8 Ghost Walks to Explore VA’s Haunted Historic Sites and More

Virginia is a great place to be during spooky season. With centuries of history, it has plenty of legends and myths spread throughout its historic sites, cemeteries, and towns. 

If you’re looking to explore Virginia’s spooky past, consider going on one of these eight ghost walks and trails. No matter which one you choose, you’ll surely find yourself in the Halloween spirit.

Witches, Ghost, Murder and Mayhem Tour

Location: Fredericksburg

Dates: Now through Nov. 11

Olde Towne Carriages offers ghoulish horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown Fredericksburg with a focus on witches, ghosts, thieves, murder, and mayhem. “Fredericksburg is one of the most haunted cities in the country,” the company’s site reads. “It is also a mecca for clairvoyant individuals.” 

Tour highlights include the folklore of the ghost of Chatham, the ghost of Fielding Lewis, the woman in white, and demons in dark corners. 

The 60-minute tours are either public, which costs $30 for adults and $15 for children, or private, with a carriage that carries six costing $95-$135.

Alexandria’s Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour

Location: Alexandria

Dates: Year-round

Alexandria Colonial Tours has been offering tours of Alexandria’s haunted past since 1985. “Our ghost and graveyard tour is led in lantern light by a costumed guide and takes you on a journey through history,” the company’s website reads.

The tours explore the city’s historic district via two routes: North and South, both of which are an hour in length and cover six blocks. They feature ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, tales of romance, and angry ghosts looking for revenge. 

Tickets start at $15 for adults and include various discounts for children, seniors, and military/law enforcement.

Haunts of Richmond

Location: Richmond

Dates: Year-round 

Photo courtesy of Haunts of Richmond

Haunts of Richmond helps thrill seekers explore the dark side of Virginia’s capital city. “After the museums close and the sun goes down, Richmond’s spirits rise,” the website reads. 

Six tours are offered as well as tuk-tuk tours, dinners and pub hops (all of which are haunted, of course).

Perhaps the most obvious place to start when in search of the spooky in Richmond would be a tour of Capitol Hill. According to the description, “Richmond’s Capitol Hill hosts more than just elected officials and security guards amidst its hallowed halls, but also many spirits from beyond the veil.”

Most of the tours are 75-90 minutes in duration and are around 1 mile in length. Online tickets start at $21.95.

The Original Ghost Tour

Location: Williamsburg 

Dates: Year-round

Photo courtesy of The Original Ghost Tour

The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg is a 90-minute walking tour through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg that offers “hidden secrets about strange and otherworldly experiences.” 

The candlelit walks are guided by expert storytellers. Tourgoers are encouraged to bring cameras, given the fact that paranormal entities are believed to often produce light phenomena only seen in photographs. The website notes that many who go on the tours capture images of light orbs and shapes and images that resemble people. 

Tickets for the 8 p.m. tours are $19 per person. 

Ghosts of Virginia Beach

Location: Virginia Beach

Dates: Year-round

Photo courtesy of Ghosts of Virginia Beach

Histories & Haunts has been offering its Ghosts of Virginia Beach walk since 2002. It’s run by local historian and author, Al Chewning. “As a friendly ‘scaryteller’ he has entertained audiences of all ages with stories of the city’s historic beginnings and of the spirits who seem to linger on here,” according to the website. 

Tours are offered by reservation only, with availability between 10 a.m.-9 p.m. A tour for a group of five will cost $50. Check out this video to get a feel for what the ghost walk is like.

Haunted Norfolk Tour

Location: Norfolk

Dates: Year-round 

Photo courtesy of Norfolk Tour Company

The Haunted Norfolk Tour explores the otherworldly history of downtown Norfolk. “From ghost stories and real-life tragedies, to experiments from another dimension—our ghost tours will have your mind crawling the depths of Norfolk and exploring all of its spooky charm,” organizers wrote on the website.

Keep in mind that the themes of the tour are adult in nature. Tickets for the 1.7-mile tour, which departs at 7:30 p.m., are $25. 

Olde Towne Portsmouth Ghost Walk

Location: Portsmouth

Date: Friday, Oct. 27

The Olde Towne Portsmouth Ghost Walk allows participants to hear from the ghosts themselves about their tales of love, loss, murder, and mayhem. “At each haunted house visitors hear costumed actors retell the legends of ghostly visitations and things that go bump in the night,” organizers wrote. 

The walk will take place in Olde Towne Portsmouth, a 20-block area with 500 buildings that is included on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The family-friendly 60-minute tours will run from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Historic Fincastle Ghost Walk

Location: Fincastle

Dates: Friday, Oct. 27-Saturday, Oct. 28

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Vance

The Historic Fincastle Ghost Walk explores the shadowy streets of Fincastle, a town that in its 250+ years has collected enough history to harbor plenty of ghosts. “We’ll share spooky stories highlighting local legends and lore as we transport you back to a time when the nights were darker, and the mountains wilder and more dangerous,” the website reads. “Highlights of the evening include a walk through the cemetery, a peek inside the Early Cabin, and lots of great stories to keep you entertained.” 

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children. The family-friendly tours last approximately 80 minutes.