Haunted Seattle

Just a few more weeks until Halloween, and you can already feel the chill in the air as Seattle plunges head first into fall.  And while the Seattle area has been well known, of late, for vampires and werewolves ala Twilight, there’s plenty more spooky happenings around the city and state.

Here are some suggested haunts for a little spine-tingling October fun:

Seattle Ghost Tours:  Pike Place Market Ghost Tours takes takes you through the Market with accompanying ghost stories of actual events.  Tours are priced at $15, and occur nightly at 5, 7, 8, and 9 pm.  The 5 pm tour is family friendly, and kids 10 and under are FREE).  If you grew up around Seattle, some of the stories will sound familiar, but maybe this time you’ll believe!

Haunted Castle in Port Townsend:  The Victorian-style Manresa Castle in Port Townsend is rumored to be haunted, and it’s been claimed that you can hear the sound of moans and chains coming from the tower, eerie sounds in the night, lights turning on and off and windows opening and closing. Some say long ago in the castle that a woman leaped to her death after being jilted by her fiancé and that a Jesuit priest allegedly hung himself on the premises.   Special rates $99/double, includes two glasses of wine or cocktails and appetizers for two.  No charge for the ghosts!

Museum of Fright:  Changing one letter in its name (flight to fright), the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field plans to scare the kids silly with a fun evening of Halloween treats, games, and more.  Meet the ghosts of aviation’s past and hear the stories of flights long dead and gone. Fun and “dead”ucational activities for the whole family all evening long. This special event is Friday, October 29th, 4 – 8 pm.  Special admission prices (covers event and entire museum access) is $5 for adults, $3 for youth aged 5-17 and FREE for children 4 and under.  The Museum is also offering a Spook-tacular Sleepover beginning at 5 pm that same day.  Lots of special overnight activities are planned for the entire family.  Limited to kids 7 and older, and must be accompanied by an adult.  Price is $40 for kids, $20 for adults.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium:  The annual Zoo Boo celebration at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will be October 16-17th, and will feature indoor and outdoor activities including face-painting, treats and a scavenger hunt.  The celebration runs 10 am – 3 pm, both days, and are free with zoo admission.  Wear a costume for a $2 discount off zoo admission.

Biringer Farms:  Farm Scene Investigations at Biringer Farms will be held in one of three comeback corn mazes at the farm’s popular Pumpkin Country & Corn Maze adventures. The FSI will be ongoing daily through October, 10 am – 5 pm, giving you a chance to solve one of three crimes on the farm.  Other farm activities include 3 corn mazes, a creepy crawly trolley, pony rides, dark tumbling tunnel, feeding goats and much more.  Discount tickets are $7/person, and anyone under 46: tall is FREE.

Yakima Ghost Tours:  Head east for a free guided walking tour of Yakima’s historic buildings with confirmed or suspected ghostly residents led by P.A.S.T. (Present Paranormal Investigation Team).  Highlights include the Yakima Valley Sports Center and The Depot Restaurant and Lounge where there have been confirmed paranormal activity. Tours are offered during October on Fridays (6 pm) and Saturdays (3, 5, and 7 pm), and meet in front of the Pacific Hotel.  Space is limited.

Haunted Hotel:  Continue east a little you’ll find Spokane, where the stately and historic Davenport Hotel, located in the heart of downtown, has been rumored to have a paranormal guest.  Guests have reported seeing a woman dressed in 1920s fashion, wandering the mezzanine and peering over the railing as if looking for something or someone. This woman may be Ellen McNamara who fell to her death through the hotel’s lobby skylights in 1920.

Photo credit: SXC