Railroad House Inn Review: Sleeping in Haunted Room 6 in Marietta, Pennsylvania

Hello, spooky cats!

For another haunted hotel adventure, we traveled to Marietta, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County, to spend the night at the historic Railroad House Inn.

The inn sits near the railroad tracks and the Northwest River Trail, surrounded by beautiful scenery, old buildings, breweries, and the remains of Marietta’s transportation history. Established in 1823, the Railroad House began as a canal-side tavern and lodging place for river workers and travelers. More than two centuries later, it continues to operate as a boutique inn, restaurant, and event venue.

It has also developed a reputation for being haunted.

Naturally, we booked Room 6, which is commonly described as one of the inn’s most paranormally active rooms.

Unfortunately, it was also the smallest.

Arriving at the Railroad House Inn

The Railroad House Inn is located in the small riverside town of Marietta rather than Lancaster city itself.

The setting was one of the best parts of the visit. The area surrounding the inn was peaceful and attractive, with historic streets, outdoor seating, nearby breweries, and plenty of scenery to explore.

Across the street stood an old railroad station, while active train tracks remained nearby. Trains still pass through the area and sound their horns at the crossings, so current booking information warns that guests may hear them regardless of which room they choose.

For us, the railroad atmosphere added to the experience. It felt appropriate for a place called the Railroad House Inn.

Light sleepers, however, should pack earplugs.

The History of the Railroad House Inn

The Railroad House Inn dates to 1823, when it served canal workers and visitors traveling through the area near the Susquehanna River. Over time, the property evolved into a historic inn, restaurant, tavern, and event destination.

The current property includes guest accommodations, dining spaces, patios, event areas, and the Perry Street Cellar, which occupies the building’s former coal cellar and has been renovated with a speakeasy-style atmosphere.

Its age is immediately apparent inside. The inn contains narrow stairways, unexpected doors, compact rooms, old fireplaces, uneven architectural details, and spaces that appear to have changed purpose many times.

This is not a modern hotel decorated to look historic.

It is an old building that has been adapted repeatedly over two centuries—and occasionally seems to have grown a staircase or tiny doorway simply because it felt like it.

Staying in Room 6

Room 6 was reportedly the inn’s most haunted room, which is why we selected it.

It was also extremely small.

The room contained what appeared to be a full-size bed, an old fireplace, a private bathroom, a window overlooking the railroad area, and very little extra floor space.

That was essentially the entire room.

There was no television, refrigerator, or microwave inside Room 6 during our stay. There was also no hair dryer.

For one person, the space would probably be manageable. For two people, luggage and paranormal equipment quickly consumed nearly every available surface.

The experience felt a little like staying in a Japanese micro-hotel, except this one came with an antique fireplace and the possibility of a ghost watching us struggle around the bed.

Is Room 6 Large Enough for Two People?

Technically, yes.

Comfortably? That depends on how much personal space you require.

The full-size bed took up most of the room. There was not much space to move around, unpack, or position ghost-hunting equipment.

The room felt better suited to a solo traveler or a couple who packs very lightly and does not mind being close together.

We survived, but during a future stay, we would choose one of the larger rooms.

We only booked Room 6 because of its haunted reputation. Ghost tourism requires sacrifice. Sometimes that sacrifice is legroom.

A Very Small Bathroom

The private bathroom was also tiny.

It contained a toilet, sink, and narrow shower. The shower was smaller than many cruise ship showers and required careful navigation.

There was no bathtub.

Despite the size, the shower worked reasonably well. The water pressure was good, and the water became hot after we allowed it enough time to warm up.

Do not give up too quickly. Historic plumbing apparently prefers a dramatic pause.

The inn provided body wash, soap, makeup remover, and a combined shampoo-and-conditioner product.

I personally dislike two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, so I was glad I had brought my own conditioner.

Bring Your Own Hair Dryer

Room 6 did not include a hair dryer during our visit.

That became inconvenient because I needed to leave with wet hair and wait until our next stop in Atlantic City before properly drying it.

Guests staying in historic inns should never assume every standard modern hotel amenity will be available.

Bring the things you consider essential—especially hair products, chargers, earplugs, and anything required to prevent you from arriving at the next destination looking like you escaped through a thunderstorm.

No Television, Refrigerator, or Microwave

Room 6 did not include a television.

For some guests, that may be a disadvantage. For others, it creates the perfect opportunity to disconnect from screens, enjoy the quiet setting, read, or spend the night asking questions into the darkness.

There was also no refrigerator or microwave inside the room.

The inn had a separate shared coffee area with a small refrigerator, drinks, and morning items. That helped compensate for the missing appliances, although it was not as convenient as having them inside the room.

Current listings describe the inn as having remodeled guest rooms with private bathrooms, climate control, toiletries, and Wi-Fi, so individual amenities may have changed since our visit. Guests should check the description of their specific room before booking.

The Shared Coffee Area

The inn had a small common area where guests could make coffee.

It included a Keurig-style machine, several coffee choices, cups, milk, soft drinks, boiled eggs, and a refrigerator.

I made myself coffee before we left.

This was not a full traditional bed-and-breakfast meal during our visit, but it provided a few simple morning options.

Guests wanting a more substantial breakfast may want to check the restaurant’s current schedule. The property currently operates a restaurant offering seasonal food and Sunday brunch.

Exploring the Other Rooms

One of the most interesting parts of our stay was that several unoccupied rooms had been left open.

We were able to look inside and compare them with Room 6.

The other rooms were noticeably larger.

Some had more floor space, additional seating, and doors leading toward outdoor areas. After seeing them, it became even clearer that Room 6 was designed for someone traveling alone—or possibly a very compact Victorian ghost.

We also found unusual architectural features throughout the inn, including a staircase that appeared to lead nowhere and a small elevated door that would require a ladder to reach.

Old buildings often preserve evidence of earlier renovations, changed floor plans, blocked entrances, and former additions. These strange features are fascinating, although they can also make the building feel as though it rearranges itself when no one is looking.

The Patio, Balcony, and Grounds

The Railroad House Inn has attractive outdoor spaces.

We explored a patio and dining area, a balcony, gardens, and a large barn-like structure that appeared suitable for weddings or other events.

The scenery surrounding the property was beautiful and peaceful.

Even without the haunted stories, the inn would make a pleasant destination for anyone who wants a relaxing getaway near the river and trail.

The property currently promotes weddings, private events, and gatherings across several indoor and outdoor spaces.

Exploring Marietta

Marietta is quieter than some of the larger historic towns we visit.

We walked around, visited a nearby antique store, and stopped at a brewery. My husband was particularly excited about the local beer options.

At the antique store, I found handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls dated 1982.

Naturally, I bought one.

Now I have my own Annabelle.

What could possibly go wrong?

The town offered a relaxing setting, and the inn was close enough to local businesses that we could explore without spending the entire day driving.

The Thin Walls

The greatest problem for both sleeping and paranormal investigating was the soundproofing.

The walls were extremely thin.

We could hear people talking, walking, moving inside other rooms, and making ordinary hotel noises. We could also hear birds and other sounds from outside.

This matters for regular guests because noise may disturb sleep.

It matters even more for paranormal investigators because nearly every sound recorded in the building has a long list of possible normal sources.

A whisper on an audio recorder could be another guest.

A knock could come from plumbing, furniture, a door, or someone walking nearby.

A mysterious cry might be a bird outside.

Historic inns are atmospheric, but they are rarely controlled acoustic laboratories.

The Haunted Reputation of Room 6

Room 6 has long been associated with reports of paranormal activity.

Haunted-location directories describe guests experiencing cold spots, unusual feelings, apparitions, and unexplained activity in and around the room. A young blonde girl dressed in Victorian-style clothing is among the figures reportedly seen at the property. Other stories involve male and female apparitions, objects moving in the kitchen, and a flirtatious tavern ghost sometimes called Annie.

These stories should be treated as folklore and witness reports rather than verified historical facts. The sources themselves acknowledge that the haunting claims are largely anecdotal and cannot be independently confirmed.

Room 6 nevertheless remains strongly connected to the inn’s haunted identity and is sometimes referred to as Annie’s Room.

The Woman in White

One frequently repeated story involves an apparition of a woman with light or blonde hair, sometimes dressed in white or Victorian clothing.

She has reportedly been seen inside the building and around the garden.

Stories about a mysterious woman in white are common at historic inns, battlefields, and former transportation sites. White clothing becomes highly visible in dim conditions, while mist, flowers, curtains, reflections, and distant guests can briefly resemble a human figure.

That does not mean every witness is mistaken. It means the environmental possibilities should be considered before deciding a ghost has appeared.

We kept an eye on the garden but did not personally see her.

Ghosts Connected to the Railroad and Canal

The inn’s haunted reputation is often connected generally to the laborers and travelers who passed through the area during its long history.

It began as lodging for canal workers and visitors, later existing alongside the railroad and the changing transportation routes through Marietta.

Haunting stories involving workers, travelers, and unidentified men have accumulated around the property. However, I did not find solid documentation tying each reported apparition to a named historical individual.

The building’s age makes the legends plausible as folklore, but age alone is not evidence of paranormal activity.

Old inns collect stories almost as efficiently as they collect creaking floorboards.

Our Paranormal Investigation

We brought our equipment and attempted to investigate Room 6.

The tiny size made positioning cameras and devices difficult, while the thin walls made audio evidence particularly challenging.

Because we could hear almost everything happening inside and outside the inn, we had to remain skeptical of any voices, footsteps, or knocks recorded during the night.

We reviewed footage after visiting a nearby brewery, but nothing during the room-review portion of the stay stood out as undeniable evidence.

That does not mean the investigation was pointless.

Establishing how easily sound travels through the building is valuable evidence in itself. It tells us that future claims involving voices and footsteps require stronger controls before they can be considered paranormal.

Sometimes proving a building is noisy is more useful than declaring that every noise is a ghost.

Did We Experience Anything Paranormal?

We did not have a dramatic personal encounter during our overnight stay.

No apparition entered the room. Nothing moved across the floor, and no Victorian child appeared beside the fireplace.

Most sounds had reasonable possible explanations because the inn was so acoustically open.

Room 6 felt atmospheric and slightly claustrophobic, but atmosphere is not the same thing as evidence.

The inn remains an interesting place to investigate, especially if an investigator could arrange a night with few or no other guests. Without that control, separating ordinary sound from possible paranormal activity is extremely difficult.

Was the Bed Comfortable?

The full-size bed was adequate, but the main problem was space.

Two adults could sleep in it, although anyone accustomed to a queen or king may feel crowded.

The room was probably better suited to one person.

We managed to sleep, but neither the mattress nor the room size was the strongest reason to book Room 6.

You stay in Room 6 because it is Room 6.

Comfort is merely invited to attend.

What We Liked

The strongest parts of our stay were the historic atmosphere, peaceful surroundings, outdoor spaces, nearby trail and railroad scenery, and opportunity to explore such an old property.

The shower had good pressure and hot water once it warmed up.

The shared coffee area was useful, and Marietta offered enough nearby places to explore, eat, drink, and shop.

The inn felt unique and memorable rather than standardized.

What Could Be Better

Room 6 was too small for us.

The full-size bed, tiny bathroom, limited storage, and lack of a refrigerator, microwave, television, and hair dryer made it less convenient than the larger rooms.

The thin walls were also a significant drawback, especially for light sleepers and paranormal investigators.

Many of the rooms have reportedly been remodeled since the period reflected in our video, so some details may now be different. Current descriptions advertise private bathrooms, climate control, luxury linens, toiletries, and Wi-Fi, but guests should still review the exact room listing and remember that the nearby trains remain active.

Who Would Enjoy Room 6?

Room 6 may appeal to:

• Solo travelers
• Paranormal enthusiasts
• Guests who specifically want the reportedly haunted room
• People who travel lightly
• Visitors who do not need a television
• Travelers who appreciate compact historic spaces

Couples, light sleepers, and guests with large luggage may prefer one of the bigger rooms.

Final Railroad House Inn Review

We enjoyed our stay at the Railroad House Inn and would return.

However, we would book a larger room next time.

Room 6 delivered plenty of historic atmosphere and gave us the experience of sleeping in the inn’s most famously haunted space. It also gave us a full-size bed, almost no floor space, an extremely tiny shower, and walls that allowed every nearby sound to join our investigation.

The rest of the property was beautiful.

The gardens, patio, historic architecture, nearby railroad, trail access, and quiet town made it a pleasant place to escape for a night.

Would I recommend the Railroad House Inn?

Yes.

Would I recommend Room 6 for two people?

Only if you are committed to the ghost story and willing to sacrifice personal space for paranormal possibilities.

We did not see the blonde woman in the garden or capture anything we could confidently call a ghost. Still, we stayed inside a two-century-old inn, explored strange staircases and hidden-looking doors, visited local breweries, and brought home a potentially cursed Raggedy Ann doll.

That sounds like a successful dark tourism trip to me.

Stay spooky, cats!