The history of psychiatric hospitals and mental asylums in New York is a sad one. Unfortunately, in the past, understanding of mental health was not as advanced as it is today. Patients were most often institutionalized and segregated from society. The horrors that occurred at these asylums in New York were often unspeakable and would today be considered torture. Thankfully, modern society has moved towards kinder methods of dealing with the developmentally disabled and the mentally ill. Most of these institutions have been shut down. The buildings are large and difficult to fill with tenants, so they often remain abandoned. Check out a few of these abandoned asylums in New York.

1. Hart Island: The Bronx
Hart Island, Bronx, NY, USA
Flickr/David Trawin
Hart Island belongs on any list of creepy places in New York. It has a really tragic history, ranging from a Civil War prison camp, a tuberculosis hospital, a site for mass burials, and a jail. The Pavilion was a women's psychiatric institution that was constructed in 1885. It was announced last year that the city would soon tear down the old Pavilion buildings. Access to the island is limited, but you can find out more about the mass burial sites from the Hart Island Project.
2. Willard Psychiatric Center: Ovid
Ovid, NY 14521, USA
Ron Gilbert/Flickr
Willard's first patient arrived in 1869. Many of the people institutionalized there came from local homeless shelters. The hospital was nicer than many of the time. Patients had access to a bowling alley, and a movie theater, and even tended crops that were grown there. The hospital was closed in 1995 and most of the buildings are now left unused. Check out The Willard Suitcase Exhibit Online for a sad collection of photos of abandoned belongings from the patients at Willard.
3. Buffalo State Hospital: Buffalo
State Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA
Flickr/Warren LeMay




Buffalo State Hospital was intended to provide a home-like atmosphere for patients and included state-of-the-art (at the time) treatments. The hospital was replaced in the mid-20th century by a newer site nearby, but many of the buildings from the old hospital still stand today.

Related Stories

Enjoy A Sense Of Peace At This Incredible Waterfront Restaurant In New York

Enjoy A Sense Of Peace At This Incredible Waterfront Restaurant In New York

 Your Ultimate Guide To Summer Fun In New York

Your Ultimate Guide To Summer Fun In New York

 The Magnificent Lakefront Airbnb In New York That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

The Magnificent Lakefront Airbnb In New York That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat
4. Hudson River State Hospital: Poughkeepsie
Dutchess County, NY, USA
Flickr/Nicole Compton
The Hudson River State Hospital was built in 1868. The hospital is absolutely massive and treated over 6,000 patients at its peak. The administrative buildings were finally shut down in 2001. Much of the structure was damaged by a fire in 2007. What remains standing is extremely dilapidated.
5. Letchworth Village: Thiells
Letchworth Village, Haverstraw, NY 10984, USA
Flickr/Doug Kerr




Letchworth Village opened in 1911 and once contained 130 buildings. The hospital housed the physically and mentally disabled. Terrible rumors of mistreatment and neglect swirled around the hospital, which finally closed in 1996. Patients were often used in medical experimentation.
6. Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital: Kings Park
Kings Park Psychiatric Center, Nissequogue River State Park, 799 St Johnland Rd, Kings Park, NY 11754, USA
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Kings Park Psychiatric Center opened in 1885. This hospital suffered severe overcrowding and once held over 9,000 patients. Many of the buildings have been demolished since its closure in 1996, but a few remain standing.
7. Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital: Middletown
Middletown, NY 10940, USA
Sarah M./Google Maps




Middletown opened in 1874 as the first purely homeopathic hospital for mental disorders in the country. The hospital's baseball team, made up of patients, was one of the top amateur baseball teams in the state. The hospital was made up of more than 100 buildings and nearly 4,000 patients at its peak. It was closed permanently in 2006.

Creepy! How many of these closed mental institutions in New York did you know about?

Please note that while many of these New York insane asylums are still standing, they are not safe to enter, and doing so could result in trespassing charges.

If you are fascinated by seeing these abandoned asylums in New York, you are sure to enjoy this road trip to abandoned places in New York State. Just make sure to check out our road trip packing list first so you are sure to have all of the essentials.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Terrifying Places In New York

Sara Dager | October 10, 2023

Are there any creepy road trips through New York State that I can go on? 

Pack up the car and hop on the highway for one of these oh-so-scary road trips through New York State:

  • This haunted New York road trip takes about five and a half hours and brings you to nine haunted spots including a theater, train station, and even a castle!
  • Our other road trip to haunted places in New York is also five and a half hours long. This one contains six stops. You will see a haunted high school, hospital, and museum along the way.

What other abandoned places in New York State can I visit? 

These abandoned places in New York aren't guaranteed to be haunted, but they are nevertheless sure to send a chill up your spine! Just make sure to check out the laws in place around these spots before you visit, many of them are only safe to view from the road:

  • Bonnie Castle Greens, a once vibrant mini golf course is now busy being reclaimed by nature.
  • Beechwood State Park is home to the oh-so-creepy ruins of an old Girl Scout Camp.
  • The Pines Resort up in the Catskills used to be bustling with vacationing families, but today it lies dormant and decrepit.

What are some of the most haunted places in New York State?

Some of the most terrifying haunted places in the country are in the Empire State. If you want the pants scared off of you, check out these haunted places in New York:

  • Elmira, New York is an entire haunted town! Its nickname is Hellmira and many spirits are said to haunt the buildings and streets.
  • A night at the Fainting Goat Inn is sure to cause a fright. The inn is over 150 years old and many guests and employees have reported spiritual encounters.
  • There are so many haunted hospitals in New York State that we had to make a separate list just for them!

Related Articles