How to Enjoy Ghost Tours

I admit it- I'm hooked on haunted tours and ghost tours. This comes from a love of history and all things that go bump in the night, or during the day for that matter! I should preface this hub by saying that I'm Catholic and we overwhelmingly believe in ghosts (ever heard of the Holy Ghost/Spirit?!) So I naturally fall into step with the whole ghost tour thing.

Expert Ghost Tour Advice

I've been on dozens of organized ghost tours up and down the east coast and down south. That being said, I consider myself an expert on giving you, a newbie, advice on going on these tours.

The following are some basic tips that I'll elaborate on:

• Leave the little kids at home
• Dress for the weather
• Bring 2 cameras, extra batteries and extra film
• Don't delete your digital photos while on the tour

• Bring a beverage in a container that can be re-sealed
• Bring a messenger bag, bookbag or nice camera case for all of your stuff

Leave Little Kids at Home

So, you're on vacation and are just dying to find out what the hype is about a ghost tour. Wait before you buy those tickets for the whole family! First, ghost tours are usually done after dark, and can run 2 hours or more, depending on the venue. A tour that starts at 9 can run late, and the kids will do one of two things: fall asleep or complain out loud. Both of these can be problematic if you have to get on and off a bus or trolley, not to mention carrying a child around on a tour. Baby strollers are usually out of the question since visiting old houses in the dark can be a little dangerous.

How do you get around this problem? Either you and your spouse will have to enjoy the tour different nights, or talk with the front desk at your hotel. Often they have a roster of people, sometimes employees, that can watch your children while you're out for the evening.

Dress for the Weather

Always be prepared- isn't that what your mother always told you? The same is true with ghost tours because you won't always know what the trip will bring. Always consider what the evening temperatures are where you'll be taking the tour. It may be 85 degrees during the day in a mountain area, but the temps can dip to 55 or less in the evening there. Bring a light jacket, such as a windbreaker with a hood, that will serve you well in wet or chilly weather on a tour.

Bring 2 Cameras, Extra Batteries and Extra Film

Any veteran of ghost tours will tell you to cover your tookie on these tours with a back up of camera paraphenalia. My personal favorites are a 35mm and a digital camera that have new batteries and film loaded and ready to go before I hit a tour. While there may be skeptics out there, but I've been on several tours where my cameras have gone bezerk. If I have two, I may get a few pictures in before it flat lines! (Note: the camera usually works fine after I leave a haunted area). Your equipment may also malfunction if you have old batteries in the camera as well, so carry extras and you'll be ready to roll.

Many people also bring mini camcorders on their ghost tours. The same information applies- bring extra batteries so you won't miss those cool shots of your favorite haunted place.

Don't Delete Your Digital Photos While on Tour

This may be a strange statement, but trust me, the photos you take may be hard to really see while you're in a semi-darkened area. Those tiny digital screens you're looking at don't always tell the whole story. Wait until you get back to your hotel to upload the photos, and then delete them after viewing them. You may be surprised at what turns up in a full-sized photo on your computer screen!

Bring Your Beverage in a Container that can be Re-Sealed

A bottle of water is usually a good choice for any ghost tour, but you can usually take what ever you want, as long as it can be re-sealed. You may be getting on and off a bus or trolley, so you can't be hauling around a soda can that can tip and spill, not to mention you probably won't be able to take them into a building. Personally, I have a small bookbag that has bottle holders on the outside of the bag. I usually take a bottle of water and a Star Bucks Frappacino - it has a screw on cap so it can be resealed easily.

Bring a Decent Carrying Bag or Camera Bag

Since you'll probably be doing some walking, and carrying a camera and beverage, you should have the right carrying bag. While I use a small bookbag for my travels, you may choose something smaller. At the very least, have a really good camera bag for your cameras and extra film and batteries. After you've gone on a few tours you can decide what you need- either a bigger bag, or a smaller bag with a bunch of efficient pockets and a drink holder.

Ghost tours can be a lot of fun, especially if you get a knowledgable tour guide with a sense of humor.

Happy Ghost Hunting!