If you’re already quite familiar with the stories of Vancouver’s landmarks, then you’ll enjoy a spine-tingling stroll through the historic neighborhood of Gastown (Gastown) or the renowned Stanley Park, where dark secrets lurk around every corner.

While Vancouver may exude glitz and glamour, its rich history has left behind a trail of lingering spirits in the present day.

If you’re curious about the spookiest tales this city has to offer, all you have to do is just keep reading!

Vancouver’s Most Terrifying Haunted Places

1. Penthouse Nightclub

Address: 1019 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2E8, Canada

Over the years, the Penthouse Nightclub has hosted celebrities and renowned performers. Alongside the likes of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, other music icons like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald have graced the stage and left a mark on the club’s history.

For about 70 years, it has stood strong, witnessing waves of change in the party scene and the entertainment industry.

The establishment’s history also seems to inspire a spectral present, as a ghostly lady in timeless attire delights in pranks. Once the night falls, the staff often hear the windows opening and closing after the doors are shut.

2. Sam Kee Building

Address: 8 West Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1R3, Canada

The Sam Kee Building, known as the narrowest commercial building in the world, holds more than just architectural curiosity—legends say it harbors haunting secrets.

Upon visiting this unique attraction in Chinatown (Chinatown Vancouver), some locals and tourists reported feeling a spine-tingling sensation as they were pushed by unseen forces in the building.

Now, the exact reasons for the haunting aren’t totally confirmed, but some speculate that it might be due to the changes it underwent during its existence. 

You see, back in the day, the City of Vancouver decided to widen Pender Street, and they took a big chunk of the building’s land in the process. That left the owner, Mr. Sam Kee, with just a tiny strip to rebuild on.

Some folks think that all this history might have left behind some restless spirits or lingering energy, leading to the ghostly encounters people claim to have had in and around the building.

3. Waterfront Station

Address: 601 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1, Canada

With its rich history and the countless stories whispered among commuters, this historic transportation hub remains a place where the boundary between the living and the otherworldly may sometimes blur.

Among the reported ghostly sightings at Waterfront Station, one of the most famous is that of a spectral figure in vintage clothing, believed to be a former railway worker or passenger from days gone by.

Others have claimed to hear disembodied voices or strange footsteps echoing through the station’s empty corridors late at night.

Among those who work in the station, people also hear stories about music from the Great Depression playing without any radio on.

4. The Old Spaghetti Factory

Address: 53 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1A1, Canada

As part of the historical Gastown (Gastown), The Old Spaghetti Factory finds itself in a neighborhood rich with history, which makes it no stranger to ghostly tales. 

Among the eerie happenings, one of the most shared is the appearance of the specter of a train conductor, who reportedly met his tragic end in an accident beneath the restaurant’s current location.

Others speculate the ghost has been brought to the restaurant by the old tram that’s now part of its decor. 

5. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Address: 900 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6, Canada

With a history that dates back to the royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has hosted many significant events over the years.

On top of its luxury and elegance, though, its haunting reputation adds an air of mystery to the hotel. Far from being a menacing spirit, the Lady in Red is warmly embraced by staff and many of the acquainted visitors.

Allegedly, the spirit is that of Jennie Pearl Cox, a cherished guest who died in a car accident on the Stanley Park causeway in 1944. A lot of people have reported seeing the ghost gliding along the hallways and occasionally stepping onto the window ledges. 

6. Hycroft Manor

Address: 1489 McRae Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1T7, Canada

Hycroft Manor in Vancouver is a majestic mansion with a rich history and a reputation for being haunted. Built in the early 20th century, this stately residence exudes an air of elegance and mystery, making it the perfect setting for ghostly tales.

One of the most enduring legends is that of the “Lady in White,” a ghost often spotted wandering the halls of Hycroft Manor. Her identity remains a mystery, but some speculate she could be a past visitor with unfinished business or that of the original owner, Mrs McRae.

Her husband’s ghost is also believed to roam around the 30 rooms of the manor, with five other resident ghosts.

7. The Vogue Theatre

Address: 918 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L2, Canada

The historic Vogue Theatre in Vancouver has earned itself a reputation for being haunted by a dark-haired and severe-looking man.

Staff and performers have had all sorts of creepy encounters, from hearing strange drumming sounds on an empty stage to seeing a ghostly figure suddenly dissolve into thin air.

But this dark-haired man has by far been the most spotted – on the stage, catwalks, basement hallway, and projection booth. There’s one narrow corridor that the staff has playfully dubbed the “haunted highway,” where his presence is known to make banging noises.

8. Orpheum Theatre

Address: 601 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L4, Canada

The Orpheum Theatre is a major entertainment venue in Vancouver. Adding to its significance are its beautifully preserved architectural design and its big part in the city’s arts and entertainment scene.

But besides being a historic spot, it’s also known to house spirits that add to the spectral stories in the city. 

People talk about spirits hanging out on the balcony at night, and even the men’s bathroom is said to have some seriously creepy vibes. There are toilets flushing on their own and sinks running full blast without anyone in the restrooms.

There’s a rumor that a guy once hung himself in a crawl space near the projection room, but there’s no solid evidence to back it up. Still, some believe that this suicidal man might be among the spirits haunting the Orpheum Theatre.

9. Deadman’s Island

Address: Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada

The Deadman’s Island is a small, uninhabited island resting peacefully in the waters of Burrard Inlet. Yet, its story is anything but tranquil.

Once a sacred burial ground for indigenous peoples, Deadman’s Island gets its name from the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) people who called it the “Island of Dead Men” based on a tragic battle between northern and southern nations.

Aside from holding centuries of ancestral memories, it became a military base and quarantine station in the 19th and 20th centuries. Sailors and soldiers lived, trained, and sometimes fell in service to their country on this island.

Today, the island stands as a designated heritage site. But its dark and tragic history, coupled with reports of loud clanging noises, ghostly moans of a young woman, and the like, contribute to the island’s reputation as a haunted place.

10. The Cambie House 

Address: 4118-4138 Cambie Street, Vancouver., Canada

The Cambie House, formerly located at the corner of King Edward and Cambie in Vancouver, has become the subject of a popular urban myth. According to legend, a gruesome event unfolded within its walls when a man murdered his family in the basement.

Well, they tore down that old house eventually, but they say the new one standing there now isn’t exactly free from its haunting past. 

Some brave souls who moved in later claimed they experienced some seriously spooky stuff – picture waking up to find all your belongings mysteriously packed and placed right by the front door, or the baby crib suddenly moved close to the window ledge. 

11. Mountain View Cemetery

Address: 5455 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5W 2Z3, Canada

Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver is a serene and historic final resting place, surrounded by stunning mountain views. 

But over the years, the cemetery has gained a reputation for being haunted. Visitors and staff have reported encountering apparitions, strange lights, and eerie sounds amid the tombstones and mausoleums.

As a place with a rich history and emotional energy, though, it’s no wonder that the Mountain View Cemetery has become a home to specters and a subject of fascination for paranormal enthusiasts.

12. UBC University Boulevard

Address: Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

UBC’s University Boulevard holds a spine-tingling urban legend that has intrigued locals for years. According to the chilling tale, a young woman lost her life in a tragic disagreement, and her restless spirit now haunts this very road.

Of course, the road has now been developed, but venturing alone down University Boulevard, especially at night, can still leave you with a lingering sense of unease.

13. Vancouver Art Gallery

Address: 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H7, Canada 

The Vancouver Art Gallery, housed in the old Court House since 1983, proudly displays artworks by famous artists like Emily Carr and continues to host touring exhibitions and public lectures.

Behind the great transformation, though, is another spooky story involving a ghost that employees in the gallery have called Charlie. 

Some employees shared about strange occurrences at night, which they attributed to a ghost they called Charlie. They believed it’s the ghost of William Charles Hopkinson, a migration officer shot to death during the conflict between the government and Vancouver East Indian community.

Despite (or because of) his untimely death, it seems that Charlie’s spirit never left the building. From the rearrangement of desks to mysterious noises and rummaging through offices, the presence of Charlie adds an enigmatic layer to the Vancouver Art Gallery..

14. The Dominion Building

Address: 119 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1S5, Canada

The Dominion Building is once known as the Dominion Bank Building and the tallest building in the British Empire (when 14 storeys is already an unbelievable sight).

However, behind its grandeur lies a haunting tale associated with its opening night. During the celebratory event, a tragic incident occurred, resulting in the death of the building’s architect, John S. Helyer.

Legends vary, suggesting that he either fell down a flight of stairs or, more chillingly, deliberately jumped from the building. 

Many have claimed to hear mysterious footsteps (and even Helyer’s apparition) since that fateful night. 

15. Steamworks Brewery Pub

Address: 375 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B8, Canada

The Landing, a multi-tenanted commercial building in Vancouver, holds a captivating history as a supply warehouse for gold rush miners in the early 1900s. Overlooking Vancouver harbor and Canada Place, the building exudes vintage charm.

However, during the dark hours, security guards have reported witnessing a ghostly lady dressed in white wandering through the lobby. 

Now, the Steamworks Brewery Pub is located within the Landing, and the story checks with the ghostly apparitions throughout the pub. Some folks say these spirits are that of a man who jumped from the roof and a woman who perished in a fire. 

These legends haven’t been officially confirmed, though. But this ghostly walking tour, which swears by the haunting quality of their stops, wraps up at this very pub.