TripAdvisor Scares Up the Top 10 Ghost Tours in the U.S.

Eerie Expeditions Offer Bone-Chilling Thrills and Haunting Encounters

News provided by

Oct 20, 2010, 06:00 ET

NEWTON, Mass., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site***, today announced the top ten ghost tours in the U.S., according to TripAdvisor travelers. Based on TripAdvisor's Popularity Index, a measurement of overall traveler satisfaction, these tours offer monstrous amounts of fun for daring travelers seeking a haunting history lesson or just jaw-dropping and spine-tingling thrills.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/tripadvisor/42931/

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101020/MM84221)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101020/MM84221)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO)

1. Hair-Raising Harpers: Ghost Tours of Harpers Ferry, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Self-proclaimed as "America's oldest ghost tour," this terrific tour has been running for more than 40 years. Brave travelers are invited to journey through Harpers Ferry's historic "Lower Town," to visit Hog Alley and other dwellings where past tragedies have left sauntering spirits. A TripAdvisor traveler said, "It was good, creepy fun!" Tour tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for 8-12 year-olds, and free of charge for children age seven and under.

2. I Ski Dead People: Park City Ghost Tours, Park City, Utah

Discover which apparitions inhabit local hot – or rather, chilling – spots in this famous ski destination, known also for its former days as a mining town (and its ghosts of miners gone by). Tour-goers often catch a glimpse of "Lizzy," the apparition who frequents the Imperial Hotel, while ghoulish miners from yesteryear have been spotted sipping a cold beverage at the No Name Pub, formerly the Alamo. "It's a chilling ghost tour in Park City," commented a TripAdvisor traveler. Tour tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for children age 16 and under.

3. A Risky Ride: Hearse Ghost Tours, Savannah, Georgia

This dark and daring tour passes through the old streets of Savannah in an authentic hearse, which formerly transported corpses for more than 15 years. Fearless travelers are invited along for the ride of their lives, to learn about the grisly ghosts that live in some of the city's most beautiful homes and cemeteries. "The ghost tour is ghoulishly fun," noted a TripAdvisor traveler. Tour tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children age 10 and under.

4. Macabre Market: Market Ghost Tour, Seattle, Washington

In the Market district of Seattle lies the city's first mortuary and a dilapidated graveyard, offering countless tales of terror. Spirits remain amongst these ruins and are often seen throughout the Market Ghost Tour, while photographs taken at the sites have been known to include mysterious phenomena, such as glowing orbs and even the ghostly face of a man. A TripAdvisor traveler said, "It is a fascinating, smart tour about Seattle's spooky past." Tour tickets are $15 per person.

5. Quick and the Dead: Tombstone Ghost Tour, Tombstone, Arizona

True to its name, the city of Tombstone provides ghost stories galore. Travelers can follow fearless tour guides through the dark streets of this "Wild West" town, as they recount bone-chilling stories about the spots where cowboys and deputies once battled. One TripAdvisor traveler described the tour as, "Educational, fun, and completely spooktacular!" Tour tickets are $13 for adults and $9 for children age 12 and under.

6. Spooky Surprise: Providence Ghost Tour, Providence, Rhode Island

Come nightfall, travelers are invited to follow the murky glow of a lantern and brace themselves for some spooky surprises on the Providence Ghost Tour, while exploring the secrets of this New England city. Based on research and historical documentation, this tour – which takes thrill-seekers to the scenes of many horrific deaths – will likely instill fear in the bravest of souls. "The Providence Ghost Tour = MUST EXPERIENCE," a TripAdvisor traveled said. Tour tickets are $15 in advance for adults and $10 for children age 12 or under.

7. Seeking the Supernatural: Old Bisbee Ghost Tours, Bisbee, Arizona

Stroll through the atmospheric streets, stairways, and alleys of this 125 year-old town, and tour-goers may catch a glimpse of one of Bisbee's infamous ghosts. Lingering residents include Julia, a "Lady of the Evening," Nat the Miner, who owed money and paid for it with his life, and the Lady in White. A TripAdvisor traveler said, "It's spooky fun – a must-see while in Bisbee after dark." Tour tickets are $13 for adults and $9 for children age 12 and under.

8. The Big Spooky: New Orleans Ghost Tour, New Orleans, Louisiana

Over the course of two terrifying hours, this walking tour escorts the living to several of the Big Easy's top haunts, for ghost-spotting gluttony. The route includes a visit to a haunted bar, where paranormal sightseers can enjoy a refreshing break and some spirited fun. "Well worth the money. The best tour I've seen," a TripAdvisor traveler said. Tour tickets are $20 for adults ($17 for students and seniors), $10 for children age 7-12, and free for six year-olds and under.

9. Horrifying History: Chattanooga Ghost Tours, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Led by storytellers and actors, this tour will entertain, educate and send chills down travelers' spines. The hair-raising itinerary includes a stop at the Sheraton Read House Hotel, where the ghost of Annalisa Netherly has supposedly resided since the 1920s, following her murder at the hands of her husband in room 311. "Fun time, fact-filled and entertaining," a TripAdvisor traveler said. Tour tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for children age 12 and under.

10. Smoking Specters: The Original Ghost Tours of Catalina, Catalina Island, California

Travelers can enjoy the eerie ambiance of Avalon, a small village that was established above a burial ground, on this spine-tingling tour. The ghost of Zane Gray, a local legend of Catalina, has been seen enjoying a cigarette along the Via Casino walkway; when approached, he disappears – leaving behind a thick cloud of smoke. A TripAdvisor traveler said it is, "An experience not to be missed, so much fun and so informative." Tour tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under.

"With Halloween just around the corner, travelers can enjoy some spine-tingling thrills and hair-raising encounters on these memorable expeditions," said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor. "Offering unique destinations, colorful history and lively tales, these tours offer a fun and festive way to enjoy the season."

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features (including Flights search, TripAdvisor Mobile and TripAdvisor Trip Friends) with seamless links to booking tools.

TripAdvisor® Media Group, operated by TripAdvisor LLC, attracts more than 50 million unique monthly visitors* across 18 popular travel brands**. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 40 million unique monthly visitors***, 20 million members, and over 40 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 23 countries worldwide****, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also operates TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAdvisor's millions of monthly visitors. The division includes Business Listings, which allows hoteliers to connect directly to millions of researching travelers, and Vacation Rentals, which helps property managers and individual home owners list their properties and showcase hotel alternatives.

TripAdvisor Media Group websites have been recognized as top travel resources in 2010 by Conde Nast Traveller, Good Housekeeping, TIME magazine and Travel + Leisure.

TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Group are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE).

TripAdvisor and the TripAdvisor logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Media Group Sites, Worldwide, August 2010

** In addition to TripAdvisor, The TripAdvisor Media Group of websites includes: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.frequentflier.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com and www.kuxun.cn.