Wisconsin, famed for its stunning landscapes and welcoming towns, harbors a hidden, more sinister side. The state is dotted with haunted locales that promise to send shivers down your spine, even if you’re a seasoned ghost hunter. From eerie hotels and cemeteries to abandoned asylums and theaters, Wisconsin boasts a rich tapestry of ghostly sightings and paranormal phenomena.
In this list, we will explore the top 10 most haunted places to visit in Wisconsin. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or just looking for a good scare, these locations are sure to provide a spine-tingling experience on your next travel adventure.
Chances Restaurant
Located on Main Street in Rochester, Chances Restaurant offers a dining experience like no other. This isn’t just about the food; it’s about the ghostly encounters that have become the eatery’s trademark. Housed in a building dating back to 1843, Chances is rumored to be haunted by spirits from yesteryear. Though the restaurant opened in the 1980s, the building’s history stretches back much further. A visit here promises an unforgettable experience, blending good food with the thrill of potential paranormal activity.
Formerly known as The Union House, Chances played a crucial role as a stop on the Underground Railroad, aiding enslaved people in their quest for freedom. Many believe that the spirits lingering within the building are connected to its history as part of the Underground Railroad.
The management is well aware of the ghostly activity and has even playfully acknowledged the presence of a ghostly lady in a green ball gown on the menu. She is said to be waiting for her Civil War soldier to return.[1]
Nelsen’s Hall
Located on Washington Island, Nelsen’s Hall is steeped in history, dating back to the Prohibition era. It proudly stands as the oldest legally operating tavern in Wisconsin. Over the years, it has served as a movie theater, dentist office, ice cream parlor, and pharmacy. The tavern’s legendary owner, Tom Nelsen, reportedly drank a pint of bitters daily and lived to the ripe old age of 90.
Legend has it that Nelsen’s spirit still roams the hall. Some have reported doors closing on their own, and mysterious footsteps echoing on the stairs. Visitors can join the “Bitter’s Club” by downing a shot of bitters and even receive a certificate proclaiming them an official “Islander.” Some patrons suggest that enough shots of bitters might even conjure an encounter with Nelsen’s ghost.[2]
Pfister Hotel
Numerous professional baseball players who have stayed at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee have shared eerie stories of strange and paranormal events. Reports include unexplained noises, doors opening and closing without human intervention, and the unnerving sensation of being watched. Some players have even claimed to have seen ghostly figures in their rooms. The Milwaukee Brewers often stay at the Pfister during home games, and many have reported spine-chilling experiences.
Pitcher Kyle Lohse recounted seeing a ghostly figure in his room, while Ryan Braun reported strange occurrences and vowed never to stay at the hotel again.
Former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell shared that he woke up one night to find his room’s curtains wide open, despite having closed them before going to bed.[3]
High Cliff State Park
Located in Sherwood, High Cliff State Park combines natural beauty, history, and a dash of the supernatural. With scenic hiking trails and a well-kept campground, the park offers a chance to connect with nature. What makes this park unique are its ancient effigy mounds, significant archaeological sites known for paranormal activity.
Visitors have reported eerie occurrences around the mounds, including odd noises and an intense feeling of being watched. The park’s lime kilns, steeped in history, are also notorious for supernatural events, with sightings of spirits and mysterious noises, particularly at night. Some visitors have reported sudden drops in temperature.
High Cliff State Park provides an immersive nature experience with a possibility of encountering paranormal phenomena.[4]
The Brumder Mansion
Built in 1910, the Brumder Mansion has a long and fascinating history marked by numerous reports of strange occurrences. Residents have experienced vivid dreams and felt the presence of unseen entities. The most unsettling event involved blood found in a bathtub that no one had used, remaining an unsolved mystery and adding to the mansion’s lore.
After the Brumder family sold the property, it was owned by mobster Sam Pick, associated with Al Capone. It’s unknown what illegal activities occurred within the walls during this time. The mansion is rumored to house several spirits, including an elderly woman, a male spirit, and a playful entity. The mansion is an intriguing place, shrouded in unanswered questions.[5]
La Crosse
La Crosse, a historic river town, has a shadowy past filled with secrets. In 1932, a cemetery worker discovered Perry Brinstad’s empty grave and a burlap bag containing body parts. The town also has a tale of a killer executed by being thrown into a pit lined with sharp rocks, as there was no jail at the time.
These stories, uncovered by the library’s director and archivists, now inspire “Dark La Crosse” tours and radio podcasts. Despite investigations, the mystery of the body parts remains unsolved. Ghost hunters who visited the cemetery years later reported hearing someone say, “They cut me up,” through their equipment.[6]
The Sheboygan Asylum
The Sheboygan Asylum, also known as the Sheboygan County Insane Asylum, operated from 1888 to 1979. During its operation, it was infamous for its inhumane treatment of patients, with many reports of abuse and neglect.
Locked and abandoned for 20 years, it was later reopened for ghost tours.
The site is said to be haunted by the spirits of former patients who suffered abuse and neglect. Visitors have reported strange noises, ghostly figures, and a feeling of being watched. Some claim to have seen ghostly apparitions of patients wandering the grounds, trapped within the asylum.
Given its dark history, the Sheboygan Asylum is considered one of Wisconsin’s most haunted locations.[7]
Glenbeulah School
Established in 1849, the Glenbeulah School served as a primary schoolhouse for children of all ages.
During the early 1900s, many rural Wisconsin schools transformed from single-room schoolhouses into larger institutions. Glenbeulah merged with another school, leading to the closure of the old school in 1995, where it remained abandoned for 27 years.
Melissa Clevenger and Craig Nehring purchased the property, planning to create an event space. They quickly realized they were not alone. Visitors reported slamming doors, unexplained footsteps, and shadowy figures. Motion detectors often picked up movement when no one was there. Common reports included voices, laughter, screams, and conversations in empty rooms. Melissa and Craig even received a response when they called out “hello” in a vacant stairway.[8]
Andersen Library at the University of Whitewater
Local legend says that the Andersen Library at the University of Whitewater is haunted by an evil book that has caused four suicides and driven others insane. This book is linked to the Witches of Whitewater and is so dangerous that the library keeps it locked away in the basement.
The book, an antique hymnal written in Latin, was donated after a local church closed. It is available for viewing upon request, but with extreme caution.[9]
The Union Hotel
The Union Hotel in DePere is said to be haunted by Hannah, a former employee. According to legend, Hannah was a young woman who worked at the hotel in the late 1800s and died in a kitchen fire.
Guests have reported feeling watched and hearing unexplained noises from the kitchen. Some claim to have seen Hannah’s ghostly figure wandering the hotel.
One chilling story involves a guest who woke up to find Hannah standing at the foot of their bed, staring with a sad expression.[10]
Wisconsin’s haunted locations offer a mix of history, mystery, and paranormal intrigue. From restaurants with ghostly diners to hotels with spectral guests, each site has a unique and eerie story to tell. Exploring these haunted places provides a thrilling adventure into the supernatural side of the Badger State.
Have you visited any of these haunted locations? Share your experiences in the comments below!
