Haunted America: The Hotel Ghosts of Richmond, Virginia Beach & Harrisonburg, Virginia

Since 1969 the world has become familiar with the famous slogan " Virginia is for Lovers", but Virginia also falls under the radar as being an obvious choice for finding some of the most haunted destinations in one small area. And while most people would say that romance and ghosts have nothing in common, paranormal investigators, ghost hunters, honeymooners and thrill seekers would beg to differ with you as a great amount of spirits and ghosts are found in hotels, motels and inns; the exact place where much of the world's romance happens. Of course some of Virginia's most haunted locations are found directly on the battlefield or in the woods near Matthews, Virginia with hundreds of reports of ghost sightings dating back over two-hundred years, but the ghost sightings that range up into the thousands come directly from guests staying at actively haunted hotels. Newlyweds seem to report more instances of paranormal activity while staying at these overnight love nests then from any other single source in the state.

The Linden Row Inn
The first hotel that comes under the radar as being haunted is the Linden Row Inn, located in Richmond, Virginia. The 70-room boutique hotel built in the early 1800's sits nestled quietly in the historic district of the city. High end antiques are found throughout the establishment as is the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe's mother, Elizabeth Poe. The actress turned ghost became deathly ill and eventually succumbed to the sickness that racked her body and quietly passed away at the Linden Row Inn. History buffs and ghost hunters equally love this beautifully embellished structure, and enthusiasts of paranormal activity will not be let down as the haunted hotel was originally constructed out of seven ornamental Greek revival townhouses that come with plenty of ghostly tales. Elizabeth Poe left behind two small children, one of them being the famous dark poet Edgar Allan Poe, and it is believed that her ghost is spending all of eternity searching room to room for the children that she left behind.

Location: 100 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone: 804-783-7000

For reservations, go to: http://www.lindenrowinn.com/

The Cavalier Hotel
Virginia Beach is another romantic destination in Virginia due largely to the hotels sitting right along the Atlantic Ocean with beautiful warm sand leading the way for lovers to frolic about like kids in the cities largest sandbox with offers of cool waters and romantic evenings with candlelit dinners that overlook the nearby pier on 15th Street and Oceanfront. The Cavalier Hotel is among this group of hotels that have become a big part of Virginia's haunted history and the sophisticated hotel is no stranger to serving some really famous people throughout the years.

Located on Atlantic Avenue in the heart of the city, the hotel was first choice for ten U.S. Presidents, F Scott Fitzgerald, Will Rogers, Mary Pickford, Ginger Rogers and Adolph Coors, who was either thrown from or jumped out of a sixth floor window at the Cavalier. Guests of the Cavalier report that a piano located in the downstairs plays by itself and several reports flow in weekly that a big yellow ghost cat was seen running down the hallway. The hotel lobby along with the sixth floor is a hot bed of paranormal activities ranging from sightings of well dressed spirits to the sensation of being watched by unseen eyes. The Hunt Room is a popular location to see the ghost of Glen Miller, and apparitions are known to playfully flush toilets, turn on lights and touch unsuspecting guests who are clueless to the hotels haunted reputation.

Location: 4201 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451. Phone: 1-800-446-8199

For more information, go to: http://cavalierhotel.com/

By the Side of the Road Bed & Breakfast & Cottages
The Shenandoah Valley is easily one of the most breath taking sites in the United States, and it is also home to the By the Side of the Road Bed & Breakfast & Cottages located in the city of Harrisburg, Virginia. The home dates back to 1790 and it is actively haunted by restless spirits that find humor in slamming doors shut to get the attention of guests unaware that the place is filled with playful ghosts. The war torn past of the home has seen many colorful characters that are quite literally searching for peace. Footsteps are often heard during the night, but when guests investigate the source of the intrusion they are met with only a dark shadow that disappears as fast as it seen. The bed & breakfast once served as a hospital for men wounded during the Civil War, but those days are long gone and the peaceful southern setting offers guests a quiet retreat other then when the ghosts get a bit noisy.

Location: 491 Garbers Church Rd, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801. Phone: 540-801-0430

For more information, go to: http://www.bythesideoftheroad.com/index.html

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reportedly_haunted_locations_in_the_United_States

http://theshadowlands.net/places/virginia.htm

http://www.realhaunts.com/haunted-houses/united-states/virginia/

http://www.ehow.com/list_6931547_haunted-hotels-virginia.html

http://www.yelp.com/biz/linden-row-inn-richmond

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliza_Poe

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/29/AR2010102904535.html

http://www.paranormalghost.com/haunted_virginia.htm

http://www.virginiaghosts.com/

http://hauntecg.angelfire.com/haunty1/haunted-i32.html

http://www.daybreakfishing.com/virginia-beach-pier.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g57809-d615115-Reviews-By_the_Side_of_the_Road_Inn_Cottages-Harrisonburg_Virginia.html

http://www.hauntedtravels.com/virginia_ghosts.htm