Philadelphia was founded in 1682 and during the American Revolution became our nation’s first capital. As you can imagine, any place with that much history has to have some ghost stories, and there is certainly no shortage of haunted locations in the City of Brotherly Love. If you’re looking for the chance to catch some of Philly’s ghosts, here is a day-long itinerary full of some of the city’s most haunted locations.
Stay at The Bellevue Hotel
Chances are you’ve heard of Legionnaire’s disease before, but did you know that its history has significant ties to Philadelphia? In 1976 the American Legion held its annual convention at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel (now the Hyatt-managed Bellevue Hotel). An outbreak of the disease ensued that resulted in as many as 221 cases, 30 of which died. It was because of this outbreak that the disease-causing bacterium was identified and eventually regulations were put into place regarding cooling systems to prevent further outbreaks. While none of the Legionnaire’s victims died inside the hotel, it is rumored that their poor souls are still haunting the place.
Take a morning walk at Laurel Hill Cemetery
What better place to look for ghosts than a hauntingly beautiful Victorian-era cemetery? Laurel Hill was the second rural cemetery in the United States, part of the great rural cemetery movement of the mid-nineteenth century. There are plenty of evening ghost tour or ghost hunting events throughout the year, but otherwise be mindful of the cemetery’s 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. visiting hours.
Spend the afternoon at Eastern State Penitentiary
Ask anyone to name a haunted place in Philadelphia and this one will be top of the list. It’s been featured on multiple paranormal shows including Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. During the Halloween season you can catch the haunted attraction Terror Behind the Walls held there, but it’s well-worth a visit during the day to take a self-guided tour and learn the history of the penitentiary in a quiet setting. You might just run into one of the shadowy figures frequently seen lurking about the penitentiary.
Happy Hour at McGillin’s Old Ale House
To find McGillin’s, you have to know what you’re looking for. It’s tucked away on a small alley called Drury Street just steps away from City Hall, but once you find Drury you can’t miss the neon sign. This Irish pub is the oldest continually operating tavern in Philadelphia, and it could be said that it has the longest lasting hostess. McGillin’s is believed to by haunted by ol’ Ma McGillin, who owned the restaurant with her husband William “Pa” McGillin starting in 1860.
Eat at City Tavern
Head down into the Historic District and dine with the ghosts at City Tavern. This reconstructed tavern is the site of some of the most important conversations in our nation’s founding – the tavern served as the unofficial meeting place of the delegates of the Continental Congress before and after their sessions at nearby Carpenter’s Hall. But it’s not the founding fathers haunting the place that we know of – the ghost stories of City Tavern include a waiter killed in a 1790 duel, and a bride-to-be who died in an 1834 fire caused by a curtain catching the flame of a candle.
Glance into the windows of Independence Hall
During the day, you can take a free tour of Independence Hall (timed tickets required). But it’s the park rangers who have the most experiences here after all of the tourists have left for the night. So look extra hard into those windows as you walk by, and you may just catch the ghostly apparition of Benjamin Franklin or Benedict Arnold, both rumored to be haunting the location.
Wander through Washington Square
Just a block away from Independence Hall, you can walk through beautiful Washington Square, one of William Penn’s original five planned public squares for his “greene country town.” During the 18th century, the square became a Potter’s Field (a cemetery for poor Philadelphians). It eventually also accomodated both British and American soldiers during the Revolution, and over 1300 victims of the yellow fever epidemic. The park today houses a somber memorial Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. The supposed haunting of the park is a Quaker woman named Leah who protected the grounds from graverobbers.
Visit Elfreth’s Alley
If you’re up for a walk up through Old City, make your way to Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continually inhabited street in the nation. By day it’s picture perfect. by night you may be able to catch one of its ghostly residents. Rumor has it that the alley was also the site of a hanging of a soldier.
This itinerary is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to haunted Philadelphia! There is much more haunted history in this spooky city to experience – consider joining in on one of the city’s walking ghost tours!
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