Last Updated: December 22, 2025
Ottawa’s most haunted places include the Fairmont Château Laurier (haunted by its builder who died on the Titanic), the Ottawa Jail Hostel (site of Canada’s last public execution), the Bytown Museum (Ottawa’s oldest stone building with documented ghost sightings), and Parliament Hill (haunted by assassinated politician Thomas D’Arcy McGee).
These locations, all within walking distance in downtown Ottawa, offer both historical insight and paranormal encounters. The Haunted Walk of Ottawa operates year-round ghost tours covering these sites, making the city one of Canada’s top destinations for supernatural tourism. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted locations offer chilling tales rooted in documented tragedies, unsolved murders, and untimely deaths that shaped Ottawa’s supernatural reputation.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Ottawa features numerous haunted locations including the Fairmont Chateau Laurier (haunted by its builder who died on the Titanic), the Ottawa Jail Hostel (site of Canada’s last public execution), Bytown Museum (oldest building with documented ghost sightings), and Parliament Hill (haunted by assassinated politician Thomas D’Arcy McGee). Ghost tours operate year-round with peak season from May to October.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Ghost Tours Season | Year-round (peak May-October) |
| 📍 Most Haunted Zone | Downtown Ottawa/ByWard Market |
| 🎟️ Tour Cost | $15-$35 per person |
| ⏰ Best Visit Time | Evening tours after 7 PM |
The Fairmont Chateau Laurier: Ottawa’s Grand Haunted Hotel
The Fairmont Chateau Laurier stands as one of Ottawa’s most iconic landmarks, its French Gothic architecture dominating the skyline near Parliament Hill since 1912. But this luxury hotel’s glamorous exterior conceals a tragic beginning that set the stage for over a century of paranormal activity.
Charles Melville Hays, the hotel’s visionary builder and president of the Grand Trunk Railway, never saw his masterpiece open to the public. Hays died aboard the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, just weeks before the hotel’s scheduled grand opening. His body was recovered from the icy Atlantic waters, and the hotel opened quietly on June 1, 1912, without the celebratory fanfare Hays had planned.
Staff members and guests have reported encounters with Hays’ spirit for over a century. Night shift employees describe hearing footsteps in empty hallways on the upper floors, particularly near rooms overlooking the Ottawa River. Guests staying in rooms on the sixth and seventh floors have reported the overwhelming scent of pipe tobacco despite the hotel’s strict non-smoking policy, a smell attributed to Hays, who was known to be an avid pipe smoker.
The hotel’s most chilling encounters occur in the basement and service corridors. Maintenance staff refuse to work alone in certain areas after multiple reports of a well-dressed gentleman in Edwardian-era clothing appearing briefly before vanishing. Security cameras have captured unexplained anomalies, including shadowy figures moving through locked hallways and elevator doors opening on empty floors at 3 AM.
In 2018, a guest captured what paranormal investigators claim is photographic evidence of supernatural activity. The image shows a misty human silhouette near the grand staircase, appearing in multiple frames despite no physical person being present. The Haunted Walk of Ottawa includes the Chateau Laurier as a prominent stop, sharing documented accounts from employees who’ve worked in the hotel for decades.
The hotel’s connection to tragedy extends beyond Hays. During World War II, the Chateau Laurier served as temporary quarters for military officials, and several deaths occurred on the premises. Staff members report cold spots in specific rooms, the sound of 1940s-era music playing when no radio is on, and the apparition of a woman in a vintage military nurse’s uniform.
Ottawa Jail Hostel: Canada’s Most Haunted Accommodation
The former Carleton County Gaol on Nicholas Street operated as Ottawa’s primary prison from 1862 to 1972, housing some of Canada’s most dangerous criminals and serving as the site of public executions. Today, it operates as HI Ottawa Jail, a hostel where budget travellers can sleep in former death row cells and experience one of North America’s most haunted buildings.
Patrick James Whelan remains the jail’s most famous ghost. Convicted of assassinating Thomas D’Arcy McGee, a Father of Confederation, Whelan was hanged on February 11, 1869, in the jail’s courtyard before a crowd of approximately 5,000 spectators. This marked Canada’s last public execution. Whelan maintained his innocence until his final breath, and paranormal investigators suggest his restless spirit continues seeking vindication.
Guests staying in Cell 8 on the third floor, the former death row section, report the most intense paranormal activity. Common experiences include the sensation of being watched, unexplained cold drafts despite closed windows, and the feeling of invisible hands touching shoulders or arms. Several guests have checked out in the middle of the night, refusing to return to their cells.
The jail’s hanging courtyard, where executions took place, emanates what visitors describe as oppressive energy. Photographs taken in this area often show unexplained orbs, light anomalies, and shadow figures. During the hostel’s guided ghost tours, electromagnetic field (EMF) detectors consistently spike in this location, suggesting paranormal presence according to investigators.
One particularly disturbing account comes from a 2015 incident where multiple guests simultaneously reported hearing a man’s voice pleading “I didn’t do it” echoing through the third-floor cellblock at approximately 2:30 AM. Security footage showed no one in the corridor at that time. Researchers note that Whelan’s execution occurred at dawn, and the phrase matches historical records of his final words.
The jail’s history includes several other violent deaths beyond executions. Prisoner suicides, fatal fights between inmates, and deaths from disease created a legacy of suffering within the stone walls. Cell 3C, where a prisoner allegedly hanged himself in 1910, experiences frequent unexplained phenomena. Guests report doors locking from the inside, the sound of chains rattling, and the distinct smell of sulfur.
Paranormal investigation teams have documented extensive evidence at the jail. In 2017, a team from the Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) recorded what they classified as Class A EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) including a male voice saying “get out” and the sound of heavy boots walking on metal stairs when the building was empty.
Parliament Hill: Ghosts of Canada’s Political Heart
Canada’s seat of government harbors supernatural secrets within its Gothic Revival architecture. While Parliament Hill represents national pride and democratic governance, it also hosts the restless spirits of those who died violently in service to the nation.
Thomas D’Arcy McGee, one of the Fathers of Confederation, was assassinated on April 7, 1868, at approximately 2:00 AM. McGee had just left the House of Commons after a late-night session when he was shot in the back of the head on Sparks Street near his boarding house. He died instantly, becoming the only Canadian federal politician ever assassinated.
McGee’s ghost has been reported numerous times over the past 157 years. Security guards working the overnight shift in the Centre Block have encountered a figure matching McGee’s description, a short man in 1860s-era formal attire, walking the corridors where he spent his final hours. The apparition typically appears between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM, vanishing when approached.
The most credible sighting occurred in 1967 during Canada’s centennial celebrations. A parliamentary security officer reported following a man in period clothing through the Library of Parliament, concerned about an intruder. When the officer called out, the figure turned, made eye contact, and then disappeared. The officer later identified the apparition from historical photographs as D’Arcy McGee.
The Peace Tower, completed in 1927 as a memorial to World War I casualties, experiences its own paranormal phenomena. Staff members report hearing phantom bells chiming at odd hours, doors opening without explanation, and the sensation of being watched while alone in the tower’s upper levels. Some attribute this to the spirits of the 66,000 Canadian soldiers commemorated in the Memorial Chamber.
The 1916 fire that destroyed the original Centre Block claimed seven lives, including parliamentary staffer Bowman Law who died while attempting to evacuate the building. Maintenance workers report encountering a man in early 20th-century work clothes in the areas where Law perished. The figure appears disoriented and distressed before fading away.
During the 2014 shooting incident at Parliament Hill, when gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau killed Corporal Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial and stormed the Centre Block, security personnel reported experiencing inexplicable calm and clarity during the crisis. Some believe protective spirits intervened during the attack, guiding officers to stop the shooter.
Bytown Museum: Ottawa’s Oldest Haunted Building
Located in the Commissariat Building next to the Rideau Canal locks, the Bytown Museum occupies Ottawa’s oldest stone structure, dating to 1827. This former supply depot for the Rideau Canal construction witnessed tremendous suffering during its early years, when thousands of Irish laborers died from malaria, accidents, and harsh working conditions.
The museum’s collection includes artifacts from Colonel John By, the Royal Engineers officer who supervised the Rideau Canal’s construction. An estimated 1,000 workers died during the canal’s construction between 1826 and 1832, many buried in unmarked graves near the building’s foundation. This mass death created what paranormal researchers describe as a “residual haunting,” where traumatic events leave an energetic imprint on a location.
Museum staff and visitors report consistent paranormal activity, particularly in the basement storage areas. Common experiences include hearing Irish folk songs when no music is playing, the smell of unwashed bodies and disease despite modern sanitation, and the sound of pickaxes striking stone. These phenomena intensify during spring and summer, when canal construction was most active.
One particularly well-documented incident occurred in 2012 during a late-night event. Multiple witnesses reported seeing a translucent figure of a man in laborer’s clothing standing near the canal-view windows. The apparition appeared to be watching the locks operate before turning toward the group and vanishing. Security camera footage from that evening shows an unexplained light anomaly in the exact location witnesses described.
Museum curator records from the 1990s detail repeated incidents of artifacts moving without explanation. Tools from the canal construction era, including hammers and spades, have been found in different display cases despite locked doors and active security systems. Staff members arrive to find exhibit labels rearranged and historical documents removed from their protective cases.
The building’s second floor, which houses exhibits on Ottawa’s early history, experiences temperature fluctuations that cannot be explained by the HVAC system. Visitors frequently report sudden cold spots that move through rooms, accompanied by the sensation of someone walking past them. Thermal imaging cameras have captured significant temperature variations of up to 15 degrees Celsius in localized areas.
Colonel By himself may haunt the museum. A tall figure in military uniform from the 1820s has been spotted on the upper floor, particularly near exhibits featuring By’s personal effects. The apparition appears most frequently on September 1, the date Colonel By left Canada in 1832, never to return. He died in England in 1836, broken-hearted after his superiors criticized the canal’s costs.
The Rideau Canal: Built on Bones and Blood
The UNESCO World Heritage Site that transforms into the world’s largest skating rink each winter conceals a dark foundation of death and suffering. The Rideau Canal’s 202-kilometre length from Ottawa to Kingston represents one of the 19th century’s most ambitious engineering projects, achieved through the sacrifice of thousands of immigrant laborers.
The malaria epidemics of 1827 and 1828 killed hundreds of Irish and French-Canadian workers. Entire families perished in makeshift camps along the canal route. Many bodies were buried where they fell, with no markers or records. Construction accidents claimed additional lives, including men crushed by falling timber, drowned in excavation floods, and killed in blasting accidents.
The eight locks at the Ottawa entrance are considered the canal’s most haunted section. Lock operators working overnight shifts report seeing figures in 1820s-era work clothes standing near the lock stations, watching the water flow. When approached, these apparitions vanish. The phenomena occur most frequently during the spring thaw, when canal operations resume.
Several drowning deaths in the canal’s modern era have created new layers of paranormal activity. In 1962, a teenager drowned near the Hartwell Locks while swimming after dark. Since then, lifeguards and boaters report hearing calls for help coming from the water on quiet summer evenings, despite no one being in distress. Search and rescue teams find nothing when they investigate.
The Colonel By Valley, a parkland area along the canal, experiences consistent ghost sightings during the annual Winterlude festival. Visitors report encountering groups of men in period clothing standing along the canal banks, appearing to supervise work crews that aren’t there. When festival-goers attempt to photograph these figures, their cameras malfunction or capture only empty landscape.
Paranormal investigators conducting overnight studies along the canal have recorded EVP sessions containing Irish-accented voices speaking in Gaelic, references to “the fever,” and pleas for water. These recordings align with historical accounts of malaria victims’ final hours. The audio evidence is considered among the strongest paranormal documentation in Ottawa.
Laurier House: A Prime Minister’s Ghostly Residence
This National Historic Site at 335 Laurier Avenue East served as home to two Canadian Prime Ministers: Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King. While the house operates as a museum showcasing political history, it’s King’s obsession with spiritualism that created the building’s supernatural reputation.
Mackenzie King, Canada’s longest-serving Prime Minister, regularly conducted séances in the house, attempting to communicate with deceased family members, political mentors, and even his dead dogs. King kept detailed diaries documenting these spiritual encounters, which he believed provided guidance on government policy. His paranormal activities may have opened doorways that remain active today.
Visitors and museum staff report seeing an elderly man matching King’s description in his private study, sitting at the desk where he wrote his diaries. The figure appears solid and real before fading away within seconds. Security systems have captured motion sensor activations in the study when the building is empty and locked.
The most active area is King’s bedroom, where he performed most of his séances. Visitors report feeling watched, experiencing sudden anxiety, and hearing whispered conversations in the room. Sensitive individuals describe sensing multiple presences, which researchers attribute to the spirits King allegedly contacted during his lifetime.
Lady Laurier, Sir Wilfrid’s wife, reportedly haunts the music room. The sound of a piano playing has been heard when the instrument is covered and locked. The melody is consistent with “O Canada,” which was composed during the Laurier era. Staff members have witnessed the piano’s keyboard cover lifting by itself.
The house’s basement, used for storage and archives, experiences the most disturbing phenomena. Researchers working alone report feeling sudden terror and the overwhelming urge to leave. Archived documents have been found scattered on the floor despite secure shelving. One staff member captured an audio recording of what sounds like a child crying in the basement, though no children were present in the building.
ByWard Market: Ghosts Among the Vendors
Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market, established in 1826, represents one of Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ markets. The neighbourhood’s 200-year history includes murders, fires, disease outbreaks, and poverty, creating numerous opportunities for paranormal activity among the restaurants, boutiques, and market stalls.
The Clarendon Court building on George Street, dating to the 1880s, housed a brothel in its upper floors during the early 20th century. Several women died in the building under mysterious circumstances, including suspected murders that were never investigated. Current business owners in the building report seeing a woman in Victorian-era clothing on the upper floors, appearing sad and lost.
Zak’s Diner, a 24-hour establishment on Byward Market Square, occupies a building with documented ghost activity. Night shift employees report glasses flying off shelves, cold spots near the kitchen entrance, and the jukebox playing songs that haven’t been selected. One waitress captured cell phone video of a coffee cup sliding across a table by itself at 3 AM when no customers were present.
The York Street Millennium Park sits on the former site of the York Street School, which burned in 1915, killing three children who became trapped on the upper floors. Visitors to the park report hearing children’s laughter and seeing small figures running between the trees at dusk. Dog walkers note that their pets refuse to enter certain areas of the park, barking at empty spaces.
Murray Street, which runs through the market, was the site of a brutal murder in 1897. A vendor named Thomas Collins was stabbed to death during an argument over money. His killer was never caught. Business owners along Murray Street report seeing a man in late 19th-century work clothes stumbling along the sidewalk, clutching his abdomen, before disappearing. The apparition appears most frequently in early November, around the anniversary of Collins’ death.
The market’s underground tunnel system, originally built for deliveries and cold storage, extends beneath several blocks. These tunnels are closed to the public due to structural concerns, but urban explorers who’ve illegally accessed them report extreme paranormal activity. Multiple explorers describe being followed by footsteps, hearing voices speaking French, and experiencing equipment failures. Several claim to have been physically pushed by unseen forces.
FAQ
Q: What is the most haunted building in Ottawa?
The Ottawa Jail Hostel on Nicholas Street is widely considered Ottawa’s most haunted location, based on the frequency and intensity of reported paranormal activity. The former Carleton County Gaol operated from 1862 to 1972, hosting public executions including Patrick Whelan’s hanging in 1869. Guests sleeping in former death row cells report unexplained phenomena including cold drafts, feelings of being watched, disembodied voices, and physical sensations of being touched. Paranormal investigation teams have documented extensive evidence including EVP recordings and EMF anomalies. The hostel offers guided ghost tours allowing visitors to explore the most active areas.
Q: Are there haunted walking tours in Ottawa?
Yes, Ottawa hosts several professional ghost tour companies operating year-round with peak season from May through October. The Haunted Walk of Ottawa operates the city’s most established ghost tours, including the Original Haunted Walk covering downtown locations, the Haunted Pub Walk combining paranormal stories with bar stops, and specialized tours of the Ottawa Jail Hostel. Tours typically last 90 minutes, cost between $15-$35 per person, and depart after sunset for the most atmospheric experience. Advance booking is recommended, especially during October and around Halloween. Private tours and paranormal investigation experiences are available for groups.
Q: Has Parliament Hill been investigated for paranormal activity?
Parliament Hill has documented ghost sightings but has never undergone formal paranormal investigation due to security restrictions. The most frequently reported apparition is Thomas D’Arcy McGee, the Father of Confederation assassinated in 1868, whose ghost appears in the Centre Block between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. Security guards and maintenance staff have reported encounters over multiple decades. The Parliamentary Protective Service maintains incident logs that include unexplained phenomena, though these records are not publicly accessible. The Library of Parliament, Peace Tower, and areas affected by the 1916 fire also experience reported activity. Public ghost tours cannot access Parliament’s interior but discuss its haunted history from exterior viewpoints.
Q: Is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier really haunted by a Titanic victim?
Yes, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is reputedly haunted by Charles Melville Hays, the hotel’s builder and Grand Trunk Railway president who died aboard the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Hays never saw his hotel open, and his death cast a shadow over the property. Staff members and guests report encounters with Hays’ spirit for over 110 years, including footsteps in empty hallways, the scent of pipe tobacco in non-smoking rooms, and apparitions of a well-dressed Edwardian gentleman. The hotel’s basement and upper floors experience the most activity. While the hotel doesn’t officially promote its haunted reputation, it acknowledges the persistent reports and allows the Haunted Walk of Ottawa to include the building in tour narratives.
Q: Can you stay overnight in the Ottawa Jail’s haunted cells?
Yes, the Ottawa Jail operates as HI Ottawa Jail, a Hostelling International facility where guests can book overnight stays in former prison cells, including the death row section on the third floor. Cell accommodations include both private cells and dormitory-style rooms. The hostel maintains the building’s historic character while meeting modern safety standards. Guests staying in cells report varying levels of paranormal activity, with the third floor being most active. The hostel offers evening ghost tours for both guests and the public, exploring the most haunted areas including the hanging courtyard and solitary confinement cells. Rates are budget-friendly, ranging from $30-$80 per night depending on room type and season.
Q: What’s the story behind the Bytown Museum’s hauntings?
The Bytown Museum occupies Ottawa’s oldest stone building, the 1827 Commissariat, which served as a supply depot during the Rideau Canal construction. An estimated 1,000 laborers died during the canal project from malaria, accidents, and harsh conditions. Many were buried in unmarked graves near the museum’s foundation. Staff and visitors report paranormal activity including Irish folk songs playing when no music is on, the smell of unwashed bodies, sounds of construction work, and apparitions of laborers in period clothing. The building’s basement storage areas are most active. Colonel John By, who supervised the canal construction, may also haunt the museum. His spirit appears as a tall figure in military uniform, particularly on September 1, the anniversary of his 1832 departure from Canada.
Q: Are Ottawa’s ghost stories based on real historical events?
Yes, Ottawa’s most famous ghost stories are rooted in documented historical tragedies. Thomas D’Arcy McGee’s assassination on April 7, 1868, is thoroughly documented in parliamentary records and newspaper accounts. Patrick Whelan’s public execution on February 11, 1869, was witnessed by 5,000 people and recorded in official jail logs. Charles Melville Hays’ death aboard the Titanic on April 15, 1912, is verified by Titanic passenger records. The Rideau Canal construction deaths between 1826-1832 are documented in historical records, though exact numbers vary. The 1916 Parliament fire and seven deaths are well-documented. While paranormal experiences cannot be scientifically verified, the historical events that created Ottawa’s haunted reputation are factual. This combination of verified tragedy and persistent supernatural reports makes Ottawa’s ghost stories particularly compelling.
Q: When is the best time to experience Ottawa’s haunted locations?
October offers the most intense ghost tour experiences with Halloween-themed programming, extended hours, and special events at haunted locations. However, paranormal activity occurs year-round according to reports from hotel staff, hostel guests, and museum workers. The Ottawa Jail Hostel offers overnight stays and ghost tours throughout the year. Summer months (June-September) provide comfortable weather for walking tours exploring outdoor locations like the Rideau Canal locks and ByWard Market. Winter visits offer unique atmosphere with fewer tourists and snow-covered historic buildings creating eerie ambiance. Paranormal investigators suggest that activity intensifies around anniversary dates of tragic events, such as April 7 (McGee’s assassination), February 11 (Whelan’s execution), and April 15 (Titanic sinking).
Final Thoughts
Ottawa’s haunted reputation rests on a foundation of documented historical tragedy, from political assassinations and public executions to construction deaths and wartime losses. Whether you approach these locations as a skeptic seeking historical insight or a believer hoping for paranormal encounters, the city’s ghost stories offer a unique perspective on Canada’s capital beyond the official narratives of Parliament and government.
The concentration of haunted sites in downtown Ottawa creates opportunities for self-guided exploration even without joining organized tours. Walking from the Chateau Laurier to the ByWard Market, past the Ottawa Jail and Bytown Museum, traces a route through 200 years of supernatural history. These buildings continue operating as hotels, hostels, museums, and restaurants, making them accessible rather than abandoned and forgotten.
For those seeking authentic paranormal experiences, the Ottawa Jail Hostel offers the most immersive opportunity, allowing overnight stays in cells where documented tragedies occurred. The combination of historical context, preserved architecture, and consistent supernatural reports creates an environment unlike any other accommodation in Canada.
Ottawa’s ghost stories preserve memories of individuals whose lives ended violently or tragically, from condemned prisoners and assassinated politicians to immigrant laborers and Titanic victims. These spirits, if they exist, serve as reminders that beneath Ottawa’s polished surface as the nation’s capital lies a darker history of suffering, injustice, and untimely death that refuses to be forgotten.
Source: Haunted Walk of Ottawa, HI Ottawa Jail Historical Records, Library and Archives Canada, Bytown Museum Archives, Parliamentary Security Service Reports, Ottawa Historical Society
