6 Places To Go Ghost Hunting In And Around Philadelphia

The last Saturday in September is NATIONAL GHOST HUNTING DAY. It's an annual international investigation of the paranormal.

Ghost hunting usually takes place in abandoned mansions with murderous histories, or asylums with tortured souls. It may involve specters guarding ancient crypts. Or even ghouls out to entertain themselves by scaring us. Centuries-old ghost stories around the world focus on historical records or literature. But, science debates the existence of ghosts.

Tons of historic places seem to be teeming with paranormal activity. If you're a Philadelphian and a lover of all things spooky, you're in luck. This city is full of old buildings with tons of history attached. You can't go anywhere in Philly without stumbling upon or likewise tripping over a historical site.

Some are true believers. Others want to prove it all wrong. Above all, whatever your motivation is for participating in searching for some ghosts, you'll need to know where to go. You can't live your Ghostbusters fantasy without ghosts actually being there to find you. There are tons of places in Philly that are thought to be haunted. Some of these places even get in on the spooky fun that comes with their reputation.

At Pennhurst Asylum, you can search for spirit activity on the grounds of the infamous Pennhurst. Investigators will have access to all four floors of the notoriously haunted Mayflower Hall. Also included is the underground tunnels of Philadelphia, Devon, and Rockwell.

A historical site and haunted attraction, Eastern State is said to be littered with spirits. You can take a tour to experience the history of one of the country’s oldest and most famous former prisons. Today, it’s considered by some to be one of the most haunted places on earth.

This 300-year-old alley has seen over 3,000 residents in its time. People that visit report paranormal activity. There is also a running rumor that a soldier was hanged in the alley. Scary stuff!

This premier city dining location was once a functioning boat. It's actually one of the oldest surviving four-mast ships still in the water. It is said that at least 28 people died on board when the ship was in its heyday. There are rumors of a spooky "Lantern Ghost," and disembodied hysterical laughter.

In a place with practically 1,000s of bodies buried, it is no wonder ghosts lurk around there. There is a rumored "eternal patrol" of deceased soldiers that hang around at night.

Don't go here if you're easily made queasy! It's a medical history museum with some pretty gruesome exhibits, like body parts in jars and crazy anomalies. Ancient bodies donated to science are breeding ground for the ghosts that once owned them.