From Los Angeles to Salem, Massachusetts.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
If you're not into walking all over a city, a tour of the haunted Sorrel Weed House is perfect for you. You'll hear an in-depth account of its history and the mysterious things that went on in it.
For something a bit lighter and more family friendly, Black Cat tours is a good bet. There are a ton of ghost and witch tours in Salem, but it's 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Ghost Hunt Walking tour is a much-loved spooky season staple for tourists and locals alike. 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."
Arguably the best thing about this New York City ghost tour is that it includes sitting in a chic spooky trolley the entire time. You'll hear tales from the borough and cruise its historic streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Navy Yard.
This tour puts 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).
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