Ghost, Legends, and Lore

With just the right amount of eerie atmosphere to lean into the spooky season, Southern Indiana has haunted hotels and ghostly stories that will send a chill down your spine. And with the final season of Stranger Things set to release in November, it’s the perfect time to embrace the paranormal mysteries and explore the region’s haunted past. 

French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs Hotel

With their beautiful architecture and luxurious design, both the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel have a mysterious presence that lingers within their walls. Guests and staff alike have reported hearing footsteps echoing through empty corridors, seeing shadowy figures, and noticing flickering lights. This might be from Thomas Taggart, the owner of the hotel. It’s said that Taggart still haunts the service elevator and the sixth floor, doing quality checks to make sure his hotel is running smoothly.

To add to the intrigue, the dark supernatural thriller book So Cold the River was developed into a movie in 2022 and filmed in the West Baden Springs Hotel. The author, Michael Koryta, was inspired by the hotel’s mysterious and beautiful location. The book’s chilling storyline only adds to the property’s established reputation as one of the most paranormal spots in the state. Don’t be surprised if your visit comes with a chill that has nothing to do with the autumn air. 

Whispers Estate

Known as one of the most haunted houses in America, the Whispers Estate in Lawrence County lives up to its name. This Victorian home was built in the 19th century, and the Gibbons family, who owned it, had a tragic ending. A wife and husband adopted three children, and years later, two of their children died, and the wife passed away, too. There have been countless more deaths in the house, which has led to many reports of paranormal activity, as well as accounts of strange voices calling out, footsteps heard on empty staircases, and objects moving on their own. Some visitors claim to have even heard children laughing or crying, while others describe an unsettling feeling of being watched. If you feel brave enough, there are tours to this haunted house where you can experience the uneasiness yourself. This estate has earned its title as one of Indiana’s most chilling destinations, and a visit to the Whispers Estate isn’t just a tour—it’s a step into a real-life haunted house. 

Story Inn

If you’re looking for cozy hospitality with a brush of the supernatural, the Story Inn, located in Brown County, has become one of Indiana’s best-known haunted getaways. The Story Inn has a very famous resident, the “Blue Lady,” who appears when you least expect her. Guests often say you know her presence is in the room when you smell a faint scent of cherry tobacco, or there’s a sudden flicker of light in the room. She welcomes herself into the accommodation on her own and leaves blue items behind in the rooms, so beware, if you find yourself alone at the inn…are you really? 

Hindostan Falls

Hindostan Falls, as we see it today, is very different from what it once looked like in the 1800s. The town was established in 1816 and, by 1820, had become one of the largest settlements in the area, with 1,200 residents. The flourishing town didn’t last long, though, because of outbreaks and diseases that were spreading due to an influx of travelers. Yellow fever was the epidemic that killed most of the residents, while the rest fled, leaving the town abandoned. They did, however, leave a few traces behind, and you can find pioneer cemeteries and square holes in the riverbed rock from former mills. 

Though Hindostan Falls is now known for its fishing and recreation areas, it was once known as one of Indiana’s first towns. As you’re camping, fishing, or hiking, you might be able to hear whispers of the early pioneers' past and the weight of those who never left. 

Step into the Upside Down

For a spooky stay that isn’t so spooky, head to the Graduate by Hilton Bloomington, where guests can book a Stranger Things-inspired hotel room that feels like you’re stepping into the show. One side of the suite recreates Joyce Byers' living room, complete with the famous Christmas lights that may be flickering on their own. On the other side, it’s the Wheelers' basement, equipped with walkie-talkies, ready to play retro board games, and even Will’s purple cloak for a round of Dungeons & Dragons. Eleven percent of each booking supports Bloomington’s Wonderlab Science Museum (did you get the pun?).  

Even though the suite is booked for the rest of the year, it remains one of Bloomington’s most talked-about stays and a perfect nod to the spooky season. With the final series premiering in November, it’s a reminder of the Stranger Things’ world and how it mirrors the region’s own mysteries and supernatural stories.

If you’re looking for even more Hawkins-inspired fun, Brown County is hosting the Squash the Block event on Halloween that is Stranger Things themed. Dress up as your favorite character from the show or your own creative look, and enjoy trick-or-treating through town, collecting candy for you and maybe some for Dart (the baby Demogorgon)! 

Embracing the Season’s Mysteries

From scary haunted houses and ghost sightings to not-so-scary TV shows like Stranger Things, there are endless ways to experience the mysteries of Southern Indiana. Whether you believe in the paranormal or just a good tale, every visit holds the possibility of uncovering something beyond imagination.