Most folks agree that the strangest thing about this place is how narrow it is. We also love visiting Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden. Despite talks of revitalization, the former Palace and Majestic Theaters in downtown Bridgeport sit empty. And thats obviously not counting millennia of Native American activity before written history. Or at worst, mess with our WiFi network in one specific room on the property, as our IT specialist has decided. Apparently, its inhabitants have lived happy, peaceful lives for centuries. Cross the Housatonic River into New Haven County to find even more of the most haunted places in CT. East Windsor. However, as machinery began to replicate the work, the Bridgeport factory became irrelevant. A hike here gives a glimpse into this abandoned industrial site. The area around the village is said to be haunted by the spirits of fairies. We created this guide to the best hikes in Connecticut so that you can explore some of the states most beautiful parks, trails, and landscapes! After several bouts of starting and stopping to gage the distance from her (about fifty feet), she finally shouted. Mountain Gate & Mountain Trails offers 1-2 bedroom rentals starting at $1,385/month. Wallingford, CT 06492. During its heydey in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Sterling Opera House was the center of Vaudeville entertainment in Lower Naugatuck Valley. So excited for you to explore Connecticut. Go swimming and have a picnic at Burr Pond, then hike the trails and learn about the . This easy trail is the perfect place to go on a leisurely hike with your dog or with kids, as theres so much to see and do along the dirt paths. 1) Dunnellen Hall. Find out the full story of Factory Hollow. County: Hartford. It attracts hunters, hikers, and bikers, too. At the time, many people filed lawsuits after the discovered that patients were subject to abuse and poor living conditions. Situated in the middle of Bigelow Hollow State Park, this trail feels like a complete escape from civilization. The house is set too far back from the road and protected by a high fence to permit much of a view. In 1958, the shoreline medical facility was repurposed for treating elderly patients and then later those who were mentally challenged. , which was the sight of everything from demonic possessions to grisly suicides. And famed Famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren claimed to have caught a glimpse of the White Lady during their visit. Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery in Burlington (Green Lady Cemetery) is said to be haunted by "The Green Lady". Website Design by Q4Launch. Dudleytown went a bit crazy after some paranormal experts highlighted it in the 1970s. The story goes that as they were traveling, a wagon wheel broke. After the beheading of their father, the Dudley's fled to America in hopes of escaping the curse. Select State: News & Info. Its beautiful, its fun, its challengingand it combines all of the best things about hiking in Connecticut in one 8.9-mile stretch. If you'd like to visit some of these abandoned places in Connecticut, then you need to try out our road trip that's not for the faint of heart! Directions: From Hartford, head northwest on Albany Avenue for 2.1 miles and turn right onto CT-189 N. Drive for 0.8 miles and slight left CT-185 W and continue for another 4.8 miles. Each trail is bound to be populated by chainsaw-wielding maniacs and plenty of other characters you won't want to meet face-to-face. 4.67 miles. Gordon Ramsey featured this historic inn in his aptly-named show, Hotel Hell. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In the 20th century, the campus of Fairfield Hills State Hospital in Newtown served those who experienced severe mental illnesses. Developers have demolished the majority of the Norwich State Hospital campus to add new facilities on the site. If youre a fan of the paranormal, youll have no trouble finding some spooky places in Connecticut. The most frightening aspect, though, was the head, which was a collection of snakes. Some say its simply science while others claim an otherworldly spirit is pulling you uphill. Many people have reported hearing the ghost of 9-year-old Hannah Tracy Huntington at this 341-year-old inn-turned-tavern-turned-museum. Ive lived here two hundred years, and have never seen a ghost. Most of the Greenwich ghost stories below were curated by Carl White, Local History Librarian at Greenwich Library. Thank you! Plus, its a short trail, so the steep ascent doesnt last long. However, those who have ventured out into some of the abandoned sections of the campus have claimed to have seen shadow figures roaming the grounds. Some of the first people to be buried in this remote cemetery in Ansonia were Civil War soldiers and children, which adds to the eeriness of this graveyard. Have you journeyed along one of the most haunted trails in Connecticut? This city has quite the haunted past. Did you hear that? We're hiring. If youre looking for the best state parks in Connecticut, we know just where you should go. Town Hall Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30 A.M. to 4:45 P.M. Tax Collector's Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. . EVP sessions inside the building have conjured up orbs and voices that supposedly belong to patients who have died inside the facility. now for rental rates and other information about this property. This road in Shelton, Connecticut, is quite pretty during the day. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY: With more than 400 miles explored and "no end in sight," Mammoth Cave boasts the country's longest cave system, and an impressively haunted history. Fortunately, those looking to be scared out of their wits won't have to rely on their imaginations. Follow one of the most haunted trails in Connecticut to see if you experience anything otherworldly. As one of Connecticuts coolest hidden attractions, we'd recommend visiting during every season just to see the difference and to capture awesome photos. Which state parks should I visit in Connecticut? Farmington River Trail. Over the years, guests complained of strange noises throughout the Inn: While the Homestead Inn is currently closed for renovation, you can get your ghost sightings in starting in 2023! 60 N Plains Hwy. Crude medical equipment and reminders of its dark past littering the ground? What avid hikers like the most about this trail is that its a really good workout, with several scrambling areas and a very steep, leg burning uphill that makes the views at the top even more rewarding. Union Cemetery in Easton, for example, is said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States. Snake Meadow Hill Road in Sterling is also said to be haunted. Today, Connecticut State Police arrest trespassers with fines starting at $75. Which is what all good ghost stories are, after all. Visit our Complete Day Hiking Packing List for our full list and our top gear recommendations. Permanently Closed. A moderately difficult 1.5-mile trail will take you to the top of this summit, where you can climb the tower and catch views of the Long Island Sound, as well as the surrounding mountains and forests. What are the creepiest places in Connecticut? Wadsworth Little Falls. The boy would play his flute to entertain her, especially near what is now the Bruce Museum. Many believe Mrs. Gorton drowned him. Each step takes you closer to the exit, or does it? Sesame Seed. You almost can't believe that a train could possibly fit! The Shade Swamp Sanctuary was opened in 1934 and abandoned in the 1960s. After all, you'll be standing in a tunnel where trains used to run and on a trail that used to be covered in tracks. One of the best examples of this is Burlington, a town that is home to a former prison and a spooky cemetery in Connecticut. With rocky summits, beautiful forests, serene waterways, and picturesque fall foliage, Connecticut has a wide variety of stunning nature areas to explore. One of the most popular trails includes the blue-blazed Macedonia Ridge Trail. A relative suffered nightmares that led them to believe Mary was buried alive, a fairly common occurrence at the time. Did you know Connecticut is known to be full of ghosts? LINC Trail. The coal miners who built the tunnel actually hailed from Pennsylvania. If You Go: The 800-acre Shade Swamp Sanctuary in on the north side of Route 6 (Scott Swamp Road) in Farmington, just east of New Britain Avenue, just behind the rustic, dilapidated wooden shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. While "the White Lady" ghost of this cemetery is often overshadowed by the nearby Union Cemetery, one thing that stands out about this cemetery is that the famous paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren are buried here. Remember to respect any no trespassing signs and stick to the marked trails. Thats an incredible goal! 9. It connects at both ends with the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail to create a frequently used 26-mile loop. Some of these locations require hiking so make sure you wear hiking boots or sneakers. Print/PDF map. Visit Devil's Hopyard and find your own answer to this age-old mystery. Talcott Mountain Yellow Trail. On her epitaph is written a phrase from the book of Job, The people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away. In the context of the biblical story, its a statement about being resigned to fate. Check. According to local legend, the body of the ghost was that of a woman. The Pachaug State Forest was once inhabited by a small community, and some proof of that is still visible. Wadsworth Falls State Park. Email: info@stantonhouseinn.com What are the best waterfall hikes in Connecticut? By the 1850s the settlement had been abandoned. Even better, this is one of the few complexes in Yorba Linda that is FHA/VA APPROVED making this unit perfect if you are buying your new home with a low down payment! But don't let this straight path fool you! So keep driving east to the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. Andrew DaRosa andrew.darosa@hearstmediact.com, Evan Wagstaff evan.wagstaff@sfchronicle.com @EvanWagstaff. The site of this former mental institution is now quite a pleasant place, with walking trails and the site of several non-profit organizations. Visitors say these trails can get busy, so wed strongly recommend going in the early morning to catch sunrise on the water and avoid the main crowds that tend to arrive later in the day. Without a commute, he suddenly had time on his . There is also a throne at the center of the village, and the folklore is that if one sits in it, they will die in seven years. Halloween has become a month-long celebration in Connecticut, especially among older kids who want to scare themselves half to death. But the inside is still abandoned, and has been so for decades. Local folklore has it that the former caretaker of the cemtery, who had a hook for a hand, hanged himself from a tree in the cemtery. No lurking ghosts of lions or tigers or bears, oh my! . Connecticut's Farmington River Trail | Photo by Liz Sewell. Whether they're escaped mental patients or an experiment gone wrong, the story goes that if you drive down this road at night, you will have objects tossed at your car, and in some cases, the mellon heads will even chase you. Witnesses claim to see a pair of glowing red eyes glaring out of bushes in the cemetery. Ledyard Trail Data (ZIP file) Conservation Corner Articles. One guest claimed to hear unexplained footsteps pacing all night long in a second floor guest room, Another woman claimed she saw the figure of a ghostly woman in an old fashioned dress looking out the window of another guest room, located directly above the figurehead. 216 within 3 miles. There are reports that the location was the base of operations for infamous bootlegger Dutch Schultz, who was said to have killed people in the building. The best times to visit this trail . Before Urban Outdoors, she worked at Bain & Company, National Geographic, and built and sold Jetfarer, a travel media company. Follow her at taylorellisblogger.com. The town of Newtown acquired the entire parcel of land in 2004 from the state. The park is located just a mile and a half away from the ruins of Bara-Hack. For starters, head over to Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison. . Love Connecticut? It remains to be seen how the spirits representing the orbs and disembodied voices inside the buildings will like the new changes. It makes sense, after all, considering that Connecticut is one of the oldest states, and one of the first colonies settled by Westerners. Tom Tower Loop wont disappoint. 52 miles of it runs through Connecticut, starting at the New York border and working its way up to Massachusetts. The sanctuary rehabilitated injured animals but is also rumored to have performed experiments on animals as well. , a full three decades before the much more famous ones in Salem, Massachusetts. Are you ready to get started on the Connecticut Abandoned Places Road Trip?