As any good child of the 80’s can tell you, NYC has been
long-synonymous with ghostly visitors from the Underworld and beyond. Whether
you are making the pilgrimage to the Ghostbusters’ firehouse headquarters (Hook
and Ladder 8 - 14 North Moore Street, Manhattan) or exploring the real-life
spiritual haunt of the Morris-Jumel Mansion (65 Jumel Terrace, New York, NY),
this city abounds in specter spotting potential.
New York boasts many tranquil green spaces in which natives
and visitors alike relax and de-stress. However, perhaps they would not breathe
so easily if they knew these parks are also hotbeds for paranormal activity.
Many of these are actually former cemeteries, complete with those originally
entombed. Washington Square Park, for example, is a former place of burial for
the poor, and many claim it is ghost central for New York City. Another
example, Greenwood Cemetery, was designed to serve as a park for the living. It
is certainly not an abnormal sight to see those of flesh and blood strolling
among the gravestones.
Other potential ghost sighting venues include those places where
natural (or unnatural) deaths occurred but the deceased were never properly
buried. Some professional ghost hunters claim that the only way these sites can
be properly ridden of disgruntled souls, is by vastly altering the scene or
solving the crime in question. For instance, once McGurk’s Suicide Hall at 295
Bowery was torn down, the ghosts stopped haunting there.
Alcohol has been attributed to many, many deaths in this
modern age and the same rings just as true for the past. Thus, any place where
those of today or yesteryear imbibed or enjoyed, could be a potential haunt. Bars,
inns, taverns, and other drinking establishments all have their fair share of
ghost stories – just ask any employee of the Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl Street,
Downtown Manhattan).
Places of travel are also notorious for their ghostly
apparitions. Grand Central Station certainly has its share of ghosts. Some even
claim that locomotion attracts ghosts.
In recent times, people have reported giving rides to passengers who have
disappeared into thin air. Other such attractors allegedly include staircases
and elevators.
As fall turns the air crisp and Halloween approaches,
peoples’ minds are once again drawn to ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and all manner
of things that go bump in the night. If you too are eager to prove you “ain’t
afraid of no ghosts,” drop into one of these famous haunts to try to bust some
for yourself. Or even better yet - explore New York City’s most haunted
neighborhood with your very own guide to the Underworld of the Financial
District, courtesy of Wall Street Walks!
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