AFTER DARK · RALEIGH GHOST TOURS
Good raleigh ghost tours run small groups and fill up around Halloween. Below: the 7 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Walk Raleigh’s historic center with a guide from Raleigh Ghosts, stopping at the State Capitol, Haywood Hall, Executive Mansion, Nash Square, and more. Expect local history, ghost legends, and stories tied to former homes, funeral businesses, political figures, and a historic hardware store.
“Tyland was an amazing guide. Great at highlighting the macabre aspects of real history. Goosebumps all around.”
Join an English-speaking guide for a one-hour walk past eight haunted Raleigh sites, beginning at the State Capitol. Hear tales of ghostly politicians, underground booze tunnels, the Heck-Andrews witch, the White-Holman House spirit, and the Executive Mansion Christmas tree mystery.
“I was the only participant of the tour so it felt like having a personal guide. My guide was super friendly and not only explained the ghost stories but also lots of general information about the Raleigh area, especially down town. She even gave me recommendations on other things to do and how to spend my remaining time here. It was a great experience, 10/10 and really made my longer than expected work trip a lot more enjoyable! I also got a restaurant recommendation from her and lots of side information while we walked to the next spot. Thank you very much! /Josephine”
Meet Andrew at the North Carolina State Capitol for a one-hour walk through Raleigh’s spookiest urban legends and historic tales. The tour stays in the city center, returns to its starting point, and limits groups to 25 people. Expect English narration, uneven brick and cobblestone paths, and plenty of local lore.
“Tour guide knows his subject matter, does his research. Some of the walkways were uneven surfaces, brick and cobblestones.”
Join guides Marlo and Dave for a three-hour Raleigh e-bike tour linking Dorothea Dix Park’s asylum stories, NC State legends, sculpture-garden facts, and a scenic Mountains to Sea Trail ride. The small group is capped at 10, and bikes are praised for being easy to handle.
“Beautiful day! E-bikes were easy to maneuver. Tour guides, Marlo and Dave, were great! They gave a little history paired with the legendary folklore. We Will definitely be back for another tour.”
Meet at Rougarou (Imbibe) in Chapel Hill at 8:00 pm for a one-hour English-language walk to four sites tied to Chapel Hill ghosts. You will return to the starting point with a mobile ticket, a group capped at 25, and no bottled water included.
“Good stories but walk is fast and lengthy between the stops. If you do walk alot don't do it. Also sidewalk is bricked and uneven to walk on. Tough for people with balance issues etc.”
Meet Andrew or another local historian outside Raleigh’s World Wars memorial at the State Capitol. Over one easy hour, hear eerie tales tied to downtown, from sewer creatures and train-crash sounds to a dead restaurateur still shaping a business.
“Very well researched and interesting guide. I learned new things about the city and really enjoyed the evening!”
Walk downtown Durham with guides such as Jackson and Andy, hearing ghost stories tied to the Carolina Theater, Herald-Sun Building, Jack Tar Motel, alleys, factories, department stores, and tobacco sites. The one-hour tour starts and ends at Fate & Folklore on Market Street.
“I have lived in Durham since 1983 and have just discovered this wonderful set of tours. I am learning alot about the history that happpened in the long ago past and then some that happened while I have been living here. There have been certainly no lack of stories to here. It was especially fun when folks on the tour happened to work in some of the focus spots. It is a 1 hour tour - my friends and I have enjoyed going early to get drinks and appetizers before joining the tour andLook exploring the downtown area.”
A walk, a graveyard, a crawl or a full investigation.
