If you’re looking for a spooky and unforgettable weekend getaway, look no further than Portland, Oregon. Known for its quirky, offbeat charm, Portland is also home to a rich history filled with ghostly legends, haunted locations, and eerie tales. From chilling ghost tours to spooky haunted attractions, this city offers plenty for thrill-seekers and Halloween enthusiasts alike.
Ready to plan the ultimate spooky weekend in Portland? Here’s how you can experience the best haunted spots, Halloween events, and paranormal activities in this eclectic city.
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Day 1: Ghost Tours and Haunted History
Morning: Start with a Ghostly Breakfast
Begin your spooky weekend with breakfast at one of Portland’s many haunted or historic cafes. Old Town Pizza & Brewing is a local favorite, housed in the famously haunted Merchant Hotel building. Legend has it that the ghost of Nina, a woman who met an untimely end here, still lingers, making this a perfectly eerie place to enjoy your first meal of the day. Whether you believe the stories or not, the pizza and craft beer are worth a visit.
Pro Tip: If you can, sit near the elevator shaft where Nina is said to appear for a true ghostly encounter!
Afternoon: Explore Portland’s Haunted Past with a Walking Ghost Tour
To dive deep into Portland’s haunted history, book a Portland Underground Ghost Tour. These walking tours take you through the city’s oldest and spookiest neighborhoods, sharing stories of tragic deaths, famous hauntings, and eerie encounters. You’ll explore Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels, which were once used for human trafficking and have been the setting for numerous ghost sightings. Guides weave a chilling narrative of how the tunnels were used to kidnap sailors and transport them into forced labor, leaving behind restless spirits.
For an even more spine-tingling experience, opt for an evening tour, when the city takes on an even eerier atmosphere. The dark, deserted streets of Old Town are perfect for conjuring up the spirits of Portland’s past.
Must-Visit Stops on a Portland Ghost Tour:
- Shanghai Tunnels: Discover the haunted underground tunnels that played a dark role in Portland’s history.
- White Eagle Saloon: A former brothel and boarding house, now a hotbed of paranormal activity.
- The Merchant Hotel: Home to Nina’s ghost, this historic hotel is now part of Old Town Pizza.
Evening: Drinks at a Haunted Bar
After a day of exploring haunted history, unwind with a drink at The White Eagle Saloon, one of Portland’s most famous haunted bars. Dating back to the early 1900s, this saloon has seen plenty of tragedy over the years, from mysterious disappearances to unexplained deaths. Many visitors and staff have reported seeing apparitions and hearing ghostly whispers.
Order a local craft beer, settle in, and keep an eye out for anything that goes bump in the night.
Day 2: Haunted Attractions and Halloween Fun
Morning: Visit Pittock Mansion, Portland’s Most Haunted House
Kick off your second day with a trip to Pittock Mansion, one of Portland’s most iconic—and haunted—landmarks. This grand, century-old mansion is perched high on a hill overlooking the city, but it’s not just the sweeping views that attract visitors. Many believe that the original owners, Henry and Georgiana Pittock, still roam the halls of the mansion. Paranormal investigators have reported strange occurrences, from unexplained cold spots to shadowy figures.
As you explore the mansion, you’ll get a sense of both its history and its haunted reputation. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, Pittock Mansion’s eerie atmosphere and old-world charm make it a must-visit spot for any spooky weekend in Portland.
Afternoon: Visit Lone Fir Cemetery
No spooky weekend is complete without a visit to a haunted cemetery, and Lone Fir Cemetery is Portland’s most famous. This historic graveyard is the final resting place for many of the city’s early settlers, and it’s known for its ghostly sightings. Wander among the moss-covered tombstones and let your imagination run wild as you hear about the ghostly apparitions that reportedly roam the grounds.
Be sure to stop by the Mausoleum of Dr. James Hawthorne, the founder of Oregon’s first mental institution, whose spirit is said to be seen roaming the cemetery.
Pro Tip: Lone Fir Cemetery offers guided ghost tours in October, which are a great way to learn about the haunted history of the area.
Evening: Haunted Houses and Halloween Attractions
As night falls, embrace the Halloween spirit by visiting one of Portland’s haunted houses. During the Halloween season, the city boasts some of the scariest haunted attractions in the Pacific Northwest.
- Fear PDX: A terrifying multi-attraction haunted house experience with different themed scares, including a clown-infested nightmare and a haunted asylum.
- Fright Town: Located in the basement of the Memorial Coliseum, Fright Town is a sprawling haunted house with intense frights and a reputation for being one of the scariest attractions in the city.
If you prefer something less terrifying but still festive, visit the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze at Sauvie Island. By day, you can pick pumpkins and explore the maze, but by night, it turns into the Haunted Corn Maze, where ghouls and ghosts wait to spook anyone who dares to enter.
Day 3: Nature’s Spooky Side – Ghostly Hikes and Scenic Drives
Morning: Ghostly Hike at Tryon Creek State Natural Area
On your final day in Portland, head out for a ghostly hike at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. This wooded park is said to be haunted by the spirits of loggers who worked in the area long ago. The trails weave through dense forest, offering an eerie and secluded experience, especially in the early morning fog.
Whether you encounter a ghost or not, the towering trees and tranquil creeks create a mystical, almost supernatural atmosphere that’s perfect for a spooky stroll in nature.
Afternoon: Scenic Drive to The Witch’s Castle
Before leaving Portland, take a short drive to Forest Park to visit the infamous Witch’s Castle. Despite its name, this ruin wasn’t home to witches but was built as a ranger station in the 1930s. However, the area is steeped in dark history, including a notorious murder, which has led to the site being rumored to be haunted. Locals claim to have seen ghostly figures and heard strange noises echoing through the woods.
It’s an easy hike from the Lower Macleay Trailhead to this abandoned, moss-covered structure, and the eerie atmosphere is well worth the visit for any ghost-hunting adventurers.
Conclusion
Portland, Oregon is a city full of quirky charm, but it also offers a delightfully spooky side perfect for a haunted weekend getaway. From ghost tours and haunted bars to eerie hikes and Halloween attractions, there’s no shortage of thrills to keep you entertained. Whether you’re a true believer in the paranormal or just in search of some Halloween fun, Portland’s haunted history and spine-chilling activities will make for a weekend you won’t soon forget.
So pack your bags, grab your camera (for ghost photos, of course), and get ready for the ultimate spooky weekend in Portland.