It's almost Halloween, and if ever there is a good time to be scared, this is it!
You've probably found the best haunted houses in your area, created your family’s costumes for the year, and started decorating for the big night... but have you visited local "ghost tours" in your area?
Video: Top Ghost Tours Near Military Bases
Ghost tours have been around for years; however, they seem to be trending in recent years. Why? They’re an entertaining way to not only enjoy the Halloween festivities, but also get to know your local community! I attended a ghost tour in New Orleans to see what all the hype was about and experience it firsthand.
Our group consisted of about 10 adults. We met at dusk and followed our tour guide around, listening to the eerie stories of the historic buildings. We heard stories of passionate affairs, murders, suicides, fires, hangings, and revenge. A great deal of the tour seemed entirely believable, though there were certainly hokey parts when I had to laugh and remember I was paying for a unique form of entertainment!
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, then good news. Chances are, you won't have to drive far to experience an impressive ghost tour. They're all over the country. And, who knows? One of these might even be right in your backyard! See if one of these ghost tours is near your military installation.
1) New Orleans, Louisiana
Nearby Duty Stations:
New Orleans History
Deemed "the most haunted city" in the country, New Orleans is ranked number one for the best ghost tours. New Orleans’ role in The War of 1812 and the Civil War shaped the future for the city, as well as a history of pirates, slavery, and violence. This dark time fuels the haunting stories that you'll hear when taking a New Orleans ghost tour.
New Orleans Ghost Tours
There are many ghost tours in the area offering glimpses into the area’s rampant paranormal activity. But the Haunted History Tours in New Orleans will give you chills. There are several tours to choose. The French Quarters Ghost Tour, for example, takes you to visit sites of documented hauntings—taken from police records, city archives, and paranormal investigations. Each Haunted History Tour guide grew up and currently lives in the city of New Orleans. The stories they share are authentic to the ones they grew up hearing as children and adults!
Other ghost tours in the area:
2) Salem, Massachusetts
Nearby Duty Stations:
via SalemPuritan
Salem History
Salem, the site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, is noted as host to the third-best ghost tours in the country. In 1692, accusations of women experimenting with witchcraft were made. According to Salem Witch Trials on U-S History.com:
“At the height of the hysteria, more than 150 people were accused. Plainly innocent people attempted to avoid the noose by confessing to such activities as having sexual relations with the Devil and flying on broomsticks.”
In the end, over a dozen people were hanged before the activity stopped, and all those accused were released from prison. With such a history, it's no wonder Salem is known for their spooky ghost tours.
Salem Ghost Tours
Start with the Salem Witch Walk. Guided by real Salem witches, authenticity is in no short supply. On the walk, guests are informed of witchcraft and its modern presence in Salem. Guests are also given a "magic crystal" by a Salem witch.
Other ghost tours in the area:
3) Tombstone, Arizona
Nearby Duty Station: Fort Huachuca
via Grombo
Tombstone History
Tombstone was founded by a prospector from Camp Huachuca named Ed Schieffelin. His community told him that the only thing he would find searching in the wilderness was his tombstone. Despite all odds, Ed found silver! He found it appropriate to name his first digging site “Tombstone.” Today, Tombstone is known as one of the most haunted cities in America. Do you have chills already?
Tombstone Ghost Tours
Gunfighter and Ghost Tour takes you to see several historic sites within the city. On the tours, guests hear about the deadliest corner in Tombstone, Bird Cage Theater, the Campbell and Hatch Billiards mysterious murder, and many more stories within the city.
Other ghost tours in the area:
4) New York City, New York
Nearby Duty Stations:
via Flickr Steven Pisano
New York City History
At the end of the 18th century, New York City fell into the hands of the British and served as a British military base during the Revolutionary War. In the 19th century, New York became a melting pot of people. As mentioned on History.com, immigrants “settled in distinct ethnic neighborhoods, started businesses, joined trade unions and political organizations and built churches and social clubs.”
By the 20th century, New York City consolidated its distinct neighborhoods and became the New York City that we've come to know today. New York's colorful history of war involvement and immigration make the city a wonderful place to attend a ghost tour.
New York City Ghost Tours
Ghosts of New York says, "for every New York neighborhood you care to explore, there are ghosts and chilling ghost stories," which is probably why New York is rated number six out of the top ten. In one neighborhood, hear tales of Edgar Allen Poe and Harry Houdini. In another, learn of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alexander Hamilton in ways you never imagined. Ghosts of New York lets you choose from several walking tour. While they all come highly recommended, the Edgar Allen Poe walking tour is said to be incomparable to others in the country.
Other ghost tours in the area:
5) Catalina Island, California
Nearby Duty Stations:
Image by JayMantri from Pixabay
Catalina Island History
The first Europeans to arrive claimed the island for the Spanish Empire, which was later turned over to Mexico and then to the United States. The island has served as a stop for smugglers, gold diggers, pirates, hunters, the Union army, and missionaries. Through the many owners the island's had, the property has more recently served as a training location for the Chicago Cubs and as a popular spot for Hollywood filming.
Catalina is now host to a world class resort, a destination for many tourists. The island’s diverse history and involvement with crime sets the tone for its impressive ghost tours offered today.
Catalina Island Ghost Tours
The Avalon waterfront is a popular spot for romantic walks or a place to take in the local ghost stories. Visitors have reported glowing orbs and other phenomenon. Haunted Catalina is a walking tour with local historians who will serve as your guide. Of the one-hour tour, Haunted Catalina says:
We have portrayed any hauntings as factually as possible, and without sensationalism. What we want to do is provide you with the most authentic paranormal information, and let you draw your own conclusions.
6) Savannah, Georgia
Nearby Duty Station: Hunter Army Airfield
Savannah History
Savannah, like the other southern states, was greatly affected during the Civil War years. A once beautiful, cotton-thriving city that survived The Revolutionary War, yellow fever, hurricanes, and fires, it suffered an extreme economic drop during the Civil War. During the Reconstruction period, the economy was in ruins.
Despite these hardships and the added burdens of prejudice, the freed slaves who remained in Savannah built a thriving community with its own churches, schools, and economic strength, and the city became one of the most historically significant African-American cities in the nation. Savannah played witness to many violent times. Perhaps it is this simple fact that makes its ghost tours so memorable.
Savannah Ghost Tours
Savannah is, hands down, one of the best locations for ghost tours in the country. Instead of walking, you're invited to ride around in a hearse! Hearse Ghost Tours takes you to “cruise over the cemeteries and through the beautiful streets of the Historic and Victorian districts.” You'll “hear of the spirits and ghosts believed to haunt Savannah [and] see striking buildings where strange energies linger.” If you're stationed nearby, make an effort to sign up for this ghost tour this season!
Other ghost tours in the area:
Whether near these duty stations or not, you may want to add a ghost tour to your list of things to do this fall!
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