Are you ready to get haunted in Wisconsin?

Fall is officially here, and Inns around the state of Wisconsin are celebrating the vibrant colors and flavors of the season with their guests. Enjoy this beautiful change of seasons at Wisconsin State Parks, meandering along regional hiking and biking trails around the state, taking scenic drives, and, of course, relaxing at our Bed and Breakfasts. If you need an idea or two, check out some of our recent blogs all about fall. 

While fall colors are truly the highlight of this season, there's more to October than fall colors. How about giving yourself a bit of a fright this season? It's the perfect time to visit a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast and to push those boundaries a little while enjoying a haunted adventure or two! As you make your plans, be sure to use our convenient search tool to find your perfect Wisconsin lodging. Our Inns are ranked as some of the top places to stay in Wisconsin - and for good reasons!

12 of the Most Haunted Places in Wisconsin

Most states have history and lore, much of which involve haunted destinations and mysterious happenings.  That's certainly true in Wisconsin, and we'd love to share this haunted history with you this fall!  With Halloween just around the corner, we thought we'd share 12 of our favorite haunted places in Wisconsin. Make sure you add these to your list!

1. One of the scariest places in the state of Wisconsin, confirmed by the Travel Channel, is the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.  There have been several reports of hauntings here, most of which are by the founder himself, Charles Pfister. 
2. Nelsen's Hall & Bitters Club on Washington Island has been around for decades and is full of loyal patrons. This includes (former) owner Tom Nelson, who's said to still frequent the club. He died years ago in the apartment above the club.
3. Head to the Riverside Cemetery in Appleton, and meet one of its most famous inhabitants, Kate Blood.  Her name is pretty apt for the season. Ms. Blood was an accused witch, murderer, and adultress, and is said to be the hooded figure often seen running around and vanishing into thin air. Others have reportedly seen blood oozing from her tombstone! 
4. Buckle up for the ride across Wisconsin's "Bloody Bride Bridge," also known as the High 66 Bridge in Steven's Point.  Rumor has it that travelers often see a bride on the bridge; a bride who supposedly died in a tragic car accident on this bridge while on the way to her wedding (though no police record of such an accident exists). Some lucky (unlucky?) drivers have even glimpsed the bride and her groom in the backseat of their car. Do you dare stop on the bridge at midnight to find out?
5. Turn up the radio as you cross the Siren Bridge in Siren Wisconsin. Do you hear a little girl crying to her mommy for help?  
6. The Clark County Insane Asylum in Owen, Wisconsin is a popular place for visitors who are looking for haunted experiences.  Visitors report hearing voices and seeing apparitions. Former residents of this asylum were tormented and murdered by the staff by means such as electroshock therapy, ice water submersion, and bloodletting.  It's no wonder they stick around to haunt all who come through these doors!
7. Have you ever heard of Hotel Hell in Maribel? In its prime, it was known as the Maribel Caves Hotel, but after a fire destroyed in and paranormal activity increased, it soon earned the moniker Hotel Hell.  It's said to be a gateway to the dark underworld, allowing dark spirits to haunt the grounds here.
8. In its heyday, the Boscobel Hotel has hosted the likes of John F. and Jackie Kennedy. Now, it seems to be taken over by spirits, including a young girl who died in the snow, yet doesn't want to leave her beloved hotel, and former owner Adam Bobel. 
9. Shaker's Cigar Bar in Milwaukee has an interesting past. Years ago, it was both a brothel and a hideout for mobster Al Capone. It's been featured on the Dark Tourist on Netflix, as patrons now report seeing a little girl in the bathroom, along with a number of ghostly visitors in the basement. 
10. Dartford Cemetery near Green Lake Wisconsin is, without a doubt, one of the most haunted cemeteries in Wisconsin. Its looks can be deceiving!  Well-known ghosts like Chief Highknocker call this cemetery home, right along with former Civil War Soldiers, which can sometimes be seen marching across the grounds. Visitors have also reportedly been pushed off a mausoleum that belongs to a young child.  Are you brave enough to stand there to find out the truth of this story?
11. Look to the balcony at the Grand Opera House in Oshkosh Wisconsin. Do you see the ghost of former stage manager Percy Keene? How about the strange orange mist that sometimes appears onstage, or the phantom footsteps?
12. Hit up the west wing of St. Joseph's hospital in Marshfield, and see if you spot a black man in a robe wandering the halls.  No one knows quite who he is, and why he's haunting the hospital. While in town, don't miss your chance to hit up the Wood County Insane Asylum, considered one of the most haunted places in the state. 

If you're looking for even more haunted places to visit, consider this delightfully scary road trip put together by Only in Your State! 

The Best Places to Stay in Wisconsin!

Wherever you end up in our great state, remember to stay at one of our Bed and Breakfast properties for a lodging experience like no other. Our Inns truly are among the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Our Inns offer an incredible range of amenities, lodging styles, and settings to choose from.

Better yet, many of them offer great packages!  You'll always find the most competitive rates when booking with each property directly, and while there you'll enjoy attentive service that's second to none. Our Innkeepers are excellent not only in hospitality but in ensuring your stay is exactly what you've been hoping for. There is a reason so many of our Inns are rated as the top places to stay in Wisconsin. Seek the unique, and find a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast for your haunted travels through Wisconsin today!

 

We promised to pass along more innkeeper recommendations on nearby hiking trails and here they are! First we invite you to explore the trails close to the Eagle Harbor Inn, in Ephraim. Right in Ephraim there is a path that wanders through the town and up the bluff down small quiet back roads past all kinds of summer cottages and year around homes. The Bay of Green is never far from view. In fact at many places along the way it’s possible to dip your toes into that bay. There is a route that is mapped it takes a couple of hours. But, it is possible to walk small parts of the route at a time.   Also located close by is one of the best state parks in the state, Peninsula State Park. There are trails for all skill levels and they vary in length as well. The park is loaded with so much to see.  If those are trails too traveled for your taste there is Newport State Park a mere a 20 minute drive north. There you’ll find more secluded and rugged trails on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Also Whitefish Dunes State Park is located south of Jacksonport. Along with miles of trails over sand dunes and into the thickly wooded areas of the park, there are dunes along the shore for picnicking and sunning while you try to brave the icy cold waters of Lake Michigan.   A little further south in Appleton Judy Halma of the Franklin Street Inn shared with us that guests often enjoy hiking the Heckrodt Hiking Trail-76 acres of forested wetland, 3+ mile trail system allows access without getting your wet feet, located less than 5 miles from the inn.   Nearby in Oshkosh, Brayton B&B recommends The Wiouwash State Trail is a rail trail just a few short blocks from the inn. Its name is derived from the first two letters of the four counties it traverses: Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Shawano. The trail is used by walkers, hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers during the winter months. The trail is split into two sections. The northern section runs from Aniwa to Split Rock. The southern section runs for 21 miles from Oshkosh northward to Hortonville and offers opportunities for biking, walking, jogging and bird-watching.  As it traverses the countryside, the southern section of the Wiouwash passes through a number of interesting natural habitats. Segments of the trail run through prairie and wetlands, attracting hundreds of species of birds, including sandhill cranes. The trail also crosses Dagget’s Creek, the Rat River and Black Otter Creek. It’s a scenic and relaxing journey, whether you’re on foot or two wheels.  That's all for now! Stay tuned for Part 3 for more hiking recommendations!   [caption id="attachment_1246" align="aligncenter" width="506"] Heckrodt Hiking Trail in Menasha offers great views of the diverse life in the wetlands.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1247" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Peninsula State Park[/caption]

Here’s a trend that’s coming on strong – amateur athletes choosing Wisconsin B&Bs when traveling for 5Ks, half-marathons, marathons, sprint triathlons, adventure races, well, you get the gist.  Makes sense when you consider B&Bs are in a rather unique position to customize just about anything a “weekend warrior” would need to be in peak condition for the competition.  In Door County, the Door County Lighthouse Inn offers to-go nourishment for the athlete and coffee cake for the athlete’s support team.  At the Hamilton House B&B in Whitewater, innkeeper Kathleen Fleming says the runners who participate in the Ice Age 50 and Kettle 100 may schedule a massage with the inn’s massage therapist, but most take ice baths in the inn’s huge tubs after the race!  If you’re heading to Oshkosh for the August 5 Olympic and Sprint Triathlon, the Brayton B&B has upscale bath amenities and beds to provide great comfort after the race.   [caption id="attachment_683" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Could there possibly be a better way to unwind after a race? (we'll include the rat race too!) Innkeeper Kathleen at the Hamilton House B&B in Whitewater says it's your choice of whirlpool therapy - steaming soothing bubbles or tingling ice for sore muscles."][/caption]