Halloween isn't a holiday that inspires many to travel. It falls after the busy summer travel season and before the expenses of the holidays. But Canadians don't have to pull out their passports or buy expensive flights to take a spooky Halloween escape. Canada is loaded with haunted houses and creepy places, and these four are well worthy of a trip this time of year.
Fairmont Empress Hotel -- Victoria, British Columbia
Photo credit: artonthefly
Downtown Victoria's Fairmont Empress Hotel has been around for more than 100 years (it was built in 1908), so it's no wonder the Conde Nast Gold List hotel is home to few ghostly inhabitants. Legend tells that the ghost of an old woman wanders the halls of the sixth floor looking for her room, and hotel guests have told stories of her asking for help. Another story is told about the ghost of a suicide victim that lurks in the hotel's attic. Don't be surprised if items are mysteriously moved throughout your Halloween stay.
Keg Mansion -- Toronto, Ontario
Toronto locals don't even have to leave the city to make their skin crawl this October. The Keg Mansion, now a location of the Keg Steakhouse and Bar chain, is said to have some creepy characters hanging around after dark. The lavish home was once the residence of Canadian industrialist Hart Massey's family. As legend tells, following the death of Hart's daughter, in 1915, a grieving maid hung herself inside the mansion. Another story explains the maid took her life due to worries that rumors of an affair with Mr. Massey would be told. Whichever story is true, an eerie image of the maid hanging from her neck has been seen by several visitors of the Mansion over the years.
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel -- Banff, Alberta
Photo credit: Bryan Garnett-Law
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is one of Canada's most iconic hotels. However, the picture-perfect hotel in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Banff National Park is said to be as haunted as it is scenic. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel was constructed in by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1888. Since then, many employees and guests have told stories of ghost sightings, including the ghost of a bride who died during a fall down the Fairmont's marble staircase, the ghosts of a family murdered in room 873, and the ghost of Sam McAuley, a bellhop who haunts the hotel in full uniform. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is the perfect fall destination for travelers who love to get spooked.
Five Fisherman Restaurant -- Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Five Fisherman Restaurant is the ultimate haunted eatery for a Halloween meal. The building that now houses the restaurant was constructed in 1817, and has served many purposes (one being a morgue) in the past 200 years. This location is where the John Snow & Company Funeral Home accepted bodies from the sunken Titanic and the Halifax Explosion. Paranormal activity, including moving cutlery and mysterious voices, is often experienced at the restaurant. The building is one of the most historic in downtown Halifax, creating a must-visit atmosphere whether you're visited by ghosts during your meal or not.
Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook