Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often. It does happen at least once every year, and sometimes more than once. 2022 has just one Friday the 13th, in May.
There are a several origin stories that suggest why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky, but it’s not all bad. Here are 13 things to do in the Triangle to celebrate Friday the 13th!
Then, keep reading for the big list of everything on our calendar for Friday, May 13th, 2022.
13 Things to do on Friday the 13th in the Triangle
Get a tattoo
Many tattoo shops around the country offer low-priced flash tattoos on Friday the 13th. A flash tattoo is already drawn, on a flash sheet, so you can see in advance what you’re getting. Imperfect Ink, at 7104 NC-751, Durham, is offering a Friday the 13th Flash Tattoo deal. The tattoos range in size from 2 to 5 inches in size and start at $31. You can see them on their Facebook page.
Go on a haunted tour
Raleigh Walking Tours is offering a “pay what you want” Haunted History Tour. It’s actually on Saturday, May 14th, but you might be able to sign up for it on May 13th. This one doesn’t seem to have availability until later this month, but plan to go on the Haints Misbehaving Ghost Tour with Haunted Hillsborough. Hillsborough is one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, so it’s probably also one of the most haunted towns. In addition, Tobacco Road Tours offers the Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Tour.
Go to the Devil’s Tramping Ground
Devil’s Tramping Ground is a weird little spot in Bear Creek, North Carolina, in Chatham County. They say that nothing has grown in the 40-foot ring for a hundred years, due to the devil’s habit of pacing at night, planning his next act of evil. Want to find it? Just plug Devil’s Tramping Ground, Devil’s Tramping Ground Road, Bear Creek, NC into your GPS. Good luck.
Learn more about Devil’s Tramping Ground on this episode of The Old North State Podcast.
Play with a black cat at a cat cafe
Visit one of the Triangle’s cat cafés and play with a black cat. Maybe you’ll get lucky and meet your new roommate and best friend! Cat Tales Cat Café is 431 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. And Purr Cup Café is at 210 Prospect Avenue, Raleigh.
Visit Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill
The Carolina Inn was built in 1924, and is thought to be the home of many ghosts, including that of Dr. Williams Jacocks, who lived in Room 252 in his last years. According to University of North Carolina’s page on this ghost, guests report being locked out of the room and have had other paranormal experiences, including the smell of freshly cut flowers or feeling their bodies become cold. If you’d like a chance to meet the fun-loving ghost, though, book room 256, because room 252 was split into four in 1990.
No matter what, if you visit Carolina Inn on May 13th, you’ll be in luck, because the hotel’s summer music series, Fridays on the Front Porch, is taking place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
Find a haunted doll at an Antique Shop
Peruse our list of over a hundred thrift stores, antique and vintage shops in the Triangle. We are certain that you’ll find a creepy, old haunted doll at at least one of them.
Visit Mordecai Historic Park
The Mordecai House was built in 1785, making it older than Raleigh. So your chance of encountering a ghost is pretty high here. The most well-known ghost is that of Mary Willis Mordecai Turk, who sometimes plays the piano in the downstairs drawing room. 1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh.
Get spooked at the Drive-in movie
Triangle Drive-In is showing Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on Friday, May 13th, and Saturday, May 14th, 2022. It’s at Triangle Town Center, 5959 Triangle Town Blvd, Raleigh.
Visit the 7th most haunted cemetery in North Carolina
Only in Your State ranks Historic Oakwood Cemetery as the 7th most haunted cemetery in North Carolina. Maybe it’s worth a Friday the 13th visit? 701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh.
Peer at a castle in Chapel Hill
Gimghoul Castle, in Battle Park in Chapel Hill, serves as the headquarters of the Order of Gimghoul, a secret student society at UNC Chapel Hill. The castle was completed in 1926.
Visit the cemetery at Dorothea Dix Park
It’s not ranked in the “most haunted cemeteries in North Carolina” list, but it’s probably at least a little bit haunted, especially because of its association with the old Dorothy Dix Hospital for the mentally ill. 759-777 Dawkins Road, Raleigh.
Eat at a haunted restaurant
Death and Taxes is thought to be one of the most haunted restaurants in Raleigh. In its past lives, the building, built in 1907, served as a coffin shop, a mortuary and a bank. As far as hauntings, footsteps and voices have been heard by guests. If you don’t encounter any ghosts, you can at least get a great meal from chefs Ashley Christenson and Lauren Ivey. 105 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh.
Watch Friday the 13th Part IV
Alamo Drafthouse is screening Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter on May 13th, 2022, at 10 p.m. 2116-D New Bern Avenue, Raleigh.
Katherine Respess says
Bath is the oldest town in NC, not Hillsborough.
Jody Mace says
Thank you! Corrected.