People who are interested in both history and the paranormal will love visiting Colonial Williamsburg. Located in Tidewater Virginia, this restored 18th century town is endlessly fascinating. It's fun to see it during the day, when costumed staff recreate village life in all its facets: domestic, civic, and commercial. After dark, it's spooky as well. A Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tour is fun for the whole family, although they're not for very young children.
Williamsburg was the 18th century capital of the colony. After expert restoration and replication (not all the original buildings survived for 200 years), this 175-acre living museum is the largest outdoor history lesson in America. There are 160 buildings, and staff carry on with life as it was in the 1700s. This is a great place to visit, and as it's open 365 days (and nights) a year, it should be easy to find the right time to go.
The town is home to the College of William and Mary, which was founded in 1695 and thus predates the town. The ghostly tours cover both the original village and the campus. Some are all outdoors, in streets and the graveyards, while other also take you into historic buildings. Your guide will tell you about events that took place at each important site, as well as what has been seen, heard, or felt there.
A tour takes about an hour, although you can join an 'extended one' if you want to hear it all. Tickets can be bought online, $13 a person of any age (not recommended for very young children who might be left with nightmares). It's necessary to have a reservation, but it's easy to sign up online. The tours go off rain or shine; good walking shoes and appropriate gear for the weather are a must. A lot of the spiel is history, but the words 'chilling' and 'spooky' are used over and over in the reviews, so prepare to be spooked.
EMF meters can be carried, which add to the fun. These devices are scientific meters that measure electromagnetic fields and are standard equipment for ghost hunters. Although ghosts are not guaranteed on a tour, those who've gone report changes in the magnetic activity around them, especially near original graveyard walls.
Visitors hope to hear wagons rattling down the road where pirates were hung, footsteps in homes where soldiers died from illness or wounds, and the sound of a woman (notorious in her day for her need for cleanliness) bathing in an empty bathroom. Several shades have been reported, including young soldiers, unhappy wives, gracious matrons welcoming visitors to their homes, or children who died before their time.
Reservations are a must, but the tour companies make it easy to get tickets online. They do not accept people who just show up hoping to join the group. Check online for tour routes, meeting places, time of start (7 PM or 11 PM), and information about parking. You can also read reviews and see the awards won by the company. There have been listings in the Top Ten for ghost tours or even sightseeing tours in general.
Check for starting times. Some groups set off at 7 PM, while others start at at 11, close to the witching hour. After spending the day in Williamsburg, seeing it at night gives a whole different slant to history.
Williamsburg was the 18th century capital of the colony. After expert restoration and replication (not all the original buildings survived for 200 years), this 175-acre living museum is the largest outdoor history lesson in America. There are 160 buildings, and staff carry on with life as it was in the 1700s. This is a great place to visit, and as it's open 365 days (and nights) a year, it should be easy to find the right time to go.
The town is home to the College of William and Mary, which was founded in 1695 and thus predates the town. The ghostly tours cover both the original village and the campus. Some are all outdoors, in streets and the graveyards, while other also take you into historic buildings. Your guide will tell you about events that took place at each important site, as well as what has been seen, heard, or felt there.
A tour takes about an hour, although you can join an 'extended one' if you want to hear it all. Tickets can be bought online, $13 a person of any age (not recommended for very young children who might be left with nightmares). It's necessary to have a reservation, but it's easy to sign up online. The tours go off rain or shine; good walking shoes and appropriate gear for the weather are a must. A lot of the spiel is history, but the words 'chilling' and 'spooky' are used over and over in the reviews, so prepare to be spooked.
EMF meters can be carried, which add to the fun. These devices are scientific meters that measure electromagnetic fields and are standard equipment for ghost hunters. Although ghosts are not guaranteed on a tour, those who've gone report changes in the magnetic activity around them, especially near original graveyard walls.
Visitors hope to hear wagons rattling down the road where pirates were hung, footsteps in homes where soldiers died from illness or wounds, and the sound of a woman (notorious in her day for her need for cleanliness) bathing in an empty bathroom. Several shades have been reported, including young soldiers, unhappy wives, gracious matrons welcoming visitors to their homes, or children who died before their time.
Reservations are a must, but the tour companies make it easy to get tickets online. They do not accept people who just show up hoping to join the group. Check online for tour routes, meeting places, time of start (7 PM or 11 PM), and information about parking. You can also read reviews and see the awards won by the company. There have been listings in the Top Ten for ghost tours or even sightseeing tours in general.
Check for starting times. Some groups set off at 7 PM, while others start at at 11, close to the witching hour. After spending the day in Williamsburg, seeing it at night gives a whole different slant to history.
About the Author:
For a factual Colonial Williamsburg ghost tour, make sure you buy your tickets online. To find out more, visit the related website now at http://colonialghosts.com.