4 Creepy Places to Visit on Your Next Trip to Pittsburgh

With over 500 birds and other animals, the National Aviary is by far one of the coolest places to visit in all of Pittsburgh. I’ve been a member for years, but I didn’t know until recently that it’s also one of the most haunted places in the entire region.

These days, you can spend an afternoon hanging out with penguins, owls, and other super cool creatures, but back before it was the Aviary, it was the location of Western Penitentiary, a notorious prison with quite an intense legacy.

The story goes that during his visit to America, famed author Charles Dickens came to Pittsburgh to tour the prison, and its abject conditions supposedly left a strong impression on him. While he was writing his eventual classic, A Christmas Carol, he based the chained character of Jacob Marley on the incarcerated prisoners he saw at Western Penitentiary.

Unsurprisingly, this dubious history has left its mark on the site, and today, as you’re spending time with bald eagles and sloths, you might come across a restless ghost or two. Some reports even say that the spirits themselves enjoy looking at the birds, proof positive that our feathered friends are good companions both in this life and the next.   

It might seem a bit too easy to include a graveyard on a haunted list—after all, with hundreds of headstones lining the green, of course, it’s going to be haunted.

That being said, even if you don’t spot any ghosts, Allegheny Cemetery is absolutely worth a visit. It’s among the most beautiful cemeteries you’ll find in the country, and there are so many incredible sights in the 300-acre property. In terms of ghost stories, look for the weeping woman who’s said to be wandering the grounds.

There have also been many reports over the years of cold spots or sudden temperature drops during visits to the cemetery. In addition, you can expect plenty of shadowy figures roaming through the gravestones, and perhaps my personal favorite, you might also hear the sound of ghostly galloping horses on your visit.

But it’s not all just creepy vibes—one of the most well-known and well-loved markers in the cemetery is none other than the Shark Tombstone, an ode to one man’s deep love for the movie, Jaws. That’s right: you can have a little whimsy even in the face of so much death. 

The Church Brew Works is basically exactly what it sounds like: a brewery and restaurant located in a former church. I used to pass this place every day going to the old coffeehouse where I would write, but I’ve still never stopped in for a meal.

Needless to say, I need to change that very soon, especially after recently learning that it’s allegedly the most haunted brewery around. If you don’t believe me, then just check out a 2022 episode of the long-running Ghost Hunters series where the team showed up to investigate the paranormal occurrences.

If you decide to stop by Church Brew Works for a visit, keep your eyes peeled for strange figures that don’t belong, and be sure to listen for voices that seem to come from nowhere.

And even if you don’t happen to spot a ghost during your trip, you’re sure to get a good brew and a good meal out of the deal, so phantoms or not, it’s a win-win.   

Located in the Oakland neighborhood, the University of Pittsburgh is a great resource for horror lovers, in particular since the Horror Studies Archive is located there.

That’s right: you can view an array of artifacts and other resources from countless horror filmmakers and authors (provided you make an appointment first).

But if it’s something spooky you’re searching for, then the campus will not disappoint. Look no further than the Cathedral of Learning, the gorgeous forty-two-story building that towers over Oakland, making this skyscraper the tallest university building in America.

The third floor in particular is said to be especially ghostly with the Early American Nationality Room supposedly haunted by a relative of Edgar Allan Poe. 

If nothing else, consider visiting the Cathedral of Learning for its lovely and foreboding Gothic Revival architecture; it’s a wonderfully haunting experience just strolling through the shadowy hallways. 

And if all of these spooky locales aren’t quite enough for you, then there are plenty more places to visit, including on haunted walking tours of the various neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.

Dark History PGH does a variety of tours, including through Millvale, Carnegie, and Dormont, where you’ll learn even more about the mysterious history of the town. So many Steel City ghosts, so little time!