By Chad Wilson,
Publisher
www.paranormalunderground.net

Next week, Cheryl and I will be staying at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. The main reason we are staying there is because of the reported haunted activity aboard the ship. Would we stay there if the souls of the deceased weren’t said to walk the ship’s halls? Probably not, but then that is what we search for, supposed haunted places to visit.

What we have encountered at most sites that offer ghost tours is a hefty price tag. At the Queen Mary, if we want to “hunt ghosts” we have to pay an additional $75 per person for the two-hour paranormal investigation night tour, and even then we would still only be allowed to use our camera — no video or audio equipment are allowed on night tours.

Which brings me to my question: Are all these pay-to-hunt sites, even the ones that put restrictions on the equipment used, a valid form of paranormal investigation? Some of these pay-to-investigate sites that I’ve been to recently include Waverly Hills Sanatorium, the Villisca Axe Murder House, the Whaley House, and, soon, the Queen Mary. There are many more out there that claim to hold a plethora of stuck souls, but in order to experience them fully you have to part with your hard-earned cash.

I guess to answer the question of their validity, you must first ask why you are going there in the first place. Are you there for the thrills, are you seeking proof of the afterlife, or are your reasons for shelling out $50 to $200+ a mixture of both?

To me, these locations do serve a function — offering the average Joe & Jane a chance to try something that is not normally available. And if these types of sites didn’t offer these tours/investigations, I’m pretty sure that the curious would still seek out spooky places, sometimes breaking the law to gain entry. At least pay-to-hunt sites offer a somewhat safe environment in which to search for ghosts.

Some might consider me foolish for spending my money at pay-to-hunt paranormal sites, but I look at it this way: Ghost hunting at these sites is no different than going to a play or even a movie (albeit a very expensive movie), going on vacation, or contributing finances to a hobby.

So are pay-to-hunt paranormal sites valid locations and worthy of the purchase price? I think it depends on what an individual is seeking. To me it’s worth it. These types of locations allow people who wouldn’t normally be able to go on a ghost hunt to experience, to some degree, what it might be like.

What do you think?

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