A ghost tour is a guided experience that explores haunted locations and shares stories of paranormal activity, local legends, and historical events. These tours often take place at night in historic towns, cemeteries, or old buildings, blending history with spine-tingling storytelling. Ghost tours offer a fun and immersive way to learn about a location’s past while enjoying a spooky adventure.

People go on ghost tours to explore local history, hear chilling stories, and experience the thrill of the unknown. Ghost tours blend entertainment, folklore, and real historical events, making them popular with travelers, paranormal enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique nighttime adventure. They’re a fun way to discover hidden stories, learn about haunted locations, and enjoy a memorable, spine-tingling experience.

A ghost tour can be spooky, but it’s usually not overwhelmingly scary. Most ghost tours focus on storytelling, history, and exploring haunted locations rather than jump scares or intense horror. The level of fear often depends on the setting, the guide, and your own comfort with eerie tales. They’re designed to be enjoyable for most people, including beginners who want a fun, slightly spooky experience.

Ghost tourism, also known as spooky tourism, is a type of travel focused on visiting haunted locations, paranormal sites, and historic places with spooky stories. It combines history, folklore, and supernatural experiences, attracting travelers who enjoy ghost tours, haunted attractions, and eerie adventures. Ghost tourism offers a unique way to explore a destination’s culture while experiencing thrilling, memorable moments.

A ghost tour typically combines history, storytelling, and paranormal legends as you explore haunted locations, old towns, and places known for unexplained activity. Expect your guide to share true local stories, including tragic events, mysterious sightings, and eerie folklore tied to the area’s past. Many tours visit historic buildings, cemeteries, alleyways, and landmark sites after dark to heighten the atmosphere.

Most ghost tours are walking tours, so prepare for 60–90 minutes of light to moderate walking, sometimes on uneven ground or dimly lit streets. Some guides may use ghost-hunting tools—like EMF meters or spirit boxes—to demonstrate paranormal investigation techniques, giving you an interactive experience.

You can expect a mix of education, entertainment, and spooky fun, but not guaranteed scares or staged jump moments. The goal is to immerse you in the history, mystery, and unexplained stories that shape each location. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, a ghost tour offers a unique way to discover a city’s hidden past and explore its most haunted corners.

Preparing properly can make your ghost tour safer, more comfortable, and far more enjoyable. Here are the key items guests are recommended to bring to any ghost walk, haunted history tour, or paranormal investigation.

Essentials:

• Comfortable walking shoes for uneven or historic streets

• Weather-appropriate clothing: jacket, hoodie, or raincoat

• Fully charged phone for photos, notes, or emergencies

• Small torch/flashlight for dark areas

Helpful Extras:

• Portable power bank for devices or ghost-hunting apps

• Bottle of water to stay hydrated

• Bug spray for outdoor or older locations

• Small backpack or crossbody bag to keep hands free

Optional Paranormal Gear:

• EMF detector for interactive ghost-hunting

• Thermometer for detecting “cold spots”

• Notebook & pen for logging encounters

• Red-filtered flashlight to maintain night vision

Safety & Comfort:

• Small snacks for longer or late-night tours

• Personal medication if needed

• Hand sanitizer or wipes for older buildings and high-touch areas

Yes — ghost tours are real, guided experiences that take you through historic and allegedly haunted locations to share the city’s darker history and most famous paranormal stories. While sightings of actual ghosts can’t be guaranteed, the tours themselves are based on real events, documented tragedies, local legends, and eyewitness accounts that have been passed down through generations.

Most ghost tours combine authentic historical research, true crime tales, and reported supernatural encounters, offering an atmospheric and entertaining way to explore a city at night. Whether you believe in ghosts or simply enjoy immersive storytelling, ghost tours provide a unique blend of history, mystery, and paranormal intrigue that keeps visitors coming back.