Ghost tours have surged in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to social media platforms. Influencers have taken to TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to spread the word about how exciting it can be to learn more about the historic landmarks in your town. These unique and spooky guided tours have even grabbed the attention of skeptics since they include interesting stories of local history, as well as true crime tales of murder and mystery.

There are several different types of ghost tours available in cities all throughout the U.S., offering experiences for all ages. The tours cover a broad range of topics, making it easier for you and your group to find one that everyone can agree on.

Here are a few examples of the types of ghost tours available from top touring companies in the U.S.

History-Based Ghost Tours

credit: The Jennie Wade Birthplace House in Gettysburg – Copyright US Ghost Adventures

Taking a ghost tour in a town that’s rich with history is an excellent way to convince your skeptical friends to join in on the fun. As you learn about the lives of the people and places from centuries ago, you will also hear spooky tales of ghost sightings and urban legends that originated centuries ago.

Practically every ghost tour will include a little bit of history, especially when visiting old buildings or ancient cemeteries that are known to be haunted. But there are some tours that primarily focus on epic past events such as the Civil War or hauntings that are a result of tragic tales from the colonial era, such as the Salem Witch Trials.

If you are interested in booking a great history-based ghost tour, we suggest you find one offered in New England towns like Boston, MA, and Gettysburg, PA.

Why Take a Ghost Tour in Boston or Gettysburg?

Boston is a very old colonial city that has a dark past riddled with murders, mob crimes, and public executions. While on a ghost tour in this city, you may stop by the Boston Common and learn about its macabre history when it was once a public killing arena. Your guide may also share some stories about the Boston Massacre and how it was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Other popular sites that could be included in a history-based ghost tour of Boston include the iconic Freedom Trail and the USS Constitution of Boston Harbor.

If you are looking for a tour that focuses on the battles of the Civil War era, the ghost tours in Gettysburg are some of the very best available. This historic Pennsylvania town is home to the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg. There are several locations associated with this battle known to be haunted by the spirits of fallen soldiers. On your tour, you may also hear the story of Jennie Wade, the only civilian casualty of the battle, who was killed by a stray bullet as it shot through her kitchen door. You may even visit her former home, the Jennie Wade House, which is believed to be haunted today by her ghost.

Family-Friendly Ghost Tours

credit: A family-friendly ghost tour – Copyright US Ghost Adventures

Nothing beats taking the kids trick-or-treating on Halloween night, but if you are looking for something different to do during spooky season, a fun-filled, family-friendly ghost tour is an excellent way to spend your day. And the best part is you don’t have to wait until October to enjoy the experience. Ghost tours are available in most cities all throughout the year.

What You Should Know Beforehand

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are planning to take a ghost tour with your family. Not all tours are suitable for children, and some are meant for adults only, with no one allowed under the age of 18 or 21.

It’s a good idea to check out the reviews on the ghost tours in your area that are kid-friendly to find out just how spooky they can be. You know your kids best, so if they are new to stories about ghosts and goblins, you may want to skip the extra scary tales and look for options that lean more toward focusing on historic facts. Older kids and teens, however, will likely enjoy hearing about urban legends and cryptids such as Bigfoot or the Jersey Devil.

And here’s another tip: many ghost tours are walking tours, so you will want everyone to dress comfortably and bundle up if you are going on a tour in the fall or winter. Encourage your kids to ask the tour guides questions to make it a memorable experience, and be sure to take plenty of photos as you pause to admire the sites. You never know what may turn up in the images that weren’t there originally.

True-Crime Ghost Tours

The truth can be stranger and spookier than fiction. And any true crime fanatic will tell you that the real monsters are not those in made-up ghost stories but the evil killers and heartless criminals who turned nightmares into reality.

There are many ghost tours that visit locations that aren’t necessarily haunted by ghosts or spirits but will still leave you with an unsettling feeling after you learn about the real horrors that took place there.

Cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles are two examples of places where ghost tour companies stop at locations where real-life crimes, murders, and tragic deaths took place.

True Life Crime Stories from Sin City and The City of Angels

The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino is believed to be haunted by the infamous Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, a mastermind of organized crime who worked closely with the mafia in Las Vegas. Today the hotel has tried to distance itself from Siegel’s association with it; however, his spirit has been known to show up inside the Flamingo’s garden at night. It is one of the top places tour guides stop while taking a group on a tour of the Las Vegas Strip.

In Los Angeles, one of the most haunting places is located at 10050 Cielo Drive, also known by many as the Sharon Tate House. It is where the 26-year-old actress was brutally stabbed to death by members of the Charles Manson family. The tragic story made headlines throughout the country and still intrigues true crime enthusiasts decades later. This location is one of many that you may visit and learn more about while taking a ghost tour through the City of Angels.

Ghost Hunting Tours

credit: The Lizzie Borden House – Copyright US Ghost Adventures

If you want to do more than simply learn about the locations you visit on a ghost tour, you should consider taking things one step further and booking a chilling ghost hunt where you are supplied with real ghost hunting equipment that paranormal researchers use to communicate with the dead.

With a ghost hunting experience, you will join a small group of other ghost hunters and gain access to a building late at night where you are free to search every dark corner. hoping to have a real ghost encounter. It’s a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience that you will not soon forget.

Ghost Hunting at the Lizzie Borden House

One of the best places to take a ghost hunting tour is at the historic Lizzie Borden House. This location in New England is the actual childhood home of Lizzie Borden and where the legendary murder took place on a summer night in August of 1892.

According to the story, Lizzie took an ax to her father and stepmother, brutally killing them in their sleep. Although Lizzie was arrested and put on trial for the crimes, she was acquitted and lived the rest of her days as a free woman, leaving the murders a mystery that has yet to be truly solved.

Today, the Borden house has been converted into a bed and breakfast where you can stay for the weekend in one of the custom-themed rooms, including Lizzie’s former bedroom. You can choose to take a general tour of the house or take a ghost hunting tour and roam freely in all of the rooms after midnight as you search for dark spirits. It is believed that the ghost of Lizzie herself haunts the basement of the house.

Using the provided equipment, guests have captured EVP recordings of faint whispers and disembodied voices while searching the house. Some have described the sounds as sighs or a woman quietly weeping, while others have heard direct phrases coming from the spirits. There have also been reports of ghost hunters seeing apparitions of a dark silhouette gliding across the floor and a male figure believed to be Lizzie’s father, Andrew, sitting slumped over on the couch.

Haunted Restaurant and Pub Crawls

credit: A haunted pub crawl – Copyright US Ghost Adventures

For those who love the nightlife or enjoy sampling local cuisine, haunted restaurant and pub crawls are some of the most fun and entertaining ways to learn about the past and have a real haunting experience.

Haunted pub crawls take you on a tour of the best bars and pubs in your area while your guide shares tales of murder, mystery, and all things paranormal. You may learn about haunted hotels or cemeteries along the way, and you may even visit a haunted bar or pub where you can enjoy drinking some spirits with some spirits of the dead. One of the best cities to take a haunted pub crawl ghost tour is New Orleans, where you’ll be surrounded by spooky tales and dark entities as you stroll through the French Quarter.

Haunted pub crawls are a fun way to enjoy birthdays, bachelorette parties, or nights out with friends. But there are also restaurant tours available from many companies where you can sample some of the best local cuisine while also learning about your town’s past. These tours are typically not spooky, and people of all ages are allowed to join in on the fun.

New Orleans Ghosts offers a pub crawl and restaurant tour, allowing you to enjoy all the great Creole food and drinks NOLA has to offer. Their Big Easy Bayou Bite French Quarter Food Tour takes you on a two-hour journey where you will find out firsthand what makes this town the culinary capital of the country. Their Boos and Booze haunted pub crawl is also hard to beat, with stops at a haunted Civil War hospital and the former home of one of New Orleans's most notorious serial killers.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different options to choose from for those interested in joining a fun ghost tour in your area. Whether you are a history buff, want to try out ghost hunting, or want to take a haunted pub crawl for a girl’s night out, you can do all that and more by booking a ghost tour in your area.

One of the best options for historically haunting ghost tours in the nation is the tours offered by US Ghost Adventures. Check out their website to find a location nearest you and prepare yourself for a hauntingly good time.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.