As the veil between worlds thins and the nights grow longer, the allure of the supernatural beckons. For thrill-seekers and history buffs alike, a ghost tour 2025 offers a unique way to explore the haunted past of America's most historic and eerie locations. From spectral sightings in ancient hospitals to chilling tales on cobblestone streets, 2025 promises a year filled with spine-tingling adventures. This comprehensive guide from National Park Shops will take you through some of the most renowned and chilling ghost tour experiences across the United States, ensuring your next encounter with the paranormal is unforgettable.
US Ghost Adventures
US Ghost Adventures stands as a prominent name in the realm of paranormal tourism, offering a wide array of ghost tour experiences across numerous haunted cities in the United States. Their tours are known for blending historical facts with captivating ghost stories, providing an entertaining and often chilling journey into the supernatural. Whether you're exploring the infamous Lizzie Borden House or delving into the eerie past of a historic district, US Ghost Adventures aims to deliver authentic and memorable encounters. They operate under various local names depending on the city, but their commitment to delivering frightfully fun and historically rich ghost tour experiences remains consistent. Many participants praise their guides for their ability to weave compelling narratives and bring the local legends to life.
Locations & Times:
- Multiple Cities Across the U.S.: Over 100 cities, including Salem, Savannah, New Orleans, San Diego, Boston, Albany, and Buffalo.
- Frequency: Tours are held daily, rain or shine, year-round.
- Typical Start Time: Often 8:00 PM (e.g., Boston Ghosts tour). Specific times vary by location and can be checked on their website.
Mount Dora Ghost Walk
Nestled in the heart of Florida, Mount Dora offers a unique and often bilingual ghost tour experience through its historic streets. The Mount Dora Ghost Walk is a ninety-minute lantern-guided journey that delves into the city's paranormal and supernatural occurrences. Guides share first-hand accounts and local legends, making the town's Victorian spirits and hidden horrors come alive. The tour often includes significant landmarks like the Lakeside Inn, where many spectral sightings have been reported. This ghost tour is celebrated for its engaging storytelling and its ability to transport participants to the other side, revealing the darker, untold stories of Festival City.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Mount Dora, Florida (including Lakeside Inn property).
- Duration: 90 minutes (Mount Dora Ghost Walk) to 2 hours (investigative tours).
- Start Times: Often 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM, depending on the season. Some tours are held nightly throughout the year. Check specific tour provider for exact times.
Original 8 PM Ghost Tour
For those seeking an authentic and spine-chilling experience in Old Town Albuquerque, the Original 8 PM ghost tour is a must-do. This lantern-lit adventure takes participants through the historic area, searching for the lost souls and lingering spirits of early residents. Professional tour guides share captivating tales of love, loss, and eternal hauntings that define the rich, often tragic, history of Old Town. This evening tour provides a deep dive into the paranormal folklore of New Mexico, making it a truly immersive and memorable ghost tour for all ages.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Duration: Approximately 105 minutes (1 hour and 45 minutes).
- Start Time: 8:00 PM.
- Frequency: Recurring weekly on Friday and Saturday. Also available on specific dates, check their website for exact schedule.
Haunted Yorktown Memorial Hospital Tours
For a truly unsettling and immersive paranormal experience, the Haunted Yorktown Memorial Hospital in Texas stands as a chilling destination. Once a functioning hospital, this now privately-owned property is renowned for its intense paranormal activity. Visitors can embark on guided ghost tours, exploring the eerie corridors, abandoned patient rooms, and operating theaters where countless souls passed. Beyond standard tours, the hospital also offers private overnight investigations for serious paranormal enthusiasts, allowing for deeper exploration into its haunted history. The hospital's past, including its time run by nuns and its eventual closure, contributes to the myriad of unsettling stories and reported phenomena, making it a prime location for those seeking genuine encounters with the unexplained.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Yorktown, Texas.
- Public Group Daytime Caretaker Tour: 1.5-hour tours, Monday-Sunday. Guided tours between 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM have also been noted.
- Flashlight Tour & Mini-Investigation: Often 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM.
- Overnight Investigation: Typically 8:00 PM - 8:00 AM, or 11:30 PM - 4:00 AM for specific investigation options. Check-in for overnight investigations is usually 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM.
Queen Mary Haunted Tour (Long Beach, CA)
The Queen Mary, a majestic ocean liner permanently docked in Long Beach, California, is not just a historic landmark but also one of the most haunted places in America. Its various ghost tours offer visitors a chance to explore the ship's eerie past and encounter its many resident spirits. The Graveyard Tour, for instance, leads guests through areas rarely seen by the public, delving into the legends and personal accounts of paranormal activity. Other guided tours, like the Paranormal Ship Walk, offer exclusive after-hours access to hidden rooms and compartments, allowing for a truly immersive experience. The Queen Mary is not only an award-winning hotel and dining destination but also a gateway to thrilling historical and paranormal ghost tours, making it a must-visit for anyone fascinated by the supernatural.
Locations & Times:
- Location: The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California.
- Haunted Encounters Tour: Daily, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (included with General Admission).
- Paranormal Ship Walk: Often 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Check their website for specific dates and times.
- Graveyard Tour: 2-hour journey, often after midnight. Check their website for specific dates and times.
- Dark Harbor (Halloween Event): Select nights from September 19 to November 2 (for 2025).
Alton Hauntings Tours
Alton, Illinois, often dubbed "one of the most haunted small towns in America," is home to the renowned Alton Hauntings Tours. Based on the extensive research of author Troy Taylor, these award-winning ghost tours offer an authentic and spine-tingling exploration of the city's eerie folklore and documented haunted spots. Available during the spring, summer, and fall, the three-hour walking tours delve into Alton's dark history, taking visitors to sites where paranormal activity is frequently reported. From haunted mansions to historic cemeteries, Alton Hauntings Tours provides a comprehensive and captivating journey into the unknown, making it a premier destination for those seeking genuine ghostly encounters.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Alton, Illinois.
- Duration: 3-hour walking tours.
- Season: Offered in the spring, summer, and fall months.
- Start Times: Typically 7:00 PM or 7:30 PM for walking tours. Bus tours and dinner events may have different schedules.
Salem Night Tour & Bewitched Tours
Salem, Massachusetts, is synonymous with witches and its dark history, making it a prime location for chilling ghost tours. The Salem Night Tour offers a journey through the city's haunted places, delving into darker history, ghost stories, and the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Meanwhile, Bewitched Historical Tours, led by local historians, provide a comprehensive look at 400 years of Salem's past, including what truly happened in 1692. Both tours offer unique perspectives on the city's spectral past, from the footsteps of the wrongly condemned to the lingering spirits of judges and witches. These ghost tours are not just about scares; they are about understanding the complex and often tragic history that continues to haunt this iconic New England town.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Salem, Massachusetts (Downtown Salem, various historic sites).
- Salem Night Tour: Runs nightly at 8:00 PM, with additional times added. Some tours are 90 minutes.
- Bewitched Historical Tour: Tours start at $30 per person. Typically 2-hour walking tours. Check their website for specific departure times.
Original Chicago Hauntings Ghost Bus Tour
Explore the chilling underbelly of the Windy City with the Original Chicago Hauntings Ghost Bus Tour. This three-hour, fully-narrated luxury coach bus tour takes you to Chicago's most haunted spots, offering a unique glimpse into the city's darkest recesses. Participants step off the bus to experience some of these spooky sites firsthand, guided by expert historians and investigators. The tour delves into Chicago's rich, often gruesome, past, revealing tales of gangsters, serial killers, and lingering spirits. It's an immersive and educational ghost tour that combines comfort with fright, making it an ideal choice for those who want to explore multiple haunted locations without extensive walking.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Chicago, Illinois (various haunted spots including Chicago City Cemetery, Lincoln Park, and other sites).
- Duration: 3 hours (some sources mention 2.5 hours).
- Start Time: Often 7:00 PM on Saturdays. Check their website for specific dates and times, as schedules can vary.
- Meeting Point: Often inside the bar at the Congress Plaza Hotel.
Hollywood Boulevard Ghost Walk
Even the glitz and glamour of Hollywood has a dark side, and the Hollywood Boulevard Ghost Walk reveals the spectral secrets hidden beneath the stars. This two-hour walking ghost tour delves into the outlandish stories and everyday people's ghost encounters along the iconic boulevard. From the Roosevelt Hotel to the Pantages Theatre, participants will hear tales of celebrity spirits, tragic endings, and the lingering presence of those who decided to stick around forever in the Dream Factory. It's a fascinating blend of Hollywood history and paranormal intrigue, offering a unique perspective on the city's most famous landmarks. This ghost tour is recommended for those aged 16 or older due to the nature of its content.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California (including Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Pantages Theatre, and other famous locations).
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Start Times: Often nightly at 8:00 PM or 10:00 PM. Check specific tour providers for exact schedules.
Savannah Ghost Tours / Sorrel–Weed House Tours
Savannah, Georgia, is widely regarded as one of America's most haunted cities, and its ghost tours are legendary. Among the most prominent is the Sorrel-Weed House, a historic mansion offering both historical and haunted tours. Visitors can choose to delve into the rich neoclassical architecture and past of the house or embark on a chilling paranormal investigation. The house is renowned for ghostly apparitions, mysterious sounds, and chilling tales from its storied past, making it a popular destination for those seeking genuine encounters. Many visitors combine a walking ghost tour of Savannah's haunted squares and cemeteries with an indoor tour of the Sorrel-Weed House for a comprehensive spectral experience.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Savannah, Georgia (various haunted locations, including the Sorrel-Weed House).
- Sorrel-Weed House Tours:
- Ghost Tours: Nightly, 1.25 hours. Check their website for specific times.
- Historical Tours: Daily, various times.
- General Savannah Ghost Tours:
- Spooky Savannah Ghost Tours: Available seven days a week, starting at 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 10:00 PM, and 10:30 PM.
- The Dead of Night Tour (Adults Only): Nightly, 9:00 PM & 11:00 PM (90 minutes).
- Haunted Savannah Tours: Nightly at 8:00 PM (90 minutes).
Richmond Ghosts: Sinister Scares of Shockoe Bottom Tour
Richmond, Virginia, with its deep and often tragic history, offers a compelling ghost tour experience through its Shockoe Bottom district. The "Sinister Scares of Shockoe Bottom Tour" takes participants on a journey into the city's murderous past, exploring its most haunted and historic locations. From wars with Native American tribes to Revolutionary War battles and the Civil War siege, Richmond's history is rife with tales of death and lingering spirits. This walking ghost tour brings the city's history back to life, revealing why its Civil War ghosts are anything but civil. It's an immersive experience that combines historical narrative with chilling paranormal accounts, making it a must-do for history and ghost enthusiasts alike.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Shockoe Bottom, Richmond, Virginia (meeting at the 17th Street Farmers Market).
- Duration: 1 hour to 90 minutes (some sources mention 1 hour, others 90 minutes).
- Start Time: Nightly at 8:00 PM.
- Frequency: Tours are held daily, rain or shine, year-round.
Ghost City Tours – Tombstone, Arizona & Austin, Texas
Ghost City Tours is a leading provider of immersive cultural and paranormal experiences across America's most haunted cities, with notable operations in Tombstone, Arizona, and Austin, Texas. In Tombstone, their "Dead Men's Tales Ghost Tour" offers a family-friendly exploration of the city's history through its hauntings, revealing the beliefs, traditions, and tragedies that define this iconic Old West town. In Austin, Ghost City Tours provides everything needed to satisfy curiosity about the supernatural, from haunted hotspots to spooky accommodations. Their tours are designed to be more than just scares; they are deep dives into the historical and cultural fabric of each location, making them a top choice for those seeking authentic and high-quality ghost tour experiences.
Tombstone, Arizona Locations & Times:
- Location: Tombstone, Arizona (meeting at 311 E Allen St.).
- Dead Men's Tales Ghost Tour (Family-Friendly): Often 8:00 PM, 1-hour duration.
- Bullets and Bordellos Ghost Tour (Adults Only): Nightly at 10:00 PM, 1 hour 30 minutes duration.
- Guest Services Office: Open 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM, 7 days a week.
Austin, Texas Locations & Times:
- Location: Austin, Texas (various haunted hotspots).
- The Ghosts of Austin Tour (All Ages): Nightly, 90-minute duration. Check their website for specific times.
- Murder by Gaslight Ghost Tour (Adults Only): Highest-rated adults-only tour. Check their website for specific times.
- Haunted Pub Crawl: Nightly, 8:00 PM, 2-hour duration (21+ only).
- Guest Services Office: Open 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM, 7 days a week.
Halfway to Halloween: "Black & Ghost Tour"
For those who can't wait until October for their dose of the paranormal, the "Halfway to Halloween: Black & Ghost Tour" offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the spooky season early. Often held in cities like Pittsburgh, this walking history tour combines historical insights with chilling ghost stories, taking participants through downtown areas to explore outstanding historic landmarks and their haunted pasts. These tours provide a thought-provoking exploration of a city's dark and macabre history, often including interactive elements or special events to mark the halfway point to Halloween. It's a fantastic way to experience a city's haunted side outside of the traditional Halloween season, proving that spirits never truly rest.
Locations & Times:
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Downtown Pittsburgh).
- Frequency: Offered all year round.
- Start Times: Daily at 11:00 AM, and Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:00 PM. Check their website for specific dates and times, especially for Halfway to Halloween special events.
Conclusion
The United States offers an incredible array of ghost tour experiences, each providing a unique window into the nation's haunted past. From the historic streets of Salem to the eerie corridors of abandoned hospitals, these tours combine entertainment with education, offering participants a chance to explore the supernatural while learning about local history and folklore. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, these ghost tours provide unforgettable experiences that will leave you questioning what lies beyond the veil. As you plan your paranormal adventures for 2025, remember that the best ghost tour is one that respects both the living and the dead, offering authentic stories and genuine encounters with America's most haunted locations.