Haunted Staycations in Connecticut: 5+ Inns & Hotels With Ghost Stories
Connecticut does cozy better than most places—creaky staircases, candlelit taverns, colonial-era inns, and shoreline hideaways that feel like they’ve been here forever. And sometimes, you even get a bonus ghost.
If you’re craving a fall (or year-round) staycation with a side of spooky, these Connecticut hotels and inns have long-standing reputations for paranormal activity—reported by guests, staff, and local legend.
The Griswold Inn (Essex, CT)
Historic Griswold Inn, Essex CT
Why stay: One of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country, The Griswold Inn has been welcoming guests in the historic seaport village of Essex since 1776—so you get all the candlelit, creaky-floorboard atmosphere without sacrificing comfort. The property leans into “historic, not dated,” with 34 charming rooms (no two alike), furnished with antiques and period reproductions. Some rooms have fireplaces, some look out onto Main Street “village life,” and others offer glimpses of the water.
Make it a full experience: The Gris is also a destination for food and drink: Historic Dining (classic American cuisine), a Wine Bar with tapas and an award-minded wine program, and a more casual Tap Room known for straightforward tavern fare like burgers, chowders, and fish ’n chips.
Why it’s said to be haunted:
Clarence: A mischievous ghost of a young man who reportedly passed away at the inn. Staff and visitors often attribute falling glasses to him, a running legend that even inspired a specialty cocktail named in his honor.
The Spectral Sea Captain: An apparition of a sea captain who has been spotted standing near the fireplace, staring out the window as if waiting for a ship to return to the harbor.
The Woman in White: A ghostly female figure frequently reported in Room 10 as well as moving through the building's common areas and hallways.
Auditory Phantoms: Guests and staff have reported hearing disembodied footsteps walking through empty hallways, faint music drifting from the Tap Room long after closing time, and mysterious voices.
Atmospheric Anomalies: Visitors have experienced sudden cold spots, drafts, and objects moving on their own.
The Captain Grant’s Bed & Breakfast (Preston, CT)
Captain Grants Bed & Breakfast, Room
Why stay: If you want a haunted staycation that still feels genuinely cozy, Captain Grant’s 1754 is basically built for it. This national historic Connecticut bed & breakfast sits in the countryside of Poquetanuck, positioned as a best-of-both-worlds base: between Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, and a short scenic drive to Mystic and the Mystic Coast—close to the action, but secluded enough to feel like a retreat.
What it’s like on-property: The experience is intentionally old-school and comforting. Each morning includes a full country breakfast—in summer, served on the deck, and in winter, by a roaring fire. They also lean into the “stay in” vibe with three decks, a four-acre backyard, and complimentary dessert plus wine/beer/soda available all day. It’s the kind of place where you can come back from Mystic Seaport or the casinos, pour a glass of wine, and settle into the quiet. A small signature touch: at bedtime, guests can enjoy a sip of crème sherry from the carafe in the room.
Extra historic layer: Next door is The Avery Home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site notes that the front was built in the 1600s as a blacksmith’s forge, later becoming a home in 1790, with an additional extension added in 1827. It keeps its historic character with wood-burning fireplaces, and it’s where the well-known Holly and Margaret rooms are located. The inn also calls out vintage décor, including antique décor, original artwork, and a mural in the stairway.
Why it’s said to be haunted:
The inn is said to house around a dozen resident spirits, including:
Mercy Adelaide Grant: Often spotted as a phantom figure looking out an upper-floor window in the Adelaide Room, famously remembered as waiting years for her husband to return.
Theodora: A spirit linked to Room 5 who is said to help guests locate lost items and occasionally tuck people into bed.
Revolutionary War Soldiers and Caretakers: Apparitions in period uniforms and a shy former caretaker spirit have also been reported.
Media and Public Attention: The historic property's reputation has grown significantly after being featured on television shows and networks like Netflix's 28 Days Haunted, HGTV, CNN, and A&E.
The Curtis House Inn (Woodbury, CT)
Curtis House Inn, Woodbury, CT
Why stay: If your ideal haunted staycation starts with real history (not manufactured “spooky”), the 1754 House delivers. Considered by many to be the oldest inn in Connecticut, it was built in 1736 and first opened to guests in 1754—and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Set in the Litchfield Hills, it’s the kind of place that feels instantly transportive: early New England character, a walkable small-town setting, and the sense that generations have passed through for weekends away, celebrations, and long dinners.
What it’s like on-property: The inn is intimate—just 10 uniquely appointed guest rooms—and the vibe is “historic, but easy.” Every room includes a king or queen bed and a private bathroom, plus modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, individual climate control, and complimentary Wi‑Fi. Some rooms add cozy sitting areas for reading or unwinding. (They even quote The Boston Globe calling the rooms “super clean with comfy beds,” which is exactly what you want when you’re sleeping in a building that’s been standing since the 1700s.) Mornings start simply with complimentary muffins and fresh coffee before you head out to explore Woodbury and the surrounding hills.
Dining + nightlife built in: A big part of the 1754 House experience is that you don’t have to leave the property to make a whole night of it. Their on-site restaurant has been recognized by The New York Times as a local favorite, with a refined, seasonal, chef-driven approach. For something more casual, there’s Flat Five, their blues tavern, where you can settle in by the fireplace with live music, tavern fare, and handcrafted cocktails—the perfect “end the night here” move.
Why it’s said to be haunted:
Guests and staff have frequently reported hearing phantom footsteps in empty corridors, mysterious rapping, and disembodied voices throughout the structure.
"Betty" in Room 16: A famous resident spirit named Betty is said to haunt Room 16, with some visitors and accounts claiming she occasionally tucks guests into bed.
Lucius Foote: Local lore points to Lucius Foote, a former owner who was reportedly murdered after winning a card game (with his body later found in a shed behind St. Paul's), as one of the lingering spirits.
Other Apparitions: Reports include a male entity dressed in 17th- or 18th-century clothing, a Confederate soldier said to frequent the liquor room, and the spirit of former worker Joseph Hardesty.
Captain Daniel Packer Inne (Mystic, CT)
The pub at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne
Why stay (and linger): Right in the heart of Mystic, the Captain Daniel Packer Inne is the kind of place that feels like it’s been part of the waterfront forever—because it has. Built on the Mystic River more than 250 years ago, the building was completed in 1756 by square‑rigger Captain Daniel Packer, bordering Water Street. The result is peak Mystic atmosphere: historic bones, a cozy “old inn” feel, and an experience that’s as much about stepping back in time as it is about grabbing a great meal.
What it’s like on-property: While it’s best known as a restaurant and pub (rather than a traditional “inn stay” today), it still trades on that classic inn ambiance—warm, intimate, and ideal for a rainy-night dinner or a fall weekend stop. Their site invites visitors to “step back in time” and experience the kind of hospitality guests would have enjoyed over 200 years ago. There’s also a strong nightlife angle: the pub is positioned as a place to unwind, with music every night and a come-as-you-are vibe for meeting up with friends after walking the village.
History worth calling out: The property remained in the Packer family and their descendants (the Keelers) from its founding until the late 1900s, then was restored in the 1980s by Richard and Lulu Kiley—and it remains in the family today. That continuity is part of what makes it feel less like a themed attraction and more like a living piece of Mystic.
Why it’s said to be haunted:
Built between 1754 and 1756 by Revolutionary War veteran Captain Daniel Packer, the historic building is said to be stalked by his spirit. Staff and guests report hearing heavy boot steps traipsing through empty rooms late at night, doors opening and closing on their own, and a maintenance worker even reported an out-of-body experience where the captain appeared to walk right through him.
A seven-year-old relative of the Packer family who reportedly died of scarlet fever at the inn in 1874. Ada is blamed for playful or eerie trickery, including a flickering chandelier, a self-activating fireplace, disembodied giggling, and small handprints or fingerprints repeatedly appearing on a second-floor window pane that staff clean off only for them to return.
Boardman House Inn Bed & Breakfast (East Haddam, CT)
Boardman House Inn Bed & Breakfast, East Haddam
Why stay: Boardman House Inn is a “treat yourself” kind of Connecticut stay—casual luxury in a beautifully restored Second Empire mansion built in 1860, set in the Connecticut River Valley. It’s romantic without being fussy, and it’s especially ideal if you want a weekend that feels tucked away, but still walkable to real things to do (and eat).
What it’s like on-property: The inn leans hard into comfort and atmosphere: think floor-to-ceiling windows, gleaming wood floors, marble bathrooms, and fireplaces—with some rooms offering private entrances. The guest rooms are described as a blend of antiques and modern touches, with details like plush down duvets and fine linens, oriental rugs, and even heated bathroom floors.
Location perks (walkable + weekend-friendly): One of the best parts is how close you are to quintessential East Haddam experiences. The inn notes it’s a short walk to the Goodspeed Opera House, plus nearby breakfast spots and restaurants, and “the river.” It’s also positioned as a great home base for exploring the region—nearby nature trails and easy drives to places like Gillette Castle State Park, Essex Steam Train, and coastal towns like Essex, Mystic, and Old Saybrook.
Why it’s said to be haunted:
The Apparition in the Library: Local rumors and regional ghost lore describe the ghost of a man dressed in old-fashioned, period clothing who has been seen smoking a cigar inside the inn's library.
Upper-Floor Hotspots: Paranormal accounts note that specific upper-floor bedrooms in the historic mansion have been highlighted as activity centers for supernatural energy.