5 of the Best U.S. Cities for Ghost Tours

Ghost tours are a popular activity for travelers who are visiting a new city. On a ghost tour you can learn a little bit about the history of a location and you can try to decide for yourself what is true and what is urban legend. Many cities throughout the United States are very active with ghost tours, but here are five of the best.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg was the location of the battle that is often considered to be the turning point in the American Civil War. It also account for the most casualties or any battle during the war with around 50,000 soldiers wounded or killed during the three-day battle. The large amount of casualties in this small town required makeshift hospitals and amputation stations, resulting in a horrific scene for the soldiers and residents of the town.

Today there are several different companies that offer ghost tours of the battlefield and town of Gettysburg. Tour goers often report experiencing things like touches, smells, and unusual sightings. Numerous people have seen uniformed soldiers walking or marching, wounded soldiers suffering from injuries, and people from the Civil War era walking through houses in the town.

Although there are several different companies offering ghost tours in Gettysburg, Ghosts of Gettysburg was named as the best in America by Haunted America Tours in 2007 and 2008.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a city with a history that includes a lot of violence and crime. Most of the most notable spots of paranormal activity in Chicago have some affiliation with these types of events in Chicago’s past.

The Saint Valentines Day Massacre of 1929 involved the gangs of Al Capone and Bugs Moran, resulting in the murders of 7 people in a garage in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Although the building has since been demolished, those walking by the location have often reported hearing screams or gunshots.

The northwest part of the city was the location of the murder of Louisa Luetgert by her husband Adolph Luetgert. Adolph owned a sausage factory and after the disappearance of his wife authorities found skull fragments and her ring in the sausage vat. She is said to still haunt the area of their home, and Adolph claimed that her ghost haunted him even though he said he was innocent of her murder.

There are many other locations in Chicago that are believed to be haunted, including the Chicago Fire Academy, Camp Douglas, Fort Dearborn, and several others. For information on ghost tours visit ChicagoHauntings.com or WeirdChicago.com.

New Orleans, Louisiana

The city of New Orleans is home to several locations that are believed to be haunted. One of the most famous in the mansion of Delphine LaLaurie, who is said to have tortured many slaves in the early 1800’s. Reports of paranormal activity in and around the mansion where the slaves were tortured are extensive.

Pere Dagobert, a Capuchin monk who became a priest in New Orleans, is believed to be heard singing throughout the streets. In the 1700’s six men were killed by the Spanish governor for their involvement and leadership in a revolt. The governor order that the bodies not be buried so as to serve as an example for the other people of the city. Dagobert led family members of the victims in gathering the remains and performing a mass, against the governor’s orders. Dagobert sang during the funeral procession and is claimed to be heard singing to this day.

Another location believed to be haunted in the former home of a Turkish Sultan. Located in the French Quarter, the home was a place of constant parties by the wealthy sultan and his harem. One day when the house was strangely quiet and blood was spotted, police entered the building to find numerous mutilated bodies. The sultan had been buried alive in the courtyard, dressed in traditional Muslim funeral attire. It is believed that the sultan may have actually been the sultan’s brother and was hiding in New Orleans to avoid execution from the actual sultan, who may have wanted protect himself by killing heirs that could be a potential threat to himself. Many stories of appearances of the sultan have been reported be residents of the building and passers by.

For tour information visit HauntedHistoryTours.com or NewOrleansGhostTour.com.

Savannah, Georgia

In 2002 Savannah was named America’s Most Haunted City by American Institute of Parapsychology. A few factors contribute the this reputation, including the fact that some parts of the city were built on top of large cemeteries (Savannah is said to have been “built on the dead”), and it was also the location of a Revolutionary War battle.

Popular locations that are believed to be haunted include the Mercer House, Moonriver Brew Pub, the Hampton Lillibridge House, and Colonial Park Cemetery.

The Hampton Lillibridge House is especially famous because of its reputation and history. The house was purchased by Jim Williams and moved from it’s original location in 1963. Many workers reported hearing voices and footsteps, and even having things thrown at them. One man entered a room to see what was causing noises that he had heard and he felt himself being pulled towards an open chimney chute that dropped 30 feet. He fell to the floor to prevent being pulled and he was found face down on the floor. Williams moved into the house and experienced considerable paranormal activity. He even had an Episcopal bishop perform an exorcism on the house.

For tour information visit AmericasMostHauntedCity.com or SixthSenseSavannah.com.

Charleston, South Carolina

Sullivan Island near Charleston was the most active port for slave entry. Charleston was also the location of many pirate executions. Tour goers have experienced unusual activity at a number of locations in Charleston, including the Unitarian Church graveyard.

The Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon was the location of many pirate executions and was also a slave market. This location is one of the more well-known haunted destinations in Charleston. The activity here has reportedly been rather aggressive, including tour goers having things thrown at them and even being choked or scratched.

The Old City Jail is another hotspot for paranormal activity. In the 1800’s many people were tortured and killed brutally in this location. Reports of hauntings include sightings of people walking the halls of the jail, tour goers being pushed or choked, moving objects, and more.

For tour information please visit BullDogTours.com or TourCharleston.com.