Posted in Virginia Creepy September 14, 2016

Here Are The 10 Most Downright Terrifying Places To Visit In Virginia

With Halloween just around the corner, it's all too easy to become paranoid and hyper-aware of the supernatural. Some places embrace the spookiness of the season, while others can be just downright terrifying. That's certainly true of the following places, which would make anyone nervous to visit no matter what time of day or year.

1. Avenel House (Bedford)

Also known as the William M. Burwell House, Avenel is a historic mansion located in Bedford. Building began in 1836 and the house quickly gained a reputation for its beautiful architecture. Today, the house may be equally as well known for its haunted associations. Many visitors have noticed a ghostly woman in a long white dress strolling outside the house with an umbrella.

2. Big A Mountain (Honaker)

This beautiful mountain landscape is located in Buchanan County. Apparently, this was once the site of a tragic helicopter crash. Visitors today report that they can still sense the smell of decay, even though years have passed. Some visitors have even reported feeling a sudden drop in temperature and hearing unexplained moans.

3. Braley's Pond Picnic Area

Located in George Washington National Forest, this is one of the most haunted campgrounds in the state. Visitors report seeing the spirit of a young girl, appearing right near the creek. Other campers have noticed sounds of disembodied horses and children playing from the trail.

4. The Old Church Hill Tunnel (Richmond)

The Church Hill Tunnel in Richmond is a peculiar site, especially considering the fact that one side of the tunnel is preserved as a historical landmark and the other is slowly being reclaimed by nature. In the early 1900s, this tunnel experienced a series of tragic events, including a train crash which trapped passengers inside. Some have reported being able to hear the sounds of people trying to escape, nearly 100 years after the event.

5. Tomb of the Female Stranger (Alexandria)

The story behind the Female Stranger is one that continues to fascinate. The tomb, located at St. Paul's Episcopal cemetery, belongs to a woman who died in 1816, shortly after she and her husband arrived to the Alexandria port via boat. Curiously enough, the husband made anyone who had come in contact with her during the last weeks of her life keep their identities a secret. All that remains is this unmarked tomb with a morbid inscription. It is undoubtedly one of the most chilling grave sites in the state.

6. Bunnyman's Bridge (near Fairfax)

The fact that the story behind Bunnyman's Bridge is an urban legend makes it no less terrifying. According to this legend, a man dressed as a bunny appears every Halloween night with an ax ready to murder anyone who passes through. This story is loosely based off two tragic incidents that occurred in 1970. Regardless of fact or fiction, it seems a terrifying place to find yourself in the middle of the night.

7. Haw Branch Plantation (Amelia)

The earliest portion of the historic Haw Branch Plantation dates back to 1748. The rest of the house was expanded after the Revolutionary War. This mansion undoubtedly entertained many guests in its day, and some have reported hearing voices from parties long ago, held in the parlor. There's also a painting inside that allegedly blushes anytime someone looks at it. One of the more disturbing tales is of a woman's scream that can be heard from time to time.

8. Old House Woods (Mathews)

Old House Woods in Mathews is a notoriously haunted place in Virginia. It's here that some have seen ghostly ships arriving from the Chesapeake Bay, only to disappear into thin air. Legend also holds that people sometimes vanish here, without any explanation.

9. Martha Washington Inn (Abingdon)

The Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon is as beautiful as it is haunted. The site was built in 1832 and at one point served as a Civil War hospital. One of the most eerie phenomena that happens here is bloodstains from Civil War soldiers reappearing even after new carpet has been laid down time and time again.

10. Rosewell Plantation (Gloucester)

For nearly 100 years, the iconic Rosewell Plantation served as home to the Page family. Dating back to the 1700s, this mansion was one of the most elegant in all the state. In 1916, the home tragically succumbed to fire, with only a shell of its former existence remaining. Visitors report feeling the air suddenly drop in temperature as they approach the site. Often times a woman is seen slowly descending a phantom staircase.

These sites in Virginia have collected so much speculation and haunted reports in the past that it's difficult to dismiss the notion that they may truly be haunted. And the only reason to find out may be to see them for yourself…if you dare! Feel free to share your experience if you've recently visited any of these historic places.