Alex Johnson Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota
Alex Johnson Hotel has a legendary history for being one of the most haunted hotels in the Black Hills. There are countless stories of mysterious sightings, knocks on doors, and unexplained noises particularly in the lobby, ballroom and crawl spaces. Rooms 802 and 812 have been singled out by guests for having particularly high levels of paranormal activity. In fact, guests staying on the eighth floor have occasionally reported hearing footsteps and noises on the floor above them – only to find out that a higher guest room floor doesn’t exist. The most notorious ghost story involves the “Lady in White” that haunts the 8th floor, in particular Room 812. Many years ago, it is said that a young woman jumped out of the window in that room to her death. She was a very happy, friendly lady and a regular guest at the Alex Johnson. Individuals that knew her best found it highly unlikely that she had actually jumped and committed suicide. They suspected foul play as she stood to inherit a good sum of money. Today, people report that she wanders the halls in a white gown, searching for those that are responsible for her death. Sometimes, the window in the room is found open in the morning. Dresser drawers are turned upside down then put back in the dresser, and some people hear eerie sounds.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city and with nearly 450 years of history, the city teems with spirit activity. This colorful history includes many battles and lots of pirate action so it’s not surprising that the town often makes the lists of America’s most haunted places. Here are just some spots that will add a bit of spook into your weekend: Known as the most haunted Inn in St. Augustine, the St. Francis Inn has had guests and staff alike tell of sightings of Lilly, a servant girl who seems to be a bit of a prankster. There have been reports of doors slamming, lights flickering and once a man woke up and found himself wedged under a bed. The fire department had to be called to free him. Romance: Well appointed, cozy rooms and a gourmet breakfast each morning served in a secluded courtyard make this a popular accommodation for couples.
The Casablanca Inn has its own ghost story of a saucy widow who would warn rum runners that agents were staying there during prohibition by swinging a lantern from the widow’s walk in the 1920s. Today, around midnight, sailors in the harbor report seeing the glow of a lantern swinging back and forth from the widow’s walk. Romance: Soak in a tub for two with views of the bay, which glows from the lights of the Bridge of Lions. Enjoy specialty cocktails in the popular Tini Martini bar.
Several ghosts are also said to haunt the St. Augustine Lighthouse. The 12-year-old daughter of the lighthouse’s builder, who drowned near the building, can sometimes be heard and seen on the 2nd floor of the museum. Members of the popular Ghost Hunters television show on SyFy filmed a segment there and point to the lighthouse as the location of some of the most unexplained paranormal activity they’ve ever encountered. Romance: enjoy the Sunset and full Moonrise from the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse along with a champagne toast, light hors d’oeuvres and spectacular views.
Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA
Terror Behind the Walls, America’s largest haunted house, is located inside the massive castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. Now in its twenty-second year, this extraordinary theatrical production is consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in the country.
The setting for Terror Behind the Walls is unmatched for a haunted attraction. Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. This gothic structure, with soaring 30-foot high fortress walls, is intimidating enough during the day. At night, the cellblocks fall into darkness, and the building becomes truly terrifying. Terror Behind the Walls features Hollywood-quality sets, custom-designed props, animatronics, and digital sound effects, all taking place within the walls of the prison. It takes an elite team of 14 makeup artists almost three hours to prepare the cast of more than 200 performers each evening. The event consists of six haunted attractions that create a seamless experience for visitors.
