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A large house with columns on the facade. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The 16 most haunted locations in Philly

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Editor's note: This article was originally published in October 2016 and has since been updated with the most recent information.

Philadelphia is steeped in history, so it may not come as a surprise that it's apparently rich in paranormal activity, too. From historic cemeteries where fallen soldiers were laid to rest to mansions where ex-wives weep their sorrows away, there are plenty of haunted places in Philly to be frightened by the spirits this Halloween. Here, we present 16 homes, buildings, and locations from north to south that have some of the spookiest stories to tell.

Can’t get enough of the Halloween content? We’ve got you covered. Check out a map of the area’s best fall foliage, tour around Philly’s most historic graveyards, or simply drop by a good pumpkin patch before the season’s over.

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Baleroy Mansion

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This ginormous 32-room estate in Chestnut Hill once earned the title "Most Haunted Home in America" due to the many reportings of ghosts, spirits, and other paranormal activity. It was the home of George Meade Easby, the grandson of Civil War hero George Meade.

Cliveden of the National Trust

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The Cliveden, or the Benjamin Chew House, was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of Germantown in 1777. Today the beautiful Georgian-style house sits on six acres and is apparently haunted by the soldiers who fought and died during battle.

A large house with a tan brick exterior and multiple chimneys. There are trees and a lawn surrounding the house. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Grumblethorpe

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Built way back in 1744, this was the home of John Wister, a Philadelphia merchant and wine importer. But during the Battle of Germantown, it was occupied by the British army's General James Agnew, who was ultimately shot and killed at this very site. His blood stains remain, and he is said to haunt the house.

The exterior of Grumblethorpe in Philadelphia. The facade is brown brick and there are red shutters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Laurel Hill Cemetery

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One of the city's many historic cemeteries has 70-plus acres of land for ghosts of the city's past to roam, including General George Meade. In fact, the cemetery hosts a haunted ghost tour around Halloween every year that’s very popular .

The Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. There are multiple above ground graves. The grave in the foreground is white with columns and a statue on top. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Philadelphia Zoo

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The John Penn House that stands on the grounds at the zoo is said to be haunted not by its namesake, but by a woman in a long dress who stands at the top of the staircase in the John Penn house. Reported paranormal activity has also been spotted at the Treehouse Building and the Pennrose Building. We'll stick to the cute animals, thank you.

A building at the Philadelphia Zoo. The exterior is white. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Eastern State Penitentiary

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The notorious prison in Fairmount, which housed the likes of criminals like Al Capone, is allegedly chockfull of spirits. It’s no surprise that the prison’s Terror Behind the Walls is one of the most popular Halloween attractions in the city.

A room in the Eastern State Pentitentiary. The walls have decayed peeling paint. There is a bed, desk, chair, table, and lamp with a fringed lampshade. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Independence Hall

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Apparently, the ghosts of Benjamin Franklin likes to make sure things are running smoothly at the place where he signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Same goes for Benedict Arnold.

The exterior of Independence Hall. The facade is red brick. There is a lawn in front. Photo by Melissa Romero

First Bank of the United States

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The ghost of Alexander Hamilton, the father of the American National Banking System, is said to haunt this bank in Old City. Very few will have experienced his haunting—the First Bank has been closed for 30 years. Still, it was awarded an $8 million state grant to help refurbish and reopen the 250-year-old bank. No word yet on whether the ghosts will stick around, post-opening.

The exterior of the First Bank of the United States. The facade is grey with columns. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

City Tavern

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The Founding Fathers' stomping grounds for beer and bites is said to be haunted by a bride and her friends that were killed when the tavern burnt down in 1834. People have claimed to see moving tables, clinking silverware, and a ghost in a wedding gown.

The interior of the City Tavern. There is a fireplace, tables, chairs, and works of art on the wall. Flickr user Norman Maddeaux

Powel House

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This gorgeous Georgian property was the home of Samuel Powel, the last Philly mayor under British rule and the first after Independence. He and his wife were considered a power couple and hosted many VIP parties. Like Independence Hall, the ghost of Benedict Arnold likes to make his way around here, too.

The exterior of the Powel House. The facade is red brick and there are white shutters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Washington Square

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One of William Penn’s original five squares, Washington Square actually served as a burial ground during the American Revolutionary War, and the sunny park we all know and love is actually built atop the graveyard. It’s said that the ghost of a Quaker woman named Leah haunted the park, protecting the fallen soldiers’ graves from robbers.

A path in Washington Square, Philadelphia. The path is lined with trees. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Physick House

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This family residence-turned-museum was most recently featured in an episode of SyFy’s Ghost Hunters TV show two years ago. But, while the hosts were trying to reach the spirits of former patients of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, the real ghost of the house is his ex-wife. She’s said to be found and heard weeping around the property, which she was banned from when the couple got divorced.

The exterior of the Physick House. The facade is red brick. There is a person riding a bicycle in the street in front. M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Betsy Ross House

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The good 'ole ghost of Betsy Ross is said to haunt her home in Old City. When it was featured on an episode of SyFy's "Ghost Hunters," the paranormal investigators claimed to hear loud moaning from certain areas of the house. As we always say, come for the ghosts, stay for the live sewing and cooking demos.

The exterior of the Betsy Ross House. The facade is red brick and there is a grey roof. There are white shutters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Academy of Music

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Yikes: Along the upper balconies of this historic theater, there have been reports of "invisible companions" leaving imprints on seats or pulling guests' hair.

The interior of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. There are multiple balconies and a large seating area on the main level. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Moshulu

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Before it was a floating restaurant, the Moshulu was a warship during World War I. Nearly 30 people have died aboard the boat, and staff report odd occurrences and paranormal activity, like lit candles onboard even after they've been extinguished.

The Moshulu ship in Philadelphia. There are multiple masts and the ship is black. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fort Mifflin

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This site, right by the airport, is where the 400 men at Fort Mifflin held the British navy at bay for weeks, allowing George Washington and his troops to travel safely to Valley Forge. It was also featured on a "Ghost Hunters" episode where they determined that there is definitely some "residual haunting" going on here.

An aerial view of Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

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Baleroy Mansion

This ginormous 32-room estate in Chestnut Hill once earned the title "Most Haunted Home in America" due to the many reportings of ghosts, spirits, and other paranormal activity. It was the home of George Meade Easby, the grandson of Civil War hero George Meade.

Cliveden of the National Trust

The Cliveden, or the Benjamin Chew House, was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of Germantown in 1777. Today the beautiful Georgian-style house sits on six acres and is apparently haunted by the soldiers who fought and died during battle.

A large house with a tan brick exterior and multiple chimneys. There are trees and a lawn surrounding the house. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Grumblethorpe

Built way back in 1744, this was the home of John Wister, a Philadelphia merchant and wine importer. But during the Battle of Germantown, it was occupied by the British army's General James Agnew, who was ultimately shot and killed at this very site. His blood stains remain, and he is said to haunt the house.

The exterior of Grumblethorpe in Philadelphia. The facade is brown brick and there are red shutters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Laurel Hill Cemetery

One of the city's many historic cemeteries has 70-plus acres of land for ghosts of the city's past to roam, including General George Meade. In fact, the cemetery hosts a haunted ghost tour around Halloween every year that’s very popular .

The Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. There are multiple above ground graves. The grave in the foreground is white with columns and a statue on top. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Philadelphia Zoo

The John Penn House that stands on the grounds at the zoo is said to be haunted not by its namesake, but by a woman in a long dress who stands at the top of the staircase in the John Penn house. Reported paranormal activity has also been spotted at the Treehouse Building and the Pennrose Building. We'll stick to the cute animals, thank you.

A building at the Philadelphia Zoo. The exterior is white. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Eastern State Penitentiary

The notorious prison in Fairmount, which housed the likes of criminals like Al Capone, is allegedly chockfull of spirits. It’s no surprise that the prison’s Terror Behind the Walls is one of the most popular Halloween attractions in the city.

A room in the Eastern State Pentitentiary. The walls have decayed peeling paint. There is a bed, desk, chair, table, and lamp with a fringed lampshade. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Independence Hall

Apparently, the ghosts of Benjamin Franklin likes to make sure things are running smoothly at the place where he signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Same goes for Benedict Arnold.

The exterior of Independence Hall. The facade is red brick. There is a lawn in front. Photo by Melissa Romero

First Bank of the United States

The ghost of Alexander Hamilton, the father of the American National Banking System, is said to haunt this bank in Old City. Very few will have experienced his haunting—the First Bank has been closed for 30 years. Still, it was awarded an $8 million state grant to help refurbish and reopen the 250-year-old bank. No word yet on whether the ghosts will stick around, post-opening.

The exterior of the First Bank of the United States. The facade is grey with columns. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

City Tavern

The Founding Fathers' stomping grounds for beer and bites is said to be haunted by a bride and her friends that were killed when the tavern burnt down in 1834. People have claimed to see moving tables, clinking silverware, and a ghost in a wedding gown.

The interior of the City Tavern. There is a fireplace, tables, chairs, and works of art on the wall. Flickr user Norman Maddeaux

Powel House

This gorgeous Georgian property was the home of Samuel Powel, the last Philly mayor under British rule and the first after Independence. He and his wife were considered a power couple and hosted many VIP parties. Like Independence Hall, the ghost of Benedict Arnold likes to make his way around here, too.

The exterior of the Powel House. The facade is red brick and there are white shutters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Washington Square

One of William Penn’s original five squares, Washington Square actually served as a burial ground during the American Revolutionary War, and the sunny park we all know and love is actually built atop the graveyard. It’s said that the ghost of a Quaker woman named Leah haunted the park, protecting the fallen soldiers’ graves from robbers.

A path in Washington Square, Philadelphia. The path is lined with trees. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Physick House

This family residence-turned-museum was most recently featured in an episode of SyFy’s Ghost Hunters TV show two years ago. But, while the hosts were trying to reach the spirits of former patients of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, the real ghost of the house is his ex-wife. She’s said to be found and heard weeping around the property, which she was banned from when the couple got divorced.

The exterior of the Physick House. The facade is red brick. There is a person riding a bicycle in the street in front. M. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

Betsy Ross House

The good 'ole ghost of Betsy Ross is said to haunt her home in Old City. When it was featured on an episode of SyFy's "Ghost Hunters," the paranormal investigators claimed to hear loud moaning from certain areas of the house. As we always say, come for the ghosts, stay for the live sewing and cooking demos.

The exterior of the Betsy Ross House. The facade is red brick and there is a grey roof. There are white shutters. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Academy of Music

Yikes: Along the upper balconies of this historic theater, there have been reports of "invisible companions" leaving imprints on seats or pulling guests' hair.

The interior of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. There are multiple balconies and a large seating area on the main level. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Moshulu

Before it was a floating restaurant, the Moshulu was a warship during World War I. Nearly 30 people have died aboard the boat, and staff report odd occurrences and paranormal activity, like lit candles onboard even after they've been extinguished.

The Moshulu ship in Philadelphia. There are multiple masts and the ship is black. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fort Mifflin

This site, right by the airport, is where the 400 men at Fort Mifflin held the British navy at bay for weeks, allowing George Washington and his troops to travel safely to Valley Forge. It was also featured on a "Ghost Hunters" episode where they determined that there is definitely some "residual haunting" going on here.

An aerial view of Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons