The Best Haunted Tours in America for a True Ghost Experience

Searching for the best haunted tours in America? You’ve reached the right place! Dark tourism has emerged as a bustling travel industry throughout the United States, with thousands of eager travelers choosing destinations for their ghostly potential. One of the most popular activities at these ghostly getaways is haunted tours, which allow guests to visit multiple bone-chilling locations in one night, increasing their chances of an otherworldly experience. 

Below you’ll find some of the spookiest ghost tours in the United States, each centered in a city shaped by its own peculiar, dark history. Considered top tours not just for their closeness to some of America’s most haunted locations, but for their high ratings and rankings as well, these popular tours are sure to place you particularly close to numerous phantoms and poltergeists. 

Civil War Ghosts of Gettysburg Tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg has long been heralded as one of the most haunted cities in America, due to the three-day battle that was stained in soil with the horrors of war. With 51,000 casualties linked to the vicious fray, it’s no wonder it has become a hub for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts, filled with hair-raising tours for the taking. 

U.S. News & World Report named the Civil War Ghosts of Gettysburg Tour the best ghost tour in Gettysburg, citing its ideal mixture of history and spookiness as a key feature. This spook-centered tour, which includes seven of Gettysburg’s most bone-chilling locales, stops by infamous haunts such as the Farnworth House Inn and Jennie Wade House — both properties linked to restless souls and spectral soldiers.

The company also offers several other unearthly excursions, from ghost hunts within the Jennie Wade Birthplace home to overnight stays in the nearby Welty House, where bullet holes still pockmark the exterior walls. Each provides ample opportunity to experience something otherworldly in one of this country’s most spirit-filled cities. 

French Quarter Ghosts and Ghouls of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana

For many, New Orleans stands as a city synonymous with all things spooky, bearing ties to everything from witchcraft to vampires. Here you find haunted tours that focus specifically on cemeteries, voodoo practitioners, and true crime — yet those by New Orleans Ghosts consistently rank among the best.

The French Quarter Ghosts and Ghouls of New Orleans tour ushers its guests throughout New Orleans’ most historic neighborhood, amidst the vibrant tales of real-world horrors like fires and serial killers, blended with the terror of the strange and shadowy. Before the night ends, guests will lay their eyes on the infamous LaLaurie Mansion, home to a tale more terrifying than any nightmare.  

These family-friendly tours operate seven days a week, leaving nightly at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. A bounty of other tours is offered by New Orleans Ghosts, including those that visit the stunning homes of the Garden District as well as an adults-only haunted pub crawl. 

Portland Ghost Tours: Punishment, Penance & Poltergeists in Portland, Oregon

While some may not think of Portland as a terribly spooky city, it’s often included as one of the most haunted cities in America due to its ghastly history of “Shanghaing.” The so-called “Shanghai Tunnels” still run underneath many streets in this Port city, once used to transport people who were kidnapped and forced into unpaid labor or slavery in Asia. 

Such tales stand as a main feature on Portland Ghost Tours: Punishment, Penance & Poltergeists by Portland Ghosts. This haunted tour of the Pearl District, chosen by Travel Portland as an Editor’s Pick, tours the moody streets of the Pearl District while recounting the sinister stories of Rose City’s darkest days. 

The lantern-led tours are described by reviewers as professional and informative, providing plenty of opportunities to take photos along the haunted tour. If anything is captured on film, guests are encouraged to share the photo on the company’s social media pages so all can see the spooky proof with their own eyes. 

Shadows of Midnight Ultimate Late Night Ghost Tour in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is consistently mentioned as one of the top haunted cities in the U.S., due in part to its setting for the events of Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, but also for its extremely somber history. A city stricken by multiple epidemics of yellow fever, battles, and fires, along with the lingering echoes of slavery, it’s no wonder it has garnered such a ghostly reputation.

With more than 40 ghost tours to boast, it’s difficult to know which venture to book in this phantom-filled city. You’ll find dozens of tours operating throughout the day, but those seeking a true ghost experience should opt for one of the later ones, when the streets are less crowded. 

The Shadows of Midnight Ultimate Late Night Ghost Tour leaves at 10 p.m., shepherding its tour group down streets that are eerily quiet. Guests can even rent an EMF detector to try their hand at perceiving the signs of a spirit and see if any phantom presences are nearby. Stops will be paid at the Sorrel Weed house, one of Savannah’s most haunted properties, along with the Colonial Park Cemetery, giving guests plenty of opportunities to soak in Savannah’s spooky atmosphere. 

Terrors of Tinseltown Tour in Los Angeles, California

A tour that ranked within Time Out’s top best national ghost tours, the Terrors of Tinseltown Tour continues to be a highly rated tour, peeling back the velvet curtain on La La Land. The entertaining tour stops at several notable locations home to ghastly murders and haunted hotspots, like the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, in which Marilyn Monroe’s spirit has been frequently spotted. 

Tours leave nightly from the El Capitan Theatre, descending down the iconic streets of Hollywood accompanied by stories of glitz, glamour, and grisly deeds. Guests highly recommend the tour for its fusion of history and creepy stories while walking amongst Hollywood’s shadows. This tour is a must-take for anyone with a fondness for spooky stories visiting sunny Los Angeles. It’ll send chills down your back on even the warmest of summer nights. 

Watch this video to get a glimpse:

Lizzie Borden House Tour in Fall River, Massachusetts

About 1 hour south of Boston, Massachusetts, sits the quiet town of Fall River. It was within this quaint community that Andrew and Abby Borden were savagely murdered by a hatchet-wielding intruder in 1892. Whether the assailant was Lizzie Borden or not seems to matter little — her name quickly went down in infamy soon after, carrying an eerie reputation that continues to this day.

Today, the home in which these brutal events occurred operates as a spooky bed and breakfast and museum offering numerous haunted tours. An eye-opening tour of the Lizzie Borden house will take you through each of the rooms, explaining how the events of that fateful day in August unfurled. Tour guides will often recount their own otherworldly experiences along the way during these informative and compelling house tours. 

Late-night ghost hunts and tours of the neighboring Oak Grove cemetery are also offered by the Historic Lizzie Borden House. The truly brave can also book a room for the night to increase their chances of experiencing a ghostly encounter — but for most, a tour is plenty enough for one day, as attested by the dozens of positive reviews on TripAdvisor. 

Conclusion

From the fog-laden streets of Savannah to the sun-drenched boulevards of Hollywood, haunted tours in America offer something far richer than a simple scare — they offer a visceral, walking encounter with history in its darkest and most compelling form. Each destination carries its own haunted heartbeat, shaped by war, crime, tragedy, and the restless souls that linger long after the events that defined them. Whether you find yourself standing at the gates of the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans or peering into the dim rooms of the Lizzie Borden House, the experience of a guided ghost tour transforms the past from something distant into something you can almost reach out and touch.

Ghost tours in America continue to grow in popularity for good reason — they combine the thrill of the unknown with genuine local history, making them ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, and history buffs alike. No matter which city you choose as your next haunted destination, rest assured that America’s shadows are deep, its stories are plentiful, and its ghosts are never far away.

FAQ: Ghost Tours in America

1. What are haunted tours in America?

Haunted, or Ghost tours in America are guided walking or bus tours that take visitors to historically significant locations associated with paranormal activity, tragedy, or dark history. They typically blend storytelling, local history, and ghost lore to create an immersive and spine-tingling experience.

2. Which city is considered the most haunted in America?

Several cities compete for that title, including Savannah, Georgia, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Each has a deeply layered history of war, disease, or crime that has fueled centuries of ghost sightings and paranormal reports.

3. Are ghost tours in America suitable for children?

Many ghost tours in America are family-friendly and designed to entertain without being overly frightening. Tours like the French Quarter Ghosts and Ghouls tour in New Orleans are explicitly marketed to families, though some late-night or adults-only tours are better suited to older participants.

4. What is the best time of year to take haunted tours in America?

While most tours operate year-round, October — particularly around Halloween — is the most popular time. However, many seasoned ghost hunters argue that off-season visits, when crowds are thinner and the atmosphere is quieter, can actually produce more authentic experiences.

5. Do I need any special equipment for ghost tours in America?

No special equipment is required for most tours. However, some tours — like the Shadows of Midnight tour in Savannah — allow guests to rent EMF detectors. Many visitors also bring cameras or smartphones to try to capture paranormal evidence.

6. How long do haunted tours in America typically last?

Most haunted tours in America last between 90 minutes and two hours. Specialty experiences, such as overnight stays or full ghost hunts, can extend to several hours or even an entire night.

7. Are ghost tours in America based on real historical events?

Yes, the best ghost tours in America ground their storytelling in documented historical events — battles, murders, epidemics, and disasters — making them as educational as they are entertaining. Tour guides are typically well-versed in local history and often cite verifiable records alongside the ghost lore.

8. Can I book haunted tours in America in advance?

Yes, and it is strongly recommended, especially for popular tours in cities like New Orleans, Savannah, and Gettysburg. Peak seasons and weekend slots tend to fill up quickly, so booking ahead ensures you don’t miss out.

9. What is the difference between a ghost tour and a ghost hunt?

A ghost tour is a guided storytelling experience that walks guests past or through haunted locations. A ghost hunt is a more interactive, investigation-style experience where participants actively attempt to detect or communicate with spirits, often using equipment like EMF detectors or spirit boxes.

10. Are haunted tours in America worth it even for skeptics?

Absolutely. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, haunted tours in America offer a unique and engaging way to explore local history, architecture, and culture. The stories told on these tours are rooted in real events, and the atmosphere alone — dark streets, lantern light, centuries-old buildings — makes for an unforgettable evening.