I love going to Lily Dale. It is so peaceful there and I feel a great connection with my deceased father then anywhere else other then his grave sight. I love going to readings, they are very on the money.

I have gone every year for the last three years to recharge my soul. The energy of this place is just amazing. Yes, it costs ten dollars a day to get into the community, but that includes the free visits to the healing temple and readings at the stump and church.

To the reviewer who traveled hundreds of miles to visit and couldn't get a reading and had nothing to do, the various workshops open in March on the website to sign up for what you'd like to attend. Traveling to a place with no reservations or appointment for readings is ridiculous. Of course nothing is going to be available. Who plans an extended trip with nothing to do in advance?

I also agree that some of the mediums are not fabulous, but that's with anything in life. I've been to Anne, John White (I'd say not so great from my perspective), and a couple of others who were excellent. Yes, you need to sign up in advance. Many require an appointment a year or more in advance, so walking up to the door in the summer and asking for a reading and being angry that he or she said no is just plain rude. The two daily readings at the stump and outdoor church often offer free readings if the medium zones in on you.

Yes, there are many houses that are falling apart. This isn't Santa Barbara, California and our money-centered selves tend to see this as a horrible negative. There are many people who manage to get by and aren't rolling in money. I'm rather pleased that this community takes care of its own and doesn't force those who don't live a certain economic life to move out. And for every house that is in need of repair, there are ten houses that are in excellent condition and well-cared for. There are no foreclosures as someone wrote in a review here. In order to purchase in Lily Dale, a person needs to pay cash for the house. There are no mortgages, so that's an assumption that doesn't hold up. A person has to be a member of the Spiritualist church in order to buy a house on the grounds; that's why they don't sell quickly and there may be several for sale. There are also limits on how many homes a person can own on the grounds. The lake is just lovely and it's part of the ten dollar fee to hang at the beach.

I 100% agree with every reviewer who offers a negative review of the quality of the hotel on the grounds. I stayed there the first year I went and never made that mistake again. I assume they don't need to upgrade as they do a cracking business anyway. The guest houses are slightly better, but I'm not a fan of sharing a bathroom with many other people or being on the third floor with no escape route. I'm rather surprised there aren't any fire code violations. I prefer to stay at a Bed & Breakfast in the nearby town and drive onto the grounds daily as I have to pay the $10 fee anyway. It is nice to be able to park the car and not use it again until I leave, but I'd rather have a nice place to go back to in the evening that allows me to bring my two small dogs along for the trip. It ends up being the same cost as the local guest house and dog boarding.

For those who go looking for the worst in life, I guarantee you will find it here as you will anywhere you go. Negative energy breeds negative energy. I have to say that just being able to go to the healing temple a couple of times a day makes it worth the drive for me. I will go every August until I cannot go any longer and bask in the amazing energy and spirit of the place. It's amazing and unique.