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Charlotte's haunted history: 6 captivating tales of fear this Halloween season

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles share a common theme of embracing Charlotte's haunted history through different events and stories.

They highlight how ghost tours and haunted attractions can drive local tourism and business. The articles emphasize the blend of historical tales and new attractions, catering to the city's interest in the supernatural.

Charlotte showcases a rich haunted history with places like the NoDa's Ghost and Legends Tour, which recounts eerie tales like the mysterious Highland Mill story.

Devil Charlie's legend highlights a notorious figure from the late 18th century, giving tour guides plenty of material to intrigue visitors.

Events like SCarowinds have expanded to include immersive experiences such as haunted escape rooms, drawing inspiration from blockbuster horror films like "The Conjuring."

Additionally, local bars and restaurants in Charlotte are identified for their ghost stories, though some businesses hesitate to capitalize on these spooky tales to increase revenue.

NO. 1: BEHEADINGS, MURDER, UNINVITED GHOSTS: THE SPOOKIEST STORIES TO TELL ABOUT CHARLOTTE

Looking for stories to share at Halloween? Here are some of the Queen City’s scariest. | Published October 26, 2021 | Read Full Story by Vanessa Infanzon

NO. 2: GHOSTS COULD SELL MORE BEER AND WINGS BUT CHARLOTTE SEEMS SPOOKED. HERE’S WHY.

And on Lake Norman, the former Davidson Ice House operated in a 100-year-old building. ‘It’s beautiful. And it’s haunted,’ said the owner, whose house also has a ghost. | Published October 19, 2022 | Read Full Story by Caroline Willingham and Nicole Rojas/Queens University News Service

American Fish Company is a waterfront live music venue and bar in Southport, North Carolina. By Baxter Miller

NO. 3: 13 HORROR MOVIES FILMED IN NC THAT HAVE HEX APPEAL (AND TO WATCH AROUND HALLOWEEN)

Planning a scary movie night this season? Here is a list of horror movies filmed around North Carolina and how to watch them on streaming. | Published October 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

NO. 4: HERE ARE SOME OF CHARLOTTE’S BEST SPOTS TO GO TRICK-OR-TREATING (+ FIND THE BEST CANDY)

Where can you snag those prized full-size candy bars? | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

A scary creature crawls around the ceiling of a room at The Conjuring: Beyond Fear experience at Scarowinds on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. By TRACY KIMBALL

NO. 5: HOLD ON TO ANNABELLE AND BECOME A PARANORMAL SLEUTH IN SCAROWINDS NEW ATTRACTION

As an October baby, my favorite holiday (besides my birthday) is obviously Halloween. | Published September 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

Queen City Ghost Tours guide Amanda Caines tells a story about McNinch House restaurant in Charlotte. By Mari Pressley

NO. 6: 13 BEST (AND SCARY) THINGS TO DO THIS HALLOWEEN SEASON AROUND CHARLOTTE

Charlotte is diving headfirst into the Halloween spirit, offering plenty of thrills and scares over the next month. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley and Melissa Oyler

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.