10 Haunted Places in Annapolis, Maryland

These haunted places in Annapolis offer spiritual, spooky experiences for visitors, perfect for those that love history and mystery.

As the sun sets over the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis transforms into a city of secrets. Known for its rich maritime history and pivotal role in the birth of America, this historic city, once the nation’s capital, is also a hotbed of ghostly tales.

From the cobblestone streets to the haunted inns that dot the historic district, Annapolis offers more than just a glimpse into its past; it offers an encounter with the paranormal, so we share these Haunted Places in Annapolis for you to explore on your next visit.

Haunted Places in Annapolis

1. The Maryland State House

As the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use, the Maryland State House is not only a historical gem but also a hotspot for ghostly activity; making it top on our haunted places in Annapolis list.

Constructed in 1772, this iconic building was where George Washington resigned his commission and where the Treaty of Paris was ratified. The State House is open to the public every day from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and New Years), with self-guided tour information available on the first floor.

Visitors and employees have reported hearing phantom footsteps echoing through its halls, particularly at night. Some have even claimed to see a ghostly figure resembling George Washington himself, pacing in deep contemplation.

2. The Middleton Tavern

The Middleton Tavern, established in 1950, is one of the oldest bars and restaurants in the state. When Annapolis served as the seat of the Continental Congress, many well-known figures, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, stopped in the tavern for a drink or a meeting with other politicians. 

The tavern has long been a center of paranormal activity, reported by staff and patrons alike. Numerous inexplicable things have unfolded in this tavern, from the smell of cigar smoke when nobody was around to glasses being knocked off the shelves. When the tavern first switched to using an electronic cash register, it used to go haywire, probably due to ghosts’ interference in the air. 

According to Baltimore Ghosts, in the 1990s, after the bizarre occurrences just wouldn’t stop, a medium was invited to hold a seance and possibly contact the spirits haunting the place. 

The medium discovered that the ghost’s name was Roland Johnstone. He was a middle-aged, well-dressed, and cigar-smoking man who frequented the pub in the 1800s. When asked why he haunted the place and disturbed its guests, Roland replied simply that he enjoyed disturbing people. 

Others believe that the ghost belonged to a former owner of the tavern, George Schmidt, who was shot and killed inside the pub during an argument with a fellow restaurant owner. 

3. St. Anne’s Church

4. James Brice House

Annapolis has no shortage of haunted mansions, with the James Brice House being one of the most well-known ones. Built in 1774, it was in this beautiful mansion, featuring stunning Georgian architecture, that the unsolved murder of James Brice’s son, Thomas, took place. Thomas was brutally stabbed to death with a fireplace poker, and although it is still unclear who did it, many believe that the perpetrator was a servant who hoped to inherit Thomas’s estate (Thomas was unmarried). 

Both Thomas and James Brice himself are thought to haunt this place. However, the story of the James Brice House only gets spookier the more you look into it. 

When the house was sold to William Martin, the proud new owner set out to conduct renovations on the property, and what he discovered in the basement shocked him. Martin found a female skeleton with scratch marks on the wall. Many believe it was a member of the Brice family who suffered from mental illness, which was covered up to protect the family’s honor. 

And that’s not all. During a 1988 renovation, hoodoo artifacts were discovered in the grounds under the house. It is believed that the hoodoo rituals held in this house (presumably by the slaves kept by the Brice family) contributed to its hauntings by ghouls and spirits. 

The house was later sold to the state of Maryland. Passersby often report seeing strange apparitions moving past the windows and the face of a man in a top hat staring down at them. 

5. Reynolds Tavern

Reynolds Tavern, built in 1747, is a well-preserved colonial building that now serves as a restaurant and tea room. The tavern has a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in Annapolis and for good reason.

Patrons and staff alike have reported encounters with the spirit of a woman dressed in colonial-era clothing, believed to be Mary Reynolds, the original owner’s wife. Strange occurrences, such as doors opening and closing on their own and unexplained cold spots, are common.

Learn about the history of the building, spend a night in one of their Suites, or enjoy an English afternoon tea in this historic landmark.

6. William Paca House and Garden

The William Paca House, a grand 18th-century Georgian mansion, was once the home of William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Today, it operates as a museum, but it’s rumored to be haunted by Paca’s first wife, Mary Chew, who died young. Visitors have reported seeing her ghostly figure in the garden, as well as feeling an eerie presence in the house’s upper rooms.

Built in the 1760s, this is an impressive mansion and historical experience; with many areas carefully restored. Today, it is seen as one of the finest 18th century homes in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.

When planning a visit, note that the building remains closed in the Winter, from January to March, so avoid these times.

7. The Charles Carroll House

Also home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Charles Carroll House is another historic site with ghostly tales and one of the haunted places in Annapolis.

The most famous apparition is that of a woman dressed in 18th-century clothing who is said to roam the grounds.

Visitors have also reported hearing phantom footsteps and experiencing sudden cold drafts in otherwise warm rooms. Some believe the hauntings are connected to the Carroll family’s long and storied history.

8. The Governor Calvert House

The Governor Calvert House, currently one of three inns owned by Historic Inns of Annapolis, belonged to Lord Charles Calvert, 14th Proprietary Governor of Maryland. Standing tall since 1720, this historic building is home to many specters, including the numerous politicians from the Calvert family who controlled the colony during British times.

Among the ghosts at this hotel is a former hotel worker, quite a perverted fellow who enjoyed peeping on hotel guests while they undressed and slept. While the hotel worker has since died, he returns to his old habits. Many guests report feeling an unsettling presence near them at night, especially when changing.  

Another ghost, believed to be a guest who never checked out, enjoys playing with the TVs, turning them on and off as guests are watching. He loves attention, and unless you acknowledge his presence and speak to him directly, he just won’t stop. 

9. Hammond-Harwood House

For more haunted places in Annapolis, head to the Hammond-Harwood House. This is an architectural masterpiece built in 1774, but rumored to be haunted by several spirits.

The most prominent ghost is said to be a former servant who passed away under mysterious circumstances. Staff and visitors have reported unexplained phenomena, including objects moving on their own and the sound of footsteps in empty rooms.

The house’s rich history and the tragic stories of some of its inhabitants make it a compelling destination for ghost hunters but also a unique, historic things to do in Annapolis too and should be on your USA bucketlist.

10. The U.S. Naval Academy

The federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland was established in 1845 and throughout the year, you can visit the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center to learn more.

Enter the Halsey Field House, where you can see the high-tech exhibits that showcases the mission of the Naval Academy and learn about the student life as a midshipman.

What makes this one of the most haunted places in Annapolis? The many ghost stories that have come from the Academy.

The most famous ghost story revolves around the spirit of Lieutenant John Paul Jones, whose remains were interred in the crypt beneath the Naval Academy Chapel. Cadets have reported hearing unexplained noises and seeing shadowy figures in the chapel, particularly near the crypt.

NOTE: The center has currently suspended tours.

Annapolis has many other haunted places to visit and stay, such as the Maryland Inn. To see this historic city in all its ghoulish glory, take an Annapolis ghost tour. Whilst you are in the area, make sure to head over to D.C, and enjoy the must-dos in Washington DC as well.

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