Ghost and Mystery Tours in Boston

To learn about history, you don't need to enter a museum. Boston ghost tours are the perfect way to immerse yourself in the metropolis' past while discovering its hidden side, and even get a little spooky.

When I am asked what to see and do in Boston, I always recommend these tours. Moreover, they are perfect for any time of the year, although there is no denying that autumn, with its more somber light, is perhaps the time when the atmosphere is more conducive.

The city of Massachusetts is known for spirits. A number of ghosts have been trapped on its perimeter, hiding in the following buildings (among others):

• Omni Parker House, the hotel haunted by spirits. Strange noises and mysterious apparitions frightened more than one guest. If you dare, you can book a room and find out for yourself.
• Granary Burying Ground, a cemetery where the most illustrious citizens rest. Some of them go for walks in the evenings and the best known is probably James Otis Jr. a lawyer who died during a bar fight. If you want to know other anecdotes from the past, I recommend you to read the post about the history tours in Boston.
• Massachusetts State House, the state capitol. Several witnesses swear to have seen a ghost in the corridors.
• Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States. Pirates were executed here and the grounds served as a mass grave for criminals and the sick. It has all the ingredients to deserve its reputation as a haunted place.

You also have the option of taking this route aboard a small bus called a trolley. If you don't want to walk too much, this is your option.

Practical Information

• Duration: between 1 hour and 1 hour and a half.
• Price: around 30 €.
• With or without guide? There are two options for this tour, one with a guide and one without. In the second case, the tourist agencies provide customers with an audio guide.

There's nothing better than an evening walk with a few pub stops. These walks go through the oldest part of town and stop at the foot of haunted buildings. The list below lists the spirit-infested spots:

• King's Chapel, Boston's first Anglican church. Its cemetery is a perfect example of colonial America and the oldest graves date back to the early 17th century. Some nights, a headless woman haunts the cemetery.
• Granary Burying Ground, the eternal resting place of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Robert Treat Paine, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Possibly the most famous haunted place in Boston.
• Beacon Hill, one of the original neighborhoods of the city. It is worth a visit to stroll along its cobblestone streets admiring the Federal-style townhouses. After sunset, the guide will take you in front of the Liberty Hotel, the former jail on Charles Street. Its most famous guest is a German U-boat captain captured in battle.
• Old City Hall, the seat of City Hall from 1865 to 1969. This historic building hides a few secrets...

The total price includes a few drinks - three or four - and you can usually go home with a small gift: a can cooler. If you're traveling to Boston in winter, be sure to pack warm clothes.

Practical info

• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
• Price: around 30 €.
• With or without a guide? These urban tours are done with a guide.

This route will take you to the most haunted sites of the "Athens of America" (one of its nicknames). Along the way you will hear chilling stories and anecdotes about gravediggers and grave robbers.

The tour takes place in a minibus that simulates a streetcar and the price includes an expert guide. Typically, these tours cover the following points:

• The streets of the "Boston Strangler," one of America's most famous serial killers. His name was Albert DeSalvo and he terrorized the city between 1962 and 1964. In just two years he took the lives of 13 victims, all of them women.
• Granary Burying Ground, a cemetery intimately linked to the American Revolution. Here are the graves of patriots Paul Revere and Samual Adams, among others.
• Copp's Hill Burying Ground, a cemetery that houses mostly merchants and artisans. It is located on top of a hill and for this reason was used as an artillery point during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.

Practical information

• Duration: about 1 hour and a half
• Price: between 40 € and 50 €.
• With or without guide? These tours are guided by an expert guide.

In general, these tours are designed for children over 4 years old. If you think your children are very sensitive and might be frightened, there are other options that are sure to please them. The Boston Children's Museum is a highly recommended option.

Another option that the little ones usually like is the Tea Party Museum, which brings the famous tea party riot to life. For more information, I recommend you to read the post about the 10 things to see and do in Boston with kids.

Because it is the best way to discover the history of the city in a more fun way. Also, if you travel to Boston in July - the hottest month of the year - it can be a good option to escape the heat. In this month, temperatures reach 28º but the humidity increases the perception of heat.

Nobody knows the history of the city as well as the guides who enliven each story with curious anecdotes and a touch of humor. You could look up each story on your own and recreate a city tour, but it wouldn't be the same. Plus, it's a perfect option if you're only in Boston for a day.

First of all, keep in mind that these are night tours and after sunset temperatures plummet. In winter and at night it can easily reach -5º. Therefore, it is preferable to choose sweatshirts, heavy sweaters and waterproof shoes.

Here's one more tip. If you like basketball, baseball or soccer, avoid wearing clothes that do not belong to a Boston team! They take sports very seriously in this city. It would not be pleasant to walk into a pub wearing a Lakers jersey or a Yankees sweatshirt.

By the way, if you visit Boston in October you can watch live the first NBA games in general and the Celtic in particular.

Yes, of course! Routes will be cancelled only in the event of very heavy storms. The weather in New England is particularly wet and it tends to rain in all seasons, especially in the early summer or fall.

If you visit Boston in winter, this could happen more frequently. It snows heavily in the Massachusetts metropolis, especially in January. If you don't want to risk it, I recommend looking for an indoor activity. The Aquarium or the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston are very valid options.

I highly recommend you do this. In Boston, ghost tours are very popular and tickets sell out quickly. Once you purchase your ticket, you will receive an email confirmation that you will need to present on the day of the tour. No need to print it out.

Yes, but not all tours and not all buildings. Let me explain better. Points like King's Chapel is already closed and can not be visited while others, such as the Granary Burying Ground, usually guarantee the entrance.

Beware: in some cases you will have to pay the ticket separately. In general, I recommend you to read carefully the details of each tour.

Groups average 15 participants, 20 in the worst case. Each agency's goal is to ensure a pleasant experience and this is very difficult to achieve in the case of large groups. If you wish to take a private tour, please let the agency know before booking tickets.