Top Ten Most Haunted Places in Cape May

As the oldest seaside resort destination in the US, Cape May, NJ, has also become known for being the most haunted. Hotels, restaurants, and even a lighthouse are said to be haunted by former guests and residents of the picturesque town. Wherever you go in Cape May, you’re likely to find a ghost story there.

Planning a trip and want to make it a little spooky? US Ghost Adventures offers ghost tours throughout the country. Be sure to book a ghost tour with Cape May Ghosts to learn more about this haunted town.

What Is The Most Haunted Location In Cape May, New Jersey?

Numerous locations in Cape May claim to be the most haunted place in town. At the Macomber Hotel, the ghost of the “Trunk Lady” makes her presence known nearly a century after her final stay. Over at the Emlen Physick Estate, ghost dogs roam the hall, and visitors can still feel the powerful energies of the home’s former residents. 

Then there’s the Cape May Lighthouse, which is haunted by a Woman in White, who seems to be in search of a lost loved one. The hauntings of Cape May are prevalent, surprising, and downright eerie.

Hotel Macomber

The iconic Hotel Macomber is haunted by several ghosts with their own unique stories. Most famous is the ghost of Irene Wright, better known as “The Trunk Lady.” Irene stayed in room 10 during the 1940s, and her steamer trunk is still heard thumping up the stairs of the hotel, which has no elevator. She’s also seen rocking on the front porch during the summer.

Former owner Sarah Davis and a female server are two other spirits who continue their work in the afterlife. The only unfriendly ghost is a male entity called “The Growler.” He resides in the hotel’s basement and lets out chilling moans. 

Southern Mansion

Built for businessman George Allen and his family, the Southern Mansion is a stunning Italianate home built in the 1860s. The mansion was later turned into a boarding house, but it fell on hard times until it was restored in the 1990s and turned into a hotel. The ghosts of former residents seem to like the renovations.

The ghost of Ester Allen, George’s niece, has been seen dancing throughout the mansion. Staff and guests also smell her perfume and hear the swish of petticoats. Former residents from the mansion’s boarding house era also linger in spirit form. All of the ghosts at Southern Mansion are said to be friendly.

The Inn At Cape May

Built in 1894, The Inn at Cape May is a sprawling Victorian hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The most active spirits are those of a young boy and girl. The girl has identified herself as Annie. 

The child ghosts are most active in rooms 88 and 92, but they are known to knock on the doors of other guest rooms in the night. They are also known for talking loudly and waking guests. They may be the spirits of two children who stayed at the hotel years ago.

Staff and guests at The Inn at Cape May have experienced unexplained cold spots, lights turning on and off by themselves, and sensing an unseen presence in their hotel room.

Congress Hall

Built by Congressman Thomas Hughes in 1816, Congress Hall was originally called “Tommy’s Folly” due to its massive size. The original mansion burned to the ground in Cape May’s Great Fire in 1878, but was quickly rebuilt. Victims of the fire may still haunt Congress Hall, which is now a popular hotel.

The ghosts of Congress Hall seem to be most active on the third floor. Cleaning staff have been scared off by TVs and radios that turn on by themselves. Guests hear someone knock on their door in the middle of the night or hear children playing, but find the hallway empty.

John McConnell House

The John McConnell House is a stately Victorian home that now operates as a vacation rental. It is said to be haunted by a previous owner named Helen. Helen was known for wearing white linen suits in the summer, and has been seen dressed in white in a back bedroom on the third floor. 

Another spirit identified herself to a medium as “Dorothy from The Baltimore.” The Baltimore was a hotel next door to the John McConnell House that was torn down decades ago. Dorothy apparently decided to haunt the closest building she could find.

Other spirits include a woman named Margaret who doesn’t like the changes made to the house, and a boy named Sherman who “lives” in the crawl space underneath the home.

The Emlen Physick Estate

Now a museum run by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities, the Emlen Physick Estate is a Victorian mansion built in 1879 for Dr. Emlen Physick Jr. It’s believed that members of Dr. Physick’s family haunt their beloved home.

Staff report seeing a woman in Victorian garb staring at herself in a mirror near the main staircase. They also hear the sounds of dogs running down the hallway. Dr. Physick loved dogs and kept many in his home. 

Visitors feel a warm, benevolent presence in the room that once belonged to Dr. Physick’s Aunt Emilie. On the other hand, there is an oppressive feeling in the room used by his mother, Francis.

Chalfonte Hotel

The Chalfonte Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Cape May, so it’s no surprise that it has a few ghosts lurking about. This 1870s building is said to be haunted by a former custodian named Mr. Johnson, who has been spotted in the basement. The apparition of a woman holding a baby has been seen at the top of the hotel in the cupola. 

A paranormal investigator got an EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) of a rather hostile ghost at the Chalfonte. The spirit said they were “mad as hell,” and seemed to be directing their anger towards the investigator. 

Cape May Lighthouse

Built in 1859, the Cape May Lighthouse has been guiding sailors for over a century. There are 199 steps to get to the top of the lighthouse, which offers breathtaking views of the Delaware Bay. 

Over 2.5 million people have climbed the steps since the lighthouse was restored and opened for tours in the 1980s. However, some of the residents have been around for much longer.

The main ghost at the Cape May Lighthouse is a classic Woman in White. This woman appears on the grounds of the lighthouse wearing a white, flowing gown. In one hand, she carries a lantern, in the other hand, a child. No one has been able to figure out her identity, but she seems to be eternally searching for someone.

The Cherry House

The Cherry House is a Federal style home built in 1849, making it one of Cape May’s oldest buildings. Currently a private residence, the house has been sold numerous times, sometimes for only $1. There were also multiple additions to the home, adding an air of mystery to it.

The current owners believe that Cherry House is haunted by a former owner named Lois Kulp. Kulp owned the home for decades and still seems quite at home. Her ghost is known for opening doors, and can make the temperature in a room drastically drop. Kulp’s spirit is also known to appear and walk through walls. 

Cape May Fish Market

Although the Cape May Fish Market didn’t open until 2008, it sits on the site of a much older building, the American House Hotel. As a result, staff at the market have reported all manner of ghostly activity.

Staff have heard their names whispered by an unseen male entity, watching coffee pots shatter, and glasses knocked off tables. Security footage at the market captured a full-body male apparition that was truly terrifying. A “prankster” spirit is said to reside in the basement.

Haunted Cape May

There’s no questioning that Cape May is one of the most haunted cities along the East Coast. If you want to learn more about the hauntings at your next vacation destination, don’t forget to book a ghost tour with Cape May Ghosts! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real hauntings.

Sources:

• https://www.hauntedrooms.com/new-jersey/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/historic-hotel-macomber
• https://www.newjerseyhauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/spiaggi.html
• https://hauntedhouses.com/new-jersey/the-inn-at-cape-may/
• https://www.southernmansion.com/blog/5-most-haunted-places-in-cape-may/
• https://www.capemay.com/blog/2011/05/the-ghosts-of-john-mcconnell-house/
• https://nyghosts.com/emlen-physick-estate/
• https://craigmcmanus.com/for-ghosts-halloween-is-just-a-nightmare/
• https://adventuresincapemay.com/spookiest-cape-may-ghost-stories/
• https://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/2018/10/haunted_cape_may.html