Haunted Walks & Spooky Stories in Waterloo Region
Explore the Eerie Side of KW This Fall
As the leaves crunch and the cool air settles in, spooky season creeps into Kitchener-Waterloo — and if you love a good ghost story or mysterious local legend, you're in for a treat. From historic haunts to eerie graveyard tours, KW has some spine-tingling tales and haunted spots to explore this fall.
So bundle up, grab your flashlight, and let’s explore the haunted side of the Region!
The Ghost Walks of Downtown Kitchener
📍 Start: Kitchener City Hall, 200 King St W
Join a guided haunted tour through the heart of downtown Kitchener. Hosted by local paranormal experts, these walks blend historical facts with spine-chilling tales of ghosts who (allegedly!) still roam the streets, theatres, and alleyways of the core. Past walks have included tales of the Walper Hotel, the old Gaol, and some lesser-known haunted nooks.
🗓️ Tip: These usually run in October and require advance booking. Follow Downtown Kitchener BIA or Themuseum for event dates.
The Walper Hotel’s Haunted Reputation
📍 20 Queen St S, Kitchener
This historic hotel, in operation since 1893, has been the subject of local lore for decades. Guests and staff have reported strange happenings, from cold spots and disembodied footsteps to mysterious elevator activity. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a visit to the Walper is a must for spooky season vibes.
💡 Fun idea: Book a night at the hotel and see if anything goes bump in the night.
Pioneer Tower & Graveyard Legends
📍 300 Lookout Lane, Kitchener (near Doon Heritage Village)
Perched above the Grand River, the Pioneer Tower is beautiful by day — and just a little creepy by night. It’s surrounded by historic gravesites and local legends, including ghostly apparitions and strange mists along the riverbank. A flashlight walk here around sunset? Spooky perfection.
Doon Heritage Village – After Dark
📍 10 Huron Rd, Kitchener (Waterloo Region Museum)
While the village itself is a family-friendly destination during the day, it transforms in the fall with eerie-themed events like “Halloween Haunt,” where staff share creepy stories from the past and dimly lit historic buildings set the scene. The village is rooted in true pioneer history — and some of those stories aren’t for the faint of heart.
🎃 Visit WRM site for fall event details.
Snyder’s Farm – Fear Farm
📍 936685 Blenheim Rd, Bright, ON
Want the full scream experience? Head over to Fear Farm at Snyder’s Farm! This isn’t your average fall event — Fear Farm is packed with haunted hayrides, terrifying trails, and spooky attractions designed to get your heart racing. If you dare, enter the Hillbilly Hike, The Stalking Dead, or The Shambles. Oh, and while you’re there — don’t skip the brownies. Trust me, they’re to die for (and not in a haunted way).
Local Lore: The Screaming Tunnel of Ayr
📍 Rural road near Ayr, ON (about 25 minutes from KW)
Okay, this one is for the true thrill seekers. According to legend, a girl died tragically in this old railway tunnel and now her screams can still be heard on dark, misty nights. Some say if you light a match at midnight in the tunnel, it will be blown out immediately — by a ghostly force.
⚠️ Important: This spot is not officially maintained or lit — go only if you know what you’re doing and take safety precautions.
☕ Make a Night of It
After your ghostly adventure, warm up with a hot drink from:
Balzac’s Coffee (Kitchener) – The ambiance is just the right mix of cozy and creaky floors.
Settlement Co. (Waterloo) – Great place to chat about the weird things you may have seen on your walk.