3 Best Ghost and Mystery Tours in Boston

You don't need to go to a museum to learn about history. Boston's ghost tours are perfect for immersing yourself in the city's past while discovering its hidden side and even getting a little spooked.

When people ask me what to see and do in Boston, I always recommend these tours. What's more, they're perfect for any time of year, although there's no denying that autumn, with its gloomier light, is perhaps the best time to experience the atmosphere.

The city of Massachusetts is known for its spirits. A large number of ghosts are trapped within its perimeter, hiding in the following buildings (among others):

• Omni Parker House, the hotel frequented by spirits. Strange noises and mysterious apparitions have frightened more than one guest. If you dare, you can book a room and find out for yourself.
• Granary Burying Ground, a cemetery where the city's most illustrious citizens are laid to rest. Some come out for a stroll at night, the most famous being James Otis Jr., a lawyer who died during a bar fight. If you want to learn more about the city's past, I recommend reading the post about :::link|text=history tours in Boston|element=sc-30-1348:::
• Massachusetts State House, the state capitol. Several witnesses swear they have seen a ghost in the corridors
• Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States. Pirates were executed here, and the land 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 on a small bus called a trolley. If you don't want to walk too much, this is the option for you.

Practical information

• Duration: between 1 hour and 1 hour and a half
• Price: around £25
• With or without a guide? There are two options for this tour: one with a guide and one without. In the latter case, tourist agencies provide customers with an audio guide.

There's nothing better than a night-time tour with a few stops at pubs. These walks take you through the oldest part of the city and stop at the foot of haunted buildings. The list below shows you the places haunted by spirits:

• 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. Some nights, a headless woman roams the graveyard.
• Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Robert Treat Paine, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. It is possibly the most famous haunted place in Boston.
• Beacon Hill, one of the city's original neighbourhoods. It's worth taking a stroll through its cobbled streets to admire the Federal-style townhouses. After sunset, your guide will take you to the Hotel Liberty, the former Charles Street Jail. Its most famous guest was a German submarine captain captured in battle
• Old City Hall, the seat of the city council from 1865 to 1969. This historic building hides a few secrets...

The total price includes drinks (three or four) and you will usually return home with a small gift: a can cooler. If you are travelling to Boston in winter, be sure to pack warm clothes.

Practical information

• Duration: between 2 and 3 hours
• Price: around £25
• With or without a guide? These city tours are conducted with a guide.

King's Chapel

This route will take you to the most haunted places in the 'Athens of America' (one of its nicknames). During the tour, you will hear spine-chilling stories and anecdotes about gravediggers and grave robbers.

The tour is conducted in a minibus that simulates a tram and the price includes an expert guide. These tours usually visit the following places:

• The streets of the "Boston Strangler", one of the most famous serial killers in the United States. 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 closely linked to the American Revolution. Here you will find the graves of patriots Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, among others.
• Copp's Hill Burying Ground, a cemetery that mainly houses merchants and artisans. It is located on top of a hill and for this reason was used as an artillery point during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.

Practical information

• Duration: approximately 1 hour and a half
• Price: between £35 and £45
• With or without a guide: these tours include an expert guide

In general, these tours are designed for children over the age of 4. If you think your children are very sensitive and might get scared, there are other options that they are sure to enjoy. The Boston Children's Museum is a highly recommended option.

Another option that kids usually enjoy is the Tea Party Museum, which brings the famous tea riot back to life. For more information, I recommend reading the post on 10 things to see and do in Boston with children.

Because it's the best way to discover the city's history in a fun way. Plus, if you're travelling to Boston in July, the hottest month of the year, it can be a good way to escape the heat. During this month, temperatures reach 28ºC, but the humidity makes it feel even hotter.

No one knows the history of the city like the guides, who enliven each story with interesting anecdotes and a touch of humour. You could search for each story on your own and recreate an urban itinerary, but it wouldn't be the same. It's also the perfect option if you're only in Boston for one day.

First of all, keep in mind that these are night-time tours and temperatures drop sharply after sunset. In winter and at night, temperatures can easily reach -5ºC. Therefore, it is best to wear sweatshirts, heavy jumpers and waterproof shoes.

Here's one more tip. If you like basketball, baseball or American football, avoid wearing clothes that aren't from a Boston team! They take sports very seriously in this city. It wouldn't be pleasant to walk into a pub wearing a Lakers T-shirt or a Yankees sweatshirt.

By the way, if you visit Boston in October, you can see the first NBA games live, including the Celtics.

Of course! The tours will only be cancelled in the event of severe storms. The climate in New England is particularly humid and it rains in all seasons, especially in early summer and autumn.

If you visit Boston in winter, this could happen more often. It snows heavily in the Massachusetts metropolis, especially in January. If you don't want to take any chances, I recommend looking for an indoor activity. The aquarium or the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston are great options.

I strongly recommend that you do. Ghost tours are very popular in Boston and tickets sell out quickly. Once you have purchased your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email that you must present on the day of the tour. You do not need to print it out.

Yes, but not all tours and not all buildings. Let me explain. Places such as King's Chapel are already closed and cannot be visited, while others, such as the Granary Burying Ground cemetery, usually guarantee entry.

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

Groups have an average of 15 participants, 20 in the worst case. The goal of each agency is to ensure a pleasant experience, and this is very difficult to achieve with large groups. If you would like a private tour, please mention this to the agency before booking your tickets.