Top 7 Haunted Places In Illinois, USA

haunted places in illinois
Sin Yee
Sin Yee 
Updated
| 4 min read

Illinois is a midwestern state in the USA with the well-known Mississippi River to its west. It is also where the famous 16th president of the USA, Abraham Lincoln, spent most of his life. However, the most famous part of Illinois has to be the City of Chicago, known for its metropolitan-style architecture and skyscrapers. But do you know that there are also places with a fair bit of history? Although some of those places are known to be haunted, they are still really attractive to a lot of travelers who want to experience the haunted history of those places. We’ve summed up a few of the haunted attractions in this article, ranging from hotels to cemeteries, for your next trip. Read on to find out more about the top haunted places in Illinois, USA.

1. Robinson Woods

haunted places in illinois | robinson woods
Source: instagram

Robinson Woods, located in Chicago, was once owned by Alexander Robinson. He used to be the chief of several American-Indian tribes including the Pottawatomies, Ottawa, and Chippewa nations. Robinson Woods is the burial ground for both Alexander Robinson and his family. There have been sightings of the spirits of Alexander Robinson and his family at nighttime and visitors also reported prominent scents of lilacs near the graves during the winter. But haunted story aside, Robinson Woods is also a famous picnic ground. Since this wooded area is situated along the Des Plaines River, you can also see lots of deer, resting birds, beavers and butterflies. If you are looking for a tranquil space for a picnic with your family and friends, Robinson Woods would be a pretty great choice.

Robinson Woods-South

Address: W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60706, United States

Website: Robinson Woods-South

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Visited this place?

2. Congress Plaza Hotel (from USD 139)

Congress Plaza Hotel is a 124-year-old historic, grand hotel located in the City of Chicago. There are myths of ghost sightings on various levels of the hotel including Al Capone, an old Scarface on the eighth floor, Peg Leg Johnny who loves to play with the room electronics and lights as well as a little mischievous boy in Room 441. These urban myths might seem scary but travelers definitely aren’t shunned by these stories since Congress Plaza Hotel is still a popular choice among travelers and we can totally understand why. Rooms in the hotel have high ceilings, huge bathrooms and are decorated with grand, classic looking furniture. The Congress Lounge has comfortable leather couches to allow guests to chill and catch a glimpse of the panoramic city landscape of Chicago. The location of this hotel is also really good since attractions such as the Art Institute of Chicago and Buckingham Fountain are within a short walking distance away.

Visited this place?

Congress Plaza Hotel Chicago

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 520 South Michigan Avenue
822 meters (0.6 ft) from Millennium Park

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Golf course (within 3 km)

3. Hotel Baker

Hotel Baker, St. Charles, ILL
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ektachrome by Joh... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Hotel Baker is another historic hotel located in St Charles, about 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the City of Chicago. This hotel is known to be haunted by one of its former chambermaids who drowned herself after her lover left her. There have been reports from guests who heard her cries and had their bed linens disturbed even though no one else has had access to the room. But haunted stories aside, this hotel is really classic and beautiful. They first opened in 1928 and a lot of furnishings from that time have been retained, giving the hotel an elegant vibe. There are 53 rooms in the hotel, all equipped with marble-tiled bathrooms and superior carpeted floors. Delicious breakfasts are also complimentary during the weekdays and if you are looking for a delectable grilled spread, visit their on-site restaurant, the ROX City Grill, for some luscious fare.

Hotel Baker

Address: 100 W Main St, St. Charles, IL 60174, United States

Price: from 179 USD

Star Rating: 3 Star

Travelers Review: 4.4 (from 507 reviews)

Book Now

Visited this place?

4. Bachelor's Grove Cemetery

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery GravE StonE
Source: Photo by user Antonio Bovino used under CC BY 2.0

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery is situated in Midlothian, Illinois, within an oak forest, and it is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the area. There are a lot of ghost sightings that have been reported by visitors, including a lady carrying an infant dressed in white who only appears during the full moon, and a two-headed ghost who is always sighted near the slough. If you are in for a haunted adventure, you might want to consider visiting the cemetery to learn about the history of this place and the people who are buried there.

Bachelor's Grove Cemetery, Chicago

Address: 5900 W Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, IL 60445, United States

Website: Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, Chicago

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

Visited this place?

5. Ashmore Estates

Ashmore Estates Exterior
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mikefall2 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Ashmore Estates located in Ashmore, Illinois, is a historical building built in 1916. It used to be an almshouse before Ashmore Estates purchased it and reformed it to a psychiatric facility until 1986. No one really knows what the building used to house so there are a lot of myths spreading around. Paranormal activities had also been reported. Since 2006, the property had become a famous haunted landmark in Illinois under the ownership of Robbin & Norma Terry. They now offer ghost investigations and tours to the public, so if you and your group of friends are interested in the history of this landmark, this tour is a really great activity to experience.

Ashmore Estates

Address: 22645 E Co Rd 1050 N, Ashmore, IL 61912, United States

Website: Ashmore Estates

Visited this place?

6. Showmen's Rest

ShowmensRestStatue
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user 6th Happiness used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Showmen’s Rest, located in Forest Park within the Woodlawn Cemetery in Illinois, might just be one of the scariest haunted places on the list. This plot of land is a burial ground for circus performers who used to work for the Showmen’s League of America. A train wreck in 1918 killed about 58 people and all of them were buried within the grounds of Woodlawn Cemetery. Elephant statues can also be found surrounding the burial ground with their trunks lowered to symbolize mourning.

Showmen's Rest

Address: Unnamed Road, Forest Park, IL 60130, United States

Website: Showmen’s Rest

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Visited this place?

7. Greenwood Cemetery

Unknown Soldier's Grave
Source: Photo by user Dave Wright used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Greenwood Cemetery is located in Decatur in Illinois and it has had a long history. It was a burial ground since the 1820s, but only became recognized in 1857. There have been reports from visitors saying that they’ve heard scary screams and have seen strange lights from inside the area. Reported sightings also included soldiers in torn uniforms walking around the yard as well as a figure of a bride walking around. This cemetery is open to the public so anyone is free to take a tour if they are brave enough.

Greenwood Cemetery

Address: 606 S Church St, Decatur, IL 62522, United States

Website: Greenwood Cemetery

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Visited this place?

Fascinating haunted places

If you haven’t, you should really go on a tour and experience the spooky places that are bound to make your hair stand. A lot of the attractions offer guided tours as well, so if you are interested in history and are looking for a unique experience, a haunted tour is really a great option.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Sin Yee is a small-business owner, freelance writer, and content creator. At Basic Theory, she specializes in crafting all-natural, synthetic-free skin and body care products. Beyond her business,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Illinois
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.