13 of AAA’s Favorite U.S. Haunted Halloween Hideaways

Three are in Oklahoma – six more are in nearby states.

NEWS from AAA Oklahoma, Oct. 23, 2009 – As costumed monsters, superheroes, and creatures of the night take to the streets in search of candy this Halloween, many Oklahomans will also be seeking a good, scary time.

In anticipation of the occasion, AAA Oklahoma presents three memorable picks for howlingly good times in the Sooner state:

• Vina Rae’s Grill and Graze in Avard, Okla., northeast of Woodward, which is said to be haunted by ghosts, headless apparitions and the smell of burning hair, thanks to the alleged murder and burning of a young woman at that location, an old gymnasium, some 50 years ago.
• County Line BBQ on N.E. 63rd St. in Oklahoma City, a AAA Two Diamond restaurant, where the staff says they sometimes hear disembodied voices and rattling wine glass racks and see cups flying off drain racks.
• The Brady Theater in downtown Tulsa, a restored 1914 vintage showplace where according to legend, singer Enrico Caruso last performed before his death. His ghost and that of an unfortunate workman who was killed when he fell off a ladder are said to haunt the theater.

Elsewhere in the U.S., these haunts have been deemed scream-worthy by AAA’s professional team of lodging and restaurant inspectors:

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, Eureka Springs, Ark., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

Legend has it that several ghosts reside within the walls of the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, often cited as one of the most haunted hotels in America. During construction, a workman fell to his death from the roof, landing on the future site of room 218, considered to be the most haunted room. In the late 1930s, Norman Baker leased the property for use as a hospital and health resort. Despite his lack of formal medical training or maybe because of it, many of his unfortunate cancer patients made the establishment their eternal resting place.

Hotel Bothwell, an Ascend Collection hotel, Sedalia, Mo., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

Built as a 119-room hotel in 1927, this establishment was the hub of society in Sedalia for many decades. In the 1980s, the property served as an assisted living facility before it was finally closed. It reopened in 1999 as the Hotel Bothwell with some challenges in the haunting department. Many occurrences of unexplained noises and sightings of objects have been reported, including theoccasional apparition. The elevator has been known to operate on its own, and guests often mention missing items from their rooms. While most of the experiences happen at night, nearly every staff member has a story to tell. If a truly spooky stay is what you want, request a room on the third floor where many sightings are centered.

Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, La., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

Located in the French Quarter, this hotel was a hospital during the Civil War and there have been reported sightings of Confederate soldiers. Additionally, linens have been found to have blood stains that vanish as curiously as they appear. Some people have claimed to hear wounded soldiers cry out for help. Building Five is recommended for those wanting to experience paranormal activity.

Le Pavillon, New Orleans, La., AAA Three Diamond Lodging

Built in 1907 and located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, this hotel is often called “The Belle of New Orleans.” The hotel has had many guest and staff sightings of unexplained movement. Paranormal experts have counted anywhere from four to 100 friendly spirits that want to have fun.  Where else can you find ghosts and complimentary evening peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, AAA Three Diamond Lodging

The Menger Hotel was built in the 1850s and is located next to the Alamo mission, site of a bloody battle for Texas independence. The hotel is renowned for several infamous guests who refuse to check out. Theodore Roosevelt, who makes an occasional after-hours visit to the bar, first visited the Menger in 1892, returned in 1998 to recruit his Rough Riders, and was back in 1905 for a banquet.  Sallie White, a hotel employee murdered in 1876, continues to make up rooms. And the irrepressible Captain Richard King, founder of one of the world’s largest ranches, is said to be seen late at night writing the memoirs he began in the late 1880s upon learning of his impending death.

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colo., AAA FYI Lodging and Approved Attraction

This hotel is most famous for inspiring Stephen King to write The Shining after staying at the near empty hotel with his wife the day before it closed for the winter. They stayed in room 217, which they later discovered was said to be haunted. Although the Kings did not experience any paranormal activity, other guests report hearing piano music and party sounds from the empty ballroom, children running in the empty hallways, and awakening to the sight of a man standing over their bed. If you feel adventurous, stay in room 217, 401, 407 or 418, which report the most ghost sightings. Stanley Hotel History Tours are given daily.

Bower’s Harbor Inn, Traverse City, Mich., AAA Three Diamond Restaurant

Built in the 1880s and remodeled in the 1920s, this restaurant was originally a summer retreat for Chicago lumber baron J.W. Stickney and his wife Genevive. The establishment has since gained notoriety as the home to Genevive’s ghost. While Genevive inherited the property when her husband died, he left the remainder of his wealth to the nurse hired to care for Genevive, which drove Mrs. Stickney into severe depression. She eventually hung herself from the rafters of the elevator shaft and, since her demise, lights have suddenly turned on, mirrors and paintings have fallen off walls, and guests have reported the appearance of a blurry female figure in their vacation photographs.

Buxton Inn-1812, Granville, Ohio, AAA Three Diamond Restaurant

Among the many owners of this former stagecoach tavern was Major Horton Buxton, who owned the inn from 1865 to 1902. He is said to still make an occasional appearance, favoring a chair by the fireplace on chilly evenings. The tavern is also haunted by the ghost of a former owner’s cat. The spectral figures are said to sometimes entertain dinner guests.

The Golden Lamb Restaurant, Lebanon, Ohio, AAA Two Diamond Restaurant

The Golden Lamb Restaurant is a red brick structure dating back to 1803 that also opened as a stagecoach tavern. Its many celebrity guests over the past two centuries have included Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and various presidents. One guest in permanent residence is the spirit of a little girl believed to be Sarah Stubbs, niece of former manager Isaac Stubbs Jr. Sarah grew to be an adult, but some say her ghost remains in the building. Sarah's room, located on the fourth floor, is the recreation of her childhood bedroom, named in her honor.

The Mayflower – A Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C., AAA Four Diamond Lodging

Strange occurrences reported at The Mayflower appear to be linked to the inauguration of President Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge did not attend his own inaugural ball in 1925 because he was mourning the death of his 16-year-old son. Every year on January 20 the lights dim and flicker at 10 p.m., the time the first guests were announced at the ball. One elevator stops on the eighth floor and refuses to move to the lobby until 10:15 p.m. – the approximate time Coolidge was supposed to leave his room to attend the ball.

Two AAA inspectors share their tales of encounters with the supernatural on AAA’s travel blog at AAATravelViews.com; keyword: Haunted.

AAA’s professional inspectors visit and rate more than 60,000 lodgings and restaurants every year in the U. S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean using a scale of one to five diamonds. Online visitors can access the listings of all AAA Approved and diamond-rated hotels and restaurants at AAA.com/Travel. These ratings also appear in AAA’s famous TourBook travel guides.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA Oklahoma’s Internet Web site address is AAA.com.