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other tours focus on cemeteries, while still others traverse the gloomy mansions and villas of the French Quarter and the Garden District. Tours can last from 1 hour to an entire day, and group tours for wedding parties, conventions, and school events can be arranged. Most of the ghost and vampire tours operate in the evening; cemetery and voodoo tours are more likely to occur during the day (cemeteries are usually closed at night—to the living). Reservations are often required, and it’s recommended to call ahead to ask about schedules, group sizes, and other specifics. While some tour operators offer great storytelling and historical information, others emphasize the campier, more theatrical side of ghouls and ghosts.

With almost 300 years of colorful history, New Orleans is one of America’s most unique cities, though much of her history has been dark, turbulent, and bloody. It was a wealthy port for most of its early years, and much of that wealth was derived from the slave trade. It was also the site of numerous deadly epidemics and several devastating hurricanes and floods. All of these contribute to the town’s rich store of macabre tales. From voodoo queens and mansion murder scenes to haunted cemeteries and slave quarters, New Orleans and her ghosts are ready to meet you. —ML

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau ( 800/672-6124 or 504/566-5011; www.neworleanscvb.com).

Tours: Magic Tours, LLC, 714 N. Rampart ( 504/588-9693;www.magictoursnola.com). Haunted History Tours, 97 Fontainebleau Dr. ( 888/6-GHOSTS [446787] or 504/861-2727; www.hauntedhistorytours.com).

When to Go: Year-round.

New Orleans.

$$$ Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St. ( 800/535-9595 or 504/523-3341; www.hotelmonteleone.com). $$ Le Pavillon Hotel, 833 Poydras St. ( 800/535-9095 or 504/581-3111; www.lepavillon.com).

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Star Flyer at Tivoli Gardens

Make Me a Star

Copenhagen, Denmark

In the middle of Copenhagen’s charming (if schmaltzy) Tivoli Gardens is a ride that has thrill-seekers clamoring for more: The Star Flyer sends riders streaking through the air at speeds up to 72kmph (45 mph) while dangling 78m (260 ft.) above the ground. It’s guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping in even the most jaded amusement park tourist.

Tivoli Gardens is located in the center of Copenhagen and is among its most cherished institutions. Since opening in 1843, millions of visitors have embraced the park’s artfully manicured flower gardens, Chinese tower, and musicians. When electricity became available, Tivoli Gardens outfitted itself with millions of light bulbs, making it an enchanting nighttime attraction. The wooden roller coaster—still in operation—debuted in 1914, and The Daemonen, the biggest roller coaster in Denmark, joined it in 2004. The newest ride in Tivoli Gardens is Vertigo, a flight simulator that launches passengers through the air at 97kmph (60 mph).

The Star Flyer is sure to please even the most jaded amusement park tourist.

The Star Flyer is the world’s tallest carousel tower; riders board one of 12 passenger seats that are attached to a central star-shaped car. As the car ascends, it rotates on its axis, causing the 12 seats to lift into the air and spin around the tower. Not only is this a thrilling ride, but it’s also a great way to sight-see as the city of Copenhagen reveals itself below. There’s more to see on the ground, too: Live concerts featuring world-class musicians such as Sting, the Pet Shop Boys, and Smashing Pumpkins occur during summer months. The amusement park’s Concert Hall and Pantomime Theater also host performances, plays, and classical concerts, and there are dozens of places to eat, drink, and relax after all your thrill rides are over. —ML

Tivoli Gardens ( 33/75-03-38; www.tivoli.dk).

When to Go: May–Sept.

Copenhagen.

$$$ First Hotel Vesterbro, Vesterbrogade 23–29 ( 33/78-80-00;www.firsthotels.com). $$ Hotel Fox, Jarmer Plads 3 ( 33/13-30-00;www.hotelfox.dk).

10 Haunted Houses of the American South

Perhaps no other region of America conjures up visions of ghostly apparitions like the