🧟 Paranormal Activities: Our Favorite Haunts for 2025

Something about fall piques our interest in paranormal activities. From storytelling and investigating to fascinating displays, these day trips encourage you to explore the other side of Rochester.

The Haunted Housel on CR 4

Haunted Housel on CR 4
Hopewell, near Canandaigua
Sep 20–Oct 31, 2025
Mon–Thu, 3–9:30 p.m.
Fri–Sun, 12-9:30 p.m. (plus Monday, October 13)
Get Directions

Haunted Housel is far more than the roadside Skeleton Army most drivers spot from County Road 4 in Hopewell. Plan time to explore multiple themed zones and extras:

• Skeleton Army Walk-Through – Wander paved paths amid hundreds of life-size skeletons staged in elaborate vignettes—a Viking longship, horseback riders, dinosaurs, and a dog-drawn wagon—excellent for selfies day or night.
• Back-Yard Cemetery – Behind the house, demon skeletons dine at a gothic banquet table while interactive props invite eerie photo ops.
• Haunted Woods and Corn Maze – A twisting trail through the adjoining cornfield and treeline. Family-friendly by day; after dark, purple lights and live actors crank up the scare factor.
• Hand-Built Props & Live Actors – Nearly every set piece is custom-made by owner-creator Karl Housel, and costumed actors roam weekends to surprise guests.
• Pumpkin Sales & Pop-Up Vendors – Grab a carving pumpkin or seasonal snack from on-site stands before you leave.
• Practical Details – Open daily from late September through Halloween (evenings are the spookiest). Admission is a modest fee; parking is available in the lot.

These layers—skeleton spectacle, interactive cemetery, haunted woods, corn maze, and seasonal extras—make Haunted Housel one of Western New York’s most immersive homegrown Halloween attractions.

GCV&M Spirits of the Past (and more!)

GCV&M Spirits of the Past (and more!)
Genesee Country Village
October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, & 26, 2025 | 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Spirits of the Past: A Walk in the Dark returns to Genesee Country Village & Museum for 2025, bringing candlelit chills to a beautifully preserved 19th-century village. Join guided tours—lasting approximately 75 minutes and departing in groups of 22 every few minutes from the Toll House—from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the weekends of October 17–19 and October 24–26. Each tour leads you into dimly lit corners of the historic village, where myths, monsters, and secrets of the past come alive. Come early or stay after your walk to enjoy themed refreshments at the Spirits Lounge or the “Fright House” Pub.

More Spooky Season Events at GCVM

• Oct 4 & 5: Agricultural Fair
• Oct 11: Spooky Saturday
• Oct 11: October Overnight at the Museum
• Oct 26: All Hallows’ Tea
• Nov 1: A Night with Edgar Allan Poe

MAG Museum of the Dead

MAG Museum of the Dead
Memorial Art Gallery
Friday, October 24, 2025
Adults 21 and over

Rochester’s most artfully eerie Halloween party returns! The Memorial Art Gallery’s Museum of the Dead is a spirited night of dancing, cocktails, gallery exploration, ghost tours, tarot readings, and costume contests—all set to a live DJ soundtrack. General admission includes access to food trucks, film screenings, and spooky activities throughout the museum. VIP ticket holders get early access starting at 7 p.m., plus themed swag, exclusive lounge access, a complimentary drink, a meal ticket, and reservations for ghost tours and tarot readings. Come dressed to impress—prizes will be awarded for the best group, couple, funniest, most mind-blowing, spookiest, and art-inspired costumes. This popular 21+ party always sells out, so get your tickets early.

RMSC After Dark: Carnival of Curiosity

RMSC After Dark: Carnival of Curiosity
Rochester Museum & Science Center
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Adults 21 and over

RMSC After Dark: Carnival of Curiosity is a 21+ after-hours takeover with full Museum & Science Center access, cash bars, and carnival-themed thrills. Explore the Tent of Wonders, watch a bed-of-nails demo, try games of chance, feel the jolt of Electricity Theater’s Tesla coils, visit the new Astronaut exhibit, catch a Stranger Things laser show at the Strasenburgh Planetarium (separate ticket), dance in the ballroom, and end with a fireball finale. Guest features include DJ Gizzie, magician/stilt-walker John Wolfson, Melanie’s Muses photo booth, Rochester LEGO User Group, a live That Sounds Terrifying podcast (8–9 p.m.), Teaching Artists ROC with Larry Moss/Airigami, Maker Faire Rochester’s Big Face Portraits, the Free Art Collective scavenger hunt, and Astronomy on Tap talks. Cocktails, mocktails, kettle corn, cotton candy, and more keep the midway vibes going.

You may also enjoy RMSC Family Fun Day: Tricks & Treats on October 26.

Strathallan’s Carn-EVIL Halloween Party

Strathallen Carn-EVIL Halloween Party
Century Club of Rochester
Friday, October 31, 2025
Adults 21 and over

Step inside the Strathallan’s Century Club on East Avenue for a multi-room, carnival-style Halloween bash packed with “evil” surprises. Hosted by Prisoner Wine Company, Roc Only Events, and Teaching Artists ROC, the night features carnival games, spooky caricatures, a snake-and-spider photo booth, Prisoner Wine tastings and gifts, a sword swallower, DJ, oddities and crystal vendors, face-paint glitter bar, tarot and crystal-ball readings, plus roaming stilt, juggling, and magic acts (some activities may require sign-ups or extra fees). Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the top three announced at 10 p.m.

Powers Farm Spooky Teepee and Hayrides

Powers Farm
Pittsford
Daily, Sep 1–Oct 31, 2025

From their website: If you’ve never experienced Powers Farm in the Fall, you’re in for a real treat! Autumn is our most popular season and the time when we feature our most popular selection of seasonal pies, fresh-baked breads and pastries, fried cakes, hand-dipped candied apples, and all things pumpkin! There’s fresh-cut firewood for the home and mums in bloom, corn stalks, straw bales, fall wreaths, and other decorative arrangements. Treat yourself to some New York State apples and winter squash, or take part in our Halloween Hayrides and spooky teepee tours. Our Halloween-themed hayrides are a seasonal favorite, with special effects and creepy surprises. You’ll encounter ghosts, witches, skeletons, graveyards, and more! Although we consider these rides family-friendly, we advise discretion for children.

VerHulst Haunted Hayride

VerHulst Haunted Hayride
Spencerport, the scariest
Weekends, starting October 3, 2025

From their website: No reservations, first-come, first-served. It is not recommended for children under the age of eight. The experience takes approximately 30 minutes, including the Haunted Corn Maze. There can be long wait times, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Nightmare Manor Haunted House

Nightmare Manor Haunted House
Southtown Plaza, Henrietta
Weekends, September 26 through November 2, 2025

Brave Nightmare Manor, an immersive haunted attraction with multiple scare zones designed to jolt and delight. Traverse eerie graveyards, plunge into Hillbilly Hell, and encounter a shifting mix of horror, suspense, and dark humor around every corner. Whether you chase adrenaline or love the macabre, this tightly crafted haunt delivers a chilling, unforgettable night.

Halloween at the Public Market

Halloween at the Market
Rochester Public Market
Rochester
Sunday, October 26
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Every year, on the Sunday before Halloween, the Rochester Public Market is filled with costumes, candy, and a sense of community spirit. Dozens of community organizations will offer treats, fun activities, and valuable information about their programs and services. This free-admission, family-friendly Halloween event will provide extra entertainment and food options. In addition to trick-or-treating, the event will feature food stands, interactive and participatory performances, hayrides, and more.

Seneca Park Zoo Spooktacular

Spooktacular
Seneca Park Zoo
Rochester
October 17, 18, 25, and 26, 2025

Spooktacular returns for two weekends of family-friendly Halloween fun at the zoo—Buggie Boogie Weekend on Friday–Saturday, October 17–18, and Pumpkin Safari Weekend on Saturday–Sunday, October 25–26. Come in costume to explore after hours from 5:30–8:00 p.m. (last entry 7:00 p.m.) with themed activities throughout the grounds.

Guided Ghost Walks & Hosted Talks

Landmark Society Ghost Walk

Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word 
Rochester
597 East Avenue
October 17–18, 2025

Ghost Walk is a nighttime walking tour led by lantern-bearing guides through the dark streets of a historic neighborhood. The tour will showcase macabre events, personalities, and places in Rochester’s history, told during several theatrical performances. Sign up for a 90-minute tour starting between 6 and 9 p.m. and departing every 15 minutes.

Rolling Hills Asylum Tours

East Bethany
Events all year are amped up in October

Rolling Hills Asylum (RHA) has been spotlighted on Ghost Hunters and numerous other well-known paranormal investigation shows. Their website offers a year-round events calendar featuring a variety of experiences, including guided and self-guided tours, public and private ghost hunts, themed dinners, and special events. To explore more about RHA, visit the Haunted History Trail of New York.

Mount Hope Cemetery Walking Tours

Multiple dates for 2025

Explore one of Rochester’s most famous cemeteries through guided walking tours. These tours offer historical insight into the cemetery’s notable residents, with tales of hauntings and paranormal activity adding a spooky twist to the area’s rich history.

• Sep 13: Dead Lines: Writers, Publishers, and Printers of Mount Hope Cemetery
• Sep 20: Shaken, Not Stirred: Distillers and Tavern Keepers in Mount Hope Cemetery
• Sep 27: Undertakers, Wakes, & Tears: Mourning Rituals in 19th Century America
• Oct 4: Murdered by Men
• Oct 11: Voices from the Beyond: All New Tales of Melancholy, Grief, and Tragedy
• Oct 18: Fall Foliage at Mount Hope Cemetery
• Oct 25 & 26: Mischief, Murder, and Mayhem

Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks

Locations Vary
Multiple 2025 Dates, Times, and Locations

Guided walk themes include Ghosts of Mt. Hope Ave., Jack the Ripper in Rochester, Spirits of Sea Breeze, Lady in White, Phantoms of Fairport, Haunts of Henrietta, and Lilac Legends.

According to their website, the tours take you through the authentically haunted areas of Rochester, offering a blend of the city’s unique history and notorious ghost stories. These experiences are unlike any other, allowing participants to hear the tales and actively engage with the spirits for a truly immersive adventure. Learn more about The Union Tavern at The Haunted History Trail of New York.

On Stage and Screen

RMSC: Laser Stranger Things

Rochester Museum & Science Center
Strassenberg Plantarium
Sept. 20 through Oct. 26

Take a trip to the Upside Down this spooky season to experience the ’80s tunes and soundscapes of Netflix’s popular show Stranger Things! This laser show is eerie enough to give you a thrill while still enjoying the safety of reclining under the Planetarium dome. Hellfire Club members welcome.

Spooky Season at The Little

The Little Theatre
Various Dates, 2025 showtimes TBA

From crypts to cryptids, ghouls to ghastly gargoyles, The Little’s Spooky Season is here to fill your October with harrowing, haunting films and events! From classic horror to modern family-friendly fare, international frights to 90s-witchy vibes, we hope you join us to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, here in the house of silent shadows!

• Return to Oz (35mm) – Oct. 3
• Good Boy – Oct. 3-9
• Halloween – Oct. 4
• Mad Monster Party – Oct. 5
• Thirst – Oct. 5
• Cronos – Oct. 6
• SNR Double Feature: Silver Bullet and The Howling – Oct. 11
• Re-Animator (40th Anniversary) – Oct. 18
• Scream 2 – Oct. 23 & 27
• Army of Darkness – Oct. 24
• Sinners – Oct. 25 & 26
• Eyes Without A Face – Oct. 26
• Revenge – Oct. 29
• Witches – Oct. 30
• The Ring – Oct. 31

The Fox Sisters

“The Fox Sisters & the Rise of Modern Spiritualism” presented by Tracy Murphy. Head to the Perinton Historical Society & Fairport Museum on Tuesday, October 21, for an exploration of Modern Spiritualism and the lives of Margaretta and Catherine Fox. Tracy Murphy, Director of Historic Palmyra’s five museums, will present the story of the Fox sisters, who in 1848 began hearing mysterious sounds in their Hydesville home, believed to be the ghost of a murdered peddler. Maggie, 15, and Kate, 11, gained fame for their séances, which helped establish the religion of spiritualism. Ms. Murphy, the caretaker of the Fox Sisters Hydesville Memorial Park for over 25 years, will discuss their impact on modern spiritualism. This free event is open to the public; no registration is required. Learn more on Facebook.

You can make a pilgrimage to Hydesville in Wayne County to visit the birthplace of the Fox Sisters and the origins of Spiritualism. It was on this site, in the Fox Family cottage, where Kate & Maggie Fox first made contact with the spirit of Charles B. Rosna on March 31, 1848.

Their story has been widely attributed to the beginning of the Spiritualism movement and the creation of Lily Dale, the world’s largest center for the Study of the Science, Philosophy, and Religion of Spiritualism. Lily Dale was incorporated in 1879. The Fox cottage was moved to Lily Dale piece by piece in 1915, but burned down in 1955. Learn more about The Fox Sisters at The Haunted History Trail of New York, smithsonian.com, and Crooked Lake Review.

Dryden Theatre

George Eastman Museum
Rochester
2025 Halloween Film Series
7:30 Showtimes, unless noted

• Wed, Oct 15: The Others (35mm)
• Tue, Oct 21: Queen of Spades (35mm)
• Thu, Oct 23: The Dead Zone
• Sat, Oct 25: Cat People / Curse of the Cat People (35mm) (2 p.m.)
• Sat, Oct 25: The Lost Boys
• Thu, Oct 30: Member Movie: The Phantom of the Opera
• Fri, Oct 31: Sorry to Bother You

Nazareth Orchestra Spooky Concert

Glazer Music Performance Center, Beston Hall
Pittsford
Friday, October 31, 7:30 pm

Enjoy a spirited concert filled with eerie classics, haunting melodies, and Halloween-themed orchestral works performed by Nazareth’s Orchestral Ensembles. The program is free and open to all—no tickets required!

Halloweenfest at Lincoln Hill Farm

Lincoln Hill Farm
Canandaigua
3792 NY-247
Weekends, Oct. 3 to Nov. 1

Every weekend in October, come enjoy great music, food, and tons of Halloween-themed attractions, including games and a haunted hay ride zombie hunt!

Spooky Displays

Me Hearty Haunts of Mount Morris

Pirate-themed chills await at the corner of Main Street & Erie Street in Mount Morris, NY. This seaside‑style spectacle includes over 20 five‑foot skeletons, two massive 12‑foot creatures, spooky projections, and a family-friendly scavenger hunt. Check out my video from last year’s haunt, and follow Me Hearty Haunts of Mount Morris on Facebook for updates on when the show is live.

161 Main Street
Mount Morris
Get Directions

Nightmare Before Christmas

Take a slow roll past this extraordinary home, known to many for its magical winter wonderland display in December.

16 Beauclaire Lane
Perinton
Get Directions

Clowning Around in the Graveyard on Wilelen

At 61 & 62 Wilelen Road in Chili Center, a graveyard circus comes to life! Expect playful, creepy clowns, eerie scenery, and Saturday‑night fun for the whole family. The first Saturday-night scare lights up on September 27, 2025. Join the Clowning around in the graveyard on Wilelen group on Facebook for all the updates.

61 and 62 Wilelen Road
Chili Center
Get Directions

Insomnia House

A free, family‑friendly haunted house and graveyard that’s both fun and a fundraiser. At 16 Avacado Lane, Gates, Insomnia House opens its doors Friday and Saturday nights through October, including October 31, 2025, with a special grand reopening night on September 26 at 6 p.m. The attraction features a haunted maze and immersive rooms with four fear levels, ranging from Level 1 (“sensory-friendly, no actors”) to Level 4 (“extreme scares with intense sounds and effects”). A CarnEvil game area and snack bar featuring treats for purchase, with proceeds supporting AutismUp. Follow the updates on Facebook.

16 Avacado Lane
Gates
Get Directions

Roxwood

Roxwood Drive
Greece
Get Directions

The White Lady’s Castle

Durand-Eastman Park
Irondequoit
self-guided

Despite popular belief, the White Lady’s Castle at Durand Eastman Park is not an actual castle, but rather the façade of a former beachside dining hall called the Three Lakes Pavilion. However, rumors persist of a vengeful mother and her two large white dogs haunting the area.

Driving on Lake Shore Boulevard, you’ll find a little parking lot across from Lake Ontario, between Log Cabin Road and Zoo Road. Park and look up the hill to see this view of the White Lady’s Castle and the Legends & Lore marker.

So take a walk and see if you can find any rumored apparitions of the White Lady searching for her daughter. Rumor also has it that this story inspired the 1988 movie The Lady in White. And don’t forget the White Lady tree! Learn more about Durand Eastman at The Haunted History Trail of New York.

Paranormal Investigations

TIP: If you’re looking for support with your own paranormal activities, CITY News, in an interview with Monroe County Paranormal Investigations, said they are “dedicated to investigating the truth behind the paranormal, and they operate with a healthy sense of skepticism. This isn’t about the spooky and scary, but a look into the real and normal lives of some of Rochester’s paranormal investigators.” See also: (585) Magazine also interviewed M.C.P.I

What are your favorite paranormal activities?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.