Totally Boise Blog

If you're looking for spooky haunted spots in Boise to share with your audience, you're in luck! Boise has its fair share of haunted history and eerie locations. 

Old Idaho Penitentiary

• Perhaps the most famously haunted location in Boise, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, operated from 1872 to 1973 and is now a museum. Many believe it’s haunted by former inmates, with reported sightings of ghostly figures, strange sounds, and cold spots. Night tours and "Frightened Felons" events around Halloween make it a must-visit for thrill-seekers.

Idaho State Capitol Building

• The Idaho State Capitol has long been rumored to have ghostly activity, with people reporting the sounds of footsteps echoing through empty hallways and the ghost of a former legislator allegedly roaming the chambers. Some believe spirits linger due to the building's long and storied history.

Bishops’ House

• Originally located on the grounds of St. Teresa’s Academy in downtown Boise, the historic Bishops’ House (now moved to Old Penitentiary Road) is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of nuns and former inhabitants. Visitors and staff have reported eerie presences, including unexplained noises and shadowy figures.

Egyptian Theatre

• The iconic Egyptian Theatre, built in 1927, is not only one of Boise’s coolest historical landmarks but also rumored to be haunted. Some say the ghost of a former projectionist haunts the building, with reports of flickering lights, strange noises, and unexplained apparitions during late-night screenings.

Boise City Hall

• Formerly the home of the Central Fire Station, Boise City Hall is said to be haunted by the ghost of a firefighter who died in the building. Strange occurrences, such as disembodied voices and objects moving on their own, have been reported by city employees.

The Adelmann Building

• Located in downtown Boise, the Adelmann Building is one of the oldest in the city and has a spooky reputation. Stories of paranormal activity include ghostly figures appearing in windows and strange occurrences within its walls, especially late at night.

Morris Hill Cemetery

• Cemeteries always have a spooky vibe, and Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise is no exception. Many visitors have reported feelings of unease and unexplained cold spots while wandering among the graves, particularly near the older sections.

The Boise Depot

• The Boise Depot is a historic railroad station that has seen its fair share of paranormal reports. The spirit of a man who supposedly died on the railroad tracks is said to roam the area, with reports of eerie footsteps and strange occurrences in the building itself.

Cottonwood Grille

• This popular Boise restaurant has a history of ghostly activity. Employees have reported hearing footsteps in empty rooms, seeing mysterious shadows, and feeling cold breezes with no apparent source. The building was reportedly once the site of an old cabin where strange happenings occurred.

Julia Davis Park

• Boise’s beloved Julia Davis Park is known for more than just its scenic beauty. Rumors of ghostly sightings and eerie night time experiences have been reported by locals. Some claim to see ghostly figures walking near the park’s old bridges, especially around dusk.

Idaho State Historical Museum

• The Idaho State Historical Museum has been the site of multiple ghost sightings over the years. Some visitors and employees have reported strange occurrences like items moving on their own, ghostly figures appearing in old artifacts, and eerie feelings while walking through certain exhibits.

St. John’s Cathedral

• St. John’s Cathedral, a stunning piece of Gothic architecture, has its own haunted history. Built in the early 1900s, some say the ghost of a former priest or nun haunts the church, especially in the crypt area beneath the cathedral.

The Basque Block

• Boise’s Basque Block is a fun and vibrant part of town with a rich history. However, some believe the area has ghostly visitors, especially near the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Visitors and employees have reported strange noises and unexplained movements, potentially tied to its long and complex past.

Owyhee Plaza Hotel

• Built in 1910, the Owyhee Plaza Hotel is one of Boise’s oldest hotels. Some say that a few of its long-gone guests never left, with reports of strange happenings in certain rooms, including ghostly figures and unexplained noises.

The Grove Hotel

• The Grove Hotel may be known for luxury, but it’s also rumored to have some ghostly guests. There have been stories of strange noises, flickering lights, and shadowy figures appearing in the hallways, especially during the quiet, late-night hours.