It’s that time of year again when the dead comes to life, vampires and ghouls prowl the shadows, and witches cast their sinister magic. Without a doubt, this is our favorite season and we at Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast are your guides to all of the spine-tingling attractions Herkimer and Central New York has to offer for 2022.
Crooked Descent
At the top of the list rests the Crooked Descent—Central New York’s most terrifying indoor horror walk-through. Every weekend from September 30th to November 5th, after the sun dips beneath the horizon, groups of unsuspecting guests will be invited into the old “Country Manor,’ an abandoned senior care facility that once housed almost 100 residents. Inside, you will face a terrifyingly unique, heart-pounding, mind-bending experience that pushes the creative boundaries of a traditional haunted house; and showcases what can be done with raw talent and pure energy. Crooked Descent is one of the most intense horror shows that has ever graced the region. There are two new intense attractions for 2022: The Forbidden Family Chapter III and Plague Bringer: Curse of the Black Witch. Crooked Descent is located at 4338 NY-28, Herkimer, NY 13350, which is just an 8-minute drive from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast. Visit crookedhorror.com for more details and to purchase your tickets—if you dare. The attraction is open September 30 to November 5, Fridays and Saturdays 7-11pm and Sundays 7-10pm. Tickets are sold at the attraction. The cost of a single ticket is $20. Combo tickets are available for $30.
Historic Four Corners
If brutal murder and revenge spirts are more your speed, Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners is the place to be. This amazing attraction encompasses four known haunted buildings that are on the National and State Registers of Historic Places—including the Suiter Building Museum, the Herkimer County Courthouse, the Reformed Church, and the Herkimer County Jail that once housed two famous prisoners, Roxalana Druse and Chester Gillette. According to court records, Roxalana brutally killed her husband to stop his abuse and enlisted the help of her family to hide his body. She was tried at the courthouse, incarcerated at the jail, and became the last woman to be hanged in New York. Her rocking chair and a fragment of the rope used to hang her are at the Suiter Museum. Chester was charged with the murder of Grace Brown. He was also convicted at the courthouse and incarcerated at the jail—later sentenced to die by electric chair. Residents and visitors report seeing Chester’s attorney wandering the halls of the courthouse. Roxalana’s rocking chair have been observed rocking by itself, while shadowy apparitions and strange noises in the hallways have terrified many. Herkimer Historic Four Corners is located at 406 N Main Street, Herkimer, NY 13350—a two-minute walk from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast.
General Herkimer Home State Historic Site
The trauma of warfare has been known to leave paranormal scars on the land. The 1764 Georgian-style General Herkimer Estate is one such site. During the Revolutionary War, General Herkimer marched with over 800 militiamen to defend Fort Stanwix against a British siege. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war and resulted in ghastly leg wound for Herkimer. After the battle, he was carried home where he died. Over the past century, strange occurrences have since been reported at the estate, including ethereal voices, phantom footsteps and doors slamming. A tour guide once said they witnessed a candle stick fly across the room. Others have pointed to a strange mist blanketing the Herkimer family burial ground from time to time. If you are brave enough, you are welcomed to enjoy the estate grounds all year long, from dawn to dusk. The General Herkimer Home State Historic Site is located at 200 State Route 169, Little Falls, NY 13365 and is a 15-minute drive from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast.
Beardslee Castle
The Halloween season is not complete without a visit to an old haunted castle and its imposing dungeon. Built by Augustus Beardslee in 1860, this historic treasure was constructed in the style of an Irish castle. Visitors can enjoy five intimate dining rooms with three-foot thick limestone walls and oak-paneled ceilings and floors. Downstairs, The Dungeon is a cozy bar and grill, featuring a casual dining experience. Don’t be surprised if your dinner summons a few unexpected guests. The castle has a reputation of being one of the most haunted sites in the region, and is a staple of local ghost lore. People have reported hearing disembodied voices, and glimpsing the apparition of a man who had committed suicide in the basement. If you want to check out this unnerving place for yourself, Beardslee Castle can be found at 123 Old State Road, Little Falls, NY 13365, just 18 minutes from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast. Visit http://beardsleecastle.com/ for more information and to book your ghostly dinner reservations.
The New York Haunted History Trail
Do you consider yourself a paranormal explorer or someone enamored with ghosts? Then the Haunted History Trail of New York State welcomes you. On the Haunted History Trail, you’ll find over 90 creepy, spooky and downright haunted locations. You could encounter creepy hotels, restaurants serving up the supernatural, unique museums, eerie historic sites, cemeteries, a haunted asylum, and even an amusement park. More than 400 years of history will be at your fingertips through guided ghost tours, spine-chilling stories, and places with peculiar pasts. Serious investigative teams are also welcome to explore haunted hunting locations for themselves. Visit hauntedhistorytrail.com/regions/central-new-york for all the frightening tales and learn how you can see the supernatural firsthand.
Where to Stay – Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast
After a thrilling night of spooktacular excitement, Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast is all treats and no tricks… or is it? We don’t consider the Grand House a haunted property, but we’ll leave it for you to decide. While at Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast, you can immerse yourself in the historic charm of our 1800s Colonial-style house—featuring four en suite guest rooms with modern amenities, free Wi-Fi and parking, comfortable bedding, and private bathroom. After a comfortable night’s rest, enjoy a best-in-town homemade breakfast, specially prepared for you. With all the comforts of home, we deliver a level of personalized service and exceptional hospitality you won’t find at chain hotels near Herkimer. We are located at 112 W German Street, Herkimer, NY 13350. You can book directly at grand-colonial.com or by phone at 315-982-5004 (Cancellation is free for all direct booking reservations).
