'Treat Yo Self' this Halloween with Zombie Apocalypse Training, Ghost Hunts & More

Considering nearly 70 percent of Americans celebrate Halloween each year, fall is the perfect time to discover some of America’s spookiest spots. For lovers of ghost hunts, supernatural phenomenons and post-apocalyptic fantasies, a trip to an abandoned town or zombie apocalypse training grounds can prove to be a real treat. Below are six destinations all lovers of the haunted and undead must visit:

1. Toronto: Best City to Prepare for a Zombie Apocalypse — With a bug grub farm, specialized experiences to acquire ninja-like skills and simulated trapped scenarios, Toronto has all the makings to prepare for a hypothetical post-apoloclytic event. 
   • Bug Farm – When food gets scarce, having an acquired taste for protein-rich cricket flour and other insect proteins will become essential to keep zombie fighting energy levels at their peak. Next Millennium Farms in Toronto is a great place to establish bug-to-farm eating habits.    
   • Real Life Escape Experience – What better way to prepare for a zombie apocalypse than to be locked into a room with one? Given 45 minutes to escape, each room is specifically designed to provide a highly intensive experience both physically and mentally.
   • Parkour Gym – This 10,000 square foot indoor/outdoor training facility is actually dedicated to the art of jumping off buildings and sidewalks and such; an ideal skill to acquire when evading zombie encounters in the trickiest of places.
2. Cheyenne, WY: Best City for a Supernatural Encounter — Originally settled as a “hell on wheels” town during the construction of the transcontinental railroad, Cheyenne was a wild and lawless place filled with gamblers, prostitutes and saloon owners during its first days, making it one of the oldest and most haunted places in Wyoming.
   • St. Mark’s Episcopal Church —  Two Swedish men were hired to finish construction of St. Mark’s bell tower in the early 1900s, however half way through the job they disappeared without a trace. Newly hired workers immediately began to complain of hearing strange tappings, the sounds of hammering and whispers coming from the walls of the towers. It was later revelead that   one of the Swedish workers had slipped and fell to his death and the other, afraid of deportation, entombed the man’s remains in the tower wall and fled town. To this day the  organ will play and bells will ring when no one is in the church.
   • The Historic Plains Hotel — The property, which opened in 1911, has had numerous ghost siting so over the years. Legend has it that a bride caught her groom with another woman on their wedding night, and after killing each of them she turned the gun on herself. All three have been said to haunt the historic hotel ever since.
3. Estes Park, CO: Best City for a Paranormal Investigation — As home to some of the most notoriously haunted hotels in the nation, Estes Park is the ideal destination to participate in a paranormal investigation full of spooky apparitions.
   • The Stanley Hotel – In addition to serving as the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining” during his stay in room 217 (one of the most spiritually active rooms), the property was also featured in several “Ghost Hunters” episodes. To celebrate the Halloween season and The Stanley’s Stephen King roots, property’s on-staff paranormal investigator offers a five-hour ghost hunt sessions where guests can learn how to use authentic ghost hunting tools and test their new skills in some of the property’s most haunted locations inaccessible to the general public.
   • Baldpate Inn – Known for having an on-site museum containing the world’s largest key collection, including an actual key to Frankenstein’s castle, Bald Pate Inn is another historic property that is rumored to be haunted. The original owner’s wife, Ethel Mace, is said to have been seen rocking her chair while reading the bible. She didn’t like smoking and smokers have reported having issues lighting cigarettes while staying at the property.
4. Albuquerque, NM: Best City to Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos — Albuquerque’s strong Hispanic influence makes it one of the best destinations for an authentic Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration that celebrates life and honors those who have passed on. The town comes alive during Dia de los Muertos with more than a dozen celebrations and events, everything from parades and art exhibitions to races and parties.
   • Day of the Tread – The 9th annual Day of the Tread event, held this year on October 25th, is a family-oriented 12-100 mile bike ride, full or half marathon and a 5k/10k walk/run. There will be pre-event and post-ride celebrations including a pumpkin-lined course full of music, entertainment, themed recharge zones and crazy contest.
   • Marigold Parade and Celebration — The 23rd annual South Valley Dia de los Muertos Marigold Parade and Celebaration on November 1st draws its influences form Jose Guadalipe Posada’s early 1900s portrayal of personalities and professions as skeletons or Calaveras. Following the parade visitors will be able to enjoy music, altars, food and art vendors at the Westside Community Center.
5. Utah: Best State to Explore Ghost Towns — Whether searching for treasured pieces of history or potential paranormal activity, Utah offers dozens of preserved ghost towns for guests to explore. Some of the most notable ghost towns include Frisco and Grafton.
   • Frisco — Once a booming mining camp, Frisco is now an abandoned town filled with years of history, evertything from millions of dollars in ore taken from the Horn Silver Mine to shoot-outs in its dusty streets. Today it’s crumbling foundations, charcoal ovens, and silent cemetery speak eloquently of its rich and varied past.
   • Grafton — Fans of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ can visit the ghost town of Grafton, the site of filming, and relive the bicycle scene. Grafton was settled by farmers in 1862 and became home to nearly 30 families before flooding and Indian attacks sent the entire town packing in search of a more accessible location on the other side of the Virgin River.
6. Bermuda: Best Island for Shipwrecked Spirits — Bermuda and the supernatural go way back. In the early 1600s, the first settlers were so terrified by demonic, high-pitched screeches and squeals (later revealed to be wild hogs) that they nicknamed their new home "The Isle of Devils."
   • The Musical Pirate — Captain George Dew, also known as the musical pirate, spent his youth looting, pillaging, smuggling and carousing. He eventually renounced his wicked ways and build a house in St. George’s Parish, which is now a Bermuda National Trust property and serves as a bed and breakfast. Guests have claimed to hear the Captain’s ghost gently playing the harpsichord in the middle of the night.
   • The Cloudy Captain — Referred to by locals as “Old Morgan,” The Cloudy Captain is a low-lying raincloud that periodically hangs over Bermuda and is thought to be the seasonal spirit of a whaleboat captain by the name of Morgan. Smugglers ransacked Morgan’s boat in 1775 and he won’t rest until the criminals’ descendants are brought to justice.