Planning Your Perfect Spooky Day Trip: A Ghost Hunter's Guide
Ever wondered how to pack the perfect amount of haunts into a single day? Let me walk you through my tried-and-true method for planning spine-tingling adventures, using my recent trip to the infamous Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky as our example.
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The Main Spooky Attraction
First things first: pick your main haunt. This is the most important place or attraction you want to see. For me, Waverly Hills had been lingering on my bucket list for years. Since it was just two hours from home and I was still recovering financially from an epic Arizona adventure, it made the perfect centerpiece for a day trip.
Pro tip: Having a primary destination helps anchor your entire itinerary and makes planning the rest of your day much smoother.
Time Management for the Supernatural
With my 2 PM tour at Waverly Hills locked in, I had a solid morning to explore Louisville's other ghostly offerings. But here's the thing about paranormal planning – you need to leave room for the unexpected. Whether that's getting lost (my internal GPS is broken), stumbling upon impromptu side quests, or simply wanting to linger in a space to “feel” for spirit energies with my admittedly nonexistent intuition. Hey, we all start somewhere, right?
Pro tip: Don't try to fit 20 things into a single day. You will be burnt out before the main attraction and won't enjoy it as much.
Supernatural Side Quests
Louisville didn't disappoint when it came to complementary spooky activities. I'm a sucker for cemeteries, oddities shops, and haunted walking tours, so I always start my research there. I struck gold with a walking tour based on David Domine's true crime book “A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City.” The 8 AM tour through Old Louisville was perfect for kicking off the day. I also discovered two oddities shops right next to each other – talk about efficient planning!
Fuel for Spooky Traveling
Let's be real: nothing ruins a supernatural adventure faster than being hangry. I always build in time for food and coffee breaks, preferably at local spots (Starbucks already has a big enough bank account). For this trip, I sought out casual places serving all-day breakfast and killer burgers near my planned activities. Remember: a well-fed ghost hunter is a happy ghost hunter.
The Power of Pre-Planning
I'm a big believer in saving locations to Google Maps ahead of time. Nothing kills the spooky vibe quite like frantically searching for addresses or discovering a must-see spot is closed. While some travelers thrive on spontaneity (and more power to them!), I've learned the hard way that a little preparation prevents a lot of disappointment.
Pro tip: Keep a list of places to visit and add to it whenever you see a cool place on TV or through podcasts etc. This will help fuel your travels and alleviate wondering where to go. Instead of doom-scrolling, research the site's history and plan a trip there.
The Golden Rule of Spooky Day Trips
Perhaps the most important part of any spectral expedition? Remember to slow down and savor each moment. It's easy to get caught up in checking off locations, but these trips are about enjoyment, not achievement. Take time to soak in the atmosphere, chat with local ghost enthusiasts, and maybe even sense an otherworldly presence or two.
What about you? Which haunted city is calling your name? Drop a comment below – who knows; maybe I'll feature your dream destination in an upcoming post and help you plan your own ghostly adventure!
If you want to read more about my visit to Waverly Hills, you can check it out here.
