The Top 10 Ghost Tours in Washington, D.C.

Posted: 05.05.2025 | Updated: 05.05.2025

Our nation’s capital is filled with historic landmarks and locations with dozens of fascinating stories attached to them. While there are so many places in Washington, D.C., linked to some of the most important U.S. historical figures, many of these places are also riddled with darkness by the entities of those who lost their lives in the area due to tragedy and malice.

If you are looking for the best ghost tour while spending time in the D.C. area, be sure to book your tour with us here at D.C. Ghosts for a thrilling experience you will not soon forget.

What is the Best Ghost Tour in Washington, D.C.?

Haunted ghost tours in Washington, D.C., have a very different vibe than those in other areas. These tours are often associated with real historical facts and landmarks that are now haunted by the spirits of those involved in important events throughout history. If you are interested in haunted history tales, here are a few of our top suggestions for ghost tours in D.C. you don’t want to miss. However, if you’re looking for the one that stands above the rest, look no further than D.C. Ghosts.

D.C. Ghosts

D.C. Ghosts is the best ghost tour to choose when you want to learn all about the horrifying truth behind the moments that shaped our nation. From ghost stories about former presidents, assassins, heroes, and conspirators, you’ll enjoy your time learning about the fascinating history of Washington, D.C., as well as the many urban legends that have existed here for generations.

D.C. Ghosts, which is a part of U.S. Ghost Adventures, offers several daily tours allowing you to choose which best suits your interests. You can go on the DC Ghosts of the Capital City Tour, which takes you on a tour around the White House.

Or you can check out the DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl for a fun night with friends, enjoying spirits while hearing tales of spirits. Additional tours from this company include the DC Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour, DC Unlocked Spies, Secrets, and Symbols Memorials Tour, and the Hidden Halls of Power tour that takes a closer look at the dark history of the White House.

Nightly Spirits

Nightly Spirits is a ghost tour company specializing in pub crawl ghost tours. While they add in some historic facts along the way, their main focus is visiting the most haunted locations. They offer ghost tours that do not involve alcoholic beverages and are a great option when you want to make this haunting experience a family event. Additional events and activities offered by Nightly Spirits include a Washington, D.C., Private Spooktacular Ghost Walk. 

While this tour may start at $300, it is a great way to go on a private tour with your close friends or family members as you take part in this unique experience together. The company also provides a private Nightmares and Nightcaps Tour and Nightly Spirits Haunted History Field Trips for ages nine and up.

Ghost City Tours

This 5-Star rated ghost tour company is highly recommended by locals and visitors who frequent the area. The company offers an all-ages ghost tour as well as a tour that is restricted to adults only. All of their ghost tours are walking tours, which is an excellent way for you to feel the energy that the spirits are giving off.

Some of the sights that you will see and learn about while taking a ghost tour with Ghost City Tours include Ford’s Theatre, which is one of the oldest stage theaters in the nation. You’ll also visit the haunted Lafayette Square Park, the haunted Old Brick Capitol, and the haunted Hay-Adams Hotel.

National Nightmares

National Nightmares offers both public and private tours to some of the most haunted places in the D.C. area. Their Capitol Hill Tour, named the Hill of Haunts, is an award-winning experience that includes tales coming from reliable witnesses and sources. Guests can visit the Library of Congress, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Capitol Building during this impressive tour.

Another popular tour National Nightmares offers is the Old Town Alexandria Tour, which has a host of haunting stories and legends dating as far back as the 1600s. Learn about historical figures along the way, such as George Washington and even Blackbeard the Pirate.

DC by Foot

DC by Foot offers several walking tours of the D.C. area led by exceptional guides who have an abundance of knowledge on the history of our nation’s capital and all the historical landmarks you will see. While this company specializes in offering historical walking tours, they also offer some haunting walking tours, such as their Ghosts of Georgetown tour, which lasts an hour and a half.

The Ghosts of Georgetown walking tour is a family-friendly activity that takes guests through the Georgetown community as they listen to dark tales of one of the finest neighborhoods in D.C. Key points of this tour include visiting the Old Stone House, which is a pre-revolutionary era building where the original owner still roams the halls. 

You also have the chance to find out what happened at the boarding schools that were converted into hospitals during the Civil War. It’s been said if you listen closely, you can hear the screams of former patients during amputation procedures.

Mystery Loves Company Tours

Mystery Loves Company is a fairly new guided walking tour provider that offers ghost and true crime tours throughout the area. Learn about murder, mysteries, and haunted locations where sinister serial killers and vigilantes once committed their heinous crimes. Their tours are rooted in history with some spooky tales added in to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

The downtown tours offered by Mystery Loves Company are like no other in the area. Their tour guides are expert storytellers and have enough knowledge about the area, allowing you to picture yourself in the center of it all, right as the historic events are taking place. Their tours are easy to book online, and several are offered throughout the day for your convenience.

Amerighost Tours

The Amerighost tours are some of the most captivating in Washington, D.C., because of how much effort the staff members put into each event. Dressed in authentic Victorian costumes, the tour guides will lead your group by lantern light along trails where historical events took place and many ghostly encounters have been reported.

Their walking ghost tours for the D.C. area include a Ghosts of Lafayette Park tour, which takes a closer look at conspiracies, crimes of passion, duels, and assassinations connected to the area. Another tour, titled Capitol Hill Haunts, takes visitors on a haunted historical journey to iconic places, including the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court Building. During this tour, you will hear tales about the demon cat who torments guards at Capitol Hill as well as the legends of the statues that come to life and dance at night.

City Experiences

City Experiences is a touring company where visitors to the area can take a historic walk to view some of the most iconic landmarks in D.C. Along the way, your tour guides will tell stories about the history of the area as well as the haunted past that many historians tend to leave out.

On this special tour of Washington, D.C., you will have the chance to see the nation’s capital fully illuminated at night. You will also visit eight points of interest and learn about the haunted history associated with each of them during this hour-long, unique experience. 

There is a maximum of twenty people allowed per group, ensuring that you will enjoy an intimate tour where you will be free to ask questions while taking your time to view each location. Some of the iconic places you will see on this tour include the Blair House, the Decatur House, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the White House, and the Dolley Madison House.

Scary DC

Scary DC is considered by many to be the spookiest ghost tour in all of Washington, D.C. Their tours are available for individuals, teams, and school groups to participate in. The tour guides stay in character throughout the tour as prominent historical figures, making the experience extra special.

The Horror on Capitol Hill tour lasts for an hour and a half, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Along the way, you will visit the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and have the chance to enjoy an enchanted view of the Capitol at night. Tours are offered all throughout the year.

DC Walkabout

The DC Walkabout tour offers a frighteningly good time to all who are curious about the dark past of our nation. The company is made up of a small group of storytellers and tour guides who came together to provide tourists with plenty of historical facts and urban legends about our nation’s capital.

The company offers a number of walking tours, including those focusing on American scandals, the ghost of Georgetown, the Lincoln Assassination, and the haunted history of the National Mall.

Haunted Washington, D.C.

As the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., is filled with history dating back to the very first days of our country’s establishment. And if you know anything about American History, you know that our country was built with plenty of blood, sweat, and tears…but mostly blood.

With so many tragedies, conspiracies, and devious plans carried out in D.C. over the decades, it’s no surprise that there are several locations considered to be haunted. This makes Washington, D.C., one of the very best vacation spots for anyone who is a fan of horror and history.

If you are staying in the D.C. area, be sure to check out one of the ghost tours we have mentioned on this list. You can schedule a tour with us online here at DC Ghosts for a thrilling experience you will not soon forget.

Be sure to check out our blog for regular updates and stories about the most haunted places to visit throughout the country. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to stay informed on all our ghost tours across the U.S.

Sources:

• https://dcghosts.com
• https://dcghosts.com/blog/
• https://nightlyspirits.com/washington-dc-ghost-tours/
• https://ghostcitytours.com/ghost-tours/washington-dc-ghost-tours/?srsltid=AfmBOopbzfEkVOdSK_AWy3VrNAyPf7baiNCAahtVV98Iy1KWsSEDWSJB
• https://nationalnightmares.com/
• https://freetoursbyfoot.com/washington-dc-tours/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb
• https://www.mysterylovescompanytours.com/
• https://www.amerighost.com/washington-dc-ghost-tours
• https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/washington-dc-ghost-tour/
• https://scarydc.com/
• https://dcwalkabout.com/hauntedhistory.php