Victorian Cape May to Host Halloween Happenings

CAPE MAY — Seaside spirits stir up ghostly fun in Victorian Cape May during Halloween Happenings, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), from Oct. 10 through Oct. 31. Get into the “spirit” of the season with three weeks of Halloween-themed tours and events including ghost trolley tours, spooky tours of Cape May’s original haunted house, the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, psychic teas, murder mystery dinners, paranormal experiences with investigator and medium Craig McManus, and much more.
Cape May’s “original haunted house,” the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, is the setting for Phantoms of the Physick Estate. An evening tour is geared to those with a taste for terror, and a day time tour is appropriate for most children. Those stories you heard as a child originated as much darker morality tales, as you will hear during the evening tour, Phantoms of the Physick Estate: Scary Tales, when you enter the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate museum. Characters from these “scary tales” will tell their stories as they guide you through the first floor of the museum then onto the grounds of the Estate, where the tales come to life and the Big Bad Wolf usually wins. $15 adults, $12 for children (ages 3-12). Combine tour with Tales of Terror Trolley Ride or Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Ride and save $2. You’ll hear stories of unexplained occurrences inside the 1879 Physick Estate, experienced by the very guides who know the house intimately during the daytime tour, Phantoms of the Physick Estate: Ghosts & Guides. Hear EVP recordings gathered by paranormal investigators and see photos of possible paranormal activity in the house. 30 minute guided tours take place every 15 minutes. Appropriate for most children. $12 adults, $7 children (ages 3-12).
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to spend midnight in the Physick Estate with Cape May’s most famous ghost hunter. Oct. 24, author, psychic medium and ghost investigator Craig McManus will host Midnight at the Physick Estate, in which 25 lucky people will hear Craig share his stories, experiences and perhaps channel a spirit or two. Admission is $35 per person and tours begin at 11 p.m. This event is limited and sells out quickly!
Join Craig McManus, psychic medium and paranormal investigator, for A Walk with the Ghost Writer Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. McManus (the Ghost Writer of Exit Zero fame) will lead this evening walk along the gas-lit streets of Cape May’s Historic District, where he will talk about the houses where he has sensed paranormal activity. Admission is $25 per person.
The perfect time for hearing a scary story is traveling Cape May after dark, on streets lit by flickering gaslight. Take the Tales of Terror Trolley Ride and listen to your guide tell spine-tingling tales. Offered weekend evenings, Oct. 10 through Nov. 1, times vary; Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. $12 adults, $7 children (ages 3-12). Combine tour with the Phantoms of the Physick Estate: Scarty Tales Tour and save $2.
Dare to take an evening tour down the ghostly path that leads to the Cape May Lighthouse during the Ghosts of the Lighthouse Trolley Tour. You’ll hear and experience Craig McManus’ paranormal findings during your journey. Once you reach your destination, you’ll feel the presence of the spirits at the Light. Whether you choose to climb or stay below, you’ll surely enjoy a ghostly experience. Offered Oct. 10, 12, 18, 25 and Nov. 1, at 8 p.m. and Oct. 11 at 8:15 p.m. Admission is $22 for adults and $15 for children (ages 3-12).
Board a MAC trolley tour for a 30-minute evening ride through the haunted streets of Cape May on the Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour. The paranormal findings of ghost writer Craig McManus come alive as your guide translates McManus’ spooky stories. Weekends in October (except Oct. 31); times vary. $12 adults, $7 children (ages 3-12). Combine tour with the evening Phantoms of the Physick Estate Tour and save $2.
Should no one contest the right of the Fortunatos to occupy and restore the Bellevue Hotel as they see fit, since their distant cousin died without leaving a will? For a diabolically delightful dining experience, help solve the new mystery for 2014, “Where There is No Will” during Murder Mystery Dinners & Luncheons. The Impromptu Players bring to life (or death?) some disreputable characters during this new mystery. Suspicion will keep you guessing and challenge your sleuthing skills while you savor a four-course dinner or three-course lunch. Murder Mystery Dinners are offered at 7 p.m. Oct. 11, 12, 13, 18 & 25 and admission is $50. Murder Mystery Luncheons are offered at 1 p.m. on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 and admission is $35. All events are at Aleathea’s Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., except for the Oct. 11 dinner, at the Carriage House Café & Tearoom at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. This is a limited event and reservations are necessary.
One or more of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate’s formerly living residents seem to have returned to the Carriage House Café & Tearoom on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., for a Halloween-themed tea. Find out what the future holds for you (all in good fun, of course) at Madame Parmentier’s Psychic Teas on Saturdays, Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m. During tea, you may encounter a fortune-teller, palm readers or the odd phrenologist. Admission is $25 per person and reservations are necessary.
On All Hallows Eve, Oct. 31, there are spooky characters waiting to give treats to all the good little boys and ghouls at Cape May’s original haunted house, the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Trick or Treat at the Physick Estate is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free.
The grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., have been taken over by spooky, scary and just plain silly characters for Scarecrow Alley. Enjoy the scarecrow creations contributed by members of the community, local organizations and MAC staff and vote for your favorites from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2. Or, join in the fun and create your own scarecrow! Admission to the grounds is free. For information on how to apply, visit www.capemaymac.org.
Crafters and antiques dealers from throughout the region display and sell their wares during the Harvest Crafts & Antiques Show, Oct. 18 and the Fall Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 1. Both shows are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cape May Convention Hall, Beach Avenue at Stockton Place. Admission is $2.
Get into the spirit of things on a trolley tour past some of Cape May’s regal Victorian residences, reputed to host more than the living, during the Historic Haunts Combo Tour. Then it’s a guided tour of the historic (some say haunted) 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, where you’ll learn about Victorian spiritualism and modern ghost hunting techniques. Oct. 10-Oct. 12 at 7:15 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Admission is $22 adults, $14 children (ages 3-12). For those who prefer just the house tour, the Historic Haunts House Tour is available separately on these evenings at various times. $12 adults, $7 children (ages 3-12).
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508. . For information about historic accommodations, contact Cape May Historic Accommodations at www.capemaylodging.com.