Amazing tour, our host Lily Winters was the best and made the experience both hilarious and factual!Victoria · United Kingdom · October 2025
Free 24-hour cancellation
Most tours 60–90 min
- 17+ toursWalking, trolley, cruise & pub crawl
- 60–90 minMost walking & trolley tours
- $21–$47Adult tickets
- Year-roundNightly, rain or shine
- Free cancelUp to 24h before
Why Boston Is the Most Credibly Haunted City in America
Boston is one of the best cities in America for a ghost tour because its haunted stories sit on top of real, documented history. Within a short walk of Boston Common and the Freedom Trail you can hear about Puritan executions, old burying grounds, grave-robbing, and one of the city's most famous haunted hotels — atmospheric evening walks with a strong dose of true crime and local legend.
Boston's edge is credibility. The city was founded in 1630, King's Chapel Burying Ground dates to the same year, and Boston Common — the country's oldest public park — served as an execution ground until 1817. Many stops tie to documented events: the Boston Massacre victims in Granary Burying Ground, Goody Glover hanged for witchcraft in 1688, four years before Salem, and the 1849 Parkman–Webster murder at Harvard. If you do one thing after dark in Boston, make it this.
Why Boston for a Ghost Tour
- Documented history, not invented lore
- Haunted sites clustered along the Freedom Trail
- Formats for families, couples, true-crime fans and 21+ groups
- Atmospheric and story-led, rarely jump-scare
- October peak — book ahead for Halloween dates
What a Boston Ghost Tour Typically Includes
- A licensed local guide or costumed host
- 60–90 minutes after dark (pub crawls 2–2.5 hours)
- Stops at historic burying grounds
- Stories of executions, murders and hauntings
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most tours
Ghosts & Gravestones Itinerary: 90 Minutes, 2 Burying Grounds, One Costumed Gravedigger
From Old Town Trolley stop #1 at Long Wharf to Copp's Hill and Granary Burying Grounds — how our top-pick "frightseeing" trolley works, stop by stop.
-
Meet at Long Wharf
Find Old Town Trolley stop #1 at the end of the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, 200 Atlantic Avenue. Check in early — the costumed 17th-century gravedigger host boards with you, and late arrivals can't always be held.
-
Roll Through the Boston Strangler's Streets
The trolley rumbles past downtown sites where murder and mayhem once unfolded, including streets the Boston Strangler is said to have prowled, your gravedigger guide narrating tales of the city's dead along the way.
-
Step Off at Copp's Hill Burying Ground
In the North End, walk among colonial graves at one of Boston's two oldest cemeteries, where British troops used the headstones for target practice during the Revolution — the bullet marks are still visible.
-
Walk Granary Burying Ground on Foot
Stand beside the graves of John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and the five Boston Massacre victims at the city's third-oldest burying ground, while your guide unpacks the history beneath your feet.
-
Re-Board and Finish at Long Wharf
Climb back aboard for the ride to the finish, roughly 90 minutes after you started, with a few last ghost stories before the trolley returns to stop #1 where you began.
Top Pick
Boston: 1.5-Hour Ghosts and Gravestones Tour
This is Boston's most-reviewed ghost tour — a theatrical "frightseeing" ride led by a costumed 17th-century gravedigger. You'll cover ground a walking tour can't, rolling past the Boston Strangler's old haunts before stepping off at two of the city's oldest burying grounds, Copp's Hill and Granary, where Hancock, Revere and the Boston Massacre victims lie. Why we pick it: it pairs the most social proof in Boston with free 24-hour cancellation and runs year-round.
- Round-trip on the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley
- A costumed, story-led tour guide
- Two on-foot burying-ground stops
- Roughly 90 minutes after dark
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Departs from Old Town Trolley stop #1, 200 Atlantic Avenue (Marriott Long Wharf). PG-13 — children under 6 are not permitted; ages 6–12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Boston's Best Ghost Trolley: Less Walking, More Theatre, Two Burying Grounds on Foot
Costumed host, covered ride, North End access and 650+ reviews — what makes the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley our top pick.
Most Boston ghost tours ask you to walk a full mile over cobblestones. The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley keeps the two burying-ground stops that matter while covering everything else from a covered seat — four reasons it tops a crowded field.
Frightseeing
A costumed gravedigger host
Your guide plays a 17th-century gravedigger, delivering Boston's grim history in character — the "hilarious and factual" balance reviewers keep calling out.
Comfort
Less walking, weatherproof
Cover more ground from a covered trolley — ideal for cold New England nights or anyone who'd rather not walk a full mile over uneven cobblestones.
Real access
Two burying grounds on foot
You still step off at Copp's Hill and Granary, standing beside graves and Revolutionary-era bullet marks that trolley-only and drive-by tours just pass.
Most reviewed
650+ traveller reviews
It's Boston's most-reviewed ghost product, rated 4.4 out of 5 — the closest thing to a sure thing in a field full of thinly-reviewed listings.
Four Centuries of Dark History: 1630 Founding, 1688 Witch Hanging, 1770 Massacre
King's Chapel, Boston Common and Granary Burying Ground — the documented dates behind the ghost stories.
- 1630Boston founded — predates Salem
- 1688Goody Glover hanged, the last "witch"
- 5Boston Massacre victims in Granary
- 1817Last public execution on the Common
Lantern Light, Cobblestones and Old Burying Grounds
Scroll or drag to browse — the streets, graves and gas lamps you'll pass after dark.
What's Included on a Boston Ghost Tour — and What's Not
Typical inclusions across walking, trolley and pub-crawl tours; always check each listing before you book.
Included
- A licensed local guide or costumed host
- 60–90 minutes after dark (pub crawls 2–2.5 hours)
- Stops at historic burying grounds
- Ghost stories and documented history
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on most tours
Not Included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and drinks (pub-crawl drinks vary by tour)
- Hotel pickup or drop-off
- Parking — downtown transit is recommended
- Indoor access or paranormal equipment
Why a Guided Ghost Tour Beats Reading the Plaques Yourself
Local guides, after-dark access and the stories behind the stones — four reasons a tour is worth it.
The full story
The stories aren't on the plaques
Burying-ground markers list names and dates. Guides supply the executions, grave-robbing and murders the stone never mentions — and flag which legends are disputed.
After dark
Boston feels different at night
The Freedom Trail you walked by day transforms after dark — empty brick lanes, gas lamps, narrow North End alleys and cold spots in the old cemeteries.
Stealth history
A history lesson in disguise
You absorb four centuries of colonial and Revolutionary history while being entertained — the real value most travel writers point to.
Your call
Pick your scare level
From all-ages walks to PG-13 trolleys to 21+ pub crawls, there's a format for families, couples, history lovers and true-crime fans alike.
Which Boston Ghost Tour Is Right for You in 2026?
Best for, walking, duration, age policy and price — the short answer for each format.
| Criterion | Walking tour | Trolley (top pick) | Pub crawl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-timers, value, atmosphere | Cold nights, less walking, theatre | Adults wanting a social night |
| Walking involved | ~1 mile over cobblestones | Mostly seated, 2 short stops | Between 3–4 taverns |
| Duration | 60–90 min | ~90 min | 2–2.5 hours |
| Age policy | Often all-ages | PG-13 (under 6 not allowed) | 21+ only |
| Adult price | ~$25–$35 | ~$47 | ~$29–$36 |
Short version: pick a walking tour for value and atmosphere, the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley for comfort and cold nights, and a pub crawl if you're 21+ and want a social evening over a history-first tour. If you want guaranteed paranormal activity, dislike walking on cobblestones, or prefer indoor museums, a ghost tour may not be your best night out.
What Travellers Say About Boston's Top-Pick Ghost Tour
Verbatim reviews from the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley — ★ 4.4 from 650+ verified GetYourGuide reviews.
The tour was absolutely perfect with a great combination of scary and history. The trolley and walking portions were evenly balanced which I liked. Petunia was an amazing tour guide.Cole · United States · November 2025
The two tour guides were very entertaining! Love me a haunted tour!Andrea · United States · November 2025
The tour was great! Our main guide was a delight and I really enjoyed her stories, especially the one about the developers of anesthesia.Dianna · United States · November 2025
Rating reflects 650+ verified GetYourGuide reviews as of June 2026. Reviews are quoted verbatim.
Boston Ghost Tour Logistics: Timing, Meeting Points, Weather, Age and Access
Duration, where tours meet, languages, accessibility, family policy and what to bring — what to know before the meeting point.
Duration & timing
Most tours run 60–90 minutes after dark; pub crawls 2–2.5 hours. October sells out, so book ahead. Tours run year-round, rain or shine.
Where tours meet
Downtown near the Freedom Trail — Boston Common, King's Chapel or Faneuil Hall. The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley departs Old Town Trolley stop #1, 200 Atlantic Avenue. Take the MBTA Green or Red Line to Park Street; downtown parking is costly.
Languages
Tours are guided in English. If you need another language, check the individual listing before booking.
Accessibility
Walking tours cover about a mile over cobblestones and uneven burying-ground paths. The trolley involves far less walking. Pub crawls visiting basement bars aren't ideal for limited mobility.
Family & age
Some walking tours are all-ages; the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is PG-13 (under 6 not allowed, 6–12 with an adult); pub crawls are 21+. Check each tour's policy before booking.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes and warm layers. New England nights get cold and windy — reviewers describe 32°F evenings even in autumn.
Boston Ghost Tours: Common Questions Answered
Worth it, scary, kid-friendly, how long and how much — the questions travellers ask most.
Are Boston ghost tours worth it?
Yes — especially if you like history, true crime, and old cemeteries. Boston's tours stand out because the stories sit on documented events: a witch hanged in 1688, the Boston Massacre victims in Granary Burying Ground, and a confirmed human-skin-bound book at the Athenaeum. You get an atmospheric evening walk and a genuine history lesson at once.
Are Boston ghost tours scary?
Most are atmospheric rather than terrifying — storytelling, dark history, and old burying grounds by lantern light, not haunted-house jump scares. Operators rate intensity from family-friendly to PG-13. Pub crawls lean adult and social; the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is theatrical frightseeing with a costumed gravedigger host.
Are Boston ghost tours suitable for kids?
Some are; some aren't. Several walking tours are all-ages, while the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is PG-13 — children under 6 aren't allowed and under-13s may find it intense, with ages 6 to 12 admitted alongside an adult. Pub crawls are strictly 21+. Check each tour's age policy before you book.
Which is best — a walking tour, trolley tour, or pub crawl?
A walking tour is the best value and the most atmospheric for first-timers, standing right beside the burying grounds. A trolley tour like Ghosts & Gravestones suits cold nights and travelers who want less walking and more theatre. A haunted pub crawl, 21+ and about two hours, is best for adults who want a social evening over a history-first tour.
When is the best time of year for a Boston ghost tour?
October is peak season and the most atmospheric, but evenings sell out — book well ahead. Tours run year-round, and winter delivers empty, eerie streets and snow-dusted headstones. Most tours operate nightly, rain or shine.
Are the ghost stories on Boston tours actually true?
The history is real; the hauntings are folklore. Boston's executions, the 1849 Parkman–Webster murder, the grave-robbing Spunker Club, and the Athenaeum's skin book are all documented. Guides present the ghost sightings themselves, such as Harvey Parker at the Omni Parker House, as reportedly and said to be — which is exactly why these tours feel credible rather than invented.
What will I see on a Boston ghost tour?
Depending on the route, you'll visit or pass Boston Common (a former execution ground), King's Chapel Burying Ground (the city's oldest, 1630), and Granary Burying Ground, where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and the Boston Massacre victims are buried. Many tours also feature the Omni Parker House and Copp's Hill Burying Ground.
How long do Boston ghost tours last?
Most walking and trolley tours run about 60 to 90 minutes. The Ghosts & Gravestones trolley is roughly 90 minutes with two on-foot burying-ground stops. Haunted pub crawls run longer, around 2 to 2.5 hours.
How much do Boston ghost tours cost?
Adult tickets run roughly $21 to $47, with most walking tours around $25 to $35, the Ghosts & Gravestones trolley near the top end, and pub crawls about $29 to $36. Prices vary by sales channel, so it's worth comparing operator-direct and reseller rates before you reserve.
Do I need to book a Boston ghost tour in advance?
Yes — especially in October and around Halloween, when evening times sell out fastest. Many platforms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so booking early costs you nothing if your plans change.
More Boston Ghost Tours by Style
Prefer to walk, drink, sail or head to Salem? Four more ways to spend an evening with Boston's dead.
On foot
Walking Ghost Tours
Stand right beside the burying grounds on a story-led lantern walk — about a mile through downtown's oldest, most haunted blocks. The best value and most atmospheric option for first-time visitors.
Featured: Death and Dying Walking Ghost Tour by Ghost City Tours · ★ 4.5 · From $35 Check availability 21+Haunted Pub Crawls
Colonial history, true ghost stories and drinks across 3–4 of Boston's most haunted historic taverns over about two hours. Best for adults who want a social evening over a history-first tour.
Featured: Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs by Ghost City Tours · ★ 4.5 (130+) · From $35 Check availability On the waterHarbor Ghost Cruise
Hear Boston's darkest harbor tales from the deck of a narrated evening cruise — a different angle on a city built on, and around, its dead.
Featured: Haunted Ghost Tour Cruise with Narrator by Classic Harbor Line · From $46 Check availability Day tripSalem from Boston
Pair Boston's hauntings with the witch-trial city up the coast. This semi-private day trip adds Salem and the Gothic Hammond Castle — a clearly separate add-on to your Boston evening.
Featured: Salem & Hammond Castle Semiprivate Day Trip · ★ 4.8 · From $180 Check availability