From haunted mansions, creepy cemeteries seen in candlelight and things that go bump in the night, ghost tours typically are filled with all manners of things to get people into the spooky spirit. From the unknown to the unexpected, several ghosts tours in the western New York state region offer a range of ghostly sights and sounds to delight -- and frighten -- just about anyone.
The Landmark Society Ghost Walk, hosted by the Landmark Society of Western New York, is a perfect start to the Halloween season. Offered annually in October, the tour takes sightseers on a walk through the city of Rochester's living past, guided only by candlelight. The tour takes patrons past some of the city's oldest houses, where actors await the crowd to tell a ghostly tale or two. In addition, while waiting for or in between tours, guests are invited to participate in trivia and can even win prizes such as an iPod. Tickets generally go on sale beginning in September because of high demand.
Hosted by physic and paranormal expert Mason Winfield, the Haunted Pub Crawl of East Aurora takes guests on a pub crawl through the supernatural history - and taverns - of the town. Held in November in 2010, the pub crawl features the Haunted History Ghost Walk crew and offers storytelling as it winds its way through local taverns. Winfield and the crew also offer ghost walks in western New York towns and cities such as Buffalo, Allentown and Lewiston.
The Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, which promise to show patrons the "true" ghosts of Rochester, are held annually in October. The walks include storytelling and history, as well as explanations of the tools and equipment used by ghost hunters. Tours include the "Ghosts of Mt. Hope Avenue Ghost Walk", considered the most popular; the "Spirits of Sea Breeze Ghost Walk," a waterside walk that stops at the Sea Breeze Fire Department's historic building; and the "Lady in White Ghost Walk," which focuses on one of Rochester's most famous ghosts. Tours are held each year beginning in early September and ending on Halloween.
