These Greater Columbus ghost tours provide a look at local history

Erica Thompson, Columbus Dispatch
·4 min read
Columbus Ghost Tours are back for another spooky season.
Columbus Ghost Tours are back for another spooky season.

There's plenty of haunted history around central Ohio, and there's no better time to explore it than in the fall season. Whether it's in the halls of the Ohio Statehouse or among the graves of Green Lawn Cemetery, adults will find a selection of thrills and chills around town.

As for the kiddos, they can experience age-appropriate activities at Thurber House or in the forests of Upper Arlington.

Read on for just some of the ghost tours offered in the Greater Columbus area.

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Statehouse Haunted Tours

When: Oct. 14-22; Tours depart at 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30 and 9 p.m.

Where: Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Downtown

Details: Visitors will interact with mysterious historical figures as they travel through the corridors of the Statehouse, illuminated only by lantern. This haunted tour is appropriate for those 12 and up.

Cost: $15 for adults; $7 for students 17 and under

Information: statehouseshop.com/products/statehouse-haunted-tour-ticket

Columbus Ghost Tours

Columbus Ghost Tours are just some of the spooky attractions happening in the area this fall
Columbus Ghost Tours are just some of the spooky attractions happening in the area this fall

Details: Attendees will be guided through various tours around town, including "Creepy Columbus Downtown Walking Tour," ages 12 and up (Sept. 28-30, Oct. 5, 12-14, 19-21, 23-30); "Booze & Boos Downtown Walking Tours," ages 21 and up (sold out until November); "Night at Green Lawn Cemetery Walking Tour," ages 18 and up, car required (Sept. 30, Oct. 13, 17-18, 20-25, 29-30); "Civil War Ghosts of Green Lawn Cemetery," ages 12 and up (Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 21, 28); "Kids Green Lawn Cemetery Tour," ages 7-12 (Oct. 15).

Cost: $30 and up (kids tour is $25)

Information: columbusghosttours.com

Uptown Ghost Story Tours

Jesse Pimpinella leads at Ghost Story Tour, sponsored by Uptown Westerville Inc. and Good Medicine Production, spinning tales about grave robbery in the Otterbein Cemetery.
Jesse Pimpinella leads at Ghost Story Tour, sponsored by Uptown Westerville Inc. and Good Medicine Production, spinning tales about grave robbery in the Otterbein Cemetery.

When: 7 and 9 p.m. Sept. 29-30, Oct. 6-17, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, 31

Where: Otterbein Cemetery, 174 S. Knox St., Westerville

Details: Attendees will be entertained by theatrical versions of real-life stories from the town.

Cost: $25

Information: goodmedicineproductions.org/uptown-ghost-tours.html

Dublin Ghost Walk

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in October

Where: Dublin Chamber of Commerce,129 S. High St., Dublin

Details: Attendees will visit haunted locations, including a cemetery, while learning about the history of the area. A spirit named Pete often tags along. The tour is appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Cost: $10

Information: oldetownghosttours.com; Call Becky at 614-284-6158 to set up a tour.

Fernando’s Funeral: A 2023 Haunted Tour

When: Oct. 26-27; tours begin on the half-hour between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., with an extended final tour at 9 p.m. on Oct. 27

Where: Kelton House Museum & Garden, 586 E. Town St., Downtown

Details: Visitors will learn the history of the generations of Keltons, and hear accounts of recent spooky experiences at the mansion. Appropriate for guests over 12 years old.

Cost: $25; extended tour is $40

Information: keltonhouse.com/fernandos-funeral/

Survey says: Columbus named one of the spookiest cities in the U.S.

Thurber House tours

The home of the late writer and humorist James Thurber at 77 Jefferson Ave. houses writers who have reported seeing all kinds of things including a broken clock that started working again and the image of a man around the house. "Ghost Hunters" once filmed an episode there. Thurber himself wrote a short story, "The Night the Ghost Got In," and said he heard footsteps in the house.

When: "Books and Boos" (1-3 p.m. Oct. 28); "Bonfire & Boos" (6-8 p.m. Oct. 28)

Where: Thurber House, 77 Jefferson, Ave., Downtown

Details: At the "Books and Boos" drop-in event, kids will hear scary tales, enjoy treats and activities, and participate in a scavenger hunt. At "Bonfire & Boos," adults will hear stories by award-winning author John Kachuba, and take a tour of the haunted Thurber House.

Cost: Free "Books and Boos," $19-$24 for "Bonfire & Boos"

Information: thurberhouse.org/fall-2023-events

People have reported seeing ghosts along the path at Green Lawn Cemetery and hearing someone knocking back if you knock on the Hayden Mausoleum door.
People have reported seeing ghosts along the path at Green Lawn Cemetery and hearing someone knocking back if you knock on the Hayden Mausoleum door.

Green Lawn Halloween Bicycle Tour

When: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 14

Where: Green Lawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Ave., West Side

Details: Riders will enjoy a guided tour featuring creepy true stories of some of the cemetery's approximately 150,000 departed souls.

Cost: $50, plus $10 to rent a cruiser-style bike for those without their own

Information: facebook.com/GreenLawnCemeteryColumbus

Golden Bear Scare

When: Oct.16-18 (6 p.m. for elementary school kids; 7:30 p.m. for middle school kids)

Where: Smith Nature Park, 1340 Fishinger Road, Upper Arlington

Details: Attendees will hear the story of how the forest became haunted from an Upper Arlington Civic Association "Scare Ranger."

Cost: Free

Information: directors1933.uaca.org/wordpress/events/golden-bear-scare/

Public Hunt at the Fairfield County Infirmary

When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29

Where: Fairfield County Infirmary, 1587 Granville Pike, Lancaster

Details: Visitors will get their ghost-hunting on during a tour, group sessions and a free roaming period. Pizza and beverages are included.

Cost: $85

Information: visitfairfieldcounty.org/event-calendar/public-hunt-at-the-fairfield-county-infirmary-8/

ethompson@dispatch.com

@miss_ethompson

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Greater Columbus ghost tours for adults and kids