Introduction
Columbus may be known for Ohio State, vibrant neighborhoods, and a growing arts scene, but beneath its modern veneer lie shadows of older tragedies, ghost stories, and haunted legends. Ghost tours in downtown Columbus point out haunted sites like the Lazarus Building and the Ohio Statehouse. Driving through Columbus after dark offers the chance to transform familiar roads into something uncanny—where a flicker of light, a bend in the road, or a disembodied whisper might belong to something other than wind.
While regular night driving has its thrills, scheduling a route through haunted sites gives each turn more weight. And if you want to feel more confident negotiating rural stretches or dimly lit paths, Manual Driving Academy in Columbus can help you sharpen the skills and composure for spooky drives.
Spooky Drive List
1. Walhalla Road (Clintonville / North Columbus)
Perhaps Columbus’s best-known haunted road, Walhalla Road (off Clinton Heights Avenue / Indianola Avenue area) is said to hide a tragic story of a man named “Dr. Mooney” who murdered his family and then committed suicide—legends claim a blue light glows in a mansion attic and ghostly figures appear under a bridge.
This narrow, hilly street passes under Calumet Street Bridge and winds through woods and ravines—ideal for a short, eerie night drive.
2. Green Lawn Abbey & Green Lawn Cemetery
The Green Lawn Abbey (700 Greenlawn Avenue, Franklin Township near Columbus) is a large mausoleum structure built in 1927. Adjacent Green Lawn Cemetery also hosts ghostly lore and mystique. Cruising along Greenlawn Avenue or nearby country roads at dusk or after dark gives the drive a weigh of quiet dread.
3. Manual Driving Academy — Build Night Driving Confidence
Venturing into haunted roads, bridges, or rural territories demands steadiness, alertness, and skill. Manual Driving Academy in Columbus provides lessons that help drivers feel confident maneuvering sharp curves, low visibility, and unpredictable conditions. Their gift certificates never expire, making them a perfect choice for a friend who dreams of spooky road trips.
4. Headless Hattie / Watkins Road Bridge (Near Columbus)
On ghost-tour circuits, Watkins Road Bridge becomes “Headless Hattie Bridge.” According to local lore, a woman and her infant died in a crash here, and if you stop and flash your lights 12 times, the headless apparition of Hattie may appear. Incorporate Watkins Road (or nearby rural roads) into your night route for a chilling test of nerve.
5. Lazarus Building & Broad Street Shadows
In downtown Columbus, Lazarus Building (site of the former Lazarus department store) is cited among haunted locations. Driving along Broad Street at night, especially near the former commercial and entertainment corridors, can bring encounters with spectral tales and urban legends.
6. Extended Adventure: Moonville Tunnel (Southeast Ohio, ~2 hours)
If you’re willing to drive farther, head southeast to Moonville Tunnel in Vinton County (Zaleski State Forest). A historic railroad tunnel from 1857, it’s one of Ohio’s most legendary haunted spots—with stories of phantom train sounds, the “Lantern Man,” and ghostly figures in the dark. Use backroads to approach it, merging scenic forest drives with the haunted destination.
Conclusion
Columbus’s haunted flair isn’t locked in stories alone—it lives in its roads, its bridges, and the quiet of its cemeteries at night. From the chilling bend of Walhalla Road to the silent crypts of Green Lawn and the mystery of Watkins Road Bridge, each route beckons a new story in the dark.
So rally a few friends, double-check your headlights, map your path—and let Columbus reveal what lurks beyond the light. If you want to feel more capable behind the wheel—whether navigating foggy rural roads or urban shadows—you can book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy in Columbus. Strengthen your skill, sharpen your confidence, and face the haunted road ahead.
