by M.A. Dal Cero

Created on: April 19, 2009   Last Updated: August 11, 2009

Human beings have always been fascinated, and frightened, of the paranormal. Ghosts, hauntings, and the like have the power to interest us, despite the fact that they terrify us at the same time. The popularity of television shows which depict ghost hunters exploring haunted houses, hotels, and historical buildings has risen, especially over the past few years. This has also sparked a desire for people to combine their curiosity of all things paranormal with travel and tourism.

Haunted hotels, ghost walks and hunts, and haunted castles provide tourists with a unique, memorable, and spine-tingling travel adventure. Individuals traveling in the United States or abroad have a plethora of choices when it comes to visiting places where ghosts and spirits are said to abound. Listed below are just a few of the more well-known destinations in the U.S. for paranormal tourism.

-New Orleans, Louisiana is purportedly one of the most haunted places in America. There one can visit haunted cemeteries, gardens, and even delve into the world of voodoo and vampires. Most tour companies provide wonderful lessons and information regarding the city's past history in order to explain the reasons behind the reputation New Orleans has as America's most haunted city.

-Key West, Florida is full of haunted hotels and inns where travelers can spend the night in combination with embarking on one of the many ghost tours the city has to offer. The tours typically include stops at a haunted church, bar, museum, and funeral home. Key West lives up to its ranking as one of the top haunted cities in the United States, and it is a popular spot for paranormal tourism.

-Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is a wonderful destination for those who would like to mix their love of history with the paranormal. Yet another of the top hotbeds of paranormal activity, a trip to Gettysburg offers fans of ghosts and hauntings battlefield tours and various street tours filled with sites of apparent paranormal activity.

Those desiring to travel abroad in search of the paranormal, will find numerous haunted castles in England, Scotland, and Ireland in particular. The castle tours offer an extensive history of each site, and some even offer overnight accommodations for the brave of heart. The Tower of London, for example, has long been considered one of the most haunted places in England, and is a must-see for those visiting the city.

It is important to remember that paranormal tourism combines tales of hauntings, historical facts, and a good deal of theatrics on the part of the tour guide. Taking a ghost tour or staying overnight in a haunted castle does not guarantee that you will indeed experience paranormal activity. It is best to go with an open mind and a sense of excitement for the experience as a whole, rather than with the rigid determination that you must see a ghost. That being said, these types of tours can be a different and exciting way to travel and get a taste of the paranormal at the same time.

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