About This Location
Miami's oldest continuously operating inn, consisting of four restored buildings dating to 1906. The bed and breakfast sits along the historic Miami River in an area that was once the heart of early Miami.
The Ghost Story
The Miami River Inn, built as private homes and boarding houses in the early 1900s, is technically Miami's oldest still-operating hotel. Its prime location near the Miami River made it ideal for travelers arriving by boat, with affordable rooms for those seeking work or starting new lives. The inn is known for a repetitive haunting—an entity reliving a highly emotional incident at 11 PM every night in a first-floor cottage unit. It begins with the front door opening and closing loudly, followed by footsteps wiping on the welcome mat. After brief silence, running feet rush toward the unit's door, followed by fierce shaking of the doorknob witnessed by bewildered occupants. Then comes the alarming sound of antique ornaments crashing and breaking outside the door. After another pause, horrendous furniture-dragging sounds emanate from the second floor for an hour, causing vibrations down the walls. Guests typically call security and request new rooms. Cold spots are reported in all four buildings, and staff have heard children playing outside when no one is there—possibly victims of disease outbreaks from an era with few preventions. The inn changed owners in 2015 with extensive renovations, though ghosts notoriously dislike renovations. Ownership has changed multiple times since, leading some to wonder if spirits are responsible.
Researched from 6 verified sources including historical records, local archives, and paranormal research organizations. Learn about our research process.