When you start thinking about your honeymoon you probably think about a romantic getaway for two.  And, in most cases, that old adage - two's company, three's a crowd - really does apply.  Except, of course, if you're daring enough to spend your honeymoon in a haunted hotel. 

Perhaps the most famous and well-known of haunted hotels in the United States is The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.  There, in Room 217,  horror king Stephen King wrote much of The Shining.  A little closer to home, however, there are plenty of haunted hotels and inns that are perfect for a haunted honeymoon, romantic anniversary trip or perhaps just an intimate long weekend in the country.  And, all are within one day's driving distance of Atlantic City. 

The Historic Farnsworth House Restaurant and Inn 401 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA  Phone: 717-334-8838 Website: www.farnsworthhouseinn.com

First on the list, The Farnsworth House.   Having spent four years in Gettysburg (I even lived on Baltimore Street one summer) I can personally attest to some eerie occurrences in Gettysburg.  As the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, there are more than a few ghost stories floating around the town.  One of the buildings on the campus of Gettysburg College, in fact, is supposedly haunted by Civil War soldiers.  The building served as a field hospital during the battle, and numerous ghost sightings and eerie occurrences have been reported there.  It was even featured on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries.  

The Farnsworth House, now a restaurant and bed and breakfast, is another one of the many places in Gettysburg that is said to be haunted.  The attic of The Farnsworth House was once used by sharpshooters during the Battle of Gettysburg, and the house is said to be haunted by a few different ghosts, including a civil war soldier and one of the former tenants who died there and now haunts The Sarah Black room.  (Shown above at top of page). 

Built in 1915 for a wealthy lumber baron named Martin Brown, The White House of Wilmington is said to be haunted by the former owner's wife, Mrs. Brown.  The White House of Wilmington has been called "one of the ten most romantic places in the world" by The Boston Herald & The New York Times.  It also features special Honeymoon Packages - a three night romantic respite or a five night honeymoon delight.  During the winter ask about the romantic sleigh rides for two or try out their extreme tubing.  Special events during the year include a Halloween ghost hunt and seance.   

A national state landmark, circa 1849, The Edgewood Plantation is now an opulent bed and breakfast just outside Colonial Williamsburg.  This haunted house boasts a rich history as an actual pre-Civil War plantation.  During the war it was used as a lookout post by Confederate generals.  This 7,000 square foot Plantation is also reported to be the home of the ghost of Lizzie Rowland - a former tenant of the house who died of a broken heart waiting for her lover to return from the war. 

The Colonial Inn, which dates back to 1716, is said to be haunted by a ghost, possibly that of Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Of particular interest, the ghost was first reported by a couple on their honeymoon.  The Colonial Inn's website used to have an article all about that couple's honeymoon night and the Room 24 ghost but since they redid their site, I haven't been able to find it.  Just ask about Room 24.

Built in 1845, The Lizzie Borden House until recently was a private residence.  Now, as a bed and breakfast, you can spend a night in the home where the infamous axe murders occurred in 1892.  You can even indulge in a delicious breakfast similar to the last meal the Borden's ate the day of the murders: bananas, johnny cakes, sugar cookies and coffee.

Located just 50 miles south of Boston, this historic haunt would make an interesting, if not scary, stopover on the way to Cape Cod.  Ask for Abby Borden's room and beware mysterious fog and strange body impressions on the bedspreads.

Homespun Farm 306 Preston Road,  Griswold, CT Phone: (860) 376-5178 Website:  www.homespunfarm.com

Close to Foxwoods Casino and Historic Mystic Seaport, The Homespun Farm Bed & Breakfast in Griswold, Connecticut, is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  This 260-year-old home is also said to be haunted by both Simon Brewster, who purchased the farm in 1740, and his wife.  They are said to be friendly ghosts...more like "guiding spirits."  Sometimes one of them can even be heard walking up the stairs at night.   

The Notchland Inn, in the scenic white mountains of New Hampshire, has been called one of the "Top Twelve romantic B&Bs in the United States" by Sandy Soule of BedandBreakfast.com.  The 1860's granite mansion is located on a 100-acre estate, and all twelve guest rooms feature wood-burning stoves.  Nearby activities include hiking, skiing and outlet shopping. 

The Inn has hosted many guests over the years, including a few spirits.  Some guests have reported that they felt a presence in their rooms.  Perhaps one of them is the ghost of Nancy Barton who died in a snowstorm in pursuit of her fiance who ran off with her dowry.  In the front parlor of the Inn you'll even find a gravestone dated 1778.   

Village Green Inn 40 Main Street,  Falmouth, MA Phone: (508) 548-5621

Built in 1804, The Village Green Inn on Cape Cod offers a romantic retreat amid the quaint charm of New England.  Four different ghosts are said to haunt this inn, which was renovated in 1894 as a Victorian.  All rooms have air conditioning, private baths and cable TV.  Some have working fireplaces, and perhaps an extra otherworldly guest.  For more info visit: http://www.inntravels.com/usa/ma/vgi.html

Another interesting haunted Inn in Stowe, Vermont is now a luxury resort with 100 guest rooms.  The Green Mountain Inn, originally built in 1833, boasts an impressive list of amenities including  a year-round outdoor heated pool, a full service health club, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath, a game room and, perhaps, a ghost.  

The Green Mountain Inn is said to be haunted by Boots Berry.  In 1902 Boots Berry went up onto the roof of the Inn during a snowstorm to rescue a little girl on the roof.  In so doing, he slipped and fell to his death.  The portion of the roof he was standing on was supposedly the roof above the room he grew up in, Room 302.  Room 302 is now called The Peter Lovejoy Suite and is now room 244.  In researching this article we even found a recent photograph showing an orb or ball of spirit energy in the room.  You can decide for yourself.  Check out the report and photo from The Atlantic Paranormal Society website. To read up further on the Boots story The Green Mountain Inn's website has the full story.  They say sometimes tap dancing can be heard from the third floor of the inn....during really heavy snowstorms. 

The Hotel Macomber 727 Beach Drive Cape May, NJ   Phone:  609-884-3020 Website: hotelmacomber.com

Last on our list and closest to home, about 30 minutes from Atlantic City, is The Hotel Macomber in Cape May, New Jersey.  The hotel, built sometime between 1911 and 1915, is said to be haunted by two ghosts according to Al Rauber, a renowned paranormal investigator. The first is a spirit named Lilly.  It is believed she worked at the hotel during the 1920's and choked to death on a chicken bone in the hotel.   In fact, some customers in the hotel's second floor restaurant, Union Park, reported seeing a woman dressed in 1920's clothing walking through the restaurant. 

The second spirit is said to haunt the upper floors of the hotel, particularly Room #10.  Visitors to the room have reported lights going on and off, dresser drawers opening and closing and many unusual sounds in the night.  

For more information on the Hotel Macomber ghost story visit the website www.hauntednewjersey.com.  Or check in to the Macomber for a weekend stay, or perhaps just a romantic dinner for two (or three or four....)!