6 Best Atlanta Ghost Tours

Atlanta is haunted—according to the experts—and we've heard stories of ghost sightings, with some people even claiming to have had paranormal experiences. If you want to enjoy the best tours in Atlanta, you need to book a spot to discover the spooky side of Georgia's capital.

In this post, you'll find a list of the most popular ghost tours and excursions, from paranormal sightings in churches, cemeteries and monuments to unexplained events in houses. And if that's not enough, I'll also leave you with a bonus list of spine-chilling locations that have made it to the screen in series such as Stranger Things and The Walking Dead.

Are you ready to have one of the most spine-tingling experiences in Atlanta? If your answer is yes, follow in the footsteps of ghosts and demons in the heart of the city. Learn about the myths and legends of Roswell, the city that, in addition to being obsessed with UFOs, has hundreds of apparitions and curiosities to its credit.

The number of ghosts and spirits residing around Roswell's town square is surprising, to say the least. The walls of the antebellum mansions that General Sherman never burned, the ravines with their ruined mills, the Founders' Cemetery where the remains of Roswell King and others rest.

The tour covers an easy 2-kilometre route and is as exciting as it is enlightening thanks to the guidance of active paranormal investigators.

From SyFy to Ghost Hunters International, celebrities and experts in the paranormal field certify these tours as some of the best in Atlanta. What are you waiting for?

Details of interest

• Price: from £20.
• Duration: 2.5 hours.
• Schedule: night-time.
• What the tour may include: active paranormal guide service.
• Transportation: not applicable.
• Pros: often gather around the Roswell Visitor Centre at 617 Atlanta St., Roswell, making the departure and arrival points quite convenient.
• Cons: The tour only includes the services of the guide. It is only available at night.

Atlanta is not just about haunted places, but also about the stories and traces that jump out at visitors on every tour. From an abandoned psychiatric hospital to a haunted house, to an evil doctor with corpses buried in his basement, there are many stories waiting to be discovered.

Start your tour at Babs Midtown, visiting a haunted house where the sickly atmosphere of its first inhabitants has prevented their souls from finding peace to this day. Tour a Goodwill Donation Centre where dolls and statues deserve their place in the universe of The Conjuring.

Investigate paranormal activity at the Stone Summit fitness and climbing centre, discover the hidden side of the Fox Theatre, Saint Mark's Church and Piedmont Avenue, and half a dozen other spine-chilling locations that mark the history of ghosts in the capital of Georgia.

These tours usually come in two versions. The first is 75 minutes long and covers the most notable sites. A second, extended version adds Victorian ghosts, a series of four more modern locations, and the victims of the plane crash that have continued to appear at the Biltmore Ballrooms since 1970.

Immerse yourself in the city's strange energy and take home some spine-tingling stories.

Details of interest

• Price: from £30.
• Duration: 75-120 minutes.
• Schedule: night
• What the tour may include: expert guide service, in some cases with relatives of the ghosts.
• Transportation: Not applicable.
• Pros: Both versions of this type of tour are convenient, and the combination of ghosts from the past with some more recent "entities" adds a different energy to this type of excursion.
• Cons: often only offered during the high season, between July and October after Halloween. Only available at night.

Stories of hauntings, ghosts, and other paranormal entities are common in Atlanta, but these beings are concentrated mainly in Kennesaw House.

With its 700 ghosts, the Marietta History Centre ranks as the most haunted site in Cobb County, Atlanta, and this tour will allow you to discover this crown jewel alongside impressive sites such as Marietta's Historic Square, the City Cemetery, the Confederate Cemetery and the National Cemetery.

This type of guided tour through downtown Marietta is usually led by expert researchers and mediums and guided by lantern light for 90 minutes. Think you know the city? What if I told you that you could dine in a former morgue that has been restored to become one of Marietta's most prestigious restaurants? What if I told you that a visit to the Marietta Cobb Art Museum often includes a visit from the ghost of Katherine?

As in any community that hosts this type of spectacle, some residents decide never to leave. This is believed to have happened with Civil War soldiers, as well as residents of the stately homes. These are just some of the curiosities of Marietta's most haunted building, which is why its details have led the city to appear on several history programmes and in countless specialised books.

Listen to stories of recent sightings and interactions told by employees of various establishments in the square and see if you have unknowingly rubbed shoulders with the supernatural. This is a paradise for fans of the supernatural.

Details of interest

• Price: from £20.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• What the tour may include: guide with paranormal investigators. Tram ride.
• Transportation: on foot or by tram.
• Pros: These tours are offered on foot and by tram through historic Marietta, so you can choose an experience tailored to your preferences for ghost sightings and interactions. Unlike other tours that are only offered on Halloween, you can participate in these tours all year round.
• Cons: A minimum of 4 participants is required for the tours, and the experience may be cancelled up to 3-4 hours before the appointment. Only available at night.

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Atlanta: Guided tour of the spirits of Oakland

Better known as Capturing the Spirit of Oakland, the guided tour of the spirits of Oakland is one of the fun things to do in Atlanta in autumn.

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland guided tours are a Halloween tradition designed to enlighten the resident spirits of the cemetery rather than scare them, bringing to life the stories of some of Oakland Cemetery's most notable and famous residents.

A costumed guide leads you through the beautiful Victorian gardens, illuminated for the occasion, where you learn their fascinating stories amid musical performances, craft beer and cocktails. Best of all, you can come in costume, making it ideal for your list of things to do with kids in Atlanta.

During the 75-minute tour, you'll learn about the history and charm of Oakland Cemetery in a new and exciting way. The walking distance is approximately one and a half kilometres. Every 15 minutes, a new group begins the Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tour during the last two weeks of October.

Details of interest

• Price: from £25.
• Duration: 75 minutes.
• What the tour may include: costumed guide. Admission to musical performances, plays and other entertainment activities.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Pros: it takes place during the day and at night, unlike most ghost tours. The dynamic is different; the aim is not to scare participants but to honour the spirits of the cemetery and its surroundings. It offers a different perspective on this type of tour, making it perfect for families while preserving the atmosphere of the season.
• Cons: it is an autumn activity, so it is not available the rest of the year.

If you've ever wanted to see the spookiest side of cinema, the Fox Theatre in Atlanta has everything you need on this night-time ghost tour.

This is one of the places highlighted by professional ghost hunters and mediums, and it's not just a legend. This tour has earned a place of honour among the things to do in Atlanta at night thanks to the many testimonials from people who claim to have seen ghosts or felt their presence at the Fox... Would you like to join this group of witnesses?

During the 60-minute ghost tour of the Fox Theatre, participants explore spaces haunted by those who loved the theatre and the land on which it stands so much that they have refused to leave. Brave visitors walk through the historic theatre to learn about more than 90 years of ghost sightings and unexplained events.

Children aged 10 and older are welcome to join the tour and listen to the stories of Mr. and Mrs. Fox, along with other characters from the Fox's past, while enjoying a cocktail in the Marquee Club. Keep your eyes and ears open, and you may feel the presence of spirits and other entities that roam the premises. This is a tour of great distinction.

Details of interest

• Price: from £50.
• Duration: 60 minutes.
• What the tour may include: expert guide service, access to the Marquee Club, seasonal cocktails, appetisers and dessert at an exclusive stop during the tour.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Pros: This is a ghost tour for VIP customers. The evening is exquisite and, according to experts, ghost sightings are highly likely.
• Cons: it is one of the most expensive tours of its kind, however, its combos include food and drinks, which make up for the cost.

Every year, the Fernbank Museum presents its Halloween exhibition at an event called Fernbank Halloween, Woodland Spirits, where adults and children discover ghosts lurking in the shadows of the forest.

The experience takes visitors through the curious confines of literature by authors such as Harry Potter and The Wizard of Oz, among others. The intention is to evoke mystery, adventure and imagination during the Halloween season through commissioned sculptures that change the atmosphere of the 263,000 square metre park.

The Fernbank Science Centre is considered one of the best children's museums in Atlanta, and the benefits of this event begin upon arrival, as admission is included in the Atlanta City Pass, one of the many advantages offered by this pass.

Details of interest

• Price: from £25.
• Duration: all day during the Halloween season (the week of 31 October).
• What the tour may include: a walk through the different areas of the park, such as the rainforest, the dinosaur plaza and the science lab.
• Transport: on foot
• Pros: the pass allows you to enjoy a fun day out where children can have fun while learning about science and history in a perfect Halloween atmosphere.
• Cons: this is not a ghost tour with paranormal events; the intention here is to have a good time with the family.

The spooky reputation of certain areas in Atlanta precedes it and gives rise to the excursions we saw earlier. Continuing with the theme of legends, myths and apparitions in the capital of Georgia, some Hollywood productions found their settings in Atlanta. These are places that make your hair stand on end and where you can feel a supernatural atmosphere, such as:

The Stranger Things film set tour

Stranger Things is a Netflix series with a cult following. The production company chose Atlanta to recreate the macabre atmosphere of the 1980s, which was so appropriate for the series.

As the name suggests, strange things happen in this place, and if you're looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon, this private tour of the Stranger Things filming locations will allow you to see some of the best scenes while listening to interesting facts, learning the secrets of the place and finding out everything there is to know about Hawkins Middle School and the iconic houses during a 3-hour excursion.

The Walking Dead Tour in Atlanta

Now you can discover the real locations where the series was filmed! This The Walking Dead Tour in Atlanta takes place in the Senoia region, better known in the series as Woodbury. You'll also visit the places where the scenes from Alexandria were filmed, where the protagonists settle throughout the series, and you'll even have the opportunity to choose your prop weapon.

This guided tour lasts about 2 hours and everything is set up for a Halloween zombie experience.

• Wear comfortable shoes, as most tours are on foot and distances can be long. The more comfortable you are, the better.
• Confirm your tours, as unlike other excursions, ghost experiences are usually offered for a minimum number of participants, depending on the operator you book with.
• If you are travelling with children, confirm whether your little ones can participate in the chosen excursion.
• When booking ghost tours in Atlanta, bear in mind that most take place at night and usually last between 75 and 90 minutes.