(possibly) haunted destinations
I love a good ghost story. There are so many out there (including a ton of crap fake ones), but a really good ghost story stays with you.
But if you're asking me to watch a horror movie, I'll agree...if all the lights are on, it's in the middle of the afternoon, I'm under a blanket so I can hide my eyes, and after I've read the spoilers.
One of the best parts about traveling to a new place is learning the history. As most of you know, history isn't always pretty. That being the case, there are always a ton of great places to visit that have a bit of a spooky back story. I'm here to share some of "spooktacular" (possibly) haunted destinations. Read on...if you dare.
salem, massachusetts
Everyone has heard of the Salem Witch Trials and seen the hilarious and spooky Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus. However, Salem hides a dark history, including torture, false accusations, and a town that went completely crazy. Though the village has worked hard to turn the negative into a positive, they still capitalize on its gory and haunting history. Be sure to check out the Salem Witch Museum and take a peek at the previous home of Jonathan Corwin.
savannah, georgia
If you've ever delved into anything remotely Southern gothic, you know that Savannah is one of the most unique, and creepy, destinations in the United States. The strangely beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery is full of stories of ghosts and voodoo. You should also consider dining at The Pirate's House, an old sailors' pub where unsuspecting drunk victims were carted off through the tunnels and into servitude on ships. If you're up for some brews (and boo's), check out the Moon River Brewing Company. The building was previously the first guesthouse in Savannah, so there is a dark history full of bar brawls and beatings. It's now reported that there are aggressive ghosts still looking to fight.
galveston, texas
The Galvez Hotel is basically Texas' answer to American Horror Story's Hotel Cortez or Stephen King's Overlook Hotel from The Shining (if you want to get technical, the Overlook is based on the real-life Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado). The hotel was built on the site of another hotel which had previously been destroyed by a fire. Long story short, the fifth floor is apparently where all the creepy stuff happens. Loud noises, creepy kids, and even a ghostly nun have all been reported. Additionally, a massive hurricane decimated the city of Galveston in 1900. Between 8,000 and 12,000 people died in the storm, which leads many ghost hunters to believe that the majority of the island is haunted.
new orleans, louisiana
Did you really think I was going to skip my beloved New Orleans? It's like you don't even know me!
New Orleans is known to be one of the most haunted cities in America. That's actually one of the reasons I love it so much. From the gas lamps to the uneven sidewalks to the above-ground crypts, New Orleans can turn the decrepit and macabre into something beautiful.
While you're touring my soul city, be sure to enjoy dinner at Muriel's, where the previous owner killed himself on the second floor after losing the mansion in a bet. From the street, you can see the empty, candlelit table laid out especially for him each night. One of New Orleans' most notoriously haunting stories is that of the Lalaurie House. Now modernized into pretty apartments, this building is the site of slave torture and dismemberment at this hands of the former owner. Enjoy a drink at the famous Carousel Bar of the Hotel Monteleone, by far the most haunted hotel in New Orleans. You may encounter the friendly ghost of Maurice Bergere, a little boy who died of yellow fever in the late 1800's. Also, be sure to take a stroll in any of the city's large cemeteries or through the beautiful Garden District.
Or, you can just take a ghost tour. Those are always delightfully spooky.
