Alexandria can be an idyllic town by day, yet frightening at night when its cobblestone streets come alive with spirits and unscrupulous deceits.
Unveil the mysterious history of Alexandria during this 2.5-hour tour led by a costumed guide. Walk down historic alleyways while hearing terrifying tales from your guide as you stop at pubs for refreshments.
Ghostly apparitions
As one of America’s oldest cities, Alexandria has seen many battles and human drama. Its long and storied past has left behind a legacy of ghostly apparitions, which make for an engaging ghost tour experience. Alexandria also served as an essential hub for trade and exploration over its long history, providing vital ports for tobacco, grains, and cotton importation and being a critical supply route for slaves and other goods.
It was no surprise that ghostly figures would emerge in such a blood-soaked town as Old Town was once covered in blood-splattered streets and heard the moans of dying soldiers wailing for mercy as they lay dying in their trenches. Now, it has an idyllic facade, but underneath lies its darker history.
Horror fans might enjoy taking a ghost tour in Alexandria. Experienced guides lead these tours and share stories that are guaranteed to send chills up your spine; guides dress in colonial-era clothing while walking tours last about 90 minutes; there are various tours available; some even feature EMF ghost-hunting devices!
Candlelight tours of Carlyle House Ghost Tour can also provide an engaging experience. Built shortly after Alexandria was first settled, it remains one of the most haunted locations. Along this tour, you’ll hear tales of murder and mayhem that have happened here over time.
At Gadsby Tavern, many visitors have reported witnessing a ghostly presence known as the Female Stranger. Reportedly tugging at people’s clothing without their knowledge and playing tricks with ghosts of dead children, there are more horror tales shared by tour guides as well.
Carlyle House Ghosts are just one of the many ghostly spirits who haunt Alexandria’s streets and historic buildings, some of them even being reported by visitors today! Other spirits from Alexandria’s Revolutionary War era haunted buildings may even provide evidence about their deaths to tell visitors.
Blood-soaked bricks
Alexandria offers beautiful colonial streets and historic buildings to relax in, yet it also contains spine-chilling tales of dark history and depravity that leave this sleepy town with chilling stories of doom and decay. Alexandria’s rich past has left its mark through haunted locations, including hotels and taverns – visitors who take the time to investigate these spaces will find that they’re filled with supernatural energy!
US Ghost Adventures’ tour to Alexandria’s most haunted locations allows visitors to witness some of its most unnerving landmarks – Gadsby’s Tavern is one such landmark, where spirits still haunt its walls; additional haunted sites may include Wilkes Tunnel (used during the Civil War as a railway terminal), Gadsby’s Tavern, Gadsby’s Tavern Cemetery, and Wilkes Tunnel are among other haunted spots that visitors will experience during this visit.
After World War II ended, the tunnel was used as a railroad stop; many believe that several spirits still roam its hallowed halls today. Situated at the heart of downtown Alexandria, this must-see spot for history buffs should also include a nearby haunted Old Town, where ghostly visitors still roam around at night!
A region’s bloody history makes it the ideal location for horror movies. The town has witnessed plenty of death and destruction during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars; its historic buildings are often covered in blood, and piles of human limbs can often be seen at nightfall. There is much darkness here – not for the faint of heart!
Nightly Spirits provides ghost tours that offer a thrilling, spine-chilling experience, taking place in historic pubs where guides in colonial or pirate costumes share scary tales about local pub legends. Two-hour tours include drinks, but it is best not to bring children, as this adventure is rated R and may contain adult themes and harsh language. Tickets for these tours can be bought online.
Distressing tales
Alexandria, a historic Virginia city steeped in history, boasts many ghostly sightings that may surprise. Take an Alexandria ghost tour to uncover its sinister side! From early native inhabitants and John Smith through Revolutionary and Civil Wars battles and haunted colonial homes as well as cemeteries frequented by founding fathers, hauntings can be found throughout this colonial city that borders Washington D.C. The streets and cobblestone alleyways feature stately federal homes, venerable cemeteries, and taverns frequented by founding fathers alike!
At Alexandria Colonial Tours’ original ghost and graveyard tour, guests follow a colonial attire guided by lantern light for an hour-long stroll across six blocks in the historic Old Town district, accompanied by stories of romance, murder, and revenge along the way. Additionally, Alexandria Colonial Tours offers special haunted holiday tours during December.
US Ghost Adventures’ Alexandria ghost tour offers another intriguing option. This 90-minute excursion explores Alexandria’s dark past while also sharing stories of spirits who have appeared to unwary visitors.
Gadsby’s Tavern should be on any Alexandria ghost tour itinerary. One of its chilling tales involves an 18th-century couple killed during their tragic love story; he never revealed her name until one night, she was climbing to her room when a kerosene lamp fell onto her dress and ignited it, leading to their tragic demise – their spirits can still be found at this tavern today.
Both tours should be suitable for most visitors, although children under ten may find them disturbing. A tour guide can adapt their narrative accordingly in order to make things less scary for your kids.
Frights and Pints is an adult-oriented ghost tour explicitly designed for adults. Led by a costumed guide who shares scary ghost stories while visiting bars and pubs around Old Town, it offers guests an enjoyable way to take in Alexandria’s small-town atmosphere while sampling local beer or beverages and listening to tales of ghostly happenings. Guests are encouraged to sample as much local beer or drinks as possible while listening to these creepy tales!
The dark side of American history
The “dark side of American history” is an often overlooked aspect of our nation that should not be dismissed or downplayed. This includes slavery and other racial issues which have had profound impacts on American culture. Recognizing our past is essential in order to move forward, so these dark chapters of history should be discussed openly within schools so children gain a complete picture of our history.
Alexandria offers visitors an exciting chance to uncover its dark history during an hour-long ghost tour through Old Town. Along the route are some of the city’s most haunted spots where stories about Alexandria’s blood-soaked past and haunted present will unfold.
Ghost tours offer knowledgeable and engaging guides who make for an immersive experience – many participants have reported spine-tingling moments! In addition to telling ghostly tales, these tours also paint a vivid picture of city history and any tragic incidents that have transpired therein.
Alexandria was an essential port in the 1800s and played an integral role in the Civil War. Occupied by Union Army troops during this era, Alexandria helped avoid much of the damage in other parts of Virginia. Furthermore, it served as a center for slavery, as some of its most notorious incidents took place here.
Alexandria is home to many legends and haunted sites, including Ramsay House Visitors Center – built on what was believed to be the site of an 18th-century love tragedy – where its original owner may appear from time to time in certain rooms of the visitor’s center. Other haunted locations in Alexandria include Carlyle House Historic Park.
On this ghost tour, you will be led by an expert dressed in colonial clothing carrying a lantern. The time lasted around an hour, and we visited several haunted locations like Gadsby’s Tavern Museum and Alexandria City Hall, as well as explored Wilkes Tunnel.
Tours of this type are offered year-round in the evenings. Family-friendly times for groups of 10 or more are also available; to learn more or make reservations, visit their website or call for reservations. Cancellations can occur up to 24 hours before their tour date, with a full refund offered as an incentive.
