Once again, areas of intense emotion or even violence are likely places to become haunted. There are a number of famous ghost hunts and investigations taking place in a number of old, abandoned prisons throughout the United States. These include Alcatraz Prison in California, Moundsville Prison in West Virginia and Mansfield Prison in Ohio. A wealth of evidence is now being collected verifying the existence of something quite supernatural going on in these infamous, jail house haunts. To find out the when, whys and where of prison ghost hunts by looking them up on the internet.

Battlefields:

Battlefields are places where you are going to run into a number of spirit recordings. These can be the source of excellent evidence about ghosts. Gettysburg, PA is the most famous haunted battlefield of all and is so haunted, that it has spawned an industry of ghost hunts, ghost tours and paranormal conferences. The battlefields tend to be the most haunted sites although areas of lookouts, old buildings in close proximity to battlefields also yield a number of haunting. When we speak of place haunting, we mean evidence collected of ghosts that have gone on for a number of years. Sometimes one haunting will replace another.

Cemeteries:

Although it might seem pretty obvious as to why graveyards are notoriously haunted, bodies are buried there, right? This is really not enough of a reason, if we view this explanation logically. After we are dead, it is reported by those who have had a near death experience that the first thing we do is look back with complete disinterest on our own physical bodies. This makes sense, since the life force has left the body and there is no longer any use for it. It does seem clear that some spirits do have some sentimental feelings, or a compulsion to return to where their human remains were put to rest. Some theorize that spirits hang out at cemeteries drawing upon the energies of their decaying bodies, claiming energies in the cells still fire, but I doubt this, since many ghost anomalies appear in very old historical graveyards that have not had a burial over many years. Instead, it appears that cemeteries may simply be an opening or a portal for the spirits to pour through.

Perhaps the reason is cemeteries are places where events of high emotion take place, such as funerals. Graveyards are also a place where we reflect upon the lives of people we have lost, or at least, we are aware of another’s loss. Perhaps this provides just enough inspiration or contemplation to pull the spirits down. No matter what reason behind cemetery haunting really is, there is a plethora of evidence that points out that this phenomenon exists. Therefore, if you are looking to gather evidence of haunting, a public cemetery is a good place to start out. Try not to trespass after dark, if there are signs that say they prohibit visitors after dusk. Dusk is a very good time to take ghost pictures. Sometimes you can notify the groundkeeper and get permission to go in after dark.

Crossroads:

Universally, the crossroads is a place of great spiritual power, and according to some, also spiritual danger. A belief in the crossroads as it relates to spirits traces back to the ancient world and is linked to practically every culture in the world. Since roads are so prevalent in the modern world, every corner is a crossroads. However, isolated crossroads, where there is an old graveyard, an empty house or abandoned boarding house are areas where spiritual activity is pronounced. When investigating a cemetery, consider taking photographs, or getting EVP at the nearest place where two roads intersect. It is possible that the when two path cross, it disturbs or changes the energy of a place. In many respects, crossroads are as much of a portal for spirit activities as cemeteries. Old crossroads, such as those in the country, should be fully explored for ghost activity.

Historical Homes:

Homes with a long history, of course, tend to be plagued by ghosts. Maybe they are overrated a bit. Haunted trailers are every bit as prevalent as archaic old mansions. But since old homes have a long history of human activity, usually situated around a number of different families that have lived in the house, they do become haunted, and not in any unpleasant way. Usually in older homes, spirits of children are the most common. Older homes do often have resident ghosts as well. If you sense a resident ghost that is somewhat resistant to your investigation, do not be alarmed. Unless there is evidence against it, most resident ghosts are completely benefic and end up an interesting topic of conversation at parties for those who live in the houses.

Hubbub of Activity:

Buildings hold onto energies from all that has gone inside, so if a place was at one time extremely busy, with several people passing through it, going through the ups and downs of human emotions, in all likelihood, that building will become haunted from one type of spirit manifestation or another, and more typically, many spirits. These might include bus stations, train stations, abandoned orphanages, and even old department stores. Many of the buildings are turned into other types of businesses, and the spirit or ghost that haunts typically belongs to the building’s previous incarnation. Therefore, a department store that may have been turned into a reception hall, will have apparition sightings of elevator attendants, clerks dressed in old-style clothing and nothing whatsoever to do with a modern reception hall. If you decide to so an investigation, pay attention to the old design of the building. For instance, check areas of old elevator shafts, where offices used to be, and with most haunted sites, ask to see the basement or attic areas. These areas have less traffic, so are more linked to what happened in the past, and this increases the likelihood of haunting.

Museums:

It is interesting about the ghosts that haunt museums they may not have any attachment to the building they are haunting, but instead to the objects that are displayed inside. In this way, museums tend to have a number of "object apparitions.” This creates an interesting variety of spirits haunting the museum space. Picture taking in certain areas of a museum may be prohibited but this does not really matter. Orbs can occur just about anywhere, so taking pictures of the ceiling sometimes works out just as well as taking pictures of an historical exhibit.

Nursing Homes and Hospitals:

These can be the most unnerving places in the world! Nursing homes and hospitals are probably the most haunted buildings and residences that there are. So many deaths occur, and so many families go through the extremes of emotions in these areas, that the energy and memory of these events remain. There have been cases reported of residents in nursing homes being visited during “off hours” by an elderly friend. Once the staff at the nursing home check in the room to ask the visitor if she would like a cup of coffee, no one is there. While visiting the room the staff discovers the resident has worsened or slipped into a coma. Shortly afterward, the resident dies. Just an oddball coincidence? The above scenario happens routinely in nursing homes and hospitals. Of course, ghost hunts in either a hospital or nursing home would be extremely crass and not permitted. But if you know of someone who works in such a place, you may be interested in interviewing him or her about personal haunted experiences. In nursing homes and hospitals, accounts of ghosts are abundant. Members of the staff are usually eager to share their stories with you.

Scenes of Accidents or Crimes:

Again, when investigating the scene of an accident, or a murder, no matter when it happened, discreetness is a must. Such places often become famously haunted, and if you proceed with your ghost investigations, the likelihood that you will receive a call concerning a place where a terrible shock or attack has occurred is likely. Spirits that haunt such places are not usually happy ones, thus, the feelings you absorb and the impressions you receive might not be pleasant. It’s important, though, to not look upon such places as “cursed” where terrible evil has been unleashed. Truthfully, when investigating crime scenes, the spirits you likely encounter will be residual haunting and nothing worse than that. But if you do wander into an earthbound spirit, gently inform the spirit to move on and find happiness in another place, a place where his or her family members await them.

Taverns:

Let’s face it. Any place that serves alcohol to the point that patrons are getting smashed is highly attractive to some ghosts. As far as spirits haunting, there is often a lot of old history that surrounds a tavern. Many fights happened there and a few people may have died as a result. When ghost hunting in a tavern, you might want to check out its history. The haunting there may not be all that positive. When ghost hunting in an old tavern you may ask to see whatever basement exists as this is sometimes one of the oldest parts of the building. Basements often yield lots of anomalies in pictures, such as vortices, EVP and orbs.

Theaters:

Just about anyone who has had the experience of a little greasepaint on their faces can attest to the fact that most theaters have spirits – they often have many ghosts. And even if a theater burns down, the ghosts seem to stick around. We associate theaters with feelings of excitement, the kind associated with live presentations, so once again it is the intensity of feeling that feeds the ghosts. Some old theaters offer tours, and so this is one good way of getting some ghost hunting in. Pay close attention to older parts of the theaters, areas where dressing rooms used to be, and also in the balcony and basement of the theater. While spirits can be encountered just about anywhere, many tend to stay put in basements and attics. The more historical areas of the theater is the places to take special note of when attempting to photograph or capture any EVP with a tape recorder.

Tunnels:

Just about all tunnels have ghosts. Why is this? It is possible that tunnels are able to trap ghostly and spiritual energies. They are also spooky with creepy echoes and no doubt inspire more ghostly tales than they truly deserve. Tunnels do have odd energies.

Where to look for paranormal activity

Abandoned prisons: