Most Haunted Places in Seattle, WA

In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, where the Puget Sound whispers its secrets and the misty tendrils of fog embrace the city, sits Seattle—a place that wears its history like a well-worn coat. But beneath the bustling streets lies the remnants of an underground world, where bootleggers once tread, and whispers of illicit activities resonate through the hidden passages. 

Keep reading to explore Seattle’s most haunted locations, and if you ever find yourself in the Emerald City, make sure you take a tour with US Ghost Adventures, where we will bring Seattle’s hidden history to life. 

Kells Irish Pub and Restaurant

Housed within the historic Butterworth Building, Kells Iris Restaurant & Pub once served as a mortuary, boasting innovations like the West Coast’s first elevator, aiding in the somber transport of the deceased. The basement, now the pub’s haunt, is said to have been the location for embalmings and cremations.

Among the regulars of the pub, there’s a mischievous red-headed girl, a ghostly prankster with a penchant for toying with adults and yearning for the laughter of other children. She’s known for her playful antics, from manipulating objects to crafting otherworldly toys. Then there’s Charlie, an old soul manifesting by the Guinness mirror, donning a derby hat. He’s a joyful presence, often drawn to the tunes of live bands. Of course, these two are not the only eternal patrons of this famously haunted pub.

The Cadillac Hotel

Born from the ashes of the Great Fire, the Cadillac Hotel housed those displaced by the inferno before becoming a haven for loggers, fishermen, and railroad workers. Over the years, it underwent transformations, from Elliott House to Derig Hotel, and finally adopted the name Cadillac Hotel in 1906. 

The hotel thrived until the late 1930s when Pioneer Square faced economic hardship. The upper floors were eventually closed due to financial constraints, surviving only as a shell until Historic Seattle stepped in after the Nisqually Earthquake of 2001 threatened its existence.

Today, the Cadillac Hotel operates as the Klondike Gold Rush Park, a historical museum showcasing the struggles and stories of a bygone era. Despite its renewed purpose, echoes of the past linger in the form of reported hauntings. 

The upper levels are said to host wandering apparitions, their presence marked by mysterious voices and sounds. Elevator rides might evoke an uncanny feeling of being watched, but the most poignant tale tells of a grieving mother and her child. 

The anguished cries of a woman and her infant echo through the night are believed to be the spirit of a single mother who, facing eviction and desperation, took tragic measures. Whether a tale of maternal sorrow or the struggles of a woman in dire straits, the haunted history of the Cadillac Hotel persists, a spectral whisper in the corridors of this enduring Seattle landmark.

The Arctic Club

Established in 1907, the Arctic Club served as a social hub for those returning from the frozen north. Designed by architect A. Warren Gould, the club became an architectural marvel. However, beyond its charming facade lies a darker tale intertwined with the eccentric Congressman Marion Zioncheck.

Congressman Zioncheck made the Arctic Club Building his home. His tumultuous life took a tragic turn in August 1936 when, in a fit of despair, he leaped from his office on the fifth floor, leaving a note expressing disillusionment with an unjust economic system. 

Today, visitors to the Arctic Club building report chilling encounters on the fifth floor, where Zioncheck once had his office. The elevator mysteriously halts on this floor as if inviting guests to explore the haunted corridors. Witnesses speak of bone-chilling cold spots and phantom footsteps, with some even claiming to have glimpsed Marion’s apparition near his former office. There are even terrifying accounts of vivid reenactments of Zioncheck’s tragic fall.

Butterworth Building

Once a mortuary and the home of Kells Irish Pub, the Butterworth Building’s mysteries extend beyond the restaurant, so much so that the hit TV series Ghost Adventures filmed an episode here. Inexplicable occurrences, such as a pair of sneakers vanishing beneath a bathroom stall, baffle even those seeking a logical explanation.

On the First Avenue side of the building, a myriad of inexplicable events have unfolded. Avenue One, a short-lived restaurant from 1997 to 2002, was the sight of creepy, unexplained activity, such as wine bottles flying off racks. A vase defied gravity, relocating to a window table on its own, and an old woman vanished into thin air. There is even a “haunted booth,” where a couple dining at this booth once witnessed plaster fall inexplicably from the ceiling, solidifying the eerie reputation.

Some remnants of the mortuary’s dark past are joined by spirits from an old Suquamish native burial ground. The souls of Chinese and African American laborers who contributed to the building’s rise also linger, weaving a complex tapestry of the otherworldly within the historical walls of the Butterworth Building.

The Can Can

Located within the depths of the bustling Pike Place Market, the Can Can, a basement-level burlesque bar, adds allure to its enchanting performances with its reputation for ghostly occurrences. Legends weave through its history with tales of unexplained phenomena that hint at a spectral presence. 

One eerie account involves a bartender who, after extinguishing all the candles in the dimly lit space, stepped out for a smoke break only to return to find every candle mysteriously relit. Another haunting narrative comes from a neighbor whose daughter claimed to have befriended a ghostly boy appearing outside her window, a mysterious yet familiar figure next to Pike Place Market’s iconic neon sign at dusk.

Ghost Alley Espresso

Ghost Alley Espresso serves as a time capsule to early 20th-century Seattle and the architectural vision of Arthur Goodwin, a manager and designer of the Market’s iconic buildings. Since its establishment in 2012, the coffee haven has not only wafted the scent of freshly brewed coffee but also hosted the unexplained presence of Arthur. 

The east wall, adorned with wire-secured fixtures, experiences mysterious movements, while electronics, from iPads to espresso equipment, behave as if manipulated by unseen hands. Regular cleansings with sage and interactions with mediums attempt to commune with these lingering spirits, but they’ve yet to leave their favorite hot spot. 

Baristas report feeling the ethereal presence of a man, with one witnessing the apparition of a tall man in a hat standing in the doorway. A drawing by a child strikingly resembles Arthur, depicted with wings and perceived not as a ghost but as an angel.

Hotel Sorrento

Built in 1909, the Sorrento Hotel stands as a historic Italian-style establishment in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood. Under the Malone family’s ownership in the 80s, renovations preserved its charm, making it a timeless retreat. 

The hotel’s architectural brilliance, credited to Harlan Thomas, introduced unique elements like the first rooftop restaurant in Seattle. With over a century of remodels, the Sorrento retains its original exterior, attracting attention for both its historical allure and reported paranormal activities.

The most infamous specter is Alice B. Toklas, who is often seen wandering near room 408. Dressed in white or black, Toklas is believed to influence flickering lights and moving drinks in the Dunbar Room. Despite her unlikely connection to the hotel during her lifetime, Toklas, a marijuana activist and inventor of the weed brownie, maintains a strong, playful presence. 

Acknowledged and even honored by the hotel, her influence earns Sorrento a spot among the country’s most haunted hotels. A prominent figure in the Parisian art scene, Toklas, a partner of Gertrude Stein, lived in Seattle in the 20th century. Her potential connection to the hotel’s grounds, where a piano reportedly plays in the Penthouse Suite, adds an artistic touch to the Sorrento’s rich history. 

The Emerald City’s Terrors

The intertwining of old-world charm and the unseen ghostly realms here in Seattle creates an eerie ambiance, offering a chilling allure to those who dare to explore its ghostly mysteries. 

US Ghost Adventures invites you to uncover the spectral secrets with Seattle Ghosts!

Sources:

https://seattleterrors.com/kells-irish-restaurant-pub/

https://usghostadventures.com/seattle/butterworth-building/

https://seattleterrors.com/the-cadillac-hotel/

https://seattleterrors.com/the-ice-cold-spirits-of-the-arctic-club-building/

https://ghostalleyespresso.com/our-ghost

https://seattleterrors.com/the-sorrento-hotel/

https://theticket.seattletimes.com/planners/a-haunted-halloween-date-in-downtown-seattle/#:~:text=Some%20time%20ago%2C%20while%20closing,boy%20at%20the%20Can%20Can.

https://www.thestranger.com/food-and-drink/2011/10/26/10479666/the-haunted-bars-of-seattle