Just off the scenic shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago stands one of the Windy City’s most historic and haunted destinations — the Congress Plaza Hotel. With its grand architecture, illustrious guest list, and chilling tales of ghost sightings and unexplained events, this storied hotel is a magnet for history buffs, paranormal investigators, and curious travelers alike. If you’re drawn to places where time feels like it stands still and the atmosphere whispers secrets from the past, the Congress Plaza Hotel offers all that — and possibly a ghostly encounter or two. Are you brave enough to check in?
The History
Birth of a Grand Hotel (1893)
The Congress Plaza Hotel opened its doors in 1893 to accommodate visitors attending the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Commissioned by hotel magnate R.H. Southgate and designed by famed architect Clinton J. Warren, the original structure was known as the Auditorium Annex. Strategically located on Michigan Avenue, it was built to impress. With its lavish ballrooms, imported marble, ornate gilded ceilings, and modern amenities, the hotel was a beacon of luxury in a rapidly growing metropolis.
Its construction coincided with a significant time in American architecture and urban development — the Chicago World’s Fair celebrated both innovation and style, a sentiment echoed in every corner of the Congress Plaza Hotel.
Expansion and the Growing Reputation
Just a decade after opening, the hotel underwent a major expansion in 1902. Renowned architectural firm Holabird & Roche designed a 14-story South Tower, which connected the original structure via a subterranean passage, later dubbed “The Tunnel.” This hidden corridor would play a crucial role in the hotel’s paranormal legend—more on that later.
Over the years, the Congress Plaza drew in elite clientele, including U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries, and the country’s business titans. It also became a popular spot for high-society balls, political rallies, and wartime activities. During WWII, portions of the building were used to house soldiers, and the hotel’s mythos as a place of both grandeur and mystery continued to grow.
Al Capone’s Shadow
No history of the Congress Plaza Hotel is complete without a mention of one of its most infamous (alleged) guests — Al Capone. Though no official hotel records confirm his long-term stay, legends surrounding the Chicago mobster’s ties to the Congress are well known. According to local lore, Capone used the hotel as a base for running his criminal empire during Prohibition. Rumors of secret doors, smuggling tunnels, and hidden rooms persist to this day, feeding speculation that the ghost of Capone himself might still be checking up on the place.
A Presidential Favorite
The Congress wasn’t just the playground of gangsters. It also served as a platform for political ambitions. Several U.S. Presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and even Richard Nixon, gave speeches or stayed here. The famed “Golden Room,” originally designed as a lavish dining space, became a stage where political futures were made—or broken.
The Haunt
With a history as rich and eventful as that of the Congress Plaza Hotel, it’s little wonder that ghost stories and eerie happenings have become a part of its legacy. Paranormal investigators and horror enthusiasts continue to flock here, drawn by a reputation that ranks the Congress as one of the most haunted hotels in the United States.
Room 441 – The Epicenter of the Paranormal
If you’re looking for the buzz of supernatural activity, ask the front desk about Room 441. Or, rather, don’t — because the hotel rarely gives it out, and with good reason. Numerous guests have reported waking up in the dead of night to the sight of a shadowy female figure standing at the foot of their bed. This spectral woman is said to kick or shake the bed violently, disturbing sleep and triggering nightmarish experiences.
Some reports even describe her as a full-body apparition — visible as a woman in early 20th-century clothing with long black hair. Many believe she may have been a victim of a tragic death in the hotel, though her identity remains unknown. You’ll often hear this room referred to on ghost tours and in paranormal blogs as the “most haunted room in Chicago.”
The Halls of Whispers and Movement
The ghostly encounters at the Congress aren’t limited to just one room. Guests and staff throughout the decades have reported hearing phantom footsteps and disembodied whispers echoing through the long, elaborately carpeted hallways—often when no one else is nearby.
Elevators are known to operate on their own, especially during late-night hours. Some even stop on the 12th floor, long rumored to be a hotspot for activity, only to open to empty hallways and flickering lights. Paranormal investigators have repeatedly claimed that EMF (electromagnetic field) detectors spike in this area, adding more fuel to the claims of active spiritual energy.
The Boy of the North Tower
One of the hotel’s most heartbreaking ghost stories involves a young boy who allegedly died after being pushed or thrown from a high floor by his mother, who then took her own life in a tragic murder-suicide. Reported occurrences include guests hearing a child’s laughter echoing through the North Tower hallways, doors creaking open by themselves, and even fleeting sightings of a young spectral figure near the windows.
The Phantom Workers of the Basement and Tunnel
Remember the underground passageway connecting the North and South Towers? That dimly-lit corridor, also used for storage and staff access, has its own set of supernatural claims. Maintenance workers have reported seeing ghostly figures walk across their path or hearing the sounds of boots and pacing behind them, only to turn and find no one there. Some even refuse to go down there alone. This area is popular with professional ghost hunters looking to capture EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and thermal readings.
Ballroom Echoes and Shadow Figures
Even the grand ballrooms of the Congress aren’t free from paranormal energy. Often locked and mostly silent, these massive spaces are said to occasionally host sounds of distant music and dancing footsteps — when no events are scheduled. Some visitors have caught glimpses of figures dressed in early 20th-century formal wear, disappearing into thin air, particularly in the “Florentine Room.” Paranormal photographers have captured unexplainable shadowy anomalies during nighttime investigations.
Planning Your Paranormal Visit
Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or simply a traveler with a curiosity for the unexplained, the Congress Plaza Hotel offers a unique experience that blends historic charm with a serious dose of the supernatural. Located at 520 South Michigan Avenue, the hotel is within walking distance from landmarks like Buckingham Fountain, Grant Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago — making it the perfect addition to any Windy City itinerary.
If you’re looking to conduct your own paranormal investigation, consider booking during the off-season to avoid crowds and increase your chances of quiet, uninterrupted exploration. Don’t forget to bring:
- EVP recorder
- EMF detector
- Night vision camera
- Notebook for activity logs
- Spirit box for real-time communication attempts
While the staff remain tight-lipped about many of the spooky rumors, they do acknowledge the hotel’s “colorful history,” and some might even share a story or two if asked with genuine curiosity.
Dare to Check In?
The Congress Plaza Hotel is more than just an overnight stay—it’s a journey into another era, filled with opulent beauty and enigmatic energy. Whether you’re captivated by its Gilded Age architecture, fascinated by historical legends, or hoping to capture your first EVP, this Chicago landmark doesn’t disappoint.
So, pack your ghost hunting gear, charge your camera batteries, and steel your nerves—because checking into the Congress Plaza might just be a one-of-a-kind adventure into the haunted heart of Illinois. And who knows? You might just leave with more than just memories.