Southern Arizona is a “spirited” place to convene during the weeks leading up to Halloween, when groups can visit a ghost town or book a ghost tour for an especially fun—and macabre—meeting.
Tucson Ghost Tour, which is led by a story-telling guide, explores about 12 haunted downtown locations, including Hotel Congress, Fox Theatre and La Cocina, a bar and restaurant. The outfitter also hosts the Tucson Ghost Experience, during which participants hunt for local ghosts.
In Yuma, one of two spooky outings should make its way onto a meeting itinerary around Halloween.
The Castle Dome Mine Museum is a ghost town that features more than 50 buildings to walk through, including a bank, general store and hotel. The place is decorated as it would have appeared back in the 1800s.
There is also the Yuma Territorial Prison, known as the most haunted structure in the area. The prison was in operation for a little over three decades beginning in 1876 and is said to still house the ghosts of prisoners who died there.
Situated north of Sierra Vista within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is Fairbank, another ghost town whose remaining buildings include a post office, general store, a schoolhouse and a saloon.
“Fairbank is a treasure to be explored and experienced without the commercialized influence so common for ghost towns,” says Patrice Graber, secretary for the Sierra Vista Visitor Center. “Walking among the buildings and remains, visitors truly can begin to appreciate the history and lifestyle in the 1880s.”
In the towns of Tombstone and Bisbee, which are both situated southeast of Tucson and are well-suited for smaller group gatherings, there are more ghostly experiences awaiting attendees.
Interested groups can meet for a ghost tour of Tombstone at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. The tour starts at dusk and includes visits to about 10 haunted locations, including the Bird Cage Theatre and Tombstone’s General Hospital.
And Old Bisbee Ghost Tour facilitates two outings, one that leads groups through Bisbee’s streets after dark and introduces them to resident ghosts including Nat the miner and Julia the prostitute, and another called the Oliver House Ghost Hunt.
During the Oliver House excursion, participants will learn how to use the equipment of a paranormal investigator, including an EMF detector and a digital thermometer.