The Ghosts & Gravestones tour departs from 200 Atlantic Avenue, located at the corner of State Street beside the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. Guests are required to check in with the gravedigger at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time.
The Ghosts & Gravestones tour in Boston is approximately 90 minutes long. This “frightseeing” experience combines a haunted trolley ride with two 20-minute walking portions through historic cemeteries. Because the tour frequently sells out, we require all guests to make advanced reservations to secure their seats.
The Ghosts & Gravestones tour is a hybrid experience that features both a themed trolley ride and guided walking segments. You will travel through the city’s most sordid streets aboard the Trolley of the Doomed before stepping off for two 20-minute walking tours. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes so you don’t become “dead on your feet.”
Children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the Ghosts & Gravestones tour due to loud noises and frightening content. The experience is officially rated PG-13 and is not intended for young children. We recommend parental guidance for children under 13 as the stories involve murder, mayhem, and the macabre.
Yes, the Ghosts & Gravestones tour operates on “dark and stormy nights” and will run in the rain. Tours are only cancelled if weather conditions prove to be too dangerous to proceed, in which case all reserved parties will be notified. We advise all guests to dress appropriately for the evening’s weather conditions.
Reasonable accommodations for all of our disabled guests will be made. Please call us at least 24 hours in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
Unfortunately, because our Ghosts & Gravestones vehicles do not have wheelchair lifts and a significant portion of our tour takes place in historic sites that do not have any accommodations for people with disabilities (as historic sites, they are exempt from such requirements), and include stairs, cobblestones, and other types of rough terrain, the tour is not recommended for guests who are unable to safely navigate such elements.
Guests are encouraged to have their cameras ready, as many visitors have reported capturing unusual sightings and orbs of light. While you may photograph the eerie burial grounds, we ask that you remain alert for paranormal activity during the walk. Many guests have discovered unexplained lights or shadowy figures in their photos after the tour concludes.
The tour provides exclusive nighttime access to two of Boston’s three oldest burying grounds, including Copp’s Hill, King’s Chapel, or the Granary Burying Ground. These cemeteries serve as the final resting places for some of America’s most famous—and infamous—colonists. Our tour is the only “frightseeing” adventure in the city with permission to enter these gates after dark.
The Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. It also houses the family of Benjamin Franklin and several Massachusetts Governors. Visitors often report feeling a chilling sensation or being watched while standing near the headstones of these prestigious American figures.
The Stranger’s Tomb at King’s Chapel Burying Ground is an edifice shrouded in mystery and home to numerous tales of unexplained phenomena. Historically, the bones within these grounds were even said to have served as “currency” for a man named Ephraim Littlefield. Legend says the restless souls within this tomb continue to inhabit the sacred ground to this day.
Yes, guests at the Omni Parker House frequently report sightings of the hotel’s founder, Harvey Parker, roaming the halls and walking through walls. Other reported paranormal activities include: Elevators that summon themselves to the 3rd floor, the smell of cigars in non-smoking areas, unexplained orbs of light and cold spots, and sightings of a bearded man at the foot of guests’ beds.
The Great Elm on the Boston Common was used for public hangings and cold-blooded executions until 1817. This area is considered one of the most haunted places in the city due to its history of tragedy. Rumors persist that the spirits of those who were executed—or those who witnessed the hangings—still linger near the site today.
The “Angel of Death” Jolly Jane refers to Jane Toppan, a nurse and serial killer who confessed to dozens of murders. On the tour, you will hear the terrifying accounts of her “medical” crimes, which she claimed gave her a thrill. Her story remains one of the most chilling chapters of Boston’s history of murder and mayhem.
Yes, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground in the North End is a featured stop where you will walk among the dead. Founded in 1659, it is the second oldest burial ground in Boston and the final resting place of Cotton Mather, who was famously involved in the Salem Witch Trials. It is known for its narrow pathways and picturesque, yet spooky, atmosphere.
Visitors to the Boston Massacre site and the victims’ graves report a chilling sensation and the feeling of a heavy, lingering energy. The five victims are buried in the Granary Burying Ground, where shadowy figures and mysterious sounds are frequently documented. This site serves as a somber reminder of the violent events that preceded the American Revolution.
The North End is considered a paranormal hotspot due to its ancient tunnels, secret corners, and the legendary Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. Tunnels dating back to the 1700s have been discovered beneath the streets, with no clear explanation of who built them. These narrow corridors and historic districts are believed to harbor the secrets of Boston’s most sordid past.
Frightseeing is a historical tour turned on its head, blending researched facts with haunted house-style moments and creative storytelling. Unlike a standard history tour, we focus on the darker side of the city, including grave-robbing, executions, and serial killers. We use costumed Gravedigger guides to create an immersive, suspenseful atmosphere that entertains while it educates.
The tour shares chilling details regarding colonial grave-robbing scandals, public tortures, and the practice of being buried alive. You will learn about the sordid practices that accompanied death in the 17th century and the “Day of Darkness” in 1780. These accounts reveal a side of Beantown that is far removed from the standard stories of freedom and revolution.
Boston is considered exceptionally haunted because it is one of the oldest cities in America, steeped in 400 years of violence and tragedy. From colonial executions on the Common to the crimes of the Boston Strangler, the city’s long history is filled with lost souls. Many believe the energy of these tragic events remains trapped in the city’s narrow streets and ancient cemeteries.