Apple picking, leaf peeping and hay rides are swell…but this fall we’re leaning into all things freaky instead. If your idea of being festive is more Halloween than Hallmark, I suggest you plan a weekend escape somewhere spooky. Fortunately, I have made that easy for you with a roundup of the most haunted hotels on the East Coast so you can enjoy some otherworldly encounters alongside your world-class accommodations. Read on, and book if you dare.
The 10 Most Haunted Hotels on the East Coast for a Spooky Escape
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Published Sep 6, 2025
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3. The Merchant (Salem, MA)
Pretty much everything about Salem, Massachusetts is spooky, given its history as home to the infamous Witch Trials of 1692, which resulted in the execution of at least 25 innocent residents. That said, The Merchant is widely considered to be one of the most haunted spots in this coastal New England town. Before becoming the personal mansion of local merchant Joshua Ward (and long before becoming a boutique hotel), The Merchant was the residence of High Sheriff George Corwin, who lived there during the Witch Trials and is rumored to have tortured some of the victims in the basement. Indeed, guests have reported that George Corwin haunts the place, along with the ghosts of two of his very unhappy female victims. (Psst: If you really want to lean into the spooky past of Salem, I suggest you sign up for one of the many local ghost tours.)
