What is a ghost tour? What should you keep in mind before taking one? Should you bring anything with you when you go?
Most importantly, will you get to meet some real restless spirits while on the tour?
In this article, we answer some common questions about ghost tours to help you have the best paranormal experience possible.
What is a Ghost Tour?
A ghost tour is an organized event which allows participants to learn more about the haunted history of a particular location.
If you are a beginner ghost hunter (who doesn’t want to get too spooky just yet) or have young children in your group, the former is going to be a better choice for you.
However, if you’re ready for a hands-on ghost hunting experience, look for a tour with a paranormal investigation component.
What to Bring on a Ghost Tour
For most tours, all you’ll need is an open mind – and, in places like San Francisco, a warm jacket.
The organizers of paranormal investigation tours will usually offer additional ghost hunting equipment.
That can include EMF meters, infrared temperature detectors, dowsing rods, and bionic listening devices.
If you’ve got some of these tools at home, you can ask the tour company if you can bring them on your tour as well.
6 Reasons to Go on a Ghost Tour
1. Not all of them will scare your pants off.
Many people don’t realize that ghost tours can be incredibly versatile.
Some of these tours are actually fairly family-friendly – especially ones that focus on exploring history and lore rather than purposefully stirring up restless spirits.
If you are wondering if a particular tour is suitable for you and your group, don’t hesitate to contact the tour company and ask.
2. A new perspective on a popular destination.
A ghost tour offers an opportunity to see a popular tourist destination in a very different light.
For example, did you know that San Francisco’s City Hall is rumored haunted by at least three restless spirits?
3. A chance be a tourist in your own backyard.
You don’t have to go traveling to go on a ghost tour.
Chances are, your town or city has a few dark secrets you don’t know about.
Taking a local tour will let you experience your city in a completely different way.
(It might also scare you away from your favorite bar or park. Consider yourself warned.)
4. A wide range of choices – no matter where you are.
You don’t have to be in a large metropolis like San Francisco or New Orleans to go on a hunt for restless spirits.
You can find paranormal investigation tours in cities and towns all across the country.
Local historical societies often run these tours in small towns.
Check out their websites if you’re unsure if your town has one!
5. An insider look at the local culture.
The best haunted tours are led by experienced local guides who know the ins and outs of their city.
Their stories can give you a glimpse behind the curtain to provide unique insights into the history and culture of a particular city.
What to Expect from a Ghost Tour
Most ghost tours take place after sunset, so prepare for 1-2 hours of walking through the city after nightfall.
During the tour, you’ll visit some of the most mysterious locations in the city, as well as get a haunted history lesson of a lifetime.
Haunted tours have been known to stir up restless spirits, so you might experience strange sensations or hear inexplicable sounds during the tour.
A haunted tour that’s focused on investigating paranormal activity will provide a more immersive, hands-on experience.
Instead of simply taking a stroll through the city, you’ll learn the fundamentals of ghost hunting and explore some of the most haunted places using authentic paranormal investigation equipment.
The Haunt Experience
If you’ve been itching to go on a haunted tour, we’ve got the perfect thing for you!
Led by experienced San Francisco locals – Mary, Sebastian, and Iris – our Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour will show you a different side of our beloved city… One that you are not likely to forget anytime soon.
Ready to discover the dark side of San Francisco?