Wisconsin's Most Haunted Places

The land of cheese and the Green Bay Packers may not seem like a spooky place to explore, but Wisconsin has plenty of haunted stories and buildings to check out. From hotels to public places to mansions, there is plenty from which to choose.

Check out the creepiest places in Wisconsin, sure to give you a thrill and maybe have you seeing ghosts.

Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee

Despite its struggle when it opened in 1893, the Pfister Hotel is the place to stay for visiting baseball teams playing the Milwaukee Brewers. Some of these visiting team members get more than they bargained for when staying in town for the games. 



There have been reports of objects moving on their own, apparitions, and electrical anomalies. Even Adrian Beltre, who played with the L.A. Dodgers in 2001, reported knocking in the hallway with no one there, the TV and air conditioning switching off repeatedly, and pounding noises from behind his headboard when he stayed in 2001. In 2008, Carlos Gomez of the Minnesota Twins at the time, heard disembodied voices. Other players experienced similar happenings in 2009 and 2010. Learn more in this article about Milwaukee's most famously haunted hotel.

Maribel Caves Hotel, Manitowoc

In Northern Wisconsin, you can check out the Maribel Caves Hotel, also known as Hotel Hell, but you will want to keep your distance because it is now unsafe. Built in 1900, the hotel was known for famous guests who enjoyed the freshwater spa.



Despite its connection to water, the building suffered from a series of fires, which is where the nickname came from. Haunted tales feature the ghost of a child who died there, strange shadows, and disembodied voices. The building was destroyed in a 2013 wind storm, making the walls unstable for visitors. Learn more in this podcast.

Orpheum Theater - Madison

Built in 1926, the Orpheum Theater in Madison was extravagant and expensive at the time, costing $750,000 to build, which is about $12 million now. The theater showed both films and put on vaudeville shows, providing a multitude of entertainment for the people of Madison.

 Given the number of people who came through the building, it is no surprise that the haunted stories are many. Disembodied voices, the jingling of keys, shadowy figures, objects moving, and a man underneath the balcony have all been reported. Learn more in this article about the haunted Orpheum in Madison.

Maxwell Mansion, Lake Geneva

Built in 1855, the Maxwell Mansion was the first mansion built in Lake Geneva by Dr. Philip Maxwell, who was well-known for indulging in alcohol and galloping down the middle of the streets and yelling.



In the Grant Suite, there have been reports of objects moving and the feeling of being tapped on the shoulder. The theory is that there is the ghost of a little boy upstairs named Danny, who supposedly died of scarlet fever. There are also reports of noises in the attic and footsteps in the hallway when empty

Greunke’s First Street Inn, Bayfield

Greunke's First Street Inn was originally built in 1865 as a residence and then later converted into a boarding house for men who were laborers. There is allegedly a ghost in residence nicknamed Irene, who is blamed whenever anything spooky happens. 

Sometimes the freezer doors are found open, the inn's door slams, the toilets flush on their own, and people hear footsteps. There was even an incident with a potato roving around on its own and plates being moved, which freaked out the guests.

Putney House, Waukesha

The Putney House was built in 1901 by Frank Putney, whose ancestor was John Putney Jr., who was branded with a B after he committed burglary. In contrast, Frank Putney was a pillar of the community.

Years after his death, the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce had its office in the Putney House. The people working there would hear disembodied voices and footsteps. They reported losing belongings for weeks at a time that would mysteriously reappear. Could it be Frank playing tricks and hanging out in a place where he spent his living hours? Read more about the Putney House here.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! - Wisconsin Dells 

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! features 11 galleries along with collections of odd and spooky stuff. Perhaps the most spooky is the mummified head of notorious serial killer, Peter Kürten, also known as the Vampire of Düsseldorf. The head is lit up and spins, amping up its strange look.

Not just that, but allegedly his spirit hangs out in the building not far from his head, although his ghost seems far less dangerous than he was in life. There are tales of him messing with the air blowers in the bathrooms. Shadowy figures and disembodied voices have also been reported. Read more in this article about the ghost of Peter Kürten (including some great EVPs!)

Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum opened in 1824 and currently houses more than 4 million specimens and 150,000 square feet of space, but not just artifacts may inhabit these walls. According to the museum staff, the building has been haunted since the 1970s by Dr. Stephan Borhegyi, who was the museum director from 1959 to 1969.

Some think he is still present in the building and likes to pass through staff on the third floor and set off motion-activated alarms. He has allegedly been seen wandering the hall of the mezzanine in a dark cape, which he enjoyed wearing in life.

Check this video out for another fascinating ghost story of the museum:

Highway 12 in Baraboo

If the plethora of deer wasn't enough to keep you off the road at night, you should be sure to steer clear of Highway 12 in Baraboo anyway unless you're looking for a really spooky time. Many tourists head to Baraboo to check out circus-related activities or just rest in the quaint town, but you may want to exercise caution when visiting. There are many tales of creatures that dwell in the darkness and other supernatural happenings on Highway 12, including werewolves and unknown animals.

If you are looking for something paranormal, the Phantom Hitchhiker may be the companion for you, although there are no reports that anyone ever stopped for him. Accounts report him wearing jeans and a green Army jacket and walking along the side of the highway, which is an unsafe practice. People tend to notice him, but keep driving and then see him again a mile or two down the road. 

Despite the quiet Midwest feel of Wisconsin, there are still plenty of scary tales to learn and ghosts to hunt for. If you are a fan of ghosts, the state has great offerings to keep you scared.

Explore Wisconsin’s Most Haunted Locations

Get ready to dive into the spine-chilling history and supernatural tales of Wisconsin! Join us on a thrilling ghost tour to discover the eerie stories behind some of the state’s most haunted locations. Whether you're a history lover, a paranormal enthusiast, or simply looking for an unforgettable adventure, our Milwaukee guided tours reveal the spooky secrets of Wisconsin’s creepiest sites.

From haunted hotels and forgotten sanatoriums to mysterious theaters and eerie highways, Wisconsin is filled with ghostly encounters waiting to be uncovered. Book your Wisconsin ghost tour today and step into the shadows of these haunted sites—if you dare! Check our Milwaukee ghost tour reviews on Google to see what others are saying. Ready for a haunting adventure? Book your Burnt Island Light tour today!