A young girl is reported to appear again and again on the 19th floor of one downtown hotel. Nobody can explain her, and guests keep talking about her anyway.
That’s just one of the stories on this list. A wooden bridge over a quiet stream is said to change people’s moods as they cross.
A Colonial-era building on a cobblestone street still has staff sharing ghost tales with guests.
Maryland has centuries of history packed into its towns and back roads. That leaves plenty of room for things that go bump in the night, plus a few modern haunts built just to make you scream.
I love that this mix works for different comfort levels. A few stops are free and easy for little kids, while others will test the bravest teen in your car.
So which one are you brave enough to try first?
1. Historic Jericho Covered Bridge, Kingsville, MD
Only one covered bridge still stands in Baltimore and Harford Counties, and of course it’s the one with the spooky reputation. The wooden span crosses the Little Gunpowder Falls in a scenic, rural valley.
Its Burr Arch Truss design gives it that classic barn-over-a-river look. Crews rebuilt and reopened the bridge in spring 2016, so the timbers are sturdy even if the stories aren’t.
Now for the creepy part. Visitors have reported strange mood shifts before and after crossing, as if the air changes once you step under the roof.
Local folklore fills in the rest with eerie tales and odd occurrences. Nobody can prove a thing, which somehow makes it worse when the light starts fading.
For families, this stop is a dream because it costs nothing to visit. There’s a free parking lot, and the site is listed as open around the clock.
Kids can snap photos of the bridge, and the valley around it makes a nice spot for a short hike. Sunday evenings tend to be quieter if you want the place mostly to yourself.
Check conditions before you go, since weather can affect the area. Then cross slowly and see if you feel anything at all.
Address: 12228 Jericho Rd, Kingsville, MD 21087
2. Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, MD
Elevator rides get a lot more interesting once you know about the 19th floor. That’s where the ghost of a young girl is reported to appear again and again at this downtown Baltimore hotel.
The building dates to around 1928 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its old-school elegance makes the ghost stories feel right at home.
The hotel even leans into its reputation with tours that describe the place as rife with reports of ghosts. That’s not something most front desks put in writing.
Guests can book elegant rooms and suites, grab a meal from the on-site dining, or squeeze in a workout at the fitness room. Brave souls might request a high floor just for bragging rights.
Staying overnight is a bigger splurge than a free bridge visit. Still, it makes a memorable Maryland weekend for older kids who love a good scare.
You don’t have to stay the night to enjoy the lore, either. Ask about tour availability ahead of time, since schedules can shift around Halloween.
Downtown parking can be tricky, so plan your route before heading in. And if the elevator stops on 19 with nobody waiting, maybe just take the stairs.
Address: 20 W Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21201
3. The Horse You Came In On Saloon, Baltimore, MD
Saddles instead of stools tell you right away this Fell’s Point landmark does things its own way. The seats really are horse saddles, and they’re as fun to try as they sound.
The building dates to the Colonial era, which gives it centuries of stories to work with. It sits on the cobblestone streets of the historic waterfront district, a fitting backdrop for a ghost hunt.
Staff here have been known to share ghost stories with guests. The dark, eerie interior makes those tales land a little harder than you’d like.
Live music plays nightly, so the room stays lively even when the stories turn spooky. Walls are covered in quirky decorations, and there are several areas to sit.
The spot is listed as family-friendly, and pub fare is on the menu. Weekday afternoons tend to be calmer, which works better for a visit with kids.
Friday and Saturday nights get busy. Parking nearby is paid, with garage, lot and street options around the neighborhood.
Hours run late most days, with an earlier close on Sundays. Check before you go, since schedules can change.
Pair your visit with a stroll along the waterfront. Then see if any cold spot follows you out the door.
Address: 1626 Thames St, Baltimore, MD 21231
4. Markoff’s Haunted Forest, Dickerson, MD
Upper Montgomery County farmland looks harmless in daylight, but the woods tell a different story after sundown. This seasonal haunt in Dickerson turns its forest into a long trail packed with scare actors and detailed scenes.
Expect jump scares around corners and sets built with real care. The trail is the main event, and it’s designed to rattle even grown-ups.
After the trail, you reach a festive ghost town with food, games and massive bonfires. It’s a good place to catch your breath and laugh about who screamed loudest.
There’s even a zip line for thrill seekers with energy left to burn. That variety makes it more of a full night out than a quick walk-through.
Free parking is available on site and along the street. Restrooms include a gender-neutral option, which helps when you’re wrangling a group.
Operating nights run Thursday through Sunday during the fall season, with Sunday closing an hour earlier. Hours and ticket options can change, so check before you go.
Younger kids might find the main trail too intense, so use your judgment. Teens, on the other hand, will probably beg to go twice.
The drive from the DC suburbs is manageable for a weekend evening. Just maybe skip the scary podcast on the way.
Address: 19120 Martinsburg Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842
5. Creepywoods Haunted Forest, White Marsh, MD
White Marsh might be known for shopping, but a wooded property off Loreley Beach Road has other plans for your Friday night. Creepywoods turns an eastern Baltimore County forest into a trail of themed sets and animatronics.
Actors go all out, and the jump scares come often. It’s a solid pick if you want a classic haunted forest without a long drive from Baltimore.
The family angle is what sets it apart. Creepywoods is billed as family-friendly, with kid-friendly activities plus discounts for kids and families.
Festive outdoor amenities round things out between scares. Restrooms are on site, which parents will appreciate.
Parking is free and right on the property. That makes arriving with a minivan full of nervous cousins much easier.
The season runs on weekends, with Friday and Saturday nights going later than Sunday. Hours and pricing may change through the fall, so double-check before heading out.
Little ones might prefer holding a hand the whole way through. Older kids will likely want to lead the pack, at least until the first animatronic moves.
Wear shoes that can handle a dirt trail at night. And agree on a meeting spot, just in case someone bolts.
Address: 11204 N Loreley Beach Rd, White Marsh, MD 21162
6. Laurel’s House of Horror, Laurel, MD
Old movie theaters already feel a little spooky, with dark aisles and long-silent screens. This Laurel attraction takes that idea and runs with it, turning a former cinema into a full-blown haunted house.
Inside, you’ll find elaborate rooms with creepy movie themes and strong special effects. Loud noises land at just the right moments to make you jump.
Actors interact with guests waiting in line, so the scares start early. Clowns and a chainsaw character are part of the cast, which tells you plenty.
The themed attractions rotate, giving repeat visitors something new. Escape rooms are also on site if your crew prefers puzzles over screaming.
It’s listed as good for kids, though the intensity may be a lot for the youngest. You know your own scaredy-cats best, so plan accordingly.
Free parking makes things simpler for Prince George’s County families and anyone driving from Baltimore or DC. Restrooms are available on site too.
Nights run Wednesday through Sunday, with Friday and Saturday open the latest. Schedules can shift during the season, so check before you go.
The building itself does half the work here. Not many haunts can claim a real theater as their stage.
Address: 935 Fairlawn Ave, Laurel, MD 20707
7. Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick, Frederick, MD
Bragging rights matter in the ghost tour world, and this one claims the title of Maryland’s oldest operating ghost tour. It also calls Frederick Maryland’s most haunted city, which is a bold thing to say out loud.
Tours lead you through nearly 300 years of local history, including war, revenge and darker chapters of the city’s past. The stories are presented as documented accounts of the paranormal.
The setting helps a lot. Downtown Frederick’s main street is lined with preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings, so the past feels close.
Walking tours suit families because kids can move around and soak up history without sitting still. Older children who love spooky facts will probably have plenty of questions.
The office on North Market Street is listed as open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Tour times and prices vary, so check the schedule before you go.
Plan to grab a meal or browse the shops downtown before your tour starts. Frederick makes an easy weekend trip from the DC suburbs or Baltimore.
Dress for the weather since you’ll spend time outdoors. Comfortable shoes are smart, too, for those historic sidewalks.
History class was never this fun. Or this jumpy.
Address: 124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
8. Havre de Haunts, Original Ghost Tours of Havre de Grace, #1 Rated, Havre De Grace, MD
No AI-written scripts here, and the company says so proudly. Havre de Haunts has been family owned and operated since 2013, with guides who all live locally.
Tours mix history with ghost stories set in this Chesapeake Bay town. The stories are presented as true accounts from people who lived in or visited Havre de Grace.
Guides know the local history well, and each one tells the tales in their own way. That means no two tours are exactly alike.
The company also supports the military. Private tours are offered year-round, which helps if you want a group outing for a birthday or reunion.
Havre de Grace sits at the head of the bay, with historic streets close to the water. It’s a pretty town to explore before the sun goes down and the stories begin.
Free parking is available in a lot and on the street. Tour schedules vary by season, so book ahead and confirm times before you go.
For Harford County families, this is about as close to home as a ghost tour gets. It also pairs nicely with the covered bridge earlier on this list, in the same corner of Maryland.
Bring a jacket for the breeze off the water. You might want it for the chills, too.
Address: 217 N Washington St, Havre De Grace, MD 21078
