in his cell inside the building.

The Haunting: Jack Peifer’s ghost is said to still haunt Landmark Center. His apparition has been spotted by numerous witnesses over the years, and he was reportedly even captured in a photograph taken during a wedding reception at the venue.

Other reported phenomena include the ghost of a man who has been seen straightening his tie in a mirror — possibly another gangster era spirit — and the general sense of an oppressive, watchful presence throughout the building’s grand but eerie hallways.

Can You Visit? Yes. Landmark Center is open to the public and hosts cultural events and exhibitions.

14. The Fitzgerald Theater — St. Paul

Address: 10 East Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN

The oldest active theater in St. Paul has a pair of ghosts who have been part of the cast for decades.

The History: Opening in 1910 as the Sam S. Shubert Theater, the venue went through several name changes before becoming the Fitzgerald Theater. In 1985, during renovations, workers demolishing a false ceiling discovered a note addressed to a stagehand named Ben.

The Haunting: Shortly after the discovery of Ben’s note, strange things began happening. Workers reported items going missing, replaced by empty bottles of Muscatel wine. Some heard unexplained singing echoing through the empty theater.

Ben is believed to haunt the theater’s catwalks and corridors, causing sudden chills among theatergoers. The theater’s second ghost, Veronica, is said to be a former actress who never achieved her big break. Staff members report hearing her singing in the auditorium after closing — a hauntingly beautiful voice performing for an audience that will never see her.

Can You Visit? Yes. The Fitzgerald Theater is home to live performances and events.

15. Grey Cloud Island — Grey Cloud Island Township

Some people claim this small community southeast of St. Paul is the single most haunted place in all of Minnesota.

The History: Grey Cloud Island sits at the confluence of the Mississippi River and has deep connections to Native American spiritual traditions. The Dakota people considered this area to be of great spiritual significance, and burial grounds on the island are considered sacred.

The Haunting: Residents and visitors to Grey Cloud Island report a wide range of unexplained phenomena. Strange lights appear in the sky and along the riverbanks. Apparitions have been seen walking near the old burial grounds. Visitors describe overwhelming feelings of being watched and an atmospheric heaviness that is difficult to shake.

The island’s long history of spiritual significance — combined with burial sites, Native American legends, and centuries of human activity — has created what many consider to be one of the most intensely haunted locations in the Upper Midwest.

Can You Visit? Grey Cloud Island is a residential community. Do not trespass on private property or disturb burial sites. Approach with respect and cultural sensitivity.

16. Crazy Annie’s Bridge — Isanti County

Address: 270th Street, near Cambridge, MN

This seemingly ordinary rural bridge becomes anything but ordinary after nightfall.

The History: According to local legend, a World War I widow named Annie drowned her three children in the creek below the bridge before hanging herself from a nearby tree, driven to madness by grief over her husband’s death.

The Haunting: Visitors who have ventured to the bridge after 11 p.m. report hearing unearthly screams piercing the darkness. Faces have been seen floating in the shadows, and figures have been spotted fleeing through the surrounding woods. Most disturbingly, visitors have returned to their vehicles to find handprints on the exterior — prints that were not there when they arrived.

Can You Visit? The bridge is on a public road, but exercise caution when visiting at night. The rural area has limited lighting and cell service.

17. The William A. Irvin — Duluth

Docked in Duluth Harbor, the William A. Irvin is a retired Great Lakes freighter that has been converted into a floating museum — and one of the most uniquely haunted locations in the state.

The History: Launched in 1938, the ship carried iron ore and coal across the Great Lakes for four decades before being retired in 1978. The massive steel vessel now sits permanently docked, its narrow passageways and cavernous engine rooms creating a naturally unsettling atmosphere.

The Haunting: Several paranormal investigation groups have conducted research aboard the ship. While some investigations proved inconclusive, others documented bizarre shadows moving through the vessel and the sound of heavy footsteps on metal decks when no one else was aboard. The dark engine room and empty crew quarters are the most commonly cited locations for unexplained activity.

Every October, the ship hosts the Duluth Haunted Ship, one of the most popular Halloween attractions in the region. But some visitors wonder whether the scares they experience are all man-made — or if the ship’s real ghosts are getting in on the act.

Can You Visit? Yes. The William A. Irvin operates as a museum and seasonal haunted attraction.

18. Milford Mine Memorial Park — Near Crosby

Deep in the forests of Crow Wing County lies the site of one of Minnesota’s worst industrial disasters — and a haunting that some say can still be felt a century later.

The History: On February 5, 1924, Milford Mine, a manganese mine near Crosby, was catastrophically flooded when nearby Foley Lake broke through into the mine shafts. Forty-one miners were killed in the disaster. It remains the worst mining accident in Minnesota history.

The Haunting: The site is now a memorial park, but visitors report feeling an intense, oppressive presence throughout the grounds. The ghosts of the 41 miners are believed to linger at the location, and some visitors have described hearing faint sounds of men working underground — the clink of picks against rock, muffled voices, and the distant rush of water.

Can You Visit? Yes. Milford Mine Memorial Park is a public site.

Haunted Hotels Worth Staying In

Minnesota offers several haunted hotels where you can sleep among the spirits:

Palmer House Hotel, Sauk Centre: Featured on Ghost Adventures, this is one of the most actively investigated haunted hotels in America. The ghost of a young boy playing with a ball in the hallway is the hotel’s signature spirit.

The Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul: Built in the early 1900s, this luxury hotel has a haunted reputation, with guests reporting ghostly figures in period clothing and unexplained activity in various rooms.

The Archer House River Inn, Northfield: Multiple spirits are said to reside in this historic inn, including a ghost in the Cook’s Room and a female spirit who is constantly brushing her hair.

Most Haunted Cemeteries in Minnesota

Lakeview Cemetery, Buhl: One of the most haunted graveyards in America, with apparitions in 1920s clothing, disembodied voices, and the persistent feeling of being watched.

Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul: One of St. Paul’s oldest burial grounds, with reports of shadowy figures and unexplained sounds among the headstones.

Calvary Cemetery, Duluth: Visitors have reported unusual cold spots, orbs of light, and the unsettling feeling that the dead are watching.

Tips for Ghost Hunting in Minnesota

If you’re planning a paranormal investigation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, keep these tips in mind:

Respect Sacred Sites: Minnesota has a rich Native American heritage. Burial grounds and spiritually significant sites like Grey Cloud Island must be treated with the utmost respect. Never trespass on tribal land or disturb sacred spaces.

Dress for the Weather: Minnesota’s winters are brutal. If you’re ghost hunting between October and April, bring warm layers, insulated boots, and hand warmers. Hypothermia is a much bigger threat than any ghost.

Get Permission: Many of Minnesota’s most haunted locations are privately owned. Always obtain permission before conducting an investigation, and never trespass.

Bring Proper Equipment: EMF detectors, digital voice recorders for EVP sessions, infrared cameras, flashlights, and spare batteries are essential. Minnesota’s cold temperatures drain batteries faster than usual.

Go With Others: Some of Minnesota’s haunted locations — abandoned sanatoriums, remote cemeteries, isolated bridges — are in areas with limited cell service. Always investigate with at least one partner.

Document Everything: Keep a detailed log, take photographs, and record audio throughout your investigation. Some of the most compelling evidence from Minnesota investigations has come from careful documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most haunted place in Minnesota? Forepaugh’s Restaurant in St. Paul and Glensheen Mansion in Duluth are the two most commonly cited as the state’s most haunted locations. The Palmer House Hotel in Sauk Centre is considered the most haunted hotel.

Are there ghost tours available in Minnesota? Yes. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul offer guided ghost tours that visit many of the locations described in this guide. American Ghost Walks operates popular walking tours in the Twin Cities.

Has Minnesota been featured on paranormal TV shows? Yes. The Palmer House Hotel was featured on Ghost Adventures, and several Twin Cities locations have been investigated by various paranormal television programs.

Is the Wabasha Street Caves still open for tours? The caves closed in 2020 but have periodically offered events and tours since then. Check their current status before planning a visit.

What’s the most haunted city in Minnesota? St. Paul is widely considered the most haunted city in Minnesota, with an extraordinary concentration of haunted mansions, theaters, government buildings, and underground caves.

Final Thoughts

Minnesota’s paranormal landscape is as vast and varied as its geography. From the elegant but haunted halls of Glensheen Mansion overlooking Lake Superior to the bullet-scarred walls of the Wabasha Street Caves beneath St. Paul’s bluffs, the Land of 10,000 Lakes holds thousands of ghost stories waiting to be explored.

The spirits here range from the heartbreaking — a young mother searching for her child in the Warden’s House, a maid forever mourning her lost love at Forepaugh’s — to the unsettling, like the legless apparitions dancing at First Avenue or the botched execution victim still hanging in the halls of City Hall.

Whatever your threshold for fear, Minnesota’s haunted locations will test it. Just remember — in a state this old and this storied, the spirits are never far away. They’re in the walls, they’re under the floorboards, and they’re watching from the windows.

You just have to know where to look.