Hallowed Haunted Hotels & Houses

Since when has it become so chic and trendy to be terrified? Adrenalin junkies catapult themselves into deep gorges from towering bridges only to be snapped up at the last minute by the elastic band attached to their ankles. We wait for hours in line to take on the most heart-pounding thrill rides at theme parks. Ascending the world's tallest cliffs without harnesses or ropes has also become popular worldwide. Visiting haunted houses and staying overnight at specter dwelling hotels have become increasingly popular with tourists. Movies such as Psycho and The Shining have made haunted structures enticing must-visit places. Here are 5 of my favorite haunted houses and hotels:

Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Hotel Colorado is a majestic structure built in 1893. It is one of the oldest hotels in Colorado. Unique to its history is that it was also a naval hospital during WWII, reopening as a hotel after the war. It has had several famous occupants during its long history, actors, and many U.S. Presidents. Teddy Roosevelt, during one of his visits, was presented with his first teddy bear by one of the hotel maids. The most famous residents are the ghosts, of which there have been many alleged sightings. The haunts include a little girl playing with a ball, a male spirit that occupies the 5th floor, and numerous sightings in the bell tower suites. Make a reservation and book either room 325 or 551. The spiritual energy is said to be strongest here.

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California

The Winchester Mystery House is unique in that it had no building master plan. It was once the residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Winchester manufacturer of one the most famous firearms in American history, the Winchester rifle. Sarah fell into depression after the death of her husband and daughter. She sought out the farmhouse and hired a crew of carpenters. The additions were non-stop with a lot of curious features. Stairways leading to ceilings, doors that open to a wall, and oddly placed windows that afforded views of other rooms. It is said that Sarah's belief in ghosts gave inspiration for these unique features. It was all done to confuse them. In the early '90s, paranormalists tested the house and found limited evidence of spooks.

The Amityville Horror House located on Long Island, New York

The Amityville Horror House has remained unoccupied for years. It is by far one of the most controversial haunted houses in the country. Many books and novels have been written featuring the house. In 1975 Ronald DeFeo Jr. was convicted for killing six members of his family. One month after DeFeo's conviction, the Lutz family moved in, and less than one month later, they fled the house. The family claimed they were constantly terrorized by paranormal activity. Events included odd noises including; music playing, sightings of murdered family members at the boathouse, and green slime oozing from the walls in the hall. Oddly enough, when the original furniture was removed by hired hands, there was not one mention of paranormal activity. Whether fact or fiction, Amityville Horror is considered to be one of the most frightening horror films of all time.

The Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor

The Queen Mary was once a luxury ocean liner. It is now permanently moored and serves as a full-service hotel with a restaurant and lounge. Her maiden voyage was in May of 1936, and the lavish ship served countless travelers until 1967. The vessel has been voted one of the top 10 most haunted places in the country. Included in the spirit-filled cast are a woman in white, children around the pool area, and a former crewman who worked in the boiler room. The ship offers many haunted ghost tour packages. One of my favorites is the Dining With the Spirits tour. They do have spectacular food on board, and everyone knows ghosts have good taste and love spirits.

The Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts

The Witch House is the hallmark of haunted houses. Thanks to the infamous Salem Witch Trials, the region is the capital city of haunted dwellings, shops, and restaurants. Everything in Salem seems to have a creepy story associated with its past. What makes the Witch House the top of the haunts list? It is the only structure still standing with ties to the trials. It was occupied by Judge Corwin, who sat on the trials of 19 convicted witches. Haunted activities at the house include people being touched, the voice of a small child, and cold spots throughout the home. For a meal with ghosts, try the In a Pig's Eye restaurant just down the street.

Surveys show that out of 1,000 people polled, 45% believe in ghosts. While 32% believe they can even cause bodily harm. In California, selling haunted houses was once taboo. Now realtors are "dying" to get them listed. The demand is huge, and the resale is quick. As for me, I'm a nonbeliever but paid tribute in my blog to the spirit of one of my favorite nights … Halloween. I have toured all of these sites and never experienced anything remotely spectral. However, my visits were after the release of the movie Ghostbusters. I guess Dr's. Venkman & Stantz crossed the streams and kicked some ghostly butt. Happy Halloween!