On a cool October evening, a crowd gathered beneath the full moon in Washington, D.C. These Midwestern tourists awaited Anna Surratt, daughter of Mary Surratt, who was executed for her role in Lincoln’s assassination. Emerging from the shadows, Surratt appeared in a hooded cloak, carrying a lantern to guide them around haunted Capitol Hill sites.
Portrayed by actress Victoria Sova, Surratt shared grim tales of deaths tied to America’s most historic locations. The ghost tour offered an eerie twist on Halloween’s thrill-seeking tradition, with stories of restless spirits like Abraham Lincoln, who’s been seen wandering the White House, and his son Willie, who died of typhoid there in 1862. Visitors to the Capitol have reported hearing John Quincy Adams’ ghost shouting “No!” after his fatal stroke. A spectral feline known as Demon Cat also haunts the Capitol’s basement.
Sova shared her own Halloween encounter with the cat, its glowing green eyes flashing as it darted toward the Supreme Court. Tour guides like Sova believe these tours do more than spook—they showcase hidden local history and attract tourists to lesser-known sites. While a ghost sighting isn’t guaranteed, guides promise guests a night of chills and storytelling.
“Whoever dies on the hill, stays on the hill,” Sova warned her group one evening, hinting at Capitol Hill’s lingering spirits.
The Rise of Ghost Tours in America
Paranormal tourism taps into America’s love for the eerie, says Rachael Ironside, a Robert Gordon University professor who studies dark tourism. She links its roots to the 19th-century spiritualist movement, which popularized séances and mediums. This fascination spurred early paranormal research and, later, ghost tours.
Supernatural-themed TV shows like “Ghost Hunters” fueled ghost tour growth in the 2000s, says Frankie Harris, founder of Amerighost Tours. In Nashville, he faced early challenges explaining his business. Once, police questioned him for telling ghost stories outside a church. Over 20 years, ghost tours expanded to new cities, including Louisville and Washington, D.C.
“Ghost tour enthusiasts make it a hobby, finding them in every city they visit,” Harris said.
In Nashville, actors in Victorian garb lead guests to haunted spots like the Ryman Auditorium, home to the ghost of Hank Williams Sr. Louisville’s tours spotlight poltergeists like the Lady in Blue at the historic Seelbach Hotel. Harris calls ghost tours “sneaky history tours” that weave spooky stories with local history.
The Competitive World of Paranormal Tourism
Paranormal tourism has become a multimillion-dollar industry, helping fund renovations at historic sites like old hospitals and prisons. A 2020 Cornell Hospitality Quarterly study highlighted its financial impact on cities.
Salem, Massachusetts, has seen fierce competition since Spellbound Tours’ Mike Vitka began his career in 2000. At the time, he had only one rival tour. Today, Salem’s ghost tours exceed 80 operators, with over a million tourists visiting annually.
“Salem went from a Boston side trip to a destination vacation spot,” Vitka said.
Vitka’s tours revisit Salem’s witch trials, where 200 people faced accusations and 20 were executed. His tales also highlight serial killers and ghosts from his personal experiences. He’s not alone in facing industry challenges. Vitka and Harris deal with competition from large chains and story theft by other operators.
“We focus on our guests, not the competition,” Harris said, acknowledging the rivalries and legal disputes that exist.
Navigating History’s Darker Side
Tour guides strive to keep stories authentic, though Ironside warns that ghost tour accuracy varies. Some tours, especially those at plantations, risk distorting history for entertainment. However, thoughtful storytelling can amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
Vitka noted that some locals resist Salem’s history due to its violent past and tourist crowds. But he believes sharing these stories helps people confront and learn from history’s darker moments.
Who Attends Ghost Tours?
Unlike haunted houses or horror movies, ghost tours appeal to a broader audience, including history buffs, families, and skeptics. True crime enthusiasts and paranormal believers are also drawn to the tours’ blend of fright and fact.
For some, these tours have a spiritual aspect. Lopaka Kapanui, who runs Mysteries of Hawaii, first connected with ghost tours in the 1990s. He saw links to his mother’s spiritual teachings. Today, he ends each tour with a prayer for guests’ protection.
“My favorite part is watching families hold hands as they pray,” Kapanui said.
Will You See a Ghost on Tour?
Many guides entered the business after experiencing the paranormal themselves. But whether you’ll see a ghost on tour is uncertain. Kapanui admits he’s seen spirits, including the deceased relatives of guests.
“It’s rare, but it happens,” he noted.
A 2023 IPSOS poll found that 39% of respondents believe in ghosts, while 25% claim to have seen or sensed one. Ironside believes the thrill of ghost tours lies in the possibility of experiencing the unexplained.
At the U.S. Capitol, certain marble steps have a reputation for being oddly slippery. Reporters have slipped on them, and Sova linked it to the 1890 shooting of William P. Taulbee. Taulbee, a former congressman, was shot after a feud with journalist Charles Kincaid.
“With so much bloodshed in this marble city,” Sova said, “you wonder how much of it is soaked in history and tragedy.”