13 of the Spookiest Tours in the US
Lauren is a Mexico City–based writer, editor, and translator from Yorkshire with bylines at CNN, BBC Travel, and Al Jazeera. She’s currently working on her first full-length literary translation in between harassing her cat, drinking smuggled Yorkshire Tea, and blogging about Latin American literature at leyendolatam.com.
Lauren is a Mexico City–based writer, editor, and translator from Yorkshire with bylines at CNN, BBC Travel, and Al Jazeera. She’s currently working on her first full-length literary translation in between harassing her cat, drinking smuggled Yorkshire Tea, and blogging about Latin American literature at leyendolatam.com.
Hi, I'm Lauren!Lauren is a Mexico City–based writer, editor, and translator from Yorkshire with bylines at CNN, BBC Travel, and Al Jazeera. She’s currently working on her first full-length literary translation in between harassing her cat, drinking smuggled Yorkshire Tea, and blogging about Latin American literature at leyendolatam.com.
Hi, I'm Lauren!Lauren is a Mexico City–based writer, editor, and translator from Yorkshire with bylines at CNN, BBC Travel, and Al Jazeera. She’s currently working on her first full-length literary translation in between harassing her cat, drinking smuggled Yorkshire Tea, and blogging about Latin American literature at leyendolatam.com.
As the summer sun fades away into fall, spooky season comes alive. If you’re looking for a great way to mark the most haunted time of year this Halloween—or whenever, really—here are our not-so-unlucky 13 picks for the spookiest tours in the US, from Salem to Savannah.
1. Go “frightseeing” in Pensacola
As one of the earliest European settlements in the US, it’s no surprise that Pensacola, has some spooky stories to tell. Explore them all by bus and take in adults-only tales of terror as you pass through cemeteries and historic districts on this ghosts and graveyards tour.
Ghosts and Graveyard Tour of Pensacola
2. Combine snacks and spooks in Denver
Listening to ghost stories and searching for supernatural spirits is quite the way to work up an appetite, so combine horror and hors d’oeuvres (read: craft beers and bar snacks) in Denver.
3. Tour the haunted East Village with a New York bartender
Nothing’s quite as eerie as the East Village after dark, especially not on this haunted tour that will have even skeptics questioning their stance. Explore ghostly subway stops, historic pubs, and more, all in the company of a local bartender.
East Village Haunted Manhattan tour
4. Take Hawaii’s only ghost tour
Hawaii is more than beaches and bucket list experiences; it’s also home to ghosts of royalty past and one-time spots of sacrifice. Tour them all on the Big Island and use paranormal devices to track down otherworldly apparitions.
Kona Haunted Hele ghost tour
5. Explore the country’s OG haunted hotspot, Salem
Vintage horror awaits in one of the most infamous Puritanical towns in New England—Salem. Explore the city's long and spooktacular history on this day or nighttime tour led by a local historian that will leave you bewitched.
Salem's Dark History & Witchcraft Hysteria Guided Walking Tour
6. Get ghoulish in Gatlinburg
There are plenty of things that go bump in the night in Gatlinburg, situated at the foot of the Smoky Mountains. And you can discover them all on a nighttime tour of this creepy city.
Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg
7. Segway through Chicago with a costumed guide
Go behind the scenes in Chicago and get a guided insight into the city’s sordid past and ghostly heyday, all while zipping about with ease on a Segway. What better way to see the Windy City?
2-Hour Haunted Segway Tour of Chicago
8. Take to the water for a moonlit boat ride in Providence
There’s no turning back once you set sail on a creepy after-hours boat ride in Rhode Island. Backlit by flickering lanterns and led by a costumed guide, this tour brings Halloween vibes year-round.
9. Search for supernatural spirits in Savannah
Operated by paranormal and occult enthusiasts, this Savannah tour brings together history and haunts, ideal for spook fans short on time. Stops at top city attractions are an added bonus.
Savannah's 13 Ghosts Tour Psychic Guided
10. Drink and discover on this beer-ie Portland tour
Combine Portland’s stellar craft beer scene with tales of opium dens and haunted houses in the Pacific Northwest, for an evening you’ll never forget. Complimentary beers from award-winning breweries only sweeten the deal.
Haunted Pub Tour
11. Learn about New Orleans’ voodoo and vampire legacy
From the LaLaurie Mansion to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, this haunting tour will have you sleeping with the lights on once you’ve finished visiting the city’s spookiest after-dark spots.
New Orleans Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, Vampire and Mystery Tour
12. Go beyond witches in Salem
Salem may be known for its witchy history—which you can of course explore too—but there’s more to this town’s spooky story than broomsticks and black cats. So, swap sorcery for voodoo and vampires in this Massachusetts town.
Salem Voodoo, Vampires, and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour
13. Immerse yourself in Hollywood’s haunted horrors
Modern-day Hollywood invokes a terror all of its own, but the dark past of this glitzy neighborhood and its less than glamorous secrets are also worth exploring. You might even get to speak to some spirits while you’re there.
LA Ghosts: Terrors of Tinseltown Tour
Find more spooky tours across the US
Keep reading
