How to plan a local ghost hunting trip for your next specialty travel vacation.
There are also many practical reasons to have a companion. First of all, if you are going to be hunting around in strange, desolate areas, possibly in the dark, you don't know who- living or otherwise- you may encounter. There is a very real possibility of getting lost, getting mugged by the living, or falling down and getting hurt in a panic. There is safety in numbers. In addition, having another person along can give you another set of eyes to look for things, help in handling equipment, give you another perspective on anything you might see, as well as another witness to any paranormal activity you may encounter.
Once you've got your ghost hunting team assembled, your planning should begin on the internet or at your local library. You will find that haunted places are not very rare; you can find ghosts anywhere. While very old cities and locations are good choices, every place has a history. No matter how new the buildings or paved the roads, something was there before them.
Narrow down your options by seeking out background information on some notoriously haunted places that interest you. Its best to restrict your search to places available to the public, since it is unlikely that strangers will invite you into their homes. Cemeteries and graveyards, old battle grounds, hotels, churches, hospitals, theaters, historic landmarks, and museums are all good choices for a beginner. They will be easily accessible, and easier to research.
You will also want to look for places in which paranormal reports are fairly widespread; there is no point in going to a hotel in which one ghost was spotted 30 years ago- chances are you will be wasting your time, not to mention your vacation budget. Think about it this way: if you wanted to go fishing for trout, you would go to a stream in which many fishermen have had success catching trout. Of course there would be no guarantee you would catch a trout, but your odds would certainly be better.
Once you have narrowed down some places, you will want to research them further to weed out myths, urban legends and rumors. To ensure the best possibility for success (remember- there are no guarantees) you will want to ensure that there are actual, documented, first-hand reports of unexplained phenomena associated with the location.
To find out if reports are reliable, begin contacting local historical societies, paranormal investigating groups, and even someone at the location itself. You will find that, if you ask respectfully and without judgement, a lot of people who work in haunted places will be more than happy to relay their experiences. Try to find someone willing to give you a preliminary tour of the place, or someone you can meet with to interview further when you arrive.
Be sure to find out if there are any hours or days that are off-limits to the area, or if there are any other restrictions, such as if flash photography is allowed. You may also want to find out if you will need to obtain a permit for exploring a particular area or building, or get permission- in writing- from someone in order to be there. It never hurts to ask a hotel clerk if they can put you in the rooms they feel are most haunted, or to ask a person if it is possible to get access to a museum or theater after hours or when tourism is low. You never know; some local who is interested in your quest may be willing to help you. The worst that can happen is that they will say "no."
If a person is unwilling to talk, pokes fun at you for your beliefs or begins preaching fire and brimstone to you, don't press them for information or argue with them. Simply thank them and hang up the phone (or terminate the correspondence). Likewise, if you are unable to obtain permission to visit any restricted places or private property, simply find somewhere else to go- somewhere more accessible or where you are welcome. There are so many places to choose from that it's not worth getting into trouble, possibly arrested for trespassing.
Keep in mind the time of year you are planning your trip, and the local weather of the places you are considering, especially if your hunt will take you to an outdoor location. You don't want to be tracking through muddy cemeteries during a rainy season, or exploring an old battlefield in a blizzard. For one thing, you will be uncomfortable and could endanger yourself by getting stuck in a storm. For another thing, if the weather is harsh, you will be less likely to spot anything, and might risk damaging any equipment you may bring, such as tape recorders and cameras.
After you have decided upon a particular haunted location, obtain transportation and near by lodging. Once your visit is secured, try to obtain maps of the area in advance from the local chamber of commerce. If the historical society has old maps of the area, ask if they can be sent to you ahead of time. You might have to pay a small fee for copying or mailing, but it will be worth it. Libraries may have old books with outdated maps as well.
It is very beneficial to create a list of addresses and phone numbers to local libraries (the older the better), museums, historical societies, town hall where records are kept, and, if possible, reliable witnesses. These are places or people you will want to check out when you first arrive for some preliminary research on the location's history, or further research should you find anything. The more you know about a place, the better. No matter what you are able to find on line or in the reference section of your library, you will probably find more if you can look up old clippings from local papers or talk to historians in the actual area.
By doing all the preliminary preparation, you will have all the information that you need once you arrive at your destination so that you can perform a thorough, organized investigation. Good luck, and happy hunting!
