Ghost tours are a hair-raising blend of historical fact and supernatural lore, providing an entertaining and often eerie way to explore a city’s past. From colonial-era hauntings to Prohibition-era specter sightings, these tours delve into the darker side of American history.
Here are 20 of the best historical ghost tours across the United States, each offering a chilling glimpse into the paranormal while shedding light on local history and culture.
French Quarter Ghost Tour – New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans’ French Quarter is renowned for its haunted history and voodoo lore. This tour takes visitors through dimly lit streets, exploring haunted mansions, historic cemeteries, and sites of notorious crimes.
Salem Night Tour – Salem, Massachusetts
Salem’s infamous witch trials loom large in this atmospheric evening tour. Participants visit haunted locations associated with the trials, learning about colonial history and purported paranormal activity.
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Ghosts & Gravestones Tour – St. Augustine, Florida
As the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine has centuries of ghostly tales to share. This trolley tour combines historical narratives with visits to reportedly haunted sites, including the Old Jail and Lighthouse.
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s rich history provides ample material for this candlelit walking tour. Visitors explore Independence Hall after dark and hear tales of Revolutionary War-era hauntings.
Haunted Savannah Tour – Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s Spanish moss-draped squares set the stage for a truly atmospheric ghost tour. This walk through the historic district covers everything from the city’s role in the Civil War to its more macabre local legends.
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Capitol Hill Ghost Tour – Washington, D.C.
This tour explores the haunted history of America’s capital, including stories of political intrigue and supernatural occurrences at famous landmarks. Participants might hear about the ghosts of presidents past said to roam the White House grounds.
Ghost Walk of Old Monterey – Monterey, California
Monterey’s Spanish colonial past and maritime history come to life in this lantern-lit walking tour. Visitors learn about the city’s role in early California history while exploring reportedly haunted adobes and historic buildings.
Ghosts of Gettysburg Tour – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The site of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle is said to be one of America’s most haunted locations. This tour covers both the historical events of the battle and the numerous ghost sightings reported in its aftermath.
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Haunted Boston Ghost Tour – Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s centuries of history provide rich material for this tour of the city’s most haunted locations. Participants visit historic graveyards and hear tales of the Boston Strangler and other local legends.
Chicago Ghost Tour – Chicago, Illinois
This tour covers Chicago’s gangster past, the Great Chicago Fire, and other dark chapters in the city’s history. Visitors might hear about the ghosts said to haunt the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour – Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville’s picturesque mountain setting belies a history filled with ghostly tales. This tour explores the city’s haunted inns, mysterious underground tunnels, and stories of Appalachian folklore.
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Ghost Tour of Old San Antonio – San Antonio, Texas
The Alamo city’s long history is brought to life in this tour of its most haunted locations. Participants learn about the city’s role in Texas history while exploring reportedly haunted hotels and historic sites.
Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour – Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg’s restored 18th-century buildings provide the perfect backdrop for ghostly tales. This tour combines historical facts with stories of spectral sightings dating back to the Revolutionary War.
Haunted History Trail – Portland, Oregon
Portland’s colorful past comes to life in this tour of the city’s underground tunnels and haunted locations. Visitors learn about the city’s early days as a rough-and-tumble port town and the ghosts said to linger from that era.
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Spirits with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl – Key West, Florida
This unique tour combines ghost stories with visits to some of Key West’s most notorious haunted bars. Participants learn about the island’s pirate past and more recent supernatural occurrences while enjoying local spirits.
Ghost Tour of Old Town Alexandria – Alexandria, Virginia
This lantern-lit tour explores the haunted history of Old Town Alexandria, just outside Washington, D.C. Visitors hear tales of Revolutionary War-era ghosts and visit sites associated with the city’s colonial past.
Haunted Vicksburg Ghost Tour – Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg’s pivotal role in the Civil War provides the backdrop for this tour of haunted antebellum mansions and battle sites. Participants learn about the city’s history and the ghostly remnants of its wartime past.
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Ghosts of Anchorage Tour – Anchorage, Alaska
This unique tour explores the haunted history of Alaska’s largest city, from Native Alaskan lore to Gold Rush-era hauntings. Visitors might hear about the ghostly Northern Lights and other uniquely Alaskan supernatural phenomena.
Haunted Las Vegas Tour – Las Vegas, Nevada
Beyond the glitz of the Strip, Las Vegas has a dark history filled with mob activity and tragic events. This tour explores the city’s haunted casinos and hotels, revealing the ghostly side of Sin City.
Ghost and Vampire Tour – New Orleans, Louisiana
This tour delves into New Orleans’ darker legends, exploring stories of vampires and other supernatural beings. Participants visit sites associated with infamous local figures and learn about the city’s unique blend of cultures and beliefs.
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The Thrill of American Ghost Tours
Ghost tours offer a unique mix of history and local legend, blending fact with reported paranormal activity. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, they provide a thrilling way to explore America’s past, uncovering the darker stories behind its cities.
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