This Creepy Day Trip Through The Spookiest Places In Washington Is Perfect For Fall
By Jessica Wick|Published October 08, 2021
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
October is a wonderful time to be a Washingtonian. Aside from the vibrant foliage and the local traditions (fresh hops, seafood festivals, and Oktoberfests, just to name a few), the weather is often practically perfect. While the chill in the air tells us summer is gone for good, we haven’t yet reached temperatures below freezing or seen the first snowfall. October is actually the perfect time to go on a little road trip.
The next time you have a day to dedicate to a drive, fuel up and head to Washington’s two most haunted towns. Even if you don’t spot anything spooky or sinister, you’ll still have a great time.
First, head to the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula and spend some time in Port Townsend.
This is the Rothschild House Museum, which was the home of D. C. H. Rothschild, his wife, Dorette, and his five children in 1868. Unfortunately, D. C. H. Rothschild died by suicide at the beach near the home, and one of his children, Emelie, also died in the house at the age of 78. Rumor has it several of the family members, if not all of them, are still here in spirit.
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The town has several historic (and haunted) hotels, but the Palace Hotel is especially well-known for its paranormal activity.
Built in 1889, this hotel once served as a brothel for nearly a decade. The 16 guest rooms are named after the girls who lived and worked there -- and given all the paranormal activity and the mischievous nature of the spirits, it's plain to see that some of them never left.
Hikers and other park guests have heard moans coming from the dark hallways of the barracks, and sometimes images of vibrating lights can be seen inside some of the buildings that don’t have running electricity. If you feel like you're being watched when you're here ... you just might be right.
Port Gamble is only a 40-minute drive from Port Townsend, and it's definitely worth checking out.
The house, built in 1888, served as the home of Edwin Ames, the manager of the town mill, and his family. No one knows exactly what occurred in the house to make it such a spirited place, but hundreds and hundreds of visitors have had paranormal experiences here. This is thought to be the most haunted house in Washington.
Taking a day to explore two of Washington's spookiest towns will put you in a Halloween state of mind.
