Paranormal tourism is sweeping the globe. So, where can you direct your travelers when they’re itching to gather their ghost hunting gear in search of their own paranormal adventure? Look no further, here’s a list of our favorite spooky destinations for ghostly fun.
Sanatoriums and Cruise Ships in the United States
Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky
A tale of disease, mistreatment and experimental procedures, Waverly Hills served as one of the nation’s largest tuberculosis hospitals in the mid-20th century. An estimated 63,000 patients spent their final days at this secluded Kentucky ward and it seems some may have never left. Today the abandoned hospital is open for guided overnight tours where guests can experience the building’s infamous shadow figures, eerie doppelgangers and disembodied screams for their own.
The Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach, California
A former North Atlantic ocean-liner, the Queen Mary was active from the 1930s to the 1960s. The ship was later docked in Long Beach, California in the 1970s. The Queen Mary is one of America’s most haunted locations due to a handful of tragic events that took place there. The most common location for paranormal activity is the First Class Swimming Pool where the apparitions of two women who drowned on the ship can be seen strolling the deck and singing tunes of the time.
Lay Lines and Skeletons in Europe
The Ancient Ram Inn, Gloucestershire, England
Perched atop the intersection of two ley lines, The Ancient Ram Inn is no stranger to bizarre happenings. Similar to longitude and latitude lines on a globe, ley lines are invisible lines that are thought to connect significant locations around the world, they also happen to be a hotbed for spiritual activity. While some attribute this place’s seriously spooky vibes to these mysterious boundaries, there’s also a rumor that the building was built above an old burial ground that once resided in the property 5,000 years ago. The building recently acted as a bed and breakfast and accounted for many restless nights among visitors. People would often report seeing full bodied apparitions in their doorways, the feeling of being touched, disembodied voices and an overall feeling of evil.
The Catacombs, Paris, France
A place where the walls are literally lined with human bones is rumored to be haunted, imagine that. One of the eeriest places in the world, the Paris Catacombs served as a Parisian burial ground in the 1700s. The city began closing cemeteries due to “overuse”. As a result, millions of bodies were moved from their original resting places above ground to their underground home where they still reside today. Given this location’s history, it’s no surprise it might be home to some unruly spirits. While not everyone has a spooky experience, some visitors have reported seeing shadow figures and hearing strange voices and footsteps.
Vampires and UFOs in Romania
Corvin Castle, Hunedoara, Transylvania
A place where myth becomes reality, you might know Corvin Castle by another name, Dracula’s Castle. This historic gem was once home to Vlad III, and while he wasn’t exactly a vampire he did have an unquenchable thirst for blood. In fact, Vlad III was so horrifying he earned the nickname, Vlad the Impaler, a not so subtle nod to acknowledge his favorite way to dispose of his enemies. In 1431 Vlad III became a member of the Order of the Dragon and was granted the surname: Dracul, which loosely translates to “devil”. Today, history-buffs and vampire fanatics alike can visit this infamous location for daily tours and a chance to have their own brush with Dracula.
Hoia Baciu Forest, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Feel like getting lost in the woods? Send your travelers to Romania’s Hoia Baciu Forest aka the most haunted forest in the world. UFOs, orbs, a possible portal to another dimension, this place has got it all! The Hoia Baciu Forest first gained notoriety in the 1960s when a visiting biologist and military technician both captured several photos of a flying disc-shaped object. The forest has been a hot destination for paranormal tourism ever since. Those who choose to venture to this remote forest can expect to experience a variety of phenomena including: orbs, disembodied voices, scratches, burns, headaches and sudden anxiety. Some attribute this strange activity to a large magnetic area in the forest spanning 300 meters wide where the surrounding landscape is warped and nothing grows. The Hoia Bacuia Forest is so strange even the locals refuse to step foot within its boundaries after dark.
Originally Sourced from The Compass – Jenna Buege