Halloween Masquerade Ball in Washington, DC

Estimated Tour Pricing Inclusions: 2 nights’ accommodation; 2 breakfasts; 2 dinners; Halloween Masquerade Ball; admissions, entrance, and guide fees as stated in the itinerary, including taxes, and gratuity. Except gratuity for guide fees is not included on adult tours unless otherwise requested.

• The Mansion on O Street (O Street Museum)
• Character-led City Touring
• The Woodrow Wilson House
• The Octagon House
• Lafayette Park
• The Smithsonian Castle
• The Congressional Cemetery
• Oak Hill Cemetery
• The "Exorcist Stairs" (from the movie, "The Exorcist")
• The Killer Halloween Masquerade Ball and Zombie Rock-n-Roll Tribute Show
• Old Town Alexandria
• The Carlyle House
• Gadsby's Tavern

• Arrive at the Mansion on O Street, “...one of the Top 5 historic venues to explore in the world!” according to Smithsonian.com,  to explore over 100 themed rooms and attempt to find over 70 secret doorways on a zany Halloween Treasure Hunt. Have fun searching for Autumn and Halloween themed items found only at The Mansion, lavishly decorated for the spooky season.  With an included Creepy Cocktail to sip on, this is the perfect event to kickstart your Spooktacular weekend.  Guests will also receive a Halloween Shopping Bag - Everything at the Mansion is for sale and proceeds benefit artists in residence, heroes, and other programs at O Street Museum.
• Depart and check-in to the Marriott Fairview Park, newly redesigned and renovated with a sophisticated, clean, and modern appearance.  Refresh and get ready for a Devilishly Delightful evening with Trick or Treat Prizes awarded for best dressed devils.
• Experience a Devil’s Night Tour of the City guided by historically “undead” figures sharing haunting tales of DC sites … and perhaps a graveyard or two!  Dinner is included during your Devil’s Night Tour along with a Devil’s Cocktail.  (Meals: D)

• After a full breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be off with your guide who is simply dying to tell you about the paranormal activity haunting the streets of the Nation’s Capital. Today, tour some famous, some not-so-famous, and some infamous haunted sites in Washington DC, while hearing spine-chilling tales of ghostly encounters.
• On your travels, visit and see such sites as: The Woodrow Wilson House, whose namesake’s ghost still roams the premises. Aided by a cane, he can be heard climbing the steps to his bedroom. The sound of a man sobbing can be heard from the bedroom. Other times, an almost transparent, pale gray figure is seated at the former president’s desk. He appears to be wearing a dress shirt, tie, and jacket with an old-fashioned lap robe or blanket covering the lower part of his body.
• See The Haunted Octagon House, purported to be one of the most haunted homes in D.C.  Apparitions and otherworldly forces have reportedly been seen and felt in many places within The Octagon, including on the spiral staircase, the second and third floor landings, the third floor bedroom, and the garden area in the rear. Among the eyewitnesses have been members of the public, curators, and other employees hired by the museum. There are many variations of ghost stories that feature the Octagon House. As one of the oldest buildings in the city, it lends itself nicely as a setting for historical, spooky, and macabre tales.
• Explore Lafayette Park, known as “tragedy square” and hear stories of conspiracies, crimes of passion, duels, and assassinations.  After lunch on own while touring, you’ll get a creepy tour of the Congressional Cemetery and hear the ghost tales at The Smithsonian Castle, noteworthy because it’s considered by some to be haunted. This fact is often discounted as just a myth or urban legend, but there is compelling evidence that this  building might just have a few “otherworldly inhabitants.” One item the Castle contains is said to be the reason this building is haunted. The Smithsonian is named after an Englishman, James Smithson. When he died he left his fortune to found the Smithsonian Institute. After his death his body was brought to the Castle in 1904 and placed under one of the main rooms.
• Afterwards, bop over to Georgetown to see the famous ‘Exorcist Stairs’ and eerie Oak Hill Cemetery.
• Upon concluding the haunted tour, return to the hotel in the late afternoon to prepare for the evening's festivities.
• Tonight, you are cordially invited to: The Killer Halloween Masquerade Ball.  Dance your bones off to the “Dead Legends” and “A Night of the Singing Dead!”  Do The Spiral Dance until your toes fall off and indulge in Samhain Blood Cocktails.  What would All Hallows Eve be without treats? We will have prizes for the best dressed masqueraders! (Meals: B, Masquerade Ball & Dinner)

• Enjoy a full breakfast at the hotel this morning before checking out.  Start the day in Alexandria to celebrate the dawn of All Saints' Day.
• Finish the morning with a Ghostly Tour of Old Town Alexandria, including a stop by the Carlyle House Mansion. In 1749, John Carlyle, Scottish merchant and would-be founding trustee of Alexandria, purchased two of the best lots in town, and erected this beautiful mansion by the early 1750s, just in time for General Edward Braddock to use the Georgian-style home to plan the French and Indian War. The place stayed in the Carlyle family until 1827 and eventually served as a Civil War hospital, a particular point of interest for visiting ghost hunters.
• See Gadsby's Tavern, mostly known for its prominent presidential patrons, but about this time of year, one of its other famous guests is discussed: A ghost known as the “Female Stranger” is said to haunt Gadsby's. Your guide will explain the legend of Bloody Mary - an apocryphal tale of how the “Bloody Mary” was named.
• Enjoy lunch in a historic location and enjoy your included Bloody Mary before (hopefully) departing for home. (Meals: B, L)

*Base rate does not include motor coach transportation, airfare, airport transfers, driver gratuity, guide gratuity, (student groups exempt) or any upgrades or add-ons unlisted from itinerary as stated. Pricing may vary based on day of arrival or other conditions. Personalized itineraries with custom pricing and/or additional transportation can be created and added based on client needs and upon client’s request. MARS will customize quotes or personalize itineraries for FREE.