It’s October and time for all things spooky, or as my “off the boat” Italian father would say “Skoopy.” I’ve always been captivated by the paranormal and unexplained. There’s something thrilling about delving into our local history, researching eerie stories, and sometimes even visiting haunted locations. Long Island, with its rich history, is home to many places known for their paranormal activity, making it a prime spot for ghost enthusiasts.
Here are a few locations on Long Island that have gained a reputation for frequent supernatural encounters: (click on the name to open a 3D view in Google Earth)
- King’s Park Psychiatric Center (Kings Park): An abandoned psychiatric hospital with a dark history, King’s Park is infamous for ghostly apparitions and unexplained sounds. Visitors report hearing voices, footsteps, and seeing shadowy figures in the old, crumbling buildings. Unfortunately you can’t visit it.
- Lake Ronkonkoma: Legend has it that Lake Ronkonkoma is haunted by a Native American princess who drowned in its waters. People claim she still pulls male victims into the lake every year. The lake has a mysterious and tragic history, with paranormal activity ranging from strange mists to ghostly sightings near the shore.
- Raynham Hall Museum (Oyster Bay): Raynham Hall, once the home of the Townsend family, is associated with espionage during the Revolutionary War. Some believe that the spirits of the Townsend family, including British spy Robert Townsend, still linger in the house. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions and hearing disembodied voices. If you’re lucky you might get a whiff of apple pie. A sure sign the ghosts are welcoming you. This one you can visit! Get your museum pass here.
- The Milleridge Inn (Jericho): This historic inn, dating back to the 1600s, has long been rumored to be haunted by multiple spirits. Employees and guests have reported hearing strange noises, seeing shadowy figures, and feeling sudden temperature drops in various parts of the building.
- Fire Island Lighthouse (Fire Island): This iconic lighthouse, standing at the edge of Long Island, has its share of ghostly tales. One of the most well-known stories is about a former lighthouse keeper who reportedly took his own life after losing a loved one. Visitors have claimed to hear footsteps echoing in the empty lighthouse, see mysterious figures on the stairwell, and feel an eerie presence when exploring its grounds at night. The lighthouse, combined with these spooky stories, makes it a must-visit for paranormal enthusiasts. Get your museum pass here.
Visit or read more about these places and many others in these books:
