Haunted hot spots
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Speaking of hanging around - some politicians just can't accept term limits. Missouri's second governor, Frederick Bates, has been spotted at his former home, the historic Thornhill Mansion (15185 Olive Boulevard, 636-532-7298). Bates, who died here in 1877 at the age of 48, is buried in the family cemetery behind the mansion along with his wife Nancy and two of their four children. According to the mansion's historian and employees, the former governor has been seen wearing a long black coat and wandering through the house's upper floor. Objects in the house are known to disappear and turn up later at odd locations - no wonder one of the employees refuses to go inside after dark!
To learn more about Halloween events and other attractions and to book a hotel room in St. Louis, visit www.explorestlouis.com or call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040.
St. Louis has tons of haunted hot spots and ghoulish ways to celebrate the Halloween season. Here's a list of fun and frightful things that go "bump" in the St. Louis night throughout October.
What's Halloween without a trip to a haunted house - or two...or five? Scarefest presents "The Darkness," (1525 South Eighth Street, 314-241-3456) one of America's best haunted attractions. Located next to the historic Soulard Market in downtown St. Louis, the haunted house is open nightly through November 2. Meanwhile, in nearby Fenton, Missouri, the "Creepyworld" complex of haunted attractions features such scary stuff as the Tombstone Haunted Ghost Town, Grisly's Graveyard, Silo-X, Hornbuckel's Cornfield and Ravens Mansion. For details and directions on both Scarefest haunts, log on to www.scarefest.com.
The historic and "haunted" Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn (3322 DeMenil Place, 314-664-8024, www.lempmansion.com) has a ghoulish story of its own. Built in 1862, the mansion was home to the Lemp family of brewers and the site of many family tragedies. Patriarch William Lemp and three of his children - William, Jr., Elsa, and Charles - committed suicide in the house, and son Frederick died "under mysterious circumstances." In spite of the ghostly inhabitants, lunch and dinner are served year-round, along with the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. On October 25, visitors can party with the dearly departed Lemps and others at the Lemp Mansion Halloween Party, from 8 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. There will be three live bands, a costume contest with cash prizes, open bar, food and more. Call 314-664-8024 or click www.lempmansion.com for details.
The "Historic Haunting at Thornhill," takes place in nearby Faust Park, October 24-25, from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. The Faust Park Historic Village will feature storytelling, blacksmithing demonstrations, animal shows, a tour of the Bates mansion and family cemetery, and a chance to hear about memorial and burial practices of the early 1800s. Spoooooky stuff. Pricing and details are available at www.stlouisco.com/parks/ or by calling 636-532-7298. Speaking of history, "Ghosts of the Past" descend on the Historic Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village on October 25. The night of old fashioned fun includes music and enchanting tales told by firelight and candlelight. Call 636-798-2005 or visit http://www.lindenwood.edu/.
How about a Ghostride Tour? See St. Louis' "other-worldly" side with a haunted, historical tour of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The General Tour highlights some of St. Louis' "spirited" past, while special tours focus on Halloween, the Civil War, and cemetery history and symbolism. Tours include history and stories about the cave systems located beneath the city, ancient burial mounds, and the histories of various buildings and their inhabitants. Call 314-845-0522 or scare up their Web site at: http://www.ghostridetours.com/.
The Sixth Annual Not-So-Haunted House takes place October 24 - 26 at The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum. Grab your broomstick, dress in your Halloween finery and enjoy a "spooktacular" time. This fright-free Halloween fest provides a safe, indoor option for little goblins in search of a good time. Kids receive an autograph book for the not-so-spooky characters to sign as they trick-or-treat throughout the four levels of the house. This year's event will include a special visit from storybook characters including characters from "Harry Potter," "Peter Pan," "Cinderella," and "The Wizard of Oz." For information dial 314-822-8900 or click http://www.magichouse.org/.
Six Flags St. Louis' "Fright Fest" is back Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. The annual Halloween extravaganza features all-inclusive fun that includes daytime thrills and nighttime chills. Smaller fry can trick-or-treat during daylight hours and enjoy a variety of kid-friendly activities, while older kids and hearty adults can ride haunted versions of their favorite rides and experience a shadowy land of ghosts and ghouls after night falls. Ticket information is available at 636-938-5300 and www.sixflags.com.
A dancing Dracula? Yep. The Fanged One arrives at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, October 23 - 26, thanks to the folks at Dance St. Louis. Just in time for Halloween, it's Bram Stoker's classic story as you've never seen it before. "Dracula" offers spine-tingling drama and sensational dance from BalletMet Columbus. The evocative tale of passion and seduction is filled with haunting music, stunning visuals, and eerily romantic dancing. Descend into the dark side of beauty. For more information call 314-534-6622 or click the light fantastic at http://www.dancestlouis.org/.
The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra's Classical Detours will take on a decidedly spooky twist, presenting "Transylvanian Halloween" on October 31, at Powell Symphony Hall. Begin your weekend with a pre-concert happy hour followed by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra taking you on an exciting, one-hour musical tour of places far and near. For more information call 800-232-1880 or visit www.slso.org.
Hollywood's classic thriller "Psycho" is the featured film for the final installment of the 2008 "Movies Around St. Louis" film series. Held at Crown Square Plaza at 14th Street and St. Louis Avenue (by Crown Candy Kitchen), the October 31 event is free and open to the public. The movie night under the stars is presented by the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group and Frontyard Features (http://www.fyfstl.com/).
YMCA Trout Lodge & Camp Lakewood presents their Halloween Spooktacular for the weekend of October 31 - November 2. The family-friendly weekend features a haunted hayride, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, face painting, cookie decorating and a "terrifying" legendary camp tour. For more information call 314-241-9622 or visit www.troutlodge.org.
Ads by Yahoo!
Reader Comments (0)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal
Search the archives
Last 30 Days
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
This Week's Most Viewed Stories
» All Most Viewed
This Week's Most Commented Stories
» Latest Comments
- Police release surveillance footage (19)
- Massey cleared of manslaughter charge (6)
- Police make arrest in attempted Burger King robbery (6)
- Jurors to decide fate of man and wife (5)
- City may take over management of senior center (5)
» Latest Comments
