Vermont’s “ghost towns” aren’t abandoned—they’re historic inns where you’ll sleep among the spirits. You can book Room 307 at Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, where tap-dancing ghost Boots Berry performs nightly, or explore underground tunnels at Hartness House Inn in Springfield. The Norwich Inn has hosted guests (living and otherwise) since 1797, while Waterbury’s Old Stagecoach Inn features helpful ghosts who tidy up after you. Each property offers detailed histories and specific encounters that’ll make your paranormal stay unforgettable.
Key Takeaways
- Green Mountain Inn in Stowe features Room 307, haunted by Boots Berry, a former stable hand and tap dancer since the 1800s.
- Hartness House Inn in Springfield offers underground tunnels and observatories with reported paranormal activity including mysteriously moving objects.
- Norwich Inn, operating since 1797, hosts ghostly encounters across 40 guest rooms in its Victorian-era buildings near Dartmouth College.
- Old Stagecoach Inn in Waterbury features self-operating doors and Margaret Spencer’s ghost in Room 2 wearing a white shawl.
- Brandon Inn and Saxtons River Inn, both National Register properties dating to the 1780s-1810s, welcome overnight guests seeking historic haunted experiences.
Green Mountain Inn: Where Boots Berry Still Dances in Stowe
Since 1833, the Green Mountain Inn has anchored Main Street in Stowe, Vermont. Its brick wings and double porches bear witness to nearly two centuries of mountain hospitality. You’ll discover haunted hospitality here, where presidents have slept and ghostly legends still echo through the halls.
The inn’s most famous resident never checked out. Boots Berry, a stable hand who ran away to join the circus as a tap dancer in the 1800s, reportedly haunts room 307 on the third floor. Staff and guests know his story well—late-night dancing echoes from empty rooms above. Legend holds he was born in Room 302 before becoming the inn’s most persistent guest.
Today’s 105 accommodations blend historic charm with modern comfort, but you’re not just booking a room in Stowe’s skiing headquarters. The property evolved from Mansfield House, a modest farmhouse that transformed into an inn as Stowe became a summer retreat for city dwellers. You’re checking into Vermont’s most spirited lodging, where past and present waltz together.
Hartness House Inn: Springfield’s Underground Mystery Mansion
Rising from Springfield’s northeastern outskirts, the Hartness House Inn beckons visitors with secrets that burrow deeper than its 1904 Shingle Style facade suggests.
You’ll discover underground observatories connected to the mansion’s basement through mysterious tunnels—built by former Vermont Governor James Hartness, who once hosted Charles Lindbergh here in 1927.
These subterranean chambers served as his personal retreat and, according to historic ghost stories, a prohibition-era speakeasy where spectral presences still roam.
Today, you can explore the Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making while experiencing reported paranormal activity—objects mysteriously moving in guest rooms.
The fieldstone-and-shingle mansion’s 35-acre estate offers you lodging, dining, and astronomical wonders.
Hartness, president of Jones and Lamson Machine Company, was at the peak of his business success when he constructed this ornate residence.
The tunnels also provide direct access to an equatorial turret telescope positioned on the estate’s sprawling lawn.
It’s Vermont’s most eccentric overnight destination, where history and mystery intertwine beneath your feet.
Norwich Inn: Nearly Two Centuries of Spectral Hospitality
While Springfield’s mysteries hide underground, Norwich’s spectral secrets unfold within Vermont’s oldest continuously operating inn. You’ll discover the Norwich Inn has welcomed travelers since 1797, when Colonel Jasper Murdock built what locals called “the finest mansion in Vermont.”
President James Monroe dined here in 1817, establishing its legendary status.
The 1889 fire that destroyed the original structure couldn’t erase its paranormal folklore. Dr. W.S. Bowles rebuilt this Victorian masterpiece in 1891, creating what the Hanover Gazette praised as “the handsomest little hotel in The Connecticut Valley.”
During Prohibition, the Inn’s colorful history continued as Mary “Ma” Walker sold bootleg alcohol, keeping the tavern tradition alive in defiance of the era’s restrictions.
Today’s 40 guest rooms across three buildings blend historic architecture with modern amenities—including an on-site brewery. Within a mile of the Inn, visitors can explore the Montshire Museum of Science, featuring over 150 exhibits across more than 100 acres. Current owners confirm what guests whisper: some visitors truly “check in but never leave” this haunted landmark.
Old Stagecoach Inn: Waterbury’s Self-Cleaning Haunted Rooms
At 18 North Main Street in Waterbury, a wealthy millionaire’s 1826 tavern has evolved into one of Vermont’s most accommodating haunts—where the ghosts apparently help with housekeeping.
The Old Stagecoach Inn’s historical restoration transformed this Federal-style structure into a Queen Anne mansion, now gracing the National Registry of Historic Places. Within its three floors, paranormal activity manifests in peculiarly helpful ways: housekeepers discover stripped and neatly folded bed linens, mysteriously rearranged furniture, and self-operating doors.
Margaret Spencer, the socialite who died here in 1947, reportedly appears in Room 2 wearing her white shawl. Ghost hunters detected energy fluctuations throughout the property, while guests experience rocking chairs moving independently and lights responding to skepticism. The inn also features a cozy library bar where guests gather to share their paranormal encounters. Staff members report such reluctance to work alone upstairs that they prefer to complete their duties in pairs.
Current innkeeper John Barwick remains unconvinced, though locals insist authentic Vermont buildings require resident spirits.
Brandon Inn and Saxtons River Inn: Vermont’s Oldest Ghostly Gathering Places
Some Vermont spirits prefer tidying guest rooms, but others gravitate toward establishments where generations of travelers have worn the floorboards smooth with their footsteps.
Where footsteps echo through centuries, Vermont’s spectral residents choose their haunts as carefully as any discerning traveler selects lodging.
Brandon Inn’s been welcoming guests since 1786, rebuilt in 1892 with Dutch Colonial flair after fire claimed the original structure. You’ll find 39 rooms where historical architecture meets modern comfort on four stories overlooking the Neshobe River.
The Pattis family’s maintained these family owned traditions since 1988, hosting everyone from politicians to sports teams. The inn serves as a community hub, hosting weddings, memorials, public meetings, and local events throughout the year. The Mitroff family brought Vermont Symphony concerts to the Inn’s lawn during their ownership from 1961 to 1983.
Down in Saxtons River, another ghostly gathering place has operated since 1817.
The current 1903 building features sixteen rooms with white clapboard walls straight from a Rockwell painting. Both inns earned National Register status, preserving centuries of stories—and perhaps restless spirits—within their walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Children Allowed to Stay at These Haunted Vermont Inns?
The more the merrier—yes, children can stay at these haunted Vermont inns. Children’s policies welcome young guests, and family-friendly accommodations guarantee you’ll all experience ghostly encounters together. These historic properties embrace visitors of every age seeking supernatural adventures.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Experience Paranormal Activity?
You’ll experience peak paranormal activity during summer heat waves and thunderstorms, when ghost stories multiply and haunted legends come alive. July and August offer ideal conditions, with electrical storms creating perfect circumstances for encountering supernatural phenomena at Vermont’s eerie locations.
Do Guests Need to Book Specific Haunted Rooms in Advance?
You don’t need haunted room reservations at Vermont’s spooky inns—standard booking works fine. Ghostly accommodations policies treat paranormal hotspots like Room 302 or Room 3 as regular rentals, letting you experience supernatural encounters without advance designation requirements.
Are Paranormal Investigation Tools Allowed During Overnight Stays?
You’ll find no explicit restrictions on ghost hunting equipment at Vermont’s haunted inns. Most properties don’t address paranormal investigation techniques in their policies, giving you freedom to explore with your preferred tools during overnight stays.
What Should I Do if I Encounter a Ghost During My Stay?
Stay calm, document what you’re witnessing, and inform inn staff immediately. They understand historical legends and safety precautions better than anyone. You’re free to request room relocation, though many travelers embrace these encounters as authentic experiences worth treasuring.
References
- https://greenmountainpeaks.com/2025/10/28/explore-vermonts-spookiest-inns-and-hotels/
- https://www.hauntedrooms.com/vermont/haunted-places/haunted-hotels
- https://www.vtmag.com/post/spooky-places-to-spend-the-night-in-vermont
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/vermont/haunted-hotels-vt
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g57415-d819665-r904026765-The_Lodge_at_Spruce_Peak-Stowe_Vermont.html
- https://lizzie-borden.com/ghost-tours/burlington/
- https://www.grayghostinn.com
- https://vtliving.com/hauntedlodging/
- https://urbanpostmortem.wordpress.com/tag/abandoned-hotel/
- https://nelivingmagazine.com/history-of-green-mountain-inn-vermont/
