October is peak spooky season, of course. But what if you want that Halloween feeling to last longer? Below, discover some of the most chilling (and fun!) haunted experiences and destinations that you can enjoy all year-long.
Museum of Shadows — Elmwood, Nebraska
For haunted house fanatics, the Museum of Shadows is an absolute bucket-list destination. The attraction houses over 1,000 verified haunted artifacts, donated from not only across the United States but multiple countries. But the artifacts are just the beginning. The Museum of Shadows is housed in a former saloon recently voted the most haunted spots in the world.
The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado
Famously, The Stanley Hotel served as the inspiration behind Stephen King’s horror classic The Shining — and the hotel’s new Shining Tour is a guided experience that features a lot of Stephen King, Estes Park history and plenty of stories of the spooky variety. Meanwhile, the Spirited Night Tour is a 60-minute walking tour that will take you through the dark edges of the hotel, with a knowledgeable storyteller by your side at all times.
Lake Winnipesaukee — Weirs Beach, New Hampshire
Discover the dark side of Lake Winnipesaukee aboard the Winnipesaukee Spirit, a beautiful 56-foot vessel. During a 90-minute cruise (newly introduced in summer 2023), you’ll hear haunting tales of cursed lands, mysterious fires, haunted hotels and unsolved disappearances.
Historic Scott County Jail — Huntsville, Tennessee
The Historic Scott County Jail, built in 1904, has some spine-tingling stories attached to its name, including an unsolved murder of a sheriff, inmate murders and many men and women imprisoned in its century-long history. During a public or private paranormal investigation, you'll be guided by a professional paranormal investigator and will learn about all the techniques used to detect ghostly apparitions.
Lake Marion — Ferguson, South Carolina
This underwater South Carolina ghost town peeks just above the surface of Lake Marion, offering a glimpse of the remains of one of the many towns that had to be moved to make room for the manmade lake. Accessible only by boat, Ferguson was once a bustling lumber town on the Santee River banks. Visitors can now paddle through the remains — a haunting and surreal outdoor adventure, if ever there was one.
DeFuniak Springs — Walton County, Florida
Located in Walton County, Florida, DeFuniak Springs appears to be some sort of hot spot for paranormal places. One of the spookiest spots in town is the “Aviary Room” at Hotel DeFuniak, where guests have reported a ghostly pair of young children along with a moving lamp. The DeFuniak Springs Library has also repeatedly been reported to be haunted by Alice Fellows, a librarian who passed away in 1926.
Tyler Wilcox
