Ghost and Mystery Tours in Boston

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

When I'm asked what to see and do in Boston, I always recommend these tours. They are also perfect for any time of year, although there is no denying that autumn, with its more sombre light, is perhaps the time when the atmosphere is most conducive.

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

• Omni Parker House, the hotel haunted by the spirits. Strange noises and mysterious apparitions haunted 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 are laid to rest. Some go on evening walks 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 history tours in Boston.
• Massachusetts State House, the state capitol. Several witnesses swear they saw 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 far, this is your option.

Practical Information

• Duration: between 1 hour and 1.5 hours.
• Price: around 30 €.
• With or without a 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 pub crawl. These walks pass through the oldest part of the city 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. On some nights, a headless woman haunts the cemetery.
• Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Robert Treat Paine, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Arguably Boston's most famous haunted spot.
• Beacon Hill, one of the city's original neighbourhoods. It's worth a visit to stroll along its cobblestone streets and admire the Federal-style townhouses. After sunset, your 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 travelling 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 guided by a guide.

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

The tour takes place in a minibus that simulates a tram 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 terrorised the city between 1962 and 1964. In just two years he killed 13 victims, all women.
• Granary Burying Ground, a cemetery intimately linked to the American Revolution. Here lie the graves of patriots Paul Revere and Samual Adams, among others.
• Copp's Hill Burying Ground, a cemetery that primarily houses merchants and artisans. It sits atop a hill and for this reason was used as an artillery point during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.

Practical information

• Duration: about 1.5 hours
• Price: between 40 € and 50 €.
• With or without a guide? These tours are accompanied by an expert guide

In general, these tours are designed for children over the age of 4. If you think your children are too 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 tend to like is the Tea Party Museum, which brings the famous tea party riot to life. For more information, I recommend you read the post about the 10 things to see and do in Boston with kids.

Because it's 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 28 degrees Celsius but the humidity increases the perception of heat.

Nobody knows the history of the city like the guides, who enliven each story with curious anecdotes and a touch of humour. 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 get as low as -5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is best to choose sweatshirts, heavy jumpers and waterproof shoes.

Here's one more tip. If you like basketball, baseball or football, avoid wearing clothes that don't belong to a Boston team! Boston takes sports very seriously. It wouldn't 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 Celtic games 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 rainy in all seasons, especially in early summer and autumn.

If you visit Boston in winter, this may happen more frequently. The Massachusetts metropolis gets a lot of snow, 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 great options.

I highly recommend you do it. In Boston, ghost tours are very popular and tickets sell out quickly. Once you have purchased your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email which you will need to present on the day of the tour. There is no need to print it out.

Yes, but not all the tours and not all the buildings. Let me explain better. Some places like King's Chapel are already closed and can't be visited, while others, like the Granary Burying Ground, usually guarantee entry.

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

Groups average 15 participants, 20 in the worst case. The aim of each agency 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.