A Shiver Down Your Spine: Haunted Greenwich Village
New Yorkers are practical, busy, and no-nonsense people. The scariest thing for most is missing that subway connection when trying to get to an important meeting on time. We simply don’t have time for ghosts and spirits. But they seem to have time for us, especially in New York’s spookiest neighborhood. Greenwich Village is no stranger to the macabre and possibly supernatural. With its winding streets, old buildings, and hidden corners, it is the perfect backdrop for ghostly legends and eerie encounters. A neighborhood known for jazz, poets, writers, artists, and bohemians, Greenwich Village has also influenced those drawn to the darker elements of life such as Aleister Crowley, Edgar Allan Poe, and H.P. Lovecraft. And for good reason, as among those maze of streets and elegant architecture are some of the city’s most haunted places. As Halloween approaches, it’s time to explore where history and the supernatural intertwine.
1. The House of Death (14 West 10th Street)
Perhaps the most infamous haunted location in Greenwich Village, the “House of Death” earned its grim nickname for a very good reason. Built in the 1850s, this brownstone was the site of many tragedies over the years. It is said that more than 20 spirits haunt the premises, including that of author Mark Twain, who lived here in the early 1900s. Twain reportedly appears in a white suit, occasionally grumbling about life’s misfortunes. Other residents have spoken of unsettling cold spots, ghostly figures, and tragic accidents linked to the house. The most notorious event took place in 1987 when the horrific murder of six year old Lisa Steinberg by her adoptive father Joel Steinberg occurred here, further deepening the house’s dark reputation.
2. The Merchant’s House Museum (29 East 4th Street)
Frozen in time, the Merchant’s House Museum is not only one of the best-preserved 19th-century homes in New York, but it’s also considered one of the most haunted. The house, built in 1832, was owned by the Tredwell family for nearly a century. Visitors and staff have reported strange occurrences, from doors opening on their own to the inexplicable sounds of footsteps and voices. Some claim that the spirit of Gertrude Tredwell, the last family member to live in the house, roams its halls, unwilling to leave the home she cherished. Around Halloween, the museum even offers candlelit ghost tours for those brave enough to experience the eerie atmosphere firsthand.
3. Washington Square Park
Beneath the picturesque beauty of Washington Square Park lies a darker past. Before it became the heart of Greenwich Village’s outdoor green space, the park was once a potter’s field—a mass grave for the city’s poor, executed criminals, and victims of yellow fever. It’s said that over 20,000 bodies remain buried under the park’s grounds. Visitors have reported strange apparitions, particularly near the park’s famous arch. Some claim to see shadowy figures drifting through the trees or hear the echo of footsteps in the night. The park’s haunting energy is a reminder of its grim origins, making it a prime spot for ghostly encounters.
4. One If By Land, Two If By Sea (17 Barrow Street)
This upscale restaurant, housed in a more than 200 hundred year old house, has earned a reputation for more than just its fine dining. The building once belonged to Aaron Burr, the third vice president of the United States, notorious for his deadly duel with Alexander Hamilton. Some say Burr’s spirit lingers here, but it’s the ghost of his daughter, Theodosia Burr Alston, who is often seen roaming the restaurant, mourning her tragic disappearance at sea. Waitstaff and diners alike have reported unexplained cold drafts, flickering lights, and even glasses mysteriously falling from shelves. This haunted history adds an extra chill to the restaurant’s already moody ambiance.
5. The Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street)
Tucked away on a quiet street, the Cherry Lane Theatre is a historic off-Broadway venue with a haunted past. The building was once a brewery before being transformed into a theater in the 1920s. Some believe that the spirits of former workers and actors still haunt its corridors. Actors and crew members have spoken of strange occurrences during rehearsals—props moving on their own, eerie cold drafts backstage, an inexplicable sense of being watched, and even a white mist in the lobby. The theater’s dark and intimate setting makes it the perfect place for ghost stories, with some claiming that spectral audience members occasionally attend performances.
6. The White Horse Tavern (567 Hudson Street)
Famous for its connection to writers and artists like Dylan Thomas, the White Horse Tavern has a history filled with literary legends—and possibly ghosts. Dylan Thomas famously drank here on the night he passed away in 1953, and some patrons have claimed to see his ghost sitting at the bar, nursing a pint. But Thomas isn’t the only spirit said to haunt the tavern. With its dark wood paneling and atmospheric lighting, the White Horse has long been associated with paranormal activity. Ghostly apparitions, unexplained cold spots, and strange noises make it a must-visit for anyone looking to connect with the Village’s eerie past.
One doesn’t have to believe in ghosts and spirits to enjoy and appreciate the Halloween season in our neighborhoods. Enjoy a delicious meal, grab a drink, admire the changing leaves in the park, or take a fun haunted tour. This time of year is a call to celebrate life, think about what the past year has brought, and a gentle reminder of our own mortality. Take a stroll among these winding streets and actually take the time to see the beautiful architecture of centuries-old buildings that speak of lives lived long before we were here. Ghost stories may only be tall tales, and that chill you feel may only be a cold breeze, but they may also be signs from a world beyond telling us to take nothing for granted. Happy Halloween to all!