Greetings from The Paranormal Museum!
My Tour Through A Haunted Bookstore
Traveler, I turned 40 in September. I’m halfway home if I’m lucky.
And I couldn’t think of a better early birthday present than the one I received on Labor Day weekend. Sunday, I was gifted a great brunch in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey, with an afternoon trip to a place on my bucket list.
At 3:15 p.m., we walked into the Asbury Park Paranormal Museum to tour their haunted objects.
So, this review is going to be a two-fer.
I will let you know if this place is worth your money, and two, I will let you know if it’s haunted.
Booking
Tickets are available on the Paranormal Bookstore website. Don’t worry about the separation of businesses; this store is all one big spooky umbrella unto itself. Both are owned by Kathy Kelly, historian and ghost hunter extraordinaire — more on her in a little bit. The business advertises that the bookstore is free for anyone to browse and open for anyone to purchase any books, t-shirts, teas, or ghost-hunting equipment.
When you book a tour, you are allowed up to six guests, including yourself. This is an excellent way to split the bill between friends for a fun excursion that only some get to do. It keeps the touch personal, something I love as a tour guide and a traveler. I’d rather do this with people I know and care about rather than take my chances with a group of tourists.
The check-in process is straightforward. Someone at the register can check you in, and then your guide makes their triumphant appearance. Also available are local walking tours about the ghosts of Asbury Park.
Brunch
Before the tour, I had a lovely meal at Seed to Sprout, a vegan establishment touting pancakes, tofu omelets, and fresh salads. The service was excellent, and the food came out quickly. That isn’t hyperbole, Traveler. The food came out before my cold brew.
I received my home fries and half a stack of chocolate chip pancakes within minutes of ordering. Yes, I am a middle-aged child. The food was delicious. The red sauce in the photo is sriracha on every table for those of us who seek our inner hipster or those who are outright hipsters. I’m not one to judge in my later years.
Seed to Sprout can be found directly south of Asbury Park in the town of Avon-by-the-Sea, and I absolutely recommend it.
Greetings from Asbury Park!
The legendary Asbury Park, stomping grounds of The Boss, is a sight to see in of itself. As a lad, I was under the impression that the seaside town was crumbling down to the bones, falling apart and largely abandoned.
Well, they fixed things up, Traveler. It’s beautiful!
If you like the beach, Asbury Park has all the beach you need next to a gorgeous boardwalk. They have a pinball museum at SilverBall! You can hear music at the famous Stone Pony! And as always, there are the incredible beaches of Asbury Park, where you can watch waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash gently into the shoreline.
But suppose you’re into the strange and curious; I hope you are. In that case, you’ll be elated to discover the Asbury Park Paranormal Bookstore and Museum, our destination in September.
The Museum Matron
Kathy was unavailable that day, but her guides and employees were more than capable. They couldn’t have been friendlier if they tried. They had nothing but positive things to say about their boss. They shared some interesting stories about what happens when the museum is closed, and they’re alone inside.
Kathy seems awesome. Everything I’ve read about her makes her out to be an old soul in paranormal research. The bookstore also offers a network of flyers for other museums, such as the Flatwoods Monster Museum in West Virginia. I guess I was proven wrong about Paraunity after all, Traveler.
Even better, the bookstore is so vast and comprehensive. They had books from my buddy Matt Lake!
If nothing else, Traveler, see the bookstore!
But what about that museum?
The Haunted Museum
We were greeted by our tour guide, who was none other than the artist/musician/supervillain Johnny Neutrino. Johnny was an excellent tour guide and incredibly friendly despite being a self-described supervillain. He informed us of what we were in for and the rules. One thing I noticed was when he told us that photography was allowed.
“What?” I asked him. “We can take photos of the haunted museum?”
He smiled and nodded. I couldn’t believe it, Traveler! I’d never been able to take a photo inside a haunted museum before!
So now I can share these with you!
Johnny curated a tour that mixed in famous haunted legends with stories behind the exhibits in the shop. He started to tell us about the Jersey Devil, at which point I volunteered to take over and show off. He couldn’t have been sweeter about that, either.
Sorry Johnny, I can’t help myself. I just have to give a tour.
The artifacts provided by Kathy were fantastic. There was the Bride and Groom’s clothing. There was the haunted couch. Dolls, paintings, and even miniature historical stories were posted in plaques throughout the museum! Kathy even had the old Andrew Jackson meets the Bell Witch story presented proudly!
But, Is It Worth Your Money, And Is It Haunted?
I won’t spoil any more for you, Traveler. It’s up to you to patron the museum. But I recommend it with five out of five. And even more than the museum, I suggest the entire town of Asbury Park! Plan a day or two when things warm up, and get yourself out to Asbury Park!
You won’t regret it!
Thanks again, Kathy, Johnny, and everyone at the museum. And by the way, Johnny, if you have that photo of my girlfriend and me on the haunted couch, can you let me know?
And one more thing, Traveler. Yes, it’s haunted! These artifacts are haunted! Like I said, see for yourself. And bring some friends to visit it too.
Until again,
Safe Travels!
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