These Are the 35 Spookiest Ghost Tours in the U.S..
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While scary movies and spooky decorations are great ways to celebrate Halloween at home, there's something thrilling about getting close to the paranormal. The best ghost tours in the United States—and there are a lot of them—take you to the sites of actual historical events. Fact is somehow even scarier than fiction in these haunted tours. Whether you're strolling under the live oaks in Savannah, Georgia, or being guided through New Orleans' French Quarter, you'll find yourself in the very places where real-life scary stories unfolded. Plus, a ghost tour can be a great way to discover more about your town's history and get your friends together to enjoy the fall weather—especially if it includes a pub crawl.
The southeast and northeast may be known for their haunted history, but they're not the only parts of the United States that are rich in haunted history. In fact, ghosts are known to roam out west, and Texas actually is considered the most haunted state. However, California is a close runner-up, which isn't surprising considering that it's home to the Winchester Mystery House and many legendary (and allegedly haunted) Old Hollywood landmarks. You can find ghostly historians in all 50 states, be they Civil War soldiers, lost cowboys, or victims of the Salem Witch Trials.
If you've never gone on a ghost tour, and aren't even sure if you believe in ghosts, we've got you covered. Read on for the 35 best ghost tours in the United States to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Looking for even more spooky inspiration? Listen to our haunted house podcast, Dark House, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Gangsters & Ghosts Tour - New York, New York
Travel back in time to the heyday of gangs and gangsters with this New York City walking tour. It cuts through all the famous gang neighborhoods such as the Five Points as seen in Gangs of New York, Chinatown, the "once" gangster-ridden Little Italy, and the haunted old mansions of the West Village, ending at Washington Square Park.
The Ghosts of Newport - Newport, Rhode Island
Fun and friendly for kids of all ages, this lantern-lit seasonal ghost tour wanders the harbor telling stories of sunken ships, Gilded Age ghosts, and tavern brawls that didn't end well. You can buy tickets from May through Christmas to hear haunting tales before, during, or after Halloween.
Tour Charleston - Charleston, South Carolina
Each night is different during this 90-minute walking tour that traverses downtown Charleston and the Unitarian Church Graveyard. Pulling from the book The Ghosts of Charleston, the tour guides switch up stories so that even repeat guests will be spooked.
Mysteries of Hawaii - Honolulu, Hawaii
This spooky walking tour is packed with historical facts, urban myths, and ghost stories—all in a tropical setting. According to host and owner Lopaka Kapanui, what he takes you on are more like "experiences" than "tours": He identifies as a medium, which just about guarantees some ghostly encounters along the way.
Listen to "The Kasha House of Kaimuki (Honolulu, Hawaii)," an episode of our haunted house podcast, Dark House, to hear an exclusive interview with Kapanui.
Walking Ghost Tours of St. Augustine - St. Augustine, Florida
According to Trip Advisor reviews and ratings, this is easily the best ghost tour offered in St. Augustine, Florida (and arguably the entire state!). You'll learn about the city's history as well as local legends surrounding the paranormal activity that takes place there.
Santa Fe, Ghost and History Tours - Santa Fe, New Mexico
This tour takes place at the plaza, which has been the center of Santa Fe for centuries and centuries and centuries—and which makes it the ideal ghost-hunting destination. You'll walk through the downtown with a guide who'll teach you all about the city's past and present and offer paranormal musings.
Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours - San Diego, California
There are plenty of old haunts in San Diego, and this tour will take you to all the best ones. "I consider myself somewhat of a skeptic, but I did experience a few things that couldn't quite be explained," one Yelp review reads. "I had a few videos that had what looked like moving light spots, but there were no flashlights or headlights that could have caused it. No matter what you believe, this was such a wonderful, informative, and spooky experience!"
French Quarter Phantoms - New Orleans, Louisiana
French Quarter Phantom Tours offers a ton of guided journeys for whatever you're into, be it true crime, ghosts, vampires, or cemeteries. Thanks to the unique architecture and long, twisted history, New Orleans is a paranormal mecca.
New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour - New Orleans, Louisiana
Here's another popular New Orleans ghost tour with great reviews if the former is all booked up. "This is a two-hour walking tour through the streets of New Orleans where you stop at certain buildings and hear stories," one Yelp reviewer said. "It's a great welcome to the city." Pro tip: Book the 8 p.m. tour for maximum spookiness.
Bewitched After Dark Walking Tours - Salem, Massachusetts
This Massachusetts walking tour takes you where the witch trials of 1692 and 1693 actually went down, from the jail where the accused witches were imprisoned to the site where they were hanged. "I would definitely recommend this tour for anyone looking for a more historical and informational tour and not one that is gimmicky or cheesy," one Yelp review reads. It's even better if you go during the fall!
Genteel & Bard Savannah History & Ghost Tours - Savannah, Georgia
This ghost tour of Savannah is the perfect blend of creepy history and fun paranormal stories. According to one Yelp reviewer, there's a lot of walking involved, so wear some comfy shoes.
Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tours - Denver, Colorado
According to its website, the Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tours combines storytelling and research to create a spooky walking tour of Denver. You'll be able to explore haunted sites, hear some scary stories, and learn even more about the city's history.
Seaside Shadows - Mystic, Connecticut
The founder of Seaside Shadows actually grew up in a haunted house in Connecticut that was investigated by the famous ghost hunters Lorraine and Ed Warren, the real-life inspiration for The Conjuring movies. Hear the spooky stories of Connecticut and tales of paranormal activity from storyteller guides who've experienced it themselves.
Spooked In Seattle Ghost Tours - Seattle, Washington
Spooked In Seattle offers lots of different ways to experience the city's haunted hot spots: walking tours, haunted pub tours, bus tours, and even ghost hunts. "We've done countless ghost tours, but this has to be one of the most entertaining, informing, and—yes—spooky," one Yelp review reads.
San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour, San Francisco, California
The Ghost Hunt Walking tour is a much-loved spooky season staple for the city. One San Franciscan even commented, "I have gone on the Ghost Hunt twice, and the next time I've got a friend in from out of town I'll happily go for a third time."
Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours - San Antonio, Texas
This San Antonio company offers two types of tours: a regular ghost tour and one that comes with a dinner and a ghost tour. Yes, the Alamo is on the itinerary, but there's lots more to see. San Antonio is a pretty paranormal-packed place, so you'll want to book this tour if you're headed to the Lone Star state.
Salem Black Cat Tours, Salem, Massachusetts
There are a ton of ghost and witch tours in Salem, but this one is very highly rated on Yelp. "It's easy to get overwhelmed with the number of tours Salem has to offer, but if you were to do just one this should be it," one reviewer said.
Madame Morbid's Trolley Tours, Brooklyn, New York
Arguably the greatest part of this New York ghost tour is that it includes sitting in a chic spooky trolley the whole time. You'll hear tales from the borough and tour it from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Navy Yards.
Hollywood's Haunted Tours, Los Angeles, California
This tour takes a spin on your average Hollywood tour—by making it haunted, of course. If you get too spooked, the tour also stops at a bar for a quick bite or a drink (to calm the nerves, of course).
Haunted History Ghost Tours of Seattle - Seattle, Washington
"We found the tour to be highly informative and entertaining," one Yelp review reads. "I was constantly being surprised by the stories and facts that [our guide] was able to share with us throughout our whole tour in regards to ghosts, paranormal activity, and Seattle in general."
Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours, Chicago, Illinois
This tour highlights—as its name suggests—famous locations that were frequented by Chicago's very own gangsters (and may still be, if you believe its highly informative tour guides).
Ghosts of Denton - Denton, Texas
This year-round haunted history tour is a must-see if you ever find yourself in this Dallas suburb. There are so many different ghost stories based there that the Ghosts of Denton tour guides tell different ones every night!
Colonial Ghosts Tours - Williamsburg, Virginia
If you're looking for real scares, this is a ghost tour you should definitely take. Colonial Ghost Tours says its particular stories are taken from its own research and interviews with people who have had firsthand haunting experiences, not from folklore.
Historical Haunts - Memphis, Tennessee
Historical Haunts offers a ton of options for spooky tourists: a haunted pub crawl, a Haunted Memphis Bus Tour, a Memphis Ghost Walk, and more!
Nightly Spirits - Dallas, Texas
Nightly Spirits Historic Haunted Pub Tours takes you to four supposedly haunted pubs and lets you enjoy some "spirits" along the way. Bonus: Your ticket includes a commemorative koozie or cup (but not beverages).
Preston Castle - Ione, California
You can book a tour to check out the haunted Preston Castle any time of year, but every October it puts on a haunted house that gives the 1890 Romanesque Revival building an even spookier vibe. Built as a rehabilitation center for juvenile offenders (including Merle Haggard), the historic landmark is being renovated and is definitely worth a visit if you're in nearby Sacramento.
Old Bisbee Ghost Tour - Bisbee, Arizona
This is the only ghost tour available in this 125-year-old former mining town, and its guides get rave reviews for their storytelling abilities. If you find yourself in Tucson, be sure to snag a spot ASAP. It's an easy hour-and-a-half drive south.
Dead of Night Ghost Tours - Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower replica aren't the only sights to see in this colonial town—especially if you're looking for. "Jan and Bob were excellent guides," one reviewer said. "Passionate about what they do, enthusiastic, educated, very informed on the history and stories of this town rich in history and story. They led us on a lantern-lit tour and were clear and concise in relaying stories about Burial Hill Cemetery, the streets, certain 'haunted' homes, and ancient townfolk."
Bar Harbor Ghost Tours - Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor Ghost Tours is a Native American– and woman-owned company in Maine, and the company bases its spooky stories on Wabanaki Indigenous American spirit tales to give you a different look at the seaport village.
Haunted Orange County - Orange County, California
You can choose from many different Haunted Orange County experiences in this spirited part of California. On its Black Star Canyon tour, guests have reportedly seen dark figures or "shadow people" moving alongside the trail beside them—and some have even said they've been touched. Spooky!
Sorrel Weed House, Savannah, Georgia
If you're not into walking all over a city, a tour of the haunted Sorrel Weed House is perfect for you. You'll get an in-depth look at the history of the house, and the mysterious things that went on there.
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky
One Yelp reviewer had quite the paranormal visit to The Waverly Hills Sanatorium. "While in the body chute, my husband and I were the last people in the group and we were all listening to the guide," the reviewer wrote. "On my left side where there is nothing but a brick wall, I distinctly felt/heard someone loudly sigh into my ear in an out-of-breath tone. I thought it was the other guide standing too close to me that stays at the back of the group to prevent people from splitting up, but when I looked back he was YARDS behind us."
New Braunfels Ghost Tours, New Braunfels, Texas
"This tour is legit. If you want a good dose of history, and believable ghost stories with a lively storyteller then this is the tour for you. I didn’t want to go and ended up having a blast," a review on the New Braunfels Ghost Tours website reads.
Nightly Spirits, Washington, D.C.
This tour is the perfect blend of boos and booze. You'll head to four different pubs and six different haunted locations, which sounds like a great night during the spooky season.
Carolina History & Haunts, Charlotte, North Carolina
Carolina History & Haunts is perfect for those to learn a little bit more about the history (and haunts) of Charlotte—even those who live in the area!
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