Behold, things that go bump in the night. Just in time for Halloween, we've updated our handy map of haunted houses on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. From ghostly apparitions to ghost dogs (really), supernatural spirits to secret rooms, here are 15 of the spookiest spots on the Cape and Islands.
Read More/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48740115/curbed_placeholder.54.0.jpg)
Mapping Haunted Houses On The Cape & Islands, 2013

Dillingham House
Apparently, this innocent looking abode is one of the most haunted houses on the Cape. The circa 1650 Dillingham House is known for door latches lifting, empty rocking chairs rocking and, the most frightening of them all, sounds of children running through the house.
[Photo: Miner Descent]
Highfield Hall
Built in 1878, the hauntings are said to have started in the 1950s. Ghostly sounds? Check. Ghostly apparitions lunging toward unsuspecting visitors? Check.
Village Green Inn
Some homeowners just refuse to leave. This property, now an inn, was once owned by Dr. Edwin Tripp. Apparently, Tripp, who died in 1953, still likes to shuffle down the hallway.
The Barnstable House
The Old King's Highway is home to many historic and ghostly locations, but none more so than The Barnstable House. Built in 1716, the spirited building is home to 11 ghosts. Some slam doors, others light candles and a few chill in rocking chairs.
The Simmons Homestead Inn
Hyannis Port's only bed and breakfast inn is said to be inhabited by "Susan," a child ghost who makes occasional appearances in the Owl Room. She mostly appears for people who are intuitive or psychic, but if you've got the Ghost Camera app on your smartphone, that might work.
The Old Yarmouth Inn
Ghostly apparitions, lights going off and on by themselves, objects moving magically, whispers, and more are all thanks to the resident spirits at the Old Yarmouth Inn. It's unknown who haunts the inn, but it was built in 1696 so there are plenty of possibilities. Plus, there's a hidden door in the attic thought to have been used as part of the Underground Railroad.
Burgess House
Further down the historically haunted Old King's Highway/Route 6A, is a home once owned by Captain William Burgess. He died in 1855, but his widow, Hanna Rebecca, lived another 63 years, leaving her plenty of time to turn down more than 50 marriage proposals. Footsteps and rearranged artwork now happen regularly. Rejected suitors, perhaps?
The Orleans Inn
Built in 1875, the building has been a mercantile center, boarding house, summer hotel and finally, a year round inn. Visitors have witnessed lights turn off and on, doors open and close, felt "cold spots," and seen fleeting visual appearances.
The Fairbanks Inn
Dating back to 1775, the property was built by sea captain Eben Snow and later belonged to the town's wealthiest resident, David Fairbanks. These days, a Revolutionary War soldier is thought to haunt one of the inn's 15 rooms.
Martin House
The Martin House, at least according to Thomas D'Agostino's Haunted Massachusetts, is haunted by multiple ghosts from different centuries. Ghostly residents include both former residents - the obligatory 1700s sea captain and the missus - and "the spirits of runaway slaves who sought shelter in the Martin House when it was part of the Underground Railroad."
The Vanderhoop Homestead
It's now the Aquinnah Cultural Center, but back when it was the Vanderhoop Homestead, there were ghostly rumors that folks could hear a little girl screaming in the night. Shudder.
[Photo: Jack Torcello]
59 N. Water Street
The 1750 Daggett House Inn expanded on a tavern built in 1660. The inn was supposedly haunted by two brothers and a ghost dog, but it's now a private residence, so no telling if the owners have since called in the Ghost Busters.
The Vincent House
Built in 1672, the Vincent House is thought to be haunted by a female ghost in a full-length dress. The island's oldest house, it's now owned by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust.
Joshua Coffin House
The obligatory old man ghost sitting in a rocking chair resides at the Joshua Coffin House. Built in 1754, the house includes a secret room, accessible only via trap door, and and there's been some poltergeist activity.
The George C. Gardner House
Rattling silverware at dinner parties and strange footsteps at night supposedly haunt the George C. Gardner House. Perhaps that explains why the place has been on the market so long - first listed in May 2011 for $11,500,000, four pricechops have brought the ask down to $7,900,000.