Haunted happenings aren’t just for Halloween. From theatrical walking tours and family-friendly canal boat rides to trolleys and truly terrifying experiences, Virginia’s capital city has a tour for anyone who enjoys a heaping helping of history with a side of frights. Many operate from spring through early November for devoted fans of haunts and spine-tingling storytelling.
A city as old as Richmond is bound to hold a haunted spot or two among its historic hallways, cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. Come along as we take you on a journey through the deepest and darkest secrets of the capital city.
Eerie Nights Ghost Tour
Eerie Nights Ghost Tour guides decked out in costumes and special effects makeup lead you around the city on this theatrical and funny storytelling tour. Relive 1800s or 1920s Richmond life as you learn about the history and paranormal activity statistics behind sites around the city.
This tour is about 90 minutes of walking. It takes place on Friday and Saturday nights from June through the first of November. All ages are welcome, but it is a theatrical type of experience, so you’ll want to take into consideration your child’s “scare level” before embarking.
- Tours meet on the Main Street side of the 17th street Farmers’ Market (100 N. 17th Street, Richmond, Virginia)
Ghouls Ghost Tour
A sister tour to the Eerie Nights Ghost Tour, the Ghouls Ghost Tour is a trolley tour narrated by a 1920s “Ghoul Guide.” This hour and 40-minute ride takes you to historic and haunted locations around downtown Richmond.
You’ll be able to step off the trolley at two sites to get a closer look … if you dare. This interactive experience is available from June through October. Private tours are also available by reservation and would make an excellent group or team-building activity.
- Tours meet on the Main Street side of the 17th street Farmers’ Market (100 N. 17th Street, Richmond, Virginia)
Richmond Ghosts: Richmond Ghosts Booze and Boos
Part of the U.S. Ghost Adventures family, Richmond Ghosts explores the haunted pubs and seedy side of the city with its haunted pub crawl. Visit Civil War hospitals and learn about the Red Light district scandals of the Shockoe Bottom area.
Pets are welcome, but two-legged guests must be 21 or older. Not interested in a tipsy tour? There is also a Haunted Cemetery and a Sinister Scares of Shockoe Bottom tour.
- This tour meets at JewFro (1721 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223)
Haunts of Richmond: Haunted Capitol Hill
Learn about Richmond’s haunted executive mansion, Civil War hospitals and the Church Hill Tunnel collapse as you depart from the historic Berkeley Hotel. This haunted tour is offered at various times on Friday and Saturday nights from May through October.
Haunts of Richmond also offers Church Hill Chillers, Shadows of Shockoe and Creepy Tales on Campus tours, which leave from various locations depending upon the tour.
“Eerie” Canal Tours
This family-friendly narrated tour only comes around once a year, usually on the weekend before Halloween. Glide along Richmond’s Kanawha Canal (surveyed and planned by George Washington himself) in a canal boat while listening to spooky tales of Richmond’s past.
Hosted by Venture Richmond, this 30-minute ride is $6 for adults and free for kids aged four and under. Tickets are only sold online. It’s recommended to purchase early.
- Tours leave every half hour from the Kanawha Canal Turning Basin (139 Virginia Street, Richmond, Virginia)
Ashland Haunted History Tours
Explore the railroad town of Ashland on fun and engaging haunted history tours with Ashland Haunted History Tours, the Spirits of Railroad Avenue experience re-tells the town’s dark past while walking alongside the tracks on a 60-minute tour. It’s available late spring through fall.
On the Stranger than Fiction tour, you’ll learn about the quirky, weird and unusual side of town through stories and tales on a 60-minute walking tour. It’s available spring through fall.
The Ghosts of Christmas Past tour is filled with scary and traditional holiday tales from the 19th century ghost stories. It lasts about 60 minutes and comes complete with Victorian-outfitted guides. This one is only available in December.
- Tours meet in front of the Red Vein Escape Room (108 Robinson Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005)
Discover some other spooky, surreal and unusual Richmond area haunt spots to check out on your own.
