If you’ve ever experienced anything a little bizarre or simply love all things paranormal, you’re in luck! May 3 is National Paranormal Day, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate with some West Virginia flair—even for those who are a bit skeptical. From sharing spooky stories to watching scary movies or even going on local ghost tours, commemorating the unexplained happens all year round. So, check out some of these stories and upcoming experiences!
Celebrate from Home
It may not always be easy to travel somewhere or spend the night in a haunted location, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate National Paranormal Day from home. In fact, you can discover a lot about local paranormal activity at the click of a button.
Listen to the Wheeling Haunts Podcast
If you want to learn more about the city and hear spooky tales from Wheelingites themselves, listen in on Weelunk’s Wheeling Haunts Podcast. In the debut season last fall, hosts Alex and Cassie followed the stories of Wheeling locals across five spooky locations and five episodes. Do you believe the haunted tales? Click here to start listening now!
Read Some Paranormal-Inspired Articles
Weelunk writers like Kaden Bednarek, Rosemary Ketchum, and others have also done some digging into Wheeling’s paranormal activity. Check out their articles that highlight some presumably haunted places in the city:
“5 Haunted Ohio Valley Locations to Explore on Your Next Ghost Hunt” by Kaden Bednarek
“Myth or Legend? Rev. John Armstrong’s Final Resting Place” by Rosemary Ketchum
“Haunting Tales from a Local Paranormal Investigator” by Miranda Tharp
“Myth or Legend? The Haunting of Tunnel Green Lives On” by Cassie Bendel
Watch Some West Virginia Horror Movies
Ask your friends about their favorite scary movies and host a watch party! If you’re unsure of where to start, consider some of these films and shows that feature West Virginia and some of its cryptid lore:
Mothman (2000), The Mothman Prophecies (2002), The Mothman of Point Pleasant (2017)
The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear (2018)
Silent Hill (2006), Silent Hill: Revelation (2012)
Explore the Ohio Valley’s Paranormal Sites
If you are really invested in history and ghost hunting and want to take your National Paranormal Day celebration to the next level, then take your adventure out of the house! The Ohio Valley has several hotspots for paranormal activity, so schedule a tour at these locations and find out if seeing really is believing:
West Virginia Penitentiary
The West Virginia Penitentiary is perhaps the most popular paranormal place to visit in the area. Although many thrill-seekers plan their visits around the fall and Halloween, you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy a spooky experience. The history of the penitentiary is there to celebrate and investigate during plenty of other months out of the year, so consider these events for your next paranormal outing:
Guided Tour Days (April 1–December 1) – All ages, 90-minute Historical Tour
Escape the Pen: The Execution – 12+ y/o, 1-hour Escape Game
Public Ghost Hunt – 18+ y/o, 6-hour Paranormal Tour
Para-Con (September 9, 2023)
Learn more and schedule a tour by visiting wvpentours.com.
The Bellaire House
In Bellaire, Ohio, just across the river, the notoriously paranormal Bellaire House welcomes overnight investigations as well! Not for the faint of heart, perhaps a sleepover here will turn paranormal skeptics into believers.
Weeknight and Weekend Private Investigations – Up to 8 people per investigation, 5:30 p.m. – 11 a.m.
Visit bellairehousetours.com to learn more.
Wheeling’s Many Cemeteries
Considering their purpose, it’s often believed that cemeteries are prime places for paranormal activity to happen. Although visiting them for a nighttime ghost hunt isn’t advised without permission, some cemeteries like Wheeling’s Greenwood Cemetery and Mount Wood Cemetery offer other interesting ways to respectfully explore.
Visiting cemeteries can be a fascinating way to explore the intersection of history and the paranormal. These sites contain the final resting places of countless individuals whose lives and experiences can provide insight into the past. Additionally, the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of cemeteries can create an eerie and haunting atmosphere that allows visitors to connect with the stories and experiences of those who have passed on. Whether you’re interested in genealogy, ghost stories, or simply enjoy exploring unique historical sites, visiting cemeteries can be a cool and educational experience.
Although not everyone is a believer in paranormal activity, perhaps this National Paranormal Day will offer more reasons to question what’s truly out there. The world is full of tales surrounding the paranormal, and digging a little deeper into some of them can lead to exciting discoveries!
