A Bit of Haunted History
Halloween in Cincinnati wasn’t always about pumpkins and candy. In the early 1900s, according to local archives, trick-or-treat mischief took form in wild ways; corn kernels thrown, cabbages catapulted, and even foot-deep craters appearing in roadways on Oct. 31.
Masquerade parties were a big deal too: by the 1910s, downtown Cincinnati’s Cuvier Press Club threw an annual Halloween parade that drew tens of thousands.
Fast forward to today, and the spirit lives on, only now it’s haunted houses, themed bars, and ghost tours instead of cabbage fights.
So when you see the skyline lit orange this October, know you’re part of a long-standing Cincy tradition.
Spooky Sidebar: A Ghostly Corner of Cincy
Legend has it that the Spring House Gazebo in Cincinnati’s Eden Park is haunted. The story: a ghostly woman in a black dress has been spotted around the gazebo and mirror lake at dusk in the autumn season. Creepy, right?
Next time you’re wandering late in the park with a blanket and hot cider, keep an eye out for her. Bonus: bring a friend who doesn’t mind your weirdness.
Dare you to check it out.
Cincy’s Best Attractions
Here are some standout places around Cincinnati for Halloween thrills:
USS Nightmare (Newport, KY): This haunted steamboat is literally built on a retired dredge boat. The back story makes it extra creepy.
The Dent Schoolhouse (Cincinnati): Dubbed one of Cincy’s scariest haunted houses — expect intense themes, dark corridors, and lots of jump-scares.
Cincinnati Fear Fest (Williamsburg): A massive haunted village event with multiple houses, scare zones, live entertainment, vendors and more.
Tip: Many of these fill up fast, so buy tickets ahead, pick off-peak nights if you’re new to haunted houses, and bring a group (scares are more fun together).
Cincy’s Top 4 Most Haunted Places
1. Cincinnati Music Hall (Over-the-Rhine)
Why it’s haunted:
The building was constructed on land that once contained a pauper’s cemetery (“potter’s field”) and an orphanage, so many unmarked or disturbed graves may lie beneath its foundations.
Staff and visitors report strange things: phantom footsteps, ghostly figures in boxes, odd noises from the stage or backstage.
2. Taft Museum of Art
Why it’s haunted:
Formerly a residence (built 1820) and converted museum, it is said to host still the spirits of the original occupants (the Taft family). Staff report unexplained noises, items moving, and feeling watched.
4. Arnold’s Bar & Grill (Downtown Cincinnati)
Why it’s haunted:
Cincinnati’s oldest continuously operating bar (over 150 years) with elevators of history and plenty of time for ghost stories to accumulate. Visitors and staff report glasses floating off racks, pounding on walls in bathrooms with no one there, lights turning off by themselves.
5. Spring Grove Cemetery
Why it’s haunted:
The cemetery is historic (U.S. National Historic Landmark) and has legends e.g., the bust of C.C. Breuer whose eyes are said to follow visitors, and sightings of two white hounds that appear when visitors are on the mausoleum steps.
What else can you do to celebrate?
“Eat. Drink. Get Spooked: Halloween Happenings in the 513”
From local restaurants doing themed menus to family-friendly trick-or-treat events, here are some picks:
For the latest full calendar of events in the region, check out Visit Cincy’s Halloween guide.
Family “Haunted Village” event at Heritage Village Museum: Costumes encouraged, burgers & snacks, folks of all ages welcome. Heritage Village Cincinnati
🍸 Spookiest Cocktail in the 513: “Black Magic Margarita” at Ghost Baby
🍿 Best Scary Movie Screening: Esquire Theatre’s Rocky Horror night
🍰 Creepiest Treat: Sleepy Hollow cupcakes from Brown Bear Bakery
🐶 Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade: Washington Park, Sunday, 2 p.m
That’s a wrap for our first-ever edition of Nati Notes! Thanks for joining us on this haunted little ride through the Queen City’s darker corners. Cincinnati’s full of stories, and this is just the beginning. Keep an eye on your inbox for our next edition
Until then, stay spooky 👻 and stay Cincy.