Five of the Most Haunted Restaurants in the Country Are in New England
New England is home to plenty of charm, character, and history as the oldest region in the United States. It also happens to have quite a few hauntings, ghost stories, and other peculiar happenings. Those paranormal encounters aren't just relegated to creepy inns or rustic farmhouses. Some of the most popular restaurants throughout the region are filled with unexplained occurrences.
According to Far & Wide, five of the most haunted restaurants in the entire country reside in New England. Each of them has interesting stories to tell. Those ghost stories haven't kept patrons away either, as all five restaurants remain popular in their communities. Let's take a ghastly road trip and see where you can have a delicious fright night out.
Jameson Tavern - Freeport, Maine
It's not exactly a secret amongst locals that some strange happenings have occurred at Jameson Tavern in Freeport. The building has been standing since 1779, and over the course of more than two centuries, it has seen some things.
There have been many instances of unexplained behavior within the Tavern over many years. Perhaps the most infamous sighting is that of a little girl named Emily. Legend has it that Emily once lived in the Tavern, and both visitors and employees have reported sightings of a little girl in a dress scurrying around corners in the restaurant.
Twisted Vine - Derby, Connecticut
The Twisted Vine has more than just ghost stories to tell. Before it was a bustling restaurant, the building was actually a bank. The bank portion plays a key role in why so many believe the Twisted Vine is haunted. After a business deal went sideways, the bank's manager committed suicide, and is believed to haunt the premises. Not only that, but a pair of powerful hurricanes disrupted a nearby cemetery, and some of the old souls may have found their way inside the bank's old vault.
Twisted Vine doesn't shy away from its haunted past. They embrace it. Guests visit with anticipation of encountering spirits, and the restaurant holds after-hours events where professional paranormal hunters guide you through the depths of the building.
White Horse Tavern - Newport, Rhode Island
The White Horse Tavern in Newport has two claims to fame. It's the oldest known restaurant in the history of the country, and has a whole lot of hauntings going on, too. Since the business has been operational since the 1600s, there have been quite a few guests that have made their way through the tavern. Apparently, some never left.
One of the most infamous stories is the little girl crying near the bathrooms of the tavern. Several patrons have reported seeing a phantom, but mostly just hearing the little girl weeping. Another of the most notable ghost sightings at the tavern is of a man dressed in colonial garb who attempts to warm himself by the fireplace in the evening.
Stone's Public House - Ashland, Massachusetts
While this list is filled with historic properties and peculiar hauntings, the story behind the soul-stirring at Stone's Public House is downright grisly. The most notable comes from an alleged high stakes poker game gone sideways. After one of the players was caught cheating, he was murdered and buried in the depths of the Stone House to keep it a secret.
Another grisly tale comes from the 1800s, where a little girl was reportedly hit by a train and killed. Her bloodstained dress was found inside Stone's Public House and removed by an employee. That disruption has caused hauntings from the little girl's soul at the restaurant for decades.
Norwich Inn - Norwich, Vermont
In the case of the Jasper Murdoch Alehouse at the Norwich Inn, it's all about a friendly ghost. Don't confuse Jasper with Casper. The Norwich Inn has a rich history, and its omnipresent ghost is thanks to some dirty deeds done dirt cheap.
The Norwich Inn didn't make Far & Wide's list, but it probably should have. Ma Walker is the ghost that has consistently haunted the inn and the alehouse. The Inn ran a speakeasy out of the basement during the prohibition era, and Ma Walker was the conductor of the illegal alcohol train.
When her time was up, Ma decided she didn't want to leave the inn. Room 21 is believed to be Ma's favorite hangout in case you're looking for that extra dose of spooky.
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