USA Travel Guide

Writing about Washington DC ghost tours last week, I made a quick aside about the Nashville Ghost Tours company, who run the DC tours as well. Good folks, and good quality tours. Anyway, I guess it got us thinking back on Nashville, and we remembered that ol’ Music City actually has a number of groovy ghost tours. I thought we’d take advantage of the season (or what’s left of it), and mention one more.

From Branson to Asheville to all the way down in San Antonio, the tenacious Ghost & Haunt Tours Company goes where the ghosts are, and more than a few experts say the ghosts are in Nashville. The tour begins in downtown at the Sheraton. Arrive prompt (read: early), because in our experience they don’t do a lot of waiting around. You’ll notice right away that your guide is one of the strongest assets. Professional and personable, with a real passion for the subject matter. No gimmicky nonsense either.

There’s a lot to cover in only 90 minutes, so you’re soon on your way. One of the biggest stops, of course, is Ryman Auditorium, the former site of the Grand Ole Opry. Stories of the Opry’s allegedly haunting stretch back long before there were ghost tours out front popularizing them. The most famous apparition at the Auditorium is Captain Ryman himself, walking the halls and looking after his beloved building.

Still weirder, some say that the Opry is haunted by the ghost of country music legend Hank Williams. I guess when you’re talking about the paranormal, that’s no more a stretch than any other.

The Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville is another popular ghost tour stop (and even without ghosts, it’s just such good sightseeing). You can get a mess of stories at the Capitol, and I don’t recall which you’ll get on this tour. The nighttime bickering of Strickland and Morgan is a common tale. These two men, the building’s architect and construction overseer, hated each other, yet both were buried at in the Capitol vault at the time of their death. Some say, they’re battle of egos continues to this day.

That’s barely a scratch on what your tour will cover, but we’re not here to give away the secrets. We want you take the tour.

The Ghost & Haunt Tour of Nashville is a low-impact walking tour that lasts 90-minutes. Total ground covered is less than one mile. Tours begin in the lobby of the downtown Sheraton at 9:00 p.m., reservations are required. The daily schedule is almost over (October 31), so call for scheduling after that. Adult tickets are $18. Learn more.

Enjoy a convenient, inexpensive stay at our favorite Nashville airport hotel, the Holiday Inn Nashville – Opryland Airport. Free shuttle and parking will stop you from getting buried under incidental costs.

Have fun! 

Our friends at sister blog South Florida Travel Guide did all the leg work for me on this one. See the original story here.

Enough slasher films have been set in tropical paradises, I think, to justify finding yourself a little scare-tainment next time you head through the Palm Beach area. That’s why we recommend Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida.

This large haunted attraction is only open nine days, but they’re packing them front to back with top-quality scares. At the heart of the operation lurks a trio of haunted houses: 

• Next of Kin – Will you risk a confrontation with a vicious family of mutants? Folks of this humble town have locked themselves away in their houses, but you don’t have that luxury.
• Origins – A unique story-driven scare. You catch glimpses into the origins of a sadistic serial killer-to-be. Watch in horror as his perversions grow ever more twisted. Love this one!
• Malpractice – Doctor of experimental surgery, Dr. Andrue, loses his job at Pittsburgh General, and let’s just say he finds it a very freeing experience. His business is crazy, and business is good.

The houses are intense; not recommended for younger guests. However, unlike most haunted attractions, Fright Nights does cater to younger guests as well. On-site Yesteryear Village has been converted to Spookyville, a not-spooky-at-all family village where little ones can play games, play with crafts and walk a generous trick or treat trail. Costumes encouraged.

Finally, the whole shebang also features a nightly carnival, with midway games and all your favorite carnival concessions. That’s a whole lot of fun for one upfront admission!

Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach runs tonight through Saturday, and then again next week, Thursday to Saturday. That’s six more chances to do it all. Combo house and unlimited ride tickets cost $25. Learn more.

I’d probably hear about it from the other blog if I recommended anywhere else, so for hotels near West Palm Beach, we’d stay at our favorite Singer Island resort, the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront. Nothing like a little beachfront vakay to scare those frights away.

Have fun!

Still looking for haunted fun? There’s only a few days left to check out any of our favorite haunted houses in American. Check out all of our coverage.

Congress ain’t the only scary thing in DC! Have yourself a spooky good time in our nation’s capital this Halloween season with a historical ghost tour. Whether in beautiful President’s Park or the nearby town of Alexandria, we’ve got a great selection for you.

Washington DC Ghost Tours
The Washington DC Ghost Tour company has all-pro credentials. The company also runs the Nashville Ghost Tours, a really fantastic selection of tours down in Music City (we’ve even written about them).

Just like in Nashville, the DC ghost tour provides many a chilling tale, but also a terrific and accurate historical account of the locations and happenings. Your tour begins Lafayette Square (President’s Park), but you’ll soon be on the move to explore the haunted history behind the Hay-Adams Hotel, Dolly Madison House and St. John’s Church. Expect some fun little tidbits about the nearby White House as well. Lovers of history, the paranormal and architecture will all have something to enjoy.

As we’d expect from the people behind Nashville Ghost Tours, Washington DC Ghost Tours hires first-rate guides. Lantern in hand and dressed to the Victorian nines (well, maybe eights), the guides will fascinate you as readily as have you chuckling. Frank’s the man!

Adult tickets cost $15. Tours run nightly through mid-November, starting at 8:00 p.m. Additional times may be added in October. Learn more.

Recommended Washington DC Hotel:
Phoenix Park Hotel

Alexandria’s Ghost & Graveyard Tour
Just a hop, skip and healthy jump from Lafayette Square in DC, visit charming Alexandria, Virginia. This dynamic city is steeped in American history, including a fair bit of its haunted history.

The Alexandria Colonial Tours company offers a selection of fine tours, from African American history to the Christmas tour, but me being me, my favorite has to be the Ghost & Graveyard tour. The at times quaint architecture of Old Town takes on a menacing grimace in the pale lantern light, and for just a moment, you feel transported back nearly 300 years.

Among several tales of folklore, legend and ghostly happenings throughout Old Town, the tour includes the tragic twists of romantic misfortune suffered by Laura Schafer and Charles Tennesson back in the 19^th Century. The company even recreated this story for a show on the Travel Channel awhile back.

On select October nights, they offer a special Halloween Tour, which includes access to areas not on the regular tour. We haven’t done this one at USA Travel Guide.

Adult tickets cost $10. Tours run nightly through October, then weekends after that. Starting location depends on the date, so read carefully. Learn more.

Recommended Alexandria, Virginia hotels:
Holiday Inn Alexandria-Historic District
Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria

Have a little haunted fun in Washington DC.

With the month more than half gone, it pains me to think that our Halloween coverage must soon come to an end. Oh well, at least next month we have a holiday that’s actually violent.

Just a few hours up the road from the USA Travel Guide offices, Oklahoma City is putting the frights on people with a number of quality attractions, either in town or the surrounding areas. In you live in the area, or if you’re traveling in soon, here are a couple of our favorite haunted attractions in Oklahoma City.

Ultimate Terrors
This classic scare park features three spooky houses, games and concessions, making for a full evening scare affair. Not to mention, they put a good deal of effort into the lore behind the haunts, which always wins points in my book. Before you go, be sure to read The Legend.

Houses include Skull Manor, a moody walk through the home of a deranged family. The manor is heavy on scenes and spooks, but isn’t too gross for those who aren’t in to that kind of thing. Code Blue takes a classic setting, crazy doctors, and leads you on a journey through the grotesque. Finally you have 3-D Chaos, a lengthy maze attraction that jumps out at you in more ways than one.

As a twisted side attraction just perfect for the season, check out “Painball”, a black light paintball shooting gallery with live moving targets (people, of course).

Ultimate Terrors will open back up for business this Thursday, the 22^nd, and stay open nightly through November 1. Haunts are priced individually at $10, or you can buy a 3-house combo for $20 (and you should). Learn more.

The Dungeon Haunted Ride in 3-D
We’ve been to Bricktown before, but now is really the time to go. Why? Because it’s only during the short season run up to Halloween that you can enjoy the Dungeon Haunted Ride pushed to its true potential.

This funhouse-style ride actually runs throughout the year, and it spends half of it as a low-intensity, family-friendly haunted attraction. However, as Halloween approaches, they ratchet up the scare factor, and it becomes one of the coolest haunted rides we know. Awesome set work stands out (literally – it’s a 3-D ride after all), accented by the trippy color scheme and atmospheric effects.

Hurry now, check it out before the season passes and it turns into a cheesy Christmas ride. The Dungeon Haunted Ride in 3-D is open nightly through the end of October. Tickets cost $10.50. It’s a low-rent Web site, but the attraction is nothing of the kind. Learn more.

When you’re not scared for your life, try to relax a little bit. For Oklahoma City hotels, we often stay at the SpringHill Suites Oklahoma City – Quail Springs. We’re always amazed by the prices offered, considering the quality of the rooms along with the free breakfast and Internet. Good stuff.

Have fun!

Yep, our haunted coverage continues to grow! Check out all of our stories at “Top Haunted Attractions in America“.

Dropped into San Diego for a spell last week, and my wife and I couldn’t pass up the chance to take the Old Town’s Most Haunted Ghost Tour, hosted by veteran area Ghost Hunter Michael Brown.

We liked it immediately. No advanced reservations required, we grouped up in front of a cheesy outdoor Tex-Mex place in Old Town San Diego. It was an eclectic mix of us – a mid-twenties couple with real fascination, a father trying helplessly to quell his young daughter’s torrent of dialogue (she was really into Ghost Hunters), an old man who sat out at every stop for bad legs.

Then Michael shows up – jeans, button down – and starts marking us with glow bracelets. No signs, no silly forms, no credit cards. Just cash in hand and a let’s-do-this attitude. Perfect.

As he explains on the tour, Old Town’s Most Haunted is the only ghost tour in California that operates in a state park (Old Town San Diego Historic State Park). As a result, the state requires him to augment the tour with items on the history of San Diego and the area. It’s your luck, actually, as both Old Town and San Diego itself is brimming with fascinating history. Michael paints it in simple terms, a flourish-free style that I appreciate.

The Walking Ghost Tour starts in Old Town at the fountain in front of the Tex-Mex place and runs for approximately 90 minutes, covering several locations in Old Town Park as well as the surrounding areas. Michael takes you to stops allegedly rife with paranormal activity, fills you in on whatever lore there might be, and then follows up with his own experiences. After 10 years of ghost hunting San Diego, especially Old Town, he’s had plenty of good ones to share.

The tour takes you through Old Town, to the Little Adobe Chapel, to a haunted Cajun restaurant, to a sectioned-off stamp of cemetery a mere fraction of what it used to be and finally to San Diego’s notorious Whaley House, one of America’s most haunted houses. Cool stories and a few surprising finds accompany every stop (you might even speak to a ghost!)

Your host, Michael Brown, has not a shred of corporate veneer, and this may or may not work for you, depending on what you want. He’s a serious guy and a true believer. He puts his experiences out there matter-of-fact, take’em or leave’em. He won’t try to convert you or even convince you that his findings are proof of hauntings. He’ll let you decide. And if you’re a fan of the Ghost Hunters television show, prepare to have ol’ Jason and Grant knocked a few times (but it’s all in good fun).

Old Town’s Most Haunted Ghost Tours are hosted four nights a week, Thursday – Sunday, for $19. Cash only. Learn more about this tour and Michael’s other tours here.

Got a couple of fine San Diego hotels near Old Town and plenty else there is to do in San Diego: 

• Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay – a great location on the bay next the Gaslamp Quarter. Free airport and attractions shuttle.
• Doubletree Downtown San Diego Hotel – another sublime location for traveling just about anywhere in San Diego. Free airport shuttle. 

Have fun and happy hunting

Alright, before you yell at me, I admit right up front that neither of today’s haunted houses is actually located in Chicago. But, come on, they’re in the area. And I’ve got two attractions to get to here. I can’t be wastin’ space with this.

Dreamreapers in Melrose Park, Illinois
We like the Dreamreapers Haunted House in Melrose Park so well it earned a spot on our list of the Top 13 Haunted Houses in America. It was one of our last selections, for a number of reasons, but we’re happy with it. It’s a groovy kind of place – not extravagant, not overwrought, not hokey.

Instead, it’s honest and old-school. Scares rely on classic misdirection and the affronting performance of the costumed actors, not the hottest new tech. Well, it does have one unusual feature. A number of the rooms are scented, which in the darkness of this phantasmagoric maze can be more unsettling than anything you could ever see.

Dreamreapers features a single haunted attraction of 22 rooms. General admission is $16; outdoor waiting is a possibility so check the weather. Season runs through October 31. Learn more.

If you’re traveling in, get the most of your trip to the Chicago area by staying in the heart of it. Two Chicago hotels we’ve mentioned before – the Silversmith Hotel and the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile – offer quality and surprisingly affordable accommodations near most of the biggest Chicago attractions, and they’re only about 15 miles out from Dreamreapers.

Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois
A national staple, Fright Fest at Six Flags Amusement Park is a smart choice to find both quality and quantity to fill up your seasonal scare quota. Little more than a tame makeover during the day, at Fright Fest the ghouls come out at night.

The heart of Fright Fest is always the fee-added haunted houses. For just a little extra, risk a timid walk through the twisted terrors of Studio 13, where thirteen famous horror films come to life. On the free side, enjoy the no-children-recommended Human Freak Show. Not for the squeamish.

Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America features two haunted houses, two dedicated scare zones and lots of additional activities, from parades to dance parties. Although the main attractions are not recommended for those under 12, the event also features children’s programming. Runs weekends through November 1; included with regular admission. Learn more.

For hotels near Six Flags Great America, we love the earthy boutique vibe of Hotel Indigo Vernon Hills. The hotel is located only eight miles out from the park and offers an upscale room experience at not-at-all upscale prices.

Looking to kill some time this evening? We may have covered a great haunted house in your area. Check out our “Top Haunted Houses in America” coverage.

Hard to believe we’ve been doing all these haunted house stories and haven’t yet traveled to New Orleans. This multicultural mélange of architectures, lifestyles, beliefs and generations is maybe the most active destination in the country. It’s an ideal place to find top-quality haunted attractions and, if you like, perhaps something much more real.

Haunted hotels in New Orleans are particularly common, with more than twelve in the city limits widely accepted to be haunted. We don’t have time for them all today, but in honor of the season, here are five of our favorite Haunted Hotels in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Hotel Monteleone
A regular on even national lists, Hotel Monteleone is a New Orleans French Quarter landmark, with a history dating back to the 1880s. Its incredible edifice and elegant halls have attracted eras of celebrities, authors, politicians, filmmakers and, yes, even ghosts. Stories run the gamut, from the fading apparition of an ancient clockmaker to a door that opens and shuts despite all efforts to lock it. Few stories speak of hauntings in the rooms, however, so sleep soundly and enjoy a marvelous building.

Dauphine Orleans Hotel
From the burnt orange façade to the wrought iron balconies to the French flag cresting meekly in the wind, this place just looks haunted. It’s everything you want it to be. Like most haunted buildings, Dauphine Orleans Hotel’s history goes back, as far back as 1775, in fact, when records explain the construction of the properties oldest sections. The former bordello still manages to keep guests up at night, only now it’s the ghostly moan of an unoccupied room that fills the halls. Make sure you keep your essentials on hand, as doors tend to inexplicably lock themselves.

Hotel Provincial
This charming French Quarter hotel used to be a hospital. And not just any hospital – a wartime hospital. During the American Civil War, confederate soldiers arrived, suffered and in many cases died in rooms all throughout the older portions of the property.

At this point, anyone who steps foot at Hotel Provincial is asking for it, and that’s a good thing! Reams of stories paint the Provincials history in gorgeous detail. Tales range from Confederate soldiers roaming the halls and grabbing at guests to appearing and disappearing blood stains.

Lafitte Guest House
For me, the smaller, the creepier. Lafitte Guest House is a 14-room Civil War-era mansion gives each guest the experience of owning a private villa in the heart of the French Quarter. Just don’t be surprised when the ghosts don’t obey that privacy. Young “Marie”, who allegedly died of yellow fever in Room 21 the mid-1800s, is popularly thought to roam the halls, flipping light switches as she goes. Meanwhile, her distraught mother can still be heard crying from time to time.

Le Pavilion Hotel
From remarkably ornate statues and flourishes to the rare marble washtub in the Palace Suite (a one-time gift from Napoleon himself), Le Pavilion Hotel blends history with sheer magnificence. After all, any hotel that serves free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hot cocoa every night is a hotel dedicated truly to the promise of comfort and hospitality.

It’s so nice, in fact, that even the dead won’t leave. Unexplained noises, apparitions of an older gray-haired lady and stories of bed sheets tugged off the bed are only a few of the experiences reported by guests over the years.

There you have it: five exceptional haunted hotels in New Orleans.

Of course, we understand that you may also want to stay in New Orleans more affordably and without the nagging sensation that you’re being watched every time you walk down the hall. For that, we have two great suggestions: 

• Chateau LeMoyne
• Holiday Inn French Quarter Hotel 

Both hotels are located in the French Quarter (in walking distance to most of the others, actually) and offer low-end rates. The unique Chateau LeMoyne even offers the boutique feel of New Orleans luxury properties at a reasonable cost.

Everybody loves pirates! You, your mom, your cousin twice-removed. Pirate-lovers each! So it’s really no wonder that one of the most popular and award-winning haunted attractions in California is based on pirates. The open seas, skull and crossbones, an unflagging belief in the supernatural – it’s a perfect match!

You haunt fans have got to make it out to Pirates of Emerson Haunted Adventure in Fremont, California, just a few miles south of San Francisco. An experience somehow familiar, yet not quite like any you’ve known before awaits.

Pirates of Emerson boasts a unique approach: instead of forcing guests to yawn their way through cliché jump scares (though there are one or two, just for fun), why not take guests on an immersive journey into the dark world of pirates. Even though the action is very much for you, it is not necessarily at you. You become a part of grotesque scenes happening around you, never knowing when the haunt will turn against you. My English major might be failing me now, but truly it is something different.

Some people just enjoy a good scare, and if that’s you, you’ll get it at Pirates of Emerson Haunted Adventure. If you take it further, though, and deeply admire and study the craft of haunting, your night will be that much more special. PoE’s sets are spectacular, especially in the main attraction. The masterful design and intricate art evoke the setting as well as any Hollywood blockbuster. Just check out the photos on the site.

Pirates of Emerson offers six attractions this year. Among them you can expect the “Pirates of the Deep” 3-D tour, set in Davy Jones’ Locker (not scary, but fun). You’ll also enjoy an outdoor chain link maze, called “Bilge Rat Maze”. Lots of strobe effects in the past.

Frankly, we enjoy it all, but return for the main attraction: the pirates and those wonderfully frightening sets. Good times, all.

Pirates of Emerson Haunted Adventure is located in Fremont, California, general admission is $20, and they are open through October 31, varying by the day. Children under 13 are not recommended. Parking is $3.00. Learn more.

Sadly, we don’t know a hotel in Fremont to recommend, but we can get you pretty close up in Pleasanton, CA at the Hilton Pleasanton at the Club. The hotel is located about 15 minutes out from the attraction, but it’s also quicker into San Fran, so you have your options open. Good prices, well above-average rooms. Enjoy!

Just can’t get enough. We’ve got plenty more in our coverage center. Come learn about the “Top Haunted Attractions in America“.

Let’s see: we’ve had a Screampark and a Scream Zone, but I do believe this is the first Screamworld of the season. Clearly these folks are in it to win it. After all, why settle for a park or a zone when you could have a whole world of screams?

The shivers and shudders begin in Houston, Texas as Screamworld ramps up another killer season. Widely considered the best in the region, Screamworld dominates the competition with five awesome attractions for the price of one. This is no amateur affair. Screamworld purchased its own land and built all of its own buildings 9 years ago in order to provide guests a superior experience – no crappy outdoor lines, no standing in the rain. The only thing left is pulse-pounding fear.

They also negotiated the popular complaint of waiting in two or three lines a night. Instead, Screamworld today features a single line. At peak times, you’ll still do your waiting, but once you start your blood-soaked journey into the unreal, there’s no stopping it. Five haunted attractions, all in a row, try to keep your pants dry.

Speaking of the attractions, another big claim to fame at Screamworld is variety. With five houses and mazes to explore, you’ll find the pitch and pace of your night shift deftly with the scenery, sounds and atmosphere.

Haunted Hotel is a signature of sorts; certainly the most impressive house. They’ve pulled no stops on the number of thrills in this animatronics-laden 12-room horror. However, they know that some people just don’t do fancy. The same way 70’s horror movies are so much scarier than today’s, the old-school surprise scares of The Edge of Darkness really trump all. This low-tech maze relies on darkness and the fear of the unknown to deliver probably the biggest scares of the night.

Movie Monsters in 3D isn’t very scary, but it’s a fun romp featuring gorgeous (and gruesome) 3D murals; glasses provided. The final two terrors take place outdoors, but continue to keep the night fresh. The Maze of Maniacs comes at you hard with unpleasant creatures and unsettling effects at every turn. Then the Tobias Strange Family Cemetery turns up the creep factor.

It’s a lot for you fear fans to love, and it’s all available for one upfront admission. It’s really no surprise that America’s Best Haunts named it one of the best in the country for 2009. (See our list of the Top 13 Haunted Houses in America)

Screamworld opened up a few weeks back and will continue to scare 12 year-old girls and grown men alike through November 7. Hours vary by day and date. General admission is $25, but if you buy online, you can get the VIP Fast Pass (skip the line) for only four bucks more. That’s $29 dollars for the whole show and almost no waiting. Children under 12 not recommended. Learn more.

Just a hop, skip and a jump up the tollway, we like the Hilton Garden Inn Houston / Sugar Land for the occasional trip to the Houston area. It’s not the closest you could find, but the location makes for an effortless trip, and we like the hotel.

Got a taste for terror? Head over to our official coverage of the “Top Haunted Attractions in America“.

Here’s a fun question for the group: why are farmers so scary?

While you get back to me on that, consider the ghoulish grotesqueries of the Haunted Halloween Fest at Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Like many farms all throughout the country, Hunt Club boosts the fall take with a full month of haunted fun. As always, the land provides its own unsettling scenery, jacked up to 11 by a few gruesome additions.

Haunted Halloween Fest doesn’t boast itself the scariest act in the nation. There’s no minimum age limit, and a strange pricing policy would actually seem to encourage younger guests. What you will get is a serious quantity of fairly spooked out scenes. For one general admission ticket, you’ll enjoy three attractions.

You really can’t beat the classics, which is why you shouldn’t miss the Haunted Hayride. A farm staple, the Hunt Club rendition uses the creepy backdrop of nearby woods to host a steady stream of unpleasantness. Whether it’s monsters assaulting the cart or grizzly torture scenes, you won’t have time to get comfortable.

A duo of walking attractions comes next: the Village of the Dead and the Field of Screams. The Village gets a little gory at times, but we love its sense of place. Too many haunted houses shuffle from one random scare room to the next. Benefiting no doubt from the outdoor space, the Village of the Dead has a lot going on, but it still manages to evoke its theme. This is one village you’d never want to visit.

Not that you’d want to visit a corn field anyway, but I assure you the Field of Screams is no place to start. The maze-like twists and turns of the Field hide scares aplenty.

This year, Hunt Club Farm introduces Krendl’s Karnival of the Macabre, a horror-tinged freak show promising fright, danger and a few things you’ve never seen before. Sounds interesting, but we haven’t it seen it ourselves. (This is a premium attraction. Costs a little more).

And one more thing: you’ve got to check out their history book. I’m sure we’ve all seen mock-book before, but I don’t think I’ve even encountered one that worked this well. This thing is just cool!

Haunted Halloween Fest at Hunt Club Farm starts today runs through October 31, closed some Mondays and Tuesdays. General admission costs $30 and can sell-out. Advance purchase is recommended. Learn more about it here.

We’re going a little out of Virginia Beach to one of our favorites, Hampton, Virginia. For hotels near Virginia Beach, we like the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel. It’s a little bit of a trip out to the farm, but we love the location in Hampton and think you’ll find plenty more to do around town.

Got a hunger for horror? Read all of our haunted coverage at “Top Haunted Attractions in America“.