Today Sophia Rose is here with a non-fiction traveling guide to haunted spots across America. Come check out her thoughts on Passport to the Paranormal by Rich Newman and plan your next haunted road trip!
by Rich Newman
Genres: Non-Fiction
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Every state has its spooky paranormal hotspots. This book lists 200 haunted hotels, restaurants, bars, museums, and other locations that you can visit for yourself in all fifty states. In Passport to the Paranormal, expert ghost-hunter Rich Newman explores the nature of each location's activity as well as providing historical details. You also will find dozens of photos that help bring the stories alive. These haunted locations are operating businesses so you too can experience the haunts and apparitions.
Gallivant with ghostly gunfighters at Big Nose Kate's Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona. Take a twirl with the Lady in Blue at the Moss Beach Distillery in California. Try not to get pranked by the Sheriff, the resident spirit at the Grand Old Lady Hotel in Balsam, North Carolina. Discover these and hundreds more stories of hauntings, specters, and things that go bump in the night in this treasure trove of real paranormal activity.
Sophia Rose’s Review
I am always up for a good ghost story and learning the history behind the haunting of a place. I saw this title and was eager to explore some of the places in the US that are known for their ghosts.
Rich Newman started out as a hobby ghost hunter and then turned professional with shows and books to prove it. Passport to the Paranormal is being released as a ‘Best of…’ style of book on the anniversary of the release of his first book. So, it is not comprehensive of all his explorations nor of all the haunted locations in the US. That said, he included at least one location and often several for each state.
Passport to the Paranormal reads like a combination of travelogue, historical facts on locations and people, and fun ghostly venture options. Each entry is quick and engaging. Sprinkled throughout, Rich Newman shares his own supernatural encounters at a location named in the book. I’m not sure whether I envy him for having so many encounters or relieved that I’m not a ghost magnet like Rich. Or, perhaps, he has these encounters because he is out there actively trying to engage with the spirit world.
I appreciated that the author mostly included off the beaten path types of places that haven’t made the big shows or news, but he does include a few of those. I was startled to discover that places I visited in Idaho, in California, and in Michigan were on his list. Let me add that I had no ghostly visitations or weird happenings. The author gave a brief history of the location and people, why it is considered haunted, where, and by who if they have that worked out, but then he goes on to include why it is also a great travel destination, too. So, whether one experiences a close encounter with a ghost or nor, the trip is still well worth the visit.
All in all, it was an entertaining and interesting selection of places that the reader can flip to the state or the location by using the index or simply read it cover to cover. There are maps and pictures liberally sprinkled throughout. Definitely recommend for a bit of something different in a travelogue or a ghost hunter hobby read.
Passport to the Paranormal: Your Guide to Haunted Spots in America by Rich Newman includes state by state guide, maps, tidbits and more for the ghost hunter. #NonFiction #TravelGuide #SophiaRose #bookreview Share on X
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Rachel
Great review! I think I’d like to read about the histories behind the hauntings. I’m wondering if I’ve visited any of the California locations. Which are the ones you’ve visited, Sophia?
Sophia Rose
The historical backdrop is fascinating to me, too. I like the story aspect. Oh, I had been to the Big Sur Inn, The Queen Anne Hotel, and Winchester Mystery House (this wasn’t haunted, but he was struck by the owner’s story). There is also Featherbed Railroad B&B, Doheny Greystone Estate, The Hollywood Roosevelt, Hotel del Coronado, Hotel Leger, Moss Distillery, The Pierpont, Preston Castle,The Queen Mary, The Sowden House, The Whaley House Museum.
Katherine
I really like that this one covers out of the way places. I normally skip this kind of book because it’s always the same places. I definitely need to find this one! You’ve got me curious to see if any place I’ve been shows up on this list!
Sophia Rose
I liked that it wasn’t all the usual ones that show up on the shows, too. Yes, it can be a fun, unsettling thing to discover one has stayed where there is known paranormal activity. 😉
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Oh my gosh, this is the perfect book for me! I have gone to some out of the way, not as well known haunted places and always though it would make a fun summer road trip. Now I wonder if any of the places I’ve visited are included. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention!
Sophia Rose
Sure thing, Lisa! It was a little unnerving to realize a few places I had visited were on his list and I was ignorant at the time. But, yes, I loved that he talked about places that don’t usually make the cable shows, but still sounded like neat places to see.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
Okay, this sounds really interesting. I am curious about the ghostly experiences that he has had.
Sophia Rose
He never mentions anything poltergeisty, but there are some mischievous ghosts in the group. Not sure what to make of all his experiences, tbh.
Nadene
Hmm. Interesting information. I am not sure I would want to visit any of these places though..
Sophia Rose
Haha! I’d already been before I realized. I suspect he’s a ghost magnet and the rest of us are safe to travel. 😉
Wendy Williams
I love this! We have a ghost town nearby, and old mining town. Never seen a ghost there, but I enjoy visiting.
Sophia Rose
How cool that you’re so close to an old ghost town like that. LOL, maybe your ghost is shy. 🙂
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
I like the sound of this, thanks for sharing your thoughts
Sophia Rose
It was fun and informative. You’re welcome, Shelleyrae!
Melliane
I agree I always love ghosts stories as well!
Sophia Rose
And this was fun to see where they hang out in real life. Haha!