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6 Murder Mystery Weekends

Experience ‘Knives Out’ in real life at one of these themed weekend retreats

an exterior photo of Vermejo
The Casa Grande stone mansion is the backdrop for murder mystery parties at Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve in New Mexico.​​
Jenn Judge
By

Veronica Stoddart,

 
AARP
Published September 28, 2023

Calling all Jessica Fletcher, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes wannabes. Here’s your chance to solve a crime for fun during an interactive murder mystery weekend at a resort or inn. 

​Typically, a “murder” takes place on the first day and the search for the culprit follows, with hidden clues, plot twists and plenty of whodunit action. 

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​These six lodgings offer murder mystery adventures for fall and winter this year and into 2024. Happy sleuthing!

an exterior photo of Mohonk Mountain House in New York
A Victorian castle is the setting for solving the case of whodunit at the Mohonk Mountain House in New York.
Mohonk Mountain House

1. Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York 

The self-proclaimed birthplace of murder mystery weekends, this sprawling resort in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley has hosted an annual mystery weekend for 47 years. With an 1869 Victorian castle as the perfect backdrop, performers act out each mystery scene in front of you, and you or your team must solve the dastardly crime.

Dates: March 1-3, 2024

Rates: Start at $1,118 per night, double occupancy, all-inclusive, plus a $30-per-person program fee

hotel guests sitting at a large dining room table
Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and participate in murder mystery parties at New Mexico’s Vermejo.
Jenn Judge

​2. Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve, Raton, New Mexico 

Vermejo’s turn-of-the-century Casa Grande manor becomes the setting for the 1920s-style Murder Mystery Party staged here. Dress in your best Gatsby finery and enjoy period music, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Then participate in an evening of intrigue and murder as you use character booklets to role-play with the detective and other guests to uncover the motive and murderer. It’s like a Clue board game come to life.

Date: Dec. 29, 2023

Rates: Start at $1,591 per night, double occupancy, all-inclusive, with a two-night minimum; fee includes the party  

exterior of The Mimslyn Inn
Interactive murder mystery weekends are held at the historic Mimslyn Inn in Virginia. 
Alexandre Tziripouloff / Alamy Stock Photo

​3. The Mimslyn Inn, Luray, Virginia 

Created by the legendary Keith O’Leary and Margo Morrison, masterminds of the genre, the Murder Mystery Weekend thrills guests at this historic Shenandoah Valley inn. Start with a welcome reception on Friday night, when someone is “murdered.” Prevent the perp from getting away by following the tantalizing clues provided during Saturday’s meals. End with the announcement of the mystery’s solution and the awarding of prizes at Sunday brunch.

Dates: Jan. 19-21, 2024

Rates: $443 per person, double occupancy, for two nights, including the Friday welcome reception, three meals on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and all taxes and gratuities

exterior of the Harry Packer Mansion Inn
Real Victorian-era scandals are played out in front of guests during themed weekends at the Harry Packer Mansion in Pennsylvania. ​
Norman Wharton / Alamy Stock Photo

​4. The Harry Packer Mansion, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Forget make-believe mysteries. These themed Murder Mystery Weekends are based on the real Victorian-era scandals of wealthy railroad tycoon Asa Packer, who built this elaborate mansion in 1874, and his fellow robber barons. Here’s an opportunity to not only play detective but to assume the roles of those larger-than-life Packers and friends as you reenact true-life family dramas around the fall of Asa and the mysterious death of his son Harry. The ornate hilltop inn — full of period antiques, gilt mirrors and Oriental rugs — is the perfect setting for murder and mayhem.

Dates: Oct. 13-15 and 27-29, Nov. 10-12, Dec. 8-10, 2023

Rates: Start at $220 per night, double occupancy, with a two-night minimum, plus a $150-per-person program fee, which includes events, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast 

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​5. Wilburton Inn, Manchester Village, Vermont

Music and murder await at this historic 1902 family-owned mansion set in the glorious Vermont countryside. Dress up in flapper or wedding attire as you follow professional actors through the scripted Getaway with Murder weekend, called “The Bridesmaid’s Revenge,” which combines elements of cabaret, improv and escape room smarts. Inspired by true events in Vermont and Wilburton history, the program — which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year — makes the most of the inn’s secluded setting. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes and to the guest who solves the mystery.

Dates: Nov. 10-12, 2023

Rates: Start at $266 per night, double occupancy, plus a $150-per-person program fee that includes Friday reception, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast

6. The Roosevelt Inn, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho ​

Puzzle solvers, get ready for the Murder Mystery Dinner at this 1905 red-brick schoolhouse turned-romantic inn listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over a four-course dinner, use your best detective skills to unravel the baffling case of murder most foul, where everyone, including you, is a suspect. Spend the night in rooms named after former schoolteachers, replete with carved four-poster beds and fireplaces. ​

Dates: Every other Saturday from Oct. 7, 2023, to March 31, 2024​

Rates: $139 per person, per night, double occupancy, plus $69 per person for the event dinner​​

​

Award-winning travel writer Veronica Stoddart is the former travel editor of USA Today. She has written for dozens of travel publications and websites.​​​

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