Nothing sparks the imagination quite like a good ghost hunt. And there's no better place to ignite that spark than in the Baltimore neighborhood where Edgar Allan Poe once lived. Classified as a historic district, Fells Point presents the perfect backdrop for any ghost hunter, as it's filled with restored storefronts, cobbled streets and historic landmarks. And the good news is, wheelchair-users and slow walkers aren't excluded from the ghostly fun, as with a little advance planning it's entirely possible for everybody to enjoy this spooky adventure. So pack your sense of humor and be prepared for a night of fun, as you seek out the ghosts of Fells Point.
The Admiral Fell Inn
Located in the center of all the action on Thames Street, The Admiral Fell Inn (tel. 410/625-1300; www.harbormagic.com) is a great lodging choice for ghost hunters of all abilities. Built in the 1700s, this European-style hotel has undergone a number of access upgrades added over the years; while it also boasts an impressive lineup of ghostly inhabitants.
Although four steps grace the front entrance, an accessible side entrance is located on Shakespeare Street. From there, it's just a short walk to the most accessible room -- Room 193. Access features in the room include wide doorways, a lowered peephole, good pathway access and a spacious bathroom with a roll-in shower. The bathroom is also equipped with a hand-held showerhead, toilet and shower grab bars, a roll-under sink and a portable shower chair.
The inn has three other accessible rooms which include the same access features, but are instead equipped with tub/shower combinations. All in all, it's a very comfortable and accessible property.
Resident Ghosts
The best way to learn about the inn's resident ghosts is to join their weekly ghost tour. Held Friday and Saturday evenings year-round, this in-house tour tour recounts stories of the folks who lived and even died there, as well as those who reportedly haunt the premises.
For starters, there's the tale of the man who died in Room 413. Then there are Bitsy and Grady who do some hard-core thumping and bumping in the night. And last but not least there's the tale of the ghostly gathering at the property, after it evacuated for Hurricane Isabel.
Fact or fiction -- or maybe a mix of both -- the tour is fun, fascinating and educational. And although there are a few steps here and there throughout the property, the tour steers clear of those areas, so it's also nicely accessible for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Fells Point Ghost Walk
Another way to learn about the ghostly goings-on in the area is to take the Original Fells Point Ghost Walk, which is available through Baltimore Ghost Tours (tel. 410/522-7400; www.baltimoreghosttours.com). This hour-long walking tour is heavy on the historical research and presents an impartial and entertaining view of some of the better known hauntings in the area.
Highlights of the tour include a story about the bartender who saw an apparition of a headless chicken, and the tale of Edgar Allan Poe's last drink, and his subsequent haunting of The Horse You Came In On Saloon. The tour also includes the most haunted house in Baltimore, as well as a bar where a gruesome murder took place; both of which have high levels of paranormal activity.
All in all, the guides do an excellent job; and although the tour route is level, it's best to stick to the brick sidewalks (as opposed to the cobbled streets) for a smoother ride. Additionally It's a good idea to let the guide know if you have any access issues; so you can have the most accessible tour possible.
Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues at www.barrierfreetravels.com.
