AFTER DARK · VIRGINIA GHOST TOURS
Good virginia ghost tours run small groups and fill up around Halloween. Below: the 6 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet your English-speaking, colonial-dressed guide at the Ramsay House Visitor Center for a one-hour walk through Old Town Alexandria. Hear ghostly tales tied to local history, then finish in a nearby graveyard. The route suits most visitors and is limited to 25 people.
“This was a fun way to see Old Alexandria, hear some great stories and view all the fun Halloween decorations. Our guide, Aslin, did a great job!”
Walk Old Town Alexandria with a costumed guide such as Magic, Sam, Katie, or Valerie, stopping at four historic bars for ghost stories and optional drinks. You’ll hear about Carlyle House, a tragic love story at a gelato shop, and haunted sites near the waterfront. The group is limited to 12.
“How the guides really got into the tour and their interactions with the group, their knowledge and history of the locations we visited.”
Meet at 301 King St. at 8 p.m. for a one-hour Old Town walk led by guides such as Buzz, Jessica, or Janda. Hear researched ghost stories at Carlyle House, Gadsby’s Tavern area, The Athenaeum, City Hall, and Wilkes Tunnel. Expect history first, with paranormal tales and no guaranteed scares.
“The tour guides were late and the first tour guide, which was our tour guide had over 40 people or more waiting. The gentleman with the Lateran came later and took half of the group. No one had ghost tour shirts and only one person with a Lateran. Our guide was great.”
Meet at 6 p.m. on North Royal Street for a 1-hour-45-minute walking crawl through haunted Alexandria. Your guide covers Union Street Public House, a museum, the Bayou Room, City Hall, and Daniel O’Connell’s, with drinks available for purchase.
“The weather was great Very Informative Interesting facts Enjoyed the host We hit two pubs There was only four of us My daughter and I and a nice young couple”
Meet at Lynchburg Community Market at 8 p.m. for a one-hour walk through downtown Lynchburg. Guides such as Maddie, Madeline, Madilyn, and Haley share ghost stories at the Commerce Street Theater, Buzzard’s Roost, Virginian Hotel, and Lynchburg Museum. Expect about a mile of hills and stairs.
“My husband and I had a wonderful time with our tour guide, Madeline. She was a trooper in the freezing cold (26°F) and very knowledgeable. The tour took place in the downtown area. It was very beautiful and full of rich history and spooky stories. I'd definitely recommend taking this tour. Please keep in mind, you will be climbing stairs and walking up and down steep hills. The tour is roughly a mile long. Well worth every penny!”
Walk Alexandria’s Old Town after dark with a costumed Nightly Spirits guide. Hear tales of Revolutionary soldiers, waterfront voices, haunted bars, and Laura Schafer, the Burning Bride. Guides Joe and Magic bring different styles, from lively history to wry humor. The small-group tour begins at 6:30 pm.
“Our guide Joe was great. Vert enthusiast and engaging. Some history mixed with some myths. I felt the tour had limited stops and was not worth the price.”
A walk, a graveyard, a crawl or a full investigation.
