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Haunted Midwest Spots (Would You Go?) 👻
Published 4 days ago • 3 min read
Spooky Season in the Midwest
Spooky season is here. While we love pumpkin patches and apple cider, sometimes it’s fun to add a little thrill to our fall adventures. The Midwest has plenty of haunted legends. I have even experienced a few inexplicable things myself.
My spooky story:
My husband and I stayed at the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, MO for a romantic night away from the kids. We went on the ghost tour that night and they told us before the tour that our room was one of the stops. They asked us if they wanted them to skip it or if we wanted to hear the spooky things that happened in our room. Obviously, I said I wanted to know.
They had a photo station at The Elms and this is the photo I took
On the tour we learned that things were often misplaced or moved in our room. Cleaners would leave the room for a moment to find all the furniture had been moved or guests returned to everything in the room stacked on their bed. When we returned everything was exactly how we left it.
That night before we went to bed, I asked my husband to close the heavy curtains. The parking lot lights were bright. He shut them and we went to sleep.
Around 2 am, I woke up, and the curtains were open. I convinced myself my husband must have opened them as a joke, although he isn’t much of a prankster. When he woke up in the morning I asked him. He didn’t open the curtains. Neither did I. The air conditioner was on the other side of the room, and these curtains were HEAVY. I have no idea what happened that night, but I don’t have any other good explanation for what it could have been.
What do you think???
Haunted Experiences
Here are a few of the Midwest’s most haunted spots you can actually visit.
Within an hour of Kansas City
The Elms Hotel, Excelsior Springs, MO: Guests report ghostly encounters in the ballroom and throughout the hotel.
Haunted Atchison, KS: Known as “the most haunted town in Kansas,” with trolley haunted trolley tours in September and October. Check out my reel on exploring the Sallie House HERE.
Glore Psychiatric Museum (St. Joseph, MO): The history alone is chilling, and many visitors say the halls still feel haunted.
Belvoir Winery (Liberty, MO): A beautiful spot with a spooky past. It was once an old orphanage and nursing home; it’s now known for ghost tours (and good wine!). Check out the reel HERE.
Someone's home Halloween set up in Parkville
Around the Midwest
Villisca Axe Murder House, Villisca, IA: Chilling history + tours available (for the brave).
The Orpheum Theatre, Omaha, NE: Haunted by a former stagehand.
McPike Mansion (Alton, IL): This old mansion is famous for ghost sightings, strange lights, and an overall creepy vibe.
French Lick Springs Hotel (French Lick, IN): Guests say the former owner still roams the halls, sometimes even on horseback!
Pfister Hotel (Milwaukee, WI): Baseball players staying here swear they’ve seen flickering lights and ghostly figures.
Spooky wax figures at Hollywood's Wax Museum in Branson
Can't Miss Fall Events
Faulkner's Ranch
I love Faulkner’s Ranch because it has so many fun family activities for toddlers through teens. There is good food, music, hayrides, slides, and more. It is always clean, well-staffed, and well maintained.
Open Thursday through Sunday October 2-31, with select Tuesday and Wednesday open dates too. Discount Code: OUTDOORFAMILY10for 10% off admission.
Johnson Farms is the best pumpkin patch if you want to do everything fall-related in one place. You can pick apples, do a corn maze, pick pumpkins, sunflowers, and veggies, plus they have all the typical fall fun! They are open daily from 9 am- 7pm. Usecode OUTDOOR26 for 10% off admission!
I love Dark Forest because it's Powell Gardens made spooky. It's a 1-mile trail turned into a fun and immersive experience. I also enjoy it because it feels like being in a haunted house without worrying about someone jumping out at you around the corner.
Would you go to a haunted winery? Belvoir Winery & Inn in Liberty, Missouri is perfect for anyone who loves wine, beautiful architecture, or spooky vibes!
Have you ever had a haunted or unexplained experience? I’m dying to know!
Stay spooky, Amy 🎃
Thank you!
Thank you so much for being here and supporting me! It means so much to me that you’re here. I hope that I can provide value for you and your family, so you’re inspired to get out and explore more! Happy adventuring!
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