Southeast roundup: Haunted happenings

The former penitentiary, now open for public tours, offers real-life chills and tales of horror. The Gothic-style structure served as the state’s prison from 1876 to 1995. The facility’s turbulent past includes riots, executions, public hangings, jailbreaks and murders. Many people have reported ghastly sightings and experiences within the fortress’ walls.

Day tours last 90 minutes and include background information on the prison and justice system and a walking tour of the facility. For the truly brave and horror-hungry, group tours at night are available. Night tours begin at midnight with a 90-minute history and guided tour, and then participants are free to roam the facility until 6 a.m. Night tour participants must be at least 18 years old.

Former West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville Economic Development Council. Day tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last tour begins at 4) Tuesdays-Sundays. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, ages 5 and younger free. Night tours for groups of at least 20 people are $600, with a nonrefundable deposit of $150 required at the time of booking. 818 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, W.Va. 304-845-6200,www.wvpentours.com.

Stay

Prabhupada's Palace of Gold. An alternative, spiritual-based community that offers budget-friendly accommodations (there are no hotels in Moundsville; this one is about a half-hour drive away). $150 for a cottage or cabin, single rooms $25 for first adult, $20 each additional adult, $10 children ages 5 to 12, children ages younger than 5 free. RD 1 NBU# 24, Moundsville. 304-843-1600, Ext. 111, www.palaceofgold.com.

Eat

Alexander's on 7th. This coffee house, bar and restaurant serves sandwiches, soups and salads in the former Mound City Bank building, constructed in 1907. Entrees $5 to $8. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays. 508 7th St., Moundsville. 304-845-0582, www.alexanderson7th.com.

Visitor information

Marshall County Tourism Committee, www.marshallcountytourism.com.

Historic Ghost Tours of Punta Gorda

These spine-tingling tours are created by the experts at Danse Macabre Productions, students of paranormal activity since 1976. Charlotte County, on the western Florida coast, has a history of paranormal activity in Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor and Englewood.

The Historic Ghost Tours of Punta Gorda focus on the Charlotte Harbor area, where most of the notorious ghosts are said to reside. A costumed guide with a lantern leads the two-hour tours within a five-block radius of Punta Gorda. The tour is never the same twice, tour company owner and operator Erin Broemel said, as there are numerous tales to tell about the town, which dates back to 1887.

Historic Ghost Tours of Punta Gorda. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights through September and nightly in October. Fright! tours meet at Indian Springs Cemetery 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Fridays and Saturdays in October. Reservations required. Tickets $10 adults, $7 senior citizens, $5 children ages 5 to 12, free for children younger than 5. Gazebo in Gilchrist Park, West Retta Esplanade. 941-421-5265, www.ghosttourspg.com.

Stay

Wyvern Hotel. An elegant, four-star establishment with a fitness center, pool, suites and free Wi-fi. $95 single room to $335 suite. 101 E. Retta Esplanade. 941-639-7700, www.thewyvernhotel.com.

Eat

Joe Cracker Sportsgrille and Tiki. A laid back, beach-themed sports bar with 27 big screen TVs, live music Friday and Saturday nights and an extensive menu, including fish, shrimp, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and wraps. Entrees $8 to $20. Opens at 11:30 a.m. daily, closes at 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and Sundays, 2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 1020 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. 941-258-3444, www.joecracker.com.

Visitor information

Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau. 1-800-652-6090, www.charlotteharbortravel.com.

Haunted Pub Crawl

For a tour with spirits of two sorts, check out the Haunted Pub Crawl in Savannah, part of Cobblestone Tours. The two-hour pub crawl winds through Savannah’s Historic District, recounting tales of horror associated with each pub. Drinks are not included but are available for purchase at each pub, with to-go options as well.

“Savannah is considered by many to be the most haunted city in America,” said James Caskey, owner and tour guide at Cobblestone Tours and author of “Haunted Savannah,” a guidebook to the city’s lengthy history of hauntings.

The tours are led by a guide dressed in period costume. “People have seen apparitions on the tours,” Caskey said. “The apparitions were dressed in period costumes, and we have to tell them it’s not part of the act.”

At one pub plagued by many tales of ghost sightings, the Moon River Brewing Co., tour-goers have reported seeing a woman in a dark dress and a man in the basement, Caskey said. The brewery has a particularly turbulent past, including duels, beatings and murders.

Haunted Pub Crawl. Reservations necessary. The 8 p.m. tour departs nightly from the Moon River Brewing Co. at 21 W. Bay St. The 9 p.m. tour departs from Molly MacPherson's Scottish Pub in City Market at 311 W. Congress St. Mondays-Saturdays. Tickets $10 adults, $8 seniors ages 55 and older. 512 E. Oglethorpe Ave.912-604-3007, http://ghostsavannah.com/haunted_pub.aspx.

Stay

Inn at Ellis Square. Historic charm in a building that is more than 150 years old, combined with modern conveniences such as cable TV and high-speed Internet. $110 to $151. 201 W. Bay St. 877-542-7666, www.innatellissquare.com.

Eat

Alligator Soul. Upscale eatery in downtown Savannah serving Southern cuisine. Entrees $23 to $32. Hours 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 114 Barnard St. 912-232-7899, www.alligatorsoul.com.

Visitor information

Savannah Visitor Information Center, 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 912-944-0455, www.savannahvisit.com.

Provided by Demand Studios