Galveston, Texas is considered to be one of the most haunted places in the United States. So strong is this belief, that the city has even developed its own unique ghost culture. Believers in the paranormal have plenty of supernatural attractions open to them when they make a trip to the barrier island settlement off the coast of Houston, Texas. What makes it such a scary city is hard to say – the city’s history only dates back to the 19th century – but you’re guaranteed to find an excellent haunted tour or ghost-spotting excursion during your time in Galveston.
Tours of the paranormal variety are common in Galveston as travelers flock to the city in the hope of witnessing the glowing orbs, ghoulish apparitions and unusual encounters for themselves. And naturally plenty of tour operators have obliged this demand with a slew of excellent tours. Here are five of the best, taking into account factors like the value for money, previous guest reviews and the sheer level of macabre with which you’ll be presented during the experience.
FROM $10/per person
Alight in Galveston and expect a fright at the litany of haunted goings on this city has seen in its years. This 90-minute walking tour explores the island’s history of murder, pirates, suicide and cannibalism, and keep an eye out for the ghosts that such grizzly acts have undoubtedly left behind. You’ll pass the gilded mansions and haunted nooks of Galveston in search of the truth, and perhaps have a few unexpected surprises along the way. This tour runs at least twice daily, with a third, later tour running at 10pm on weekends.
From $13/ per person
Another popular and excellent value ghost tour is this history-focused walk through the streets of old Galveston. Your guide will unfurl over 150 years of the city’s history. It’s a history that is inextricably linked to the paranormal, packed to the brim with unusual goings on, and filled with secrets that need your help to investigate. You will get to pass by the city’s most haunted properties, learning about the ghosts that have reached almost celebrity status in these parts, like Betty Brown, holding her fan and dressed in turquoise, ready for a ball that will never come. Tours last 90 minutes.
From $13/ per person
Al’s is one of the most popular tours not only in Galveston, but in this part of Texas too. Join your experienced guide, who has led hundreds of ghost tours through the haunted streets of Galveston, to unpack the myths, spooky deeds and infamous hauntings of the city. The aim of this small-group walking tour (capped at a maximum of 15 people) is to provide guests with a unique experience that is different to your usual ghost tour. And there’s only one way to find out what that may entail.
From $25/ per person
For those who would much prefer to take a ghost tour that involves less walking and more comfort, there’s the Galveston ghost bus. Designed to help you get to the haunted sites that are further afield than those accessible on the usual walking tours, you’ll also be able to hear stories of real-life encounters with ghosts through the on-board multimedia system. Keep an eye out for a mysterious floating orb along the way, you never know what you might see. This tour lasts an hour and departs daily, with multiple departures on weekends. The bus is wheelchair accessible.
From $25/ per person
Galveston has numerous cemeteries. Naturally, the resting places of the dead are a place of great reverence, but the occasional haunting too. Much can be learned about the city’s tumultuous history in its cemeteries. With your guide, you’ll hear all about the Great Storm and a yellow fever epidemic that took many lives too soon. You’ll also learn to understand the symbolism that can be found all over the cemetery. In all, you will visit five separate cemeteries as part of this 90-minute walking tour. There are daily departures at 9pm.