Road trip: Thrilling local haunts

The air is getting colder, and Halloween is right around the corner. This holiday leaves a hanging predicament for Mason students: what is there to do when someone is too old for trick- or-treating but too young to stay inside for a holiday that is meant to celebrate scares and skulls? Fairfax and Northern Virginia are known for their haunted locations that give students the opportunity to be immersed in supposed hauntings and paranormal activity.

Bunnyman Bridge

 Rumored to be the place of a gruesome murder in the early 1900s, Bunnyman Bridge is a popular destination for thrill- seekers hoping for a glimpse of the Bunnyman himself. Al- though this haunting is considered an urban legend, there have been accounts of mimicry that attempt to keep his story alive. Be warned, Bunnyman Bridge is a popular location on Oct. 31. It is advised to choose an earlier date to seek out this location to avoid the traffic and crowdedness of other thrill-seeking visitors.

Manassas Battlefields

 Located approximately six miles away from Mason’s Prince William campus, the Manassas Battlefields at Henry’s Hill are famous for one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The Manassas Battlefield Park is perfect for a hike through the woods in one of the most important battles in American history-- but with a twist. According to community lore, between the relic cannons and the historical landmarks lies the fallen souls of soldiers who died in the battles. The lost souls supposedly haunt the battlegrounds with their screams and cries for help. It is also purported that spirits haunt a stone house directly next to Henry’s Hill. The house can be seen at the intersection of Sudley Rd. and Route 29. The house was used to hospitalize soldiers wounded during the Civil War. Some soldiers carved their names on wooden banisters to be remembered; others supposedly never left and were likely forgotten. The Manassas Battlefield’s trails and attractions are open to the public to enjoy. Unfortunately, the stone house is not open for walk-in visitors. However, if interested, there are scheduled tours given by the Manassas Park Authority.

Roundtree Park

According to local lore, Roundtree Park is known for sup- posed paranormal activity involving an alleged haunting of a screaming woman who walks the trails in the forest. Located in Annandale, Roundtree Park is deeply wooded with a concrete trail winding through tall trees that is likely to cause a scare at sunset. Other supposedly haunted locations in the DC area include Georgetown, the White House and Ford’s Theater.