The Kemper Center/Facebook
For those of us who love ghost stories, dark legends, eerie folklore, and all things haunted, the only thing better than visiting a haunted spot is to visit many. This is especially true for us travel enthusiasts. What better way to hit as many spooky destinations as possible than by embarking on a haunted road trip?
Although Wisconsin isn’t widely known as a state full of haunted locations, it has its share of ghost stories, spooky spots, and attractions that are perfect for those interested in the supernatural. From restaurants to hotels to mansions, it’s the perfect state to plan a fun and spooky road trip itinerary.
Kick off your journey at the Kemper Center in Kenosha. This Gothic-style mansion, originally built in 1861, has a haunting history. It initially served as the private home of a senator and in 1965 it was converted into a boarding school for girls. Visitors have reported hearing eerie whispers and footsteps — and some say they’ve even seen apparitions of figures or shadows in the windows.
Head north for more haunted attractions
After visiting the Kemper Center, head northwest and be sure to stop at Fork in the Road Restaurant in Mukwonago. The building had two fires in the span of five years, the second of which killed a 39-year-old woman in an upstairs apartment in 2015. Guests have reported flickering lights and glasses falling to the floor, smashing to pieces despite not being touched. According to employees, a faucet in the women’s bathroom turns on and off despite no one else being in the room, and they’ve heard their names being called but the kitchen manager denied ever summoning them.
Then head to the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. According to local legend, the ghost of the hotel’s first owner, Charles Pfister, continues to wander the halls. Guests say they’ve seen ghostly apparitions and heard unexplained noises — and some even claim to have had encounters with the ghost of Pfister himself.
Next up, head to Kewaunee to visit the Karsten Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted by three separate spirits: a one-time housekeeper named Agatha, as well as the previous owner William Karsten Sr. and his child grandson, Billy Karsten Jr. Guests have reported flickering lights, unexplained shadows, unusual odors, and the sensation of being watched by unseen eyes.
The last leg of your haunted journey
Located in De Pere, the Union Hotel’s history dates back to the late 1800s. Explore the historic charm of the hotel — but be prepared for the possibility of encountering spectral guests from another era. Guests and staff have reported lights turning on and off by themselves — and some say they’ve been served by a bartender who is mysteriously never seen again after providing their drinks.
Then make your way to Boy Scout Lane, which was named one of the most haunted roads in the world by Dangerous Roads. According to legends, a Boy Scout troop went on an ill-fated camping trip in the area in the mid-20th century. There are at least two versions of what happened to them: the first is that they were killed in a traffic accident, while the second says they were murdered by either their scout master or bus driver. Today, visitors report hearing the laughter of children and finding child-sized handprints on their cars.
Wrap up your trip at Summerwind Mansion, which has been described by some as the most haunted spot in Wisconsin. Located on the shore of West Bay Lake, the mansion is abandoned and in ruins — but its long history of ghostly encounters is still very much alive. According to legend, it’s been haunted since its construction in 1916, and in the 1970s, a family fled after just six months of living there because the mansion led them to the point of insanity. The mansion burned down in 1988, but the stone foundation and chimneys remain. You just may see or hear one (or more) of the following: a woman’s ghost, voices from empty rooms, and doors and windows that open and close on their own.
