Kathryn Lively asked:


New York City is known for many things: the bright lights of Broadway, fine cuisine and corner vendors, glamour and excitement. Yet for those interested in the paranormal and unexplained, the Big Apple may very well be renamed the Big Haunt.

A growing interest in the paranormal and unexplained draws visitors to the City, year after year, to explore the less than touristy parts of the five boroughs. Celebrity spooks and historical specters are the stars of these underworld tours, and you never know when some will stop by to say hello, or “Boo!”

Once you’ve seen the popular sights the city has to offer, why not take a trip down the eerie side of the City many call home…years after they have departed? If you’re in the mood for a frightfully fun stay in New York, and can’t wait until the Halloween, the city is not without yearlong otherworldly charm.

Here are just a few frightfully fun spots to explore:

Merchant’s House Museum: This is a must-see for any ghost chaser, where else but the one place called the “most haunted house in Manhattan?” Certain times of the year, the Merchant’s House Museum presents ghost tours and lectures on various topics, including the art of dying. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of any of the curious spirits known to wander the property, perhaps one of Seabury Tredwell, who died in the very house in 1865. Call ahead to find out when the Museum offers an authentic recreation of his passing and funeral.

Hotel Chelsea: The Chelsea Hotel is long known as a one-time residence for widely-known literary and pop culture icons. William S. Burroughs, Donald Sutherland, and Bob Dylan once hung their hats here, and rocker Sid Vicious reportedly killed his girlfriend Nancy in their room.
Whether Nancy haunts the Chelsea remains to be confirmed, but it is said that the ghost of Dylan Thomas haunts the famous hotel. Of course, he died after drinking too many spirits at the White Horse Tavern and was taken to the Chelsea after collapsing outside the pub. It is believed he haunts the White Horse, too, so maybe he’s pulling double duty?

New Amsterdam Theater: Did you hear the one, too, about the Ziegfield Follies showgirl who haunts this popular venue? Many have claimed to see Olive Thomas strutting the stage in her beaded costume, no doubt looking to take one last bow.

Radio City Music Hall: If the Rockettes are kicking extra high some nights, it could be from fright! The ghost of Roxy Rothafel is said to haunt the theatre he built.

The Algonquin Hotel: Known for the eclectic group of wits and writers of the earliest 20th century who gathered often as the Vicious Circle, this hotel is also home to permanent guests. It is said some of the Circle have continued their stay at their favorite Round Table and elsewhere in the hotel. Could it be the tart-tongued Dorothy Parker, the hilariously mute Harpo Marx, or maybe Alexander Woollcott? If you hear a horn blow from nowhere, that may narrow it down.

The Dakota: This stylish Manhattan apartment building is believed to be haunted by the ghost of John Lennon, who was fatally shot near the entrance.

Hotels and theatres, pop stars and fallen stars, New York City is home to millions. How many are living as opposed to the living dead is difficult to say, but for those with a fascination for the paranormal half the fun is finding out.

Kid Friendly Guide asked:


If it’s been a while since you’ve visited Las Vegas, it’s time to go. And this trip, bring the kids! That’s right. Las Vegas is now kid friendly Vegas, and it’s not because the gambling age got lowered. Las Vegas is just as kid friendly as Disney, and just as chock-full of things to do for kids of all ages. Check out these reasons why kid friendly Vegas should top your next kid friendly travel list.

Kid Friendly Las Vegas Amusement Parks, Theme and Water Parks

Here are the thirteen major kid friendly play spots on and off the Strip that will keep your kids smiling.

• Adventuredome

• Doolittle Pool

• Freedom Park

• Coney Island Emporium

• Star Trek: The Experience

• Buffalo Bill’s Amusement Park

• Stratosphere Tower

• Las Vegas Wet Indoor Water Park

• The Eiffel Tower Experience

• The Roller Coaster at NY NY

• SPEED the Ride

• SkyMania Fun Center

And keep your eyes open for the little tucked away fun spots that you’ll find inside all the Vegas kid friendly resorts like Excalibur, the fairytale castle kid friendly Vegas resort that’s every bit as impressive as the one that the famous mouse lives in.

Las Vegas Kid Friendly Shows and Kid Friendly Restaurants

Depending on the season and who’s in town, there are always at least 20 great kid friendly shows that your children will still be talking about long after their Vegas family vacation is over. Some of the especially kid friendly shows include these:

• Blue Man Group

• Lance Burton Magic Show

• World’s Largest Permanent Circus

• Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater

• Monty Python’s Spamalot

• Steve Wyrick Magic Show

• Xtreme Magic Show Starring Dirk Arthur

• ICE at the Riviera Hotel and Casino

And don’t miss the Tournament of Kings interactive dinner show at the kid friendly Excalibur. And speaking of dinner, a family friendly vacation requires child friendly restaurants, and Vegas is overflowing with them.

Kahunaville at Treasure Island and the Rainforest Café are the top two kid friendly Vegas restaurants, but you’ll also want to experience the Pasta Pirate at the California Club, and America at the New York – New York.

Other Vegas Family Friendly Vacation Ideas

If you want to sneak a few educational experiences into your Vegas kid friendly travel plans without the little ones being any the wiser, Vegas offers plenty of options. Topping the list is the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, followed by the Lied Discovery Museum and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.

Vegas Kid Friendly Travel, Naturally

If you have time, take the kids to the Grand Canyon in nearby Arizona. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip that your kids will be telling their kids about. A little closer to Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Lake Mead, and the Floyd Lamb State Park.

Kid Friendly Vegas is worthy of a visit, so make it your preferred kid friendly travel destination.