Walking Tour of Haunted Atlantic Highlands Oct. 21, 22

Atlantic Highlands, NJ - On Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, brave souls are invited to hunt for ghosts and explore secret passages of the paranormal in a 45-minute guided walking tour of Atlantic Highlands, while their ghoulish guide tells tales of the town’s hidden – and haunted! – history.

That's a view down Edwards Alley off Atlantic Highlands' First Avenue, with actors – "costumed ghouls" –from the tour. On both evenings, tours will begin at 1st Cup Coffee, 96 First Avenue, and make about a dozen stops along historic First Avenue, the main street of Atlantic Highlands. The first tour sets off at 8 p.m., and tours will continue to leave about every ten minutes until 10:30 p.m. Tour highlights include Memphis Pig Out BBQ, where rum-running mobsters unloaded their illegal cargo via a secret basement tunnel leading to the nearby marina. Owners swear a ghost is still living in the dank space of the boarded-up passage. Vintage Variety’s owner swears her ghost has a bit of an attitude and isn’t afraid to “toss a book across the room when he wants his privacy.”

“There’s so much history along First Avenue — from pirates, gangsters, and rum-runners to a whole lot of ghost sightings and recent paranormal activity. It was a no-brainer to once again host this walking ghost tour," said organizer and television producer Jon Crowley. "The tour has something for everyone. For history buffs, we’ve got great stories of the town’s past and colorful characters. Or, for those into architecture, we’ll be taking a peek inside some of our most historic buildings. Finally, for anyone who likes a good scare, I’m pretty sure we’ll be conjuring up more than a few spirits along the way.”

Local businesses will be offering snacks and other holiday mementos to mark the occasion. Organizers advise guests to wear comfortable shoes, and to bring a flashlight and a brave spirit! Tickets are $8 per person, and may be purchased at 1st Cup Coffee, Memphis Pig Out and Vintage Variety, all on First Avenue. Proceeds benefit the non-profit Atlantic Highlands Arts Council. Guests are also encouraged to bring canned food for the local food pantry. Tours run rain or shine. Parents may request a kid-friendly tour for younger guests. Visit www.atlanticfrightlands.com, or call 818-694-1732, for more information.

The tour is organized by the Atlantic Frightlands Creative Group, which previously created the haunts for the town’s Strauss Mansion Haunted Tour.

Top photo: A view down Edwards Alley off Atlantic Highlands' First Avenue, with actors, "costumed ghouls," from the tour. All photos courtesy of Jon Crowley