For some folks, spooky season is less about the candy and costumes and all about the frights. These thrill-seekers flock to haunted hot spots and this year’s top destination is Salem, Massachusetts. Airbnb searches for Halloween stays in the city made famous by witch trials and “Hocus Pocus” are up by double digits over last year.
Airbnb has listings for historic homes, movie and TV filming sites and themed spooky retreats, where guests are dying to go. These are their top 10 most haunted stays this year.
- Parks-Bowman Mansion: The Haunted Bedroom in New Orleans - This historic home in the heart of the Garden District is the most haunted Airbnb, according to guest reviews. Some report sightings of a ghostly young girl in a yellow dress.
- Henry Derby House in Salem, Massachusetts - The colonial home was built back in 1838 and the listing notes, “the stairs will creak, the windows will rattle when it’s windy and you may experience paranormal activity in the house during your stay.”
- Poltergeist Movie House in Simi Valley, California - You can book a stay in the original home featured in the 1982 movie, which features extras just for fans, including an old TV like the one ghosts use to communicate with Carole Anne.
- Linville Manor in Upper Marlboro, Maryland - It’s known as one of the state’s most haunted spots and legend has it spirits gather at 1:11 a.m. and creepy noises echo through the halls.
- Stranger Things – Byers Home in Fayetteville, Georgia - You can actually spend the night in the filming location of the home of Jonathan, Joyce and Will Byers in “Stranger Things.” The exterior was used in the show, but the hosts have recreated all the details to transport fans back to Hawkins in 1983.⠀
- Historic Morgue and Paranormal Investigation in Ozark, Missouri - This former morgue and funeral home comes with an “eerie ambiance” and paranormal research equipment for those brave enough to use it.
- The Manor Master Chamber in Saint Paul, Minnesota - Once voted the most mysterious house in the city, the host says it’s proven to be true.
- Twilight Swan House in Saint Helens, Oregon - Featured in the first “Twilight” movie, guests can stay in Bella’s bedroom, the “lookout room” where she looked out the window to see Edward parked, or sleep in the “Jacob Black guest room.”
- Mystic Falls Inn in Covington, Georgia - This was used as the filming location for Caroline Forbes’ home in “The Vampire Diaries” TV show.
- Haunted Mansion Inspired Ghostly Retreat in Fullerton, California - Fans of Disney’s Haunted Mansion will love this replica version with ghostly illusions, sights and sounds, located just 15 minutes from Disneyland.
Source: Parade
Photo: Getty Images