EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY

The Eastern State Penitentiary, its towering walls casting a foreboding shadow over the grounds, was known as one of the most haunted places in the country. Curious tourists are drawn to its doors despite its grim reputation to experience the paranormal activity that lurks within.

As we made our way through the dark corridors and crumbling cells on our tour, we couldn’t ignore the eerie feeling that someone or something was watching us. The air felt heavy with the weight of past suffering and despair, and every creak and whisper seemed like a message from the other side. This was not just an old jail but a place where spirits lingered, and ghosts roamed freely. We felt significant paranormal activity as we photographed the prison.

EAST POINT LIGHTHOUSE

The East Point Lighthouse loomed above us as we set up our camera equipment for a night of Milky Way photography. An eerie feeling settled over us as the stars twinkled in the dark sky. Suddenly, we felt strange whispers and saw shadowy figures moving within the lighthouse walls. Our new camera malfunctioned, its lens twisting unnaturally while several images on our memory card were wiped clean without explanation. Fear clenched at our hearts as we realized this was no ordinary paranormal activity – but something far more sinister could be at play in the abandoned lighthouse.  

BATSTO VILLAGE

BATSTO VILLAGE IS A FORGOTTEN HUSK, a crumbling monument to the greed and ambition that once fueled its iron works. The buildings stand like silent sentinels; their walls were cracked and weathered by time and neglect but are now fully restored. Yet there is an eerie perfection to the feeling of old-time errieness, as if the village is frozen in time, a haunting reminder of what was lost.

Batsto Village in Hammonton, New Jersey, is infamous for its spine-chilling apparitions and unexplainable paranormal activity. Ghostly whispers echo through the abandoned buildings, and an eerie chill hangs in the air, sending shivers down visitors’ spines. Many have reported seeing shadowy figures roaming the streets at night; some have even claimed to feel a cold hand on their shoulder when no one else is around. The haunting energy of this place is palpable, leaving a lasting impression on all who dare to enter its gates.

Don’t tell the women in the office what you’re doing, even if you’re doing photography. There’s one horrible woman there who knows absolutely nothing about what she’s talking about and is very mean.

It’s possible that evil spirits have infiltrated her being and corrupted her mind. Beware of the most evil in the place: the arrogant, misinformed worker. And the photography there is quite dull. I would only go there to ghost hunt at night and sneak in. The park closes at dusk in the park. Rangers patrol the general area. Maybe get dropped off at the location to ghost hunt, and don’t leave your car in the parking lot. If you get caught by the police, tell them it’s payback to the mean woman in the office. In all seriousness, it is illegal to trespass here at night, so be warned and also be very afraid. It’s terrifying here at night in the dark.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 31 Batsto Road, Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, 08215

CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE

Those who dare to venture up the towering lighthouse after dark may face the light keeper who still roams its halls. She appears in a long, tattered white gown, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. She clenches a rusted lantern in one hand and cradles her ghostly child in the other. Together, they haunt the winding staircase, their ethereal wails echoing through the night as they search for unsuspecting victims to join them in their never-ending vigil.

Pamela Goodyer, the renowned alien photographer, often wonders if her curious subjects will one day reach out to her. Were the aliens silently observing her every move, waiting for the perfect moment to make their presence known? Or were it the apparitions that roam the Cape May Lighthouse that she was sensing?

EMLEN PSYCHICK ESTATE

The estate was once a grand family home, but now it is a haunting reminder of the past. The walls are lined with portraits of long-dead ancestors. The current owners, the Mid Atlantic Center For The Arts, have tried to maintain the property, but their efforts seem futile against the evil spirits that roam the halls. It is said that the ghostly apparitions of the former homeowners – Emlen’s mother and aunt – still linger within these walls, their presence felt by all who dare to enter. One is filled with unexplainable anger, while the other exudes a peaceful, unsettling calmness. And beware of the phantom barks and paws that can be heard throughout the building – remnants of the beloved family dogs that never left this place, even in death. Visitors to the MAC have reported feeling watched and followed as they explore this eerie abode, leaving many wondering if they, too, will become part of its tragic history.

THE INN OF CAPE MAY

Legends whisper of the restless spirits that haunt Room 88 and Room 92 at the Inn of Cape May. Visitors often hear the playful laughter of a boy and girl known as Annie echoing through the halls at night. But beware, these spirits do not simply observe from the shadows – they actively interact with guests. They delight in knocking on doors throughout the inn, even when no living children are present. Many have been startled by these mischievous spirits, mistaking them for real children until they learn the truth. Be warned, a stay in Rooms 88 and 92 may leave you with more than just memories – it may bring you face to face with the ghostly children who still roam within the inn’s walls.

CONGRESS HALL

The Congress Hall Hotel, a beloved fixture in Cape May, has gained quite a reputation for its otherworldly occupants. Whispers of ghostly giggles, flickering lights, and objects moving independently have spread like wildfire among guests and employees. And who can blame them? The hotel has become a hot spot for believers and skeptics, all seeking a thrilling brush with the unknown.

Despite the bustling crowds and bright sunshine, unease lingered as we entered Congress Hall. The constant hum of human activity drowned out any possibility of detecting paranormal energy. But deep down, we couldn’t shake the feeling that something supernatural lurked in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself. Maybe it wasn’t wise to be there during such a busy time for ghost hunting, but I couldn’t resist the urge to explore this historic place. 

We only stopped in for a minute, and we knew we needed to return during the evening hours when fewer humans were around. We like it that way anyway.

SOUTHERN MANSION

The grand mansion, once belonging to George Allen and his family, was eventually passed down to his niece, Ester Mercur and her husband. After Ester’s untimely passing, her husband Ulysses could not bear to stay in the home without her, so he sold the entire estate, including all of its lavish furnishings.

Legend has it that the spirit of Ester Mercur is joyful, and she’s ecstatic that her forever home has been restored. You can hear her disembodied laughter throughout the house and sometimes catch glimpses of her twirling and dancing in empty rooms. The sweet scent of her perfume lingers in every corner, and you may even hear the rustle of her dress as she passes by. But don’t be afraid because Ester and the other spirits who call this bed and breakfast their eternal abode are all friendly and welcoming. Unlike most ghosts, they’re far from grumpy or possessive – in fact, they love to play tricks on guests (nothing too scary or annoying, though). So come for a stay and see if you can spot any of these spectral roommates!

As we approached the towering mansion, eeriness permeated the air. We noticed strange orbs floating in the first photo we took, but there was no explanation for them.

We were greeted warmly at the mansion and decided to stroll around midday, snapping photos. Of course, this was not the ideal time to search for supernatural occurrences; we were sure they wouldn’t let us enter at midnight. However, as we walked through the halls, we couldn’t shake the feeling of a young child playing nearby. And then, in an instant, we felt a blur rush past us – a shadow presence that we couldn’t quite put into human words. But there was no denying the sound of laughter from this apparition. We felt the presence of a parental figure nearby, watching over us.

As soon as we arrived, it was clear that this place was extremely haunted. We could feel an eerie presence surrounding us when we stepped foot on the property.

THE MACOMBER

The Hotel Macomber is now a national historic monument. At its grand debut, it was the largest wooden structure on the east side of the Mississippi River. The family-owned hotel offers a great stay and otherworldly guests. The ethereal spirits have been known to play tricks on staff and visitors alike, making lights flicker and doors creak open or slam shut. 

The Hotel Macomber, previously known as New Stockton Villa, had a tragic past. Its original owner, Sarah Davis, was plagued by immense grief after losing her daughter Cannel to encephalitis in the 1920s. Despite her love for the hotel business, Sarah’s sorrow led her to take her own life on the premises in 1934. Legend has it that she still rooms the halls and likes to do things to make the guests’ experience more pleasant.

We traveled to the Maycomer to speak with the owners to inquire about ghost hunting, but it was in the summer, busy months, and they didn’t seem to have time to get back to us. It might be better because we can connect with intense emotions when we go ghost hunting. The extreme grief of the mother may be too much for us to bear.

QUEEN VICTORIA INN

In 1881, a man named Douglas Gregory, who hailed from Cape May and worked as a Delaware River pilot, constructed this grand residence for his family. Over time, this building has changed hands numerous times, serving as a community service center for the Navy, a medical practice, and even a summer boarding house with converted rooms in 1943. However, it was ultimately restored and revitalized into what is now known as The Queen Victoria in 1981.

The atmosphere changed drastically as we stepped inside the Inn to enquire about a night’s stay. When we explained that we would conduct a paranormal investigation, a staff member recounted countless spine-tingling tales of hauntings and supernatural occurrences within these walls. She warned us that the spirits are most active in the winter months, taking advantage of the emptiness and isolation. We knew then that spending the night here would be a unique experience, but we were in midsummer, and no rooms were available. This is on our list of places to return to stay the night and communicate with the apparitions so they can tell us the story of the Inn.

102 Ocean StreetM Cape May, New Jersey 08204 – 609-884-8702 – stay@queenvictoria.com