Spooky season is officially here.
If you’re looking for a scare, there are plenty of haunted sites in Milwaukee to check out.
We’re not talking about your classic Halloween haunted house — though Milwaukee has plenty of those too. These spots are claimed to be hotspots of paranormal activity for enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Whether you’re a believer or not, here are five reportedly haunted sites in and around Milwaukee:
The Pfister Hotel
There’s no shortage of reports of ghostly encounters in Milwaukee’s iconic Pfister Hotel.
Opened in 1893 by Guido Pfister and his son, Charles, the hotel was billed as the “Grand Hotel of the West” and remains a Milwaukee staple to this day. It’s a member of the Historic Hotels of America and has been repeatedly named among the best historic hotels in the nation.
It’s also been recognized as one of the best haunted hotels in the U.S. — and one of the most haunted places in Wisconsin.
Guests have reported objects moving, electronics turning off, and knocking, according to Haunted Rooms America. Some have even seen Charles Pfister roaming the halls and staircases.
The restless spirits at the Pfister may also have an appreciation for sports — or for bothering players who spend the night when they’re in town.
Bryce Harper, Michael Young, Pablo Sandoval and C.J. Wilson are just a handful of MLB players who have shared some of their experiences in the hotel’s haunted halls. And, a few NBA players have also encountered the Pfister’s resident apparitions.
The Rave – Eagles Club
Milwaukee’s most famous music venue is also an alleged hotspot of spooky sightings.
The most common reports of paranormal activity include the sounds of children’s voices and a female apparition roaming the ballroom.
The source of the alleged hauntings remains unknown, but there are rumors that someone drowned in the pool during the venue’s early years, building manager Colin O’Connell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in December. It opened in 1927 for the Milwaukee Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, but became a music venue in 1992.
O’Connell added these instances have not been fully identified or verified.
Seven Bridges trail
This South Milwaukee hiking trail offers beautiful sights and haunting frights.
Located in Grant Park, the park and trails were built in the early 1900s. Despite its beauty, there is a spooky aura around the site —which is, or, depending on your perspective, isn’t helped by a sign that reads “Enter this wildwood and view the haunts of nature” at the entrance.
Visitors have reported glowing lights, disembodied voices and screaming, Haunted Rooms America says.
There are rumors about people who have died in the park — specifically, one glowing female apparition looking for her missing children, according to City Tours MKE.
Hilton Grand Inn
Believe it or not, there’s another prominent Milwaukee hotel with a history of paranormal activity.
Guests at the Hilton Grand Inn have reported sounds and being touched, including hair pulling, during their stays, U.S. Ghost Adventures says.
The hotel was originally named the Newhall House when it was built in 1856, and was among the tallest buildings in the country at that time, according to U.S. Ghost Adventures.
A fire tragically broke out in 1883, killing at least 76 people, though the Wisconsin Historical Society notes upwards of 90 people may have been killed in the blaze.
Concordia University
A restless spirit may be among those in attendance at Mequon’s Concordia University.
Students past and present call this ghostly specter “Sister Sixtoes,” who is believed to be a Catholic nun who lived in an order where the campus now stands. She was unwilling to give up her home, so she remained in the chapel until her death.
Alongside the chapel, three dorm buildings on the campus — Katharine, Augsburg and Coburg — are reportedly haunted, according to Wisconsin Haunted Houses.
There have been alleged sightings of a phantom figure walking down the stairs near the chapel at night, objects being moved and electrical items malfunctioning.
Piet Levy, Steven Martinez and Erik Hanley contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Looking for a scare? Check out these 5 allegedly haunted Milwaukee locations
Reporting by Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
