5 Haunted Locations on the Upper West Side of NYC

Part of what makes the Upper West Side such a compelling place for ghost stories is its mix of grandeur and memory. The neighborhood is full of historic buildings, cultural landmarks, and places tied to celebrity, tragedy, and long-ago lives. That combination gives it a strong atmosphere, and atmosphere is exactly what haunted legends need to survive. Whether you believe in ghosts or just enjoy a good story, the UWS offers some of the most memorable supernatural lore in New York City.

1. The Dakota

No haunted Upper West Side list is complete without The Dakota. Standing at the edge of Central Park West and West 72nd Street, this iconic building is as famous for its Gothic beauty as it is for its ghostly reputation. Since the late 19th century, stories have circulated about apparitions, unexplained noises, and residents who claim to have encountered spirits in its halls. The Dakota’s mystique is only deepened by its tragic connection to John Lennon, whose murder outside the building in 1980 made it one of New York’s most haunting addresses. Even people who don’t believe in ghosts tend to agree that The Dakota carries an unsettling, unforgettable energy.

2. The Ansonia

The Ansonia, at Broadway and 74th Street, is another Upper West Side landmark with a spooky reputation. Built as a lavish residential hotel, it was once one of the grandest buildings in Manhattan, with ornate architecture that still turns heads today. Over the years, it has been linked to all kinds of eerie stories, from odd sounds in the halls to claims of strange presences lingering in its old rooms. Part of the building’s haunted appeal comes from its history as a place of excess, performance, and drama; for a long time, it housed performers, musicians, and public figures, which only adds to the sense that the walls have absorbed more than their share of unforgettable stories. For ghost hunters, The Ansonia offers the perfect blend of elegance and unease.

3. The Van Der Voort Sisters

The Story of the Van der Voort Sisters stands out as one of the Upper West Side’s most haunting legends because of the consistency and vividness of reported sightings over time. Multiple park-goers and evening joggers have claimed to see two women in matching late-19th-century dresses near Central Park West, particularly around dusk, moving in perfect unison as if gliding across the pathways. In colder months, some witnesses describe the unsettling image of the sisters appearing to “ice skate” across dry pavement near areas where temporary skating rinks once stood, reinforcing the idea that they are reliving a shared memory. Others have reported sudden drops in temperature or an unexplained stillness in the air when the figures appear, followed by their quiet disappearance without a trace. What makes their presence especially eerie is that they are almost always seen together—never alone—suggesting a bond so strong it persists beyond death.

4. American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is best known for dinosaurs, dioramas, and world-class science, but it also has its share of supernatural rumors. The museum’s vast halls and older exhibit spaces have inspired stories of lingering spirits, mysterious footsteps, and unexplained activity after hours. With so many artifacts, specimens, and cultural objects connected to ancient civilizations and lost worlds, it is no wonder people have imagined that some of the museum’s history never fully stayed behind in the past. Even if you visit for the science rather than the spirits, the museum’s scale and atmosphere can feel eerie in the quiet moments. At night, especially, it is easy to see how a building this large and storied could feed the imagination.

5. Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus

Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus may look modern, but it has quietly built a reputation as one of the Upper West Side’s more unexpectedly haunted spots, fueled by a steady stream of firsthand student accounts. Late-night study sessions in Quinn Library have been interrupted by reports of footsteps echoing between the stacks when no one else is present, along with books shifting or falling without explanation. In McMahon Hall, some residents have described hearing knocks on their doors in the early hours, only to find empty hallways when they check. Others mention elevators stopping on unselected floors or doors opening to vacant corridors, creating an unsettling sense that someone—or something—is moving through the building. Even in the open plaza, students have reported sudden cold patches or the distinct feeling of being watched despite the space appearing completely empty.