13 haunted N.J. spots to visit on Friday the 13th

Use this list of 13 haunted locations in New Jersey to plan your own spooky Friday the 13th ghost tour. Watch video

Some say if you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family will die.

Wow. Harsh.

Others claim that if a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, the death will be yours. Many people just stay home when the last day of the work week falls the day after the 12th.

But why sit inside and miss all the fun? If you want to try to experience the paranormal yourself, use this list of 13 allegedly haunted spots in New Jersey to plan out on your own tour of spooky spots across the Garden State.

1. Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, Essex County

In 1795, an actual paper mill stood where this theater stands today. With a 300-year history that includes two devastating fires, it's not surprising that cast and staff members have heard disembodied footsteps and voices, and seen full-bodied apparitions here. During a March 2013 investigation, Jersey Unique Minds Paranormal Society (JUMPS, of which I'm a member) captured several EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) of a woman saying "Don't touch" and "How about you?" in the second floor bar area. 

2. Proprietary House, Perth Amboy, Middlesex County

Built in 1762, Proprietary House was commissioned by the Board of Proprietors of East Jersey for Royal Gov. William Franklin -- Benjamin Franklin's son. It has been two hotels, a Civil War hospital, and an apartment building, but today, is a museum. Both staff and visitors have reported hearing footsteps and voices, seeing apparitions and being touched by an invisible being. For more information about planning a visit, go to theproprietaryhouse.org.

There are many superstitions associated with Friday the 13th.

3. The Spy House / Seabrook-Wilson Homestead, Port Monmouth, Middletown, Monmouth County

The Seabrook-Wilson Homestead, aka The Spy House, was built on the shore of Sandy Hook Bay in the 1650s. British soldiers allegedly frequented the tavern and shared military secrets with innkeeper Thomas Seabrook who passed the information to Colonial forces. Sightings include a boy looking out an upstairs window, a rocking chair that moved on its own, and a man in period clothing sitting in that rocking chair. Experts have declared it the "most haunted house in America." The Spy House is located in Bayshore Waterfront Park which opens at 7 a.m. daily. Call 732-787-3033 for more information.

4. Essex and Sussex Hotel, Spring Lake, Monmouth County

The Essex and Sussex was a grand hotel in the early 1900s, but began to decline in the 1970s, and shut its doors in 1985. It was recently remodeled into an adult condo community, but spirits of the past still seem to linger. In 1982, a carpet installer came face to face with a ghostly female on the fifth floor. A caretaker has also heard parties taking place in the ballroom, with music, talking and, and glasses tinkling, while the hotel was closed during winter. Check into a condo on Ocean Avenue in Spring Lake.

N.J.'s 10 creepiest places: Don't read if you scare easily

5. Hindenburg Hangar, Lakehurst, Ocean County

When the German airship Hindenburg exploded over Lakehurst Naval Air Station in 1937, 35 people died. Hangar No. 1 served as a morgue and, according to witnesses, may be haunted by the spirits of those who died in the disaster. Visitors have seen shadows, been touched, and felt "bad vibes" throughout the air station. SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" witnessed a figure running up a stairwell in Hangar No. 1, heard a door slam and heard a male voice was grunt near a stairwell. Hangar No. 1 is visible from Route 547 north of Lakehurst, but air station access is restricted. For information about group tours, visit usnasw.org.

6. Burlington County Prison Museum, Mount Holly, Burlington County

Built in the early 1800s, Burlington County Prison housed maximum-security inmates in the "dungeon" cell. Legend says the ghost of Joel Clough, a murderer who spent his final night alive in the dungeon before being hung, haunts that cell. During restoration in 1999, workers heard unexplained noises and voices, and museum volunteers have reported seeing apparitions walking through the courtyard near a reproduction of the original gallows. Burlington County Prison Museum is open Thursday to Sunday. For hours and more information, call 609-265-5858 or visit prisonmuseum.net.

7. Harper's Pub, Clementon, Camden County

Harper's Pub has been part of Clementon's history for nearly 200 years. Originally Clementon Hotel, it burned to the ground in 1911, before being rebuilt by the Gruber family who opened a pub on the main floor, and hotel rooms on the upper floors. Owner Mark Shernoff purchased the pub in 2009 and it didn't take long for him to realize there's more to his new restaurant than meets the eye. While moving in, Shernoff placed a box in the center of his office, and then left, pulling the door shut behind him. When he returned, the box had been moved and was blocking his way into the office. Harper's Pub is open daily. Visit harperspubnj.com.

View from 16-inch guns on the Battleship New Jersey. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 (Staff Photo by Lori M. Nichols/South Jersey Times)Lori M. Nichols 

8. Battleship New Jersey, Camden waterfront, Camden County

Not only is the Battleship New Jersey known as America's Most Decorated Battleship, it's also known for spirit activity. In April 2013, the JUMPS team boarded the ship to search for lingering spirits. I recorded my own EVP response while investigating outside one of the ship's latrines. I asked if there was "anyone in the potty." When I listened to my recorder later, I heard a male voice answer, "No." It was good to know I wasn't disturbing anyone's privacy. Battleship New Jersey is open everyday through Sept. 5. For more information, visit battleshipnewjersey.org.

9. Olde Stone House Village, Washington Township, Gloucester County

Olde Stone House Village consists of the 1730-era Olde Stone House, the Quay House, Blackwood Train Station, Turnersville Post Office, and Bunker Hill Presbyterian Church. There have been many claims of paranormal activity throughout the grounds. Visitors and staff have reported seeing a soldier wandering the ground, both a little boy and a little girl playing, and an older man who stays on the second floor in the Quay House. Several paranormal research groups have investigated the village and captured EVPs, seen figures on the Kinect system, and had many personal experiences that all support the legend that the park and it's buildings could be haunted. For more information about the village, call 856-589-3227.

10. Barretts Plantation Bed and Breakfast, Mannington, Salem County

Barrett's Plantation House Bed and Breakfast dates back to 1735 and is said to be inhabited by more than just the owners, Gaynel and Craig Schneeman, and many guests they have hosted. While the Schneemans have never seen him with their own eyes, many guests have asked if the little boy they saw wandering around the plantation -- inside and out -- was their grandchild. Gaynel has done much research to try to find who the boy may be, but to no avail. If you're interested in spending the night in a haunted bed and breakfast, call 856-935-0812 or visit BarrettsPlantationHouse.com.

In May 1997, spree killer Andrew Phillip Cunanan murdered cemetery caretaker William Reese in the basement of the caretaker's house shown here. (File photo)File photo 

11. Finns Point National Cemetery, Pennsville Township, Salem County

Finn's Point National Cemetery, established in 1863, is the resting place for more than 2,000 Confederate prisoners and 135 Union soldiers. In May 1997, spree killer Andrew Phillip Cunanan found the cemetery and murdered caretaker William Reese in the basement of the caretaker's building. During a ghost tour in October 2013, I took a K2 meter and went to stand outside the exterior door to the basement where Reese was murdered. As I spoke, the K2 meter reacted. I asked if Reese was there, but got no response. I asked if the spirit was someone else, and the lights came to life. Finn's Point is open to the public every day from sun up to sun down.visit cem.va.gov. Finn's Point National Cemetery is open to the public every day from sun up to sun down.

12. Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May, Cape May County

Known as Cape May's original haunted house, the Emlen Physick Estate was built in 1879. Several spirits including the Dr. Physick's Aunt Emilie, his mother Frances Ralston, her sister Isabella and several dogs have been detected in the building by psychic medium and author Craig McManus. Today, the estate is Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) headquarters, and staffers have reported hearing spirits in the main house and Carriage House for many years. Physick Estate hosts ghost tours and other events throughout the year, and now offers self-guided tours on select days throughout the summer. For more information, visit capemaymac.org.

13. Blueplate Restaurant, Mullica Hill, Gloucester County

The building that houses Chef James Malaby's Blueplate Restaurant dates back to the 1800s and reportedly has a few lingering spirits. Malaby sees apparitions walk past his basement office and hears footsteps above him when he is in the building alone. Employees have also heard noises and seen figures in the kitchen. The activity doesn't stop when everyone leaves. A neighbor called police early one morning because the "radio was blaring" in the restaurant. When police arrived, the restaurant was empty and quiet. For more information, visit blueplatenj.com or call 856-478-2112.