Spooky houses and macabre effects give us the shivers, but in Alberta, you don’t have to go far to find the real deal. From old homes and restaurants to film sets and hotels, there are several places in and around Calgary that are actually ‘haunted.’
Want to know where those from days gone by linger?
Faye Steinberg, owner of Mystic Manor and a prominent Alberta medium, co-founded Ghost Gurus, a walking tour of Inglewood, says that ‘occupied’ homes, restaurants, and parks are everywhere.
“The thing about the paranormal is you can pretty much go anywhere. People die all the time and they often leave their energy behind.”
The most haunted buildings in the city, though? She gave us her top 5 in the area.
The most haunted locations in and around Calgary
The NASH
The NASH in Inglewood, Calgary’s oldest community, is currently a beloved restaurant, but it has quite a history.
According to Historic Places, the National Hotel was constructed in 1907 and opened in 1908 as both a district tavern and a hotel for transient workers.
“It was the crowning jewel of Inglewood and it often gets overlooked,” she told us. “The basement is incredibly haunted.”
Where: 925 11 St SE, Calgary
Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Bar
Located on Macleod Trail, Ranchman’s is also ‘haunted’ says Steinberg.
“I was called in to do an investigation there and they have a lot of ghosts,” she told us.
‘The nice thing about Ranchman’s is, I would say, it’s the friendliest haunted place that I’ve been to.”
“When you go into a haunted location you often get a myriad of different energies—friendly, not so friendly, nasty, but I would say Ranchman’s has been, I really haven’t encountered a really negative energy there.”
Where: 9615 Macleod Trail S, Calgary
The Heartland Cafe and Restaurant
“The Heartland Cafe is very haunted,” Steinberg said.
Built in 1902, this particular building was a Baptist Church that was later sold and stood vacant.
This, of course, didn’t last and it has since been another church, a garden boutique, a gift store and now, the Heartland.
Want to check it out? Not only is the food incredible, but so is its energy.
“I was there with my family and my mother’s chair was literally pulled out from under her. So it’s definitely got some energies, but I love going there. It’s got a great ambiance.”
Where: 46 McRae Street, Okotoks, AB
The Airdrie House at Heritage Park
“I’ve been going there since I was five and there are hundreds of ghosts there. I’ve had different experiences every time I go,” she said.
“Everyone always talks about how the Prince house is haunted, but I will tell you, that it’s the Airdrie House.”
Donated to Heritage Park in 1964, the home was built by Samuel John Bushfield in Airdrie, Alberta in 1906.
An “example of the comfortable, but modest and plain home design found on many western Canadian streets prior to 1915,” Steinberg recalled a tour she took there once.
“Our tour guide was standing up on the stair in front of the house and she had her back turned and I’m watching this dark energy try to come through this little tiny window in the front door and it was almost going to reach out and grab her.”
“I was like oh my, you should move you should move—I’m saying this in my head and then all of a sudden she just stepped down so I think she felt it.”
Where: 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary
Mystic Manor
A real haunted house, with a haunted house experience – Mystic Manor is actually owned and operated by Faye.
A lifelong dream of hers, the 120-year-old house just outside of High River, was featured in 1983s Superman III.
“I have been all over the world, I’ve been to many, many haunted locations, I’m also hired to go into a lot of haunted locations where people are not welcoming the haunted experience,” she explained.
“My number one is Mystic Manor.”
Where: 410 5th Street SE High River, Alberta
Think you can handle it? Tours can be booked at the website below.
If of course, you choose to visit anything else on this list, enjoy and good luck.
Enjoy and good luck!
No matter where you are, you never know who or what you’ll see lurking in the shadows.
