Celebrate Summerween: Haunted Happenings and Spooky Fun for Travel Nurses on Assignment
Spooky season doesn’t have to wait until October! For our fearless travel nurses working assignments this summer, we’re bringing you the perfect mix of sunshine and spine-tingling thrills. Welcome to Summerween! A summertime celebration of all things eerie for us spooky-loving folks. Whether you’re into haunted houses, ghost tours, or just love an excuse to explore after dark, we’ve rounded up the best Summerween attractions in some of our favorite assignment states!
Washington: Ghosts of Seattle’s Dark Past
If you’re working a summer contract in Washington, you’re in for more than just gorgeous mountain views and coffee shops. Seattle Terrors offer walking explorations of the city’s haunted past, including Post Alley/Gum Wall, Heaven’s Gate Tile, and Moore Theatre.
Must-Visits in Washington:
- Georgetown Morgue in Seattle: Keep your eyes peeled for their occasional Summerween events. Known as one of the darkest, Georgetown Morgue is one of the most immersive haunted houses in the country.
- Spooked in Seattle Tours: Led by real paranormal investigators as you explore Pioneer Square, one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods. During the tour you’ll learn about the days of early Seattle and hear about real ghost stories at each location!
North Carolina: Battleship Ghost Hunts and Mountain Myths
Stationed in Wilmington or anywhere on the coast for your North Carolina assignment? Take a paranormal plunge aboard the USS North Carolina, where you can join nighttime ghost hunts through the ship’s labyrinth of decks and old crew quarters. Many believe the spirits of former sailors still linger.
Must-Visits in North Carolina:
- Asheville Ghost Tours: Discover tales of Civil War ghosts and Appalachian folklore while surrounded by the lush Blue Ridge Mountains
- Ghosts of New Bern Tour: Check out spooky southern charm and centuries-old secrets on this one of a kind ghost tour!
South Dakota: Haunts of the Wild West
Working in Rapid City or nearby for your South Dakota assignment? Take a weekend trip to Deadwood, the town that inspired legends. At the Bullock Hotel, guests report TVs turning on by themselves and footsteps in empty halls. It’s also said that the owner, Seth Bullock, is still watching over the property.
Must-Visits in South Dakota:
Adams House Ghost Tours: Stories of lost love, betrayal, and lingering spirits echo through this beautifully preserved Victorian home.
Mount Moriah Cemetery: Visit the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane if you dare!
Black Hills and Badlands: Pair your haunted tour with a day trip through the Black Hills and Badlands – beautiful by day, eerie by night.
PS: Check out our South Dakota Bucket List Blog for even more things to do during your assignment such as exploring caves or taking selfies with a six-foot corn statue.
Maine: Fort Knox Frights and Coastal Chills
Maine isn’t just about lighthouses and lobster rolls – it’s one of the most haunted states in the country! Fort Knox, perched on the Penobscot River, transforms into a creepy historical site by night with the flashlight ghost tours.
Must-Visits in Maine
Wiscasset’s Castle Tucker: Off-the-beaten-path historic house with claims of ghostly voices
Ghost Walks in Bar Harbor: Mix haunted history with ocean breeze on these charming (but creepy!) nighttime strolls.
Acadia National Park: Combine your ghost tour with a hike through Acadia – it’s said to have a few spirits of its own!
Alabama: Furnace Phantoms and Industrial Terrors
Looking to take an assignment in Alabama? Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces once ran day and night – and some say they still do! Paranormal investigators and visitors claim to have seen apparitions and heard eerie clanking sounds. This National Historic Landmark is open for ghost hunts in the summer.
Must-Visits in Alabama:
The Haunted Chicken House in Heflin, AL: Occasionally opens for mid-year scream sessions. Features a collection of mad fowl and killers, handpicked by Chicken Dan himself! Yes, it’s as terrifying as it sounds.
Gaines Ridge Dinner Club in Camden, AL: Enjoy a shrimp cocktail and 16-ounce ribeye in Alabama’s most haunted restaurant. Oddly enough, the restaurant is closed between October 31 and November 2 when people believe the veil between the living and the dead gets pulled back a bit.
Wisconsin: Spirits in the City
If you’re working a Wisconsin assignment this summer, spend an evening at Shaker’s Cigar Bar in Milwaukee. Formerly a speakeasy and rumored brothel, this bar now boasts ghost tours and an overnight experience if you’re bold enough to stay in the penthouse.
Must-Visits in Wisconsin:
The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee: Known nationwide for its haunted reputation, especially among visiting MLB players who report ghostly encounters in their rooms.
Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Milwaukee: Another haunted stay with glowing guest reviews…and ghost sightings.
PS: Check out our Wisconsin Bucket List Blog for even more things to do in the dairy state such as visiting the world’s largest indoor carousel or hiking along Devil’s Lake!
Indiana: Inns, Estates, and Unearthly Encounters
Heading to Indiana for your summer assignment? Located in southern Indiana, The Story Inn may look quaint, but its legend of the “Blue Lady” is anything but. Guests leave notes in a special journal about their encounters, from perfume smells to flickering lights.
Must-Visits in Indiana:
Whispers Estate in Mitchell: Known for full-body apparitions, disembodied voices, and rocking chairs that move on their own.
Crown Point Jail Ghost Tour: Look for ghost of the old Lake County Jail where the infamous bank robber, John Dillinger, made his escape.
PS: Check out our Indiana Bucket List for more things to do in the Hoosier State such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedy or Indiana Dunes National Park.
Illinois: Ghosts of Galena
While in Illinois for your assignment, you may think Chicago must have the most share of scares (Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, anyone?), but for a more intimate haunting, head to Galena. This historic town offers nightly Haunted Galena Ghost Tours, where storytellers guide you through narrow streets with lanterns and lore.
Must-Visits in Illinois:
HellsGate Haunted House in Lockport: Tucked deep in the woods, this multi-level haunted mansion is open during off-season events and offers one of the most immersive experiences in the Midwest.
Alton Hauntings: Tour what’s known as one of the most haunted small towns in America, with dark river legends and chilling true stories.
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Whether you’re chasing ghosts or just a new assignment, TotalMed has you covered. From coast to coast, we have travel nursing opportunities in all the places mentioned – and beyond. With great pay, flexibility, and the chance to explore America’s haunted (and no-so-haunted) hidden gems, there’s never been a better time to start your next chapter!