Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
A killer weekend at the Harry Packer Mansion.

From the March 24, 2003 Issue of New York

Agatha Christie fans can play Hercule Poirot at the Harry Packer Mansion Bed & Breakfast. This over-the-top Victorian, the model for Disney World’s Haunted Mansion, is lavishly decorated with Tiffany windows, Oriental carpets, and velvet and brass everything. Host Bob Handwerk (a.k.a. Inspector Bob) stages murder-mystery weekends based on real-life Packer-family dramas (Harry Packer’s father, Asa, founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, was once one of America’s ten richest men). When you check in on Friday night, you assume the role of a Packer or friend of a Packer. The crime takes place that night, and the sleuthing begins on Saturday morning, when the first of three rounds of clues are presented. A four-course dinner is served up and—Eureka!—the perp is in custody by night’s end. Macabre bonus: You can pay a visit to your character’s actual grave.
— Elin Schon Brockman




Details
Harry Packer Mansion is just over two hours away ($495– $650 per couple; 570-325-8566; murdermansion.com).
 
 
Photograph: Courtesy of the Harry Packer Mansion