Post by Joanna on Aug 6, 2014 2:45:57 GMT -5
Galveston Island is a popular haunted travel destination
GALVESTON, Tex. – The season for thrills and chills is quickly approaching and Galveston Island’s ghostly history makes it one of the top destinations in the country for “haunted” travel. From a 103-year-old “haunted” hotel to Galveston’s storied harbor, cemeteries and Victorian mansions, this October the island will be bustling with visitors seeking to be spooked by numerous ghost stories that stem from the country’s deadliest natural disaster and other tragedies.
Galveston has many sites that are considered haunted, including an 1867 building that served as a morgue after the 1900 Storm – still the deadliest storm in U.S. history having killed an estimated 8,000 Galveston residents. The building now houses Haunted Mayfield Manor – a year-round haunted house attraction in downtown Galveston. The haunted house embraces the spooky history of the building’s past while providing guests with a psychologically thrilling experience.
Also embracing its reported haunting is the island’s 103-year-old Hotel Galvez (above), which has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Stories and on the Discovery Channel’s Ghost Lab for its paranormal significance. The hotel, which offers ghost tours during October, is said to be haunted by a “Ghost Bride” who reportedly has been seen in room 501 and in the hotel’s west turret. Legend has it that the bride hung herself in the west turret during the mid-1900s after hearing reports that her fiancé had died at sea. Tragically, her fiancé eventually returned to the hotel looking forward to a marriage that would never be.
The Galveston Historical Foundation, which manages many of the island’s well-preserved historical sites and Victorian mansions, also offers ghost tours throughout October. Many of the island’s historic places have ghost stories attached to them as Galveston has been home to epidemics of disease, war, fires, storms and many merciless pirates, including the famous Jean Laffite whose lavish and lawless den of thieves was the island’s first European settlement.
“Many, many people have lived and died by these waters, and perhaps some of the dead still reside here,” said Dwayne Jones, executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation. “We invite our guests to listen to the stories and decide for themselves. But you don’t have to believe in ghosts to know that the dead are a presence on this island.”
Galveston Historical Foundation offers ghost tours of the island’s harbor, cemeteries, and historic mansions, and this year will offer a new roster of uniquely created events for adults and youth alike. Tickets for all events are available for purchase at www.galvestonhistory.org.
Galveston is also home to the nationally recognized paranormal expert Dash Beardsley, who offers ghost tours in the island’s cemeteries, downtown district and other parts of the island year round.
Ghostly Galveston Attractions 2014
Haunted Mayfield Manor
Date: Year round
Time: Varies
Price: $10
Location: 2312 Harborside Drive
Info: www.hauntedmayfieldmanor.com
‘You’re History!’ Dinner at 1859 Ashton Villa (above)
Date: October 31
Time: Varies
Price: $80 per person, Reservations Required
Location: 2328 Broadway
Info: It’s an evening of dinner and deception at the historic home of Miss Bettie Brown, where the award-winning Murder Mystery Texas has created a specially scripted evening for 100 lucky guests. Enjoy a delectable seated dinner where you’ll be engaged and entertained throughout the evening all the while learning more about the historic property.
For more information call 409-765-3431 or visit www.galvestonhistory.org
‘Tales from the Ship’ (onboard the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa)
Date: October 30
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Price: $18 adult / $13 youth
Location: Pier 22, at 22nd Street and Harborside Drive
Info: Shiver your timbers this season with these specially crafted tours on board the official tall ship of Texas. Featuring nautical superstitions, haunted happenings at sea and tall tales from the ship’s ancient mariners, these self-guided tours will keep you curious at every turn.
For more information, call 409-765-3431 or visit www.galvestonhistory.org
Haunted Harbor Tours onboard Seagull II
Date: October 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Price: $15 adult / $12 youth / 45 persons per tour limit
Location: Pier 22, at 22nd Street and Harborside Drive
Info: The narrated exploration of spooky corners and tragic sites in and around Galveston’s storied harbor takes place onboard aboard the 50-foot passenger boat, Seagull II and continues through Oct. 31, with departures from the Texas Seaport Museum.
For more information, call 409-765-3431 or visit www.galvestonhistory.org
Hotel Galvez Ghost Tour and Dinner
Date: Wed/Thurs/Sundays in October with overnight package
Time: 6 p.m.
Price: $40 per person (includes three-course dinner; reservations required)
Location: Hotel Galvez, 2024 Seawall Boulevard
Info: This year, the hotel has added a Halloween Night Ghost Package starting at $349 per night, which will include the ghost tour and dinner along with a copy of “How to Hunt Ghosts – A Practical Guide” and a ghost meter commonly used by paranormal investigators. Both items are available only by booking the Halloween night ghost package.
For more information call 409-765-7721 or visit www.WyndhamHotelGalvez.com
Dash Beardsley’s Secret Society Cemetery Tour
Date: Fridays and Saturdays year round
Time: 8 p.m.
Price $20 adults/ $15 children 10 years old and younger (toddlers free)
Location: Old City Cemetery, 43rd and Broadway Avenue
Info: www.ghosttoursofgalvestonisland.com
Dash Beardsley’s Restless Spirits Tour
Date: Various throughout the year (check website for details)
Time: 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Price $20 adults—Must be at least 13 years old or older
Location: 2300 Strand Street (Historic Downtown District)
Info: www.ghosttoursofgalvestonisland.com
Dash Beardsley’s Original Ghost Tour on the Strand
Date: Daily year round
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Price $20 adults/ $15 children 10 years old and younger (toddlers free)
Location: 123 Rosenberg Street (in front of Galveston Railroad Museum)
Info: www.ghosttoursofgalvestonisland.com
Dash Beardsley’s Jack the Ripper Mystery Island Tour
Date: Various, must be booked by calling 832-892-7419
Time: Various
Location: Riding tour, call for details and reservations
Info: www.ghosttoursofgalvestonisland.com
Dash Beardsley’s Annual Wake the Dead Show
Date: September 6, 2014
Time: 9 a.m – 10 p.m.
Price: $55
Location: 5600 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston Island Convention Center
Info: www.dashbeardsleyswakethedeadshow.com
Movie Nite on The Strand: Dracula
Date: Oct. 4
Time: Dusk
Price: Free
Location: Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand
Info: Free outdoor showing of “Dracula.”
For more information, visit www.galveston.com.
Mini Monster Bash
Date: Oct. 25
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Saengerfest Park, 2302 Strand Street.
Info: Family friendly Halloween carnival with trick-or-treating, costume contest, games and prizes in downtown Galveston.
For more information, visitwww.galveston.com.
Ghostly Gardens
Date: Oct. 26
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard
Info: Trick-or-Treating, Creepy Crafts and Costume Contest for Kids plus $5 Admission to Moody Gardens Attractions.
For more information, visitwww.moodygardens.com.
Source: North Dallas Gazette, August 3, 2014.