Discover the Eerie Side of Destinations With a Ghost Tour/Walk

The Hunter Museum of American Art, the original mansion completed in 1905 for a wealthy insurance broker and later purchased by the widow of one of the Coco Cola founders, is possibly home to at least five ghosts, including that of socialite Augusta Hoffman who was allegedly murdered by her aunt and uncle. Her disappearance in the 1920s made national news. Years later, a skeleton was discovered under the floor of her niece and nephew’s home where she had lived – the former mansion became the town’s first art museum. Scraps of clothing along with a pair of glasses belonging to her were found on the bones.  Many claim to have seen Hoffman’s apparition on the grounds of the museum. information, courtesy of Chattanooga Ghost Tours; photo credit, Visit Chattanooga and DCI.

From the appearance of apparitions to unexplained, unusual occurrences at businesses and hotels throughout Chattanooga, Tennessee, the city has its share of restless spirits. In fact, according to Amy Petulla, owner and founder of Chattanooga Ghost Tours, "There is a woman who calls herself 'The Ghosthunters' Ghost Hunter,' who says that Chattanooga is possibly the most haunted city, next to Savannah and New Orleans. 

"So it ranks pretty high, though many people do not know about our haunted history ~ yet, and that's why we're here."

Petulla, co-author of "Haunted Chattanooga" and author of the kid-friendly "Ghostly Tales of Chattanooga," adds that when she began her research, she was taken aback by the extent of the hauntings in Chattanooga.

"It surprised me that most hauntings are unrelated to the Civil War."

Established in 2007, Chattanooga Ghost Tours has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the top ten ghost tours in the U.S. by TripAdvisor within three years of its inception and by USA Today a few years later. 

The three adventures they offer include:

The 2-hour Murder & Mayhem Haunted History and Deluxe Tours is a nightly journey, running from March through November, and on weekends in the winter, which Petulla says is their most popular tour.

"We take you through downtown, tell you about downtown's ghosts, show you the best places to get ghost photos, and tell you some of Chattanooga's more entertaining history along the way."

While this tour does not go inside any locations, the two deluxe versions of the Murder and Mayhem Tour, conducted on Wednesday and Sunday nights, do.

The company's UTC/Cemetery Ghost Hunt is intended for individuals 18 years of age and older. Per Petulla, "Guests get to use the equipment they have seen on television. 

The hunt is not about the stories and the history; it is about the experience and for more adventurous adult guests who want the best chance of having some kind of encounter."

For those who can't decide or have children who want to use some equipment, Chattanooga Ghost Tours offers a combo ghost tour/hunt downtown that includes some of the Murder and Mayhem stops, utilizing EMF detectors during the tour. 

"Ghost tours are a great way to learn about a city's history while being entertained at the same time," says Petulla. "We try to offer something for everyone, from those who just want to hear about ghosts and maybe get a ghost photo, to those who want to go inside locations, to those who want to experience something supernatural. And we have the absolute best guides in town."

Destinations exude an entirely different feel when some thrills and chills you'll soon not forget are part of the visit. Regardless of the time of year, take a walk on the paranormal side. For every lost spirit wandering out there, there's a good story to go with them, especially in the South, like:

Macabre Main Street (Missouri)

Even Main Streets, like the one in St. Charles, aren't spared from paranormal activity. During the 90-minute tour, hear stories that reveal the area's dark side.

Hot Springs Haunted Tours (Arkansas)

The 60-minute walk takes you to haunted places in Hot Springs and introduces you to the city's morbid tales.

Austin Ghost Tours (Texas)

Options include the 90-minute Austin Haunting Walking Tour (nightly, departing 8 p.m., from Moonshine) and the Paranormal Investigations at Pioneer Farms (first Saturday of each month, gates open at 6:30 p.m., investigations begin at 7 p.m., and ends at 9:30 p.m.)

Baton Rouge Haunted Tour (Louisiana)

Conducted by Red Stick Adventure, the combo tour, lasting under 3 hours, combines a mini-bus ride and a walk to explore the capital city's murder stories, local ghost legends, and folklore. There are also opportunities for some paranormal investigations.

Mystic Ghost Rides (Mississippi)

Embark on the Haunted Bayou Cruise, departing from either Bay St. Louis or Pearlington, Mississippi, for an hour-long adventure with eerie tales. There's also the Spirit Ghost Walking Tour, which lasts around 1.5 hours, that takes you around Old Town and a cemetery.

Banshees of Birmingham Ghost Tour: The Furnace of the Forgotten (Alabama)

What eerie secrets does the "Magic City" possess? Explore Birmingham's past with visits to haunted locations and hear their stories that introduce you to the city's mysteries, ghostly sightings, and more.

Ghosts of Marietta (Georgia)

During the 90-minute lantern-led walk through historic downtown Marietta, hear stories and see the sites related to the spirits still occupying downtown. 

 Treacherous Tallahassee Ghost Tours (Florida)

Every college town and city has a ghostly side, and Tallahassee, home to Florida State University, is no exception. Learn more about it during the hour-long tour, which covers one mile with haunted stops like the Witch's Grave and the Knott House Museum.

Greenville Ghost Tour Paranormal Walking Tour (South Carolina)

The about two-hour tour covers two miles downtown, with the opportunity to use EMF meters.

Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington  (North Carolina)

The 90-minute walk takes you to actively haunted sites while entertaining you with eerie tales and the possibility of encounters.

Colonial Ghosts: Ghostly Whispers of Williamsburg Ghost Tour

Walk along the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, the city that once served as the capital of the Virginia Colony, and hear stories about buildings (including the second-most haunted house on the Eastern Seaboard) and residents with connections to our founding fathers and the Revolutionary War. Opt to add on bonus hauntings.

Old Louisville (Ky.) Ghost Tours

Old Louisville may be the most haunted neighborhood in the U.S. Come to your own conclusions as you hear about its ghostly past and tour paranormal hotspots. The two-hour tour is offered nightly at 6:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9:15 p.m., seven days a week from March through November, and on select dates during the off-season. 

Charles Town (WVa.) Ghost Tours

The very old town is said to be very haunted. In addition to the traditional ghost tour, there's also The Cemetery Stroll and The John Brown – After the Raid Ghost Tour (also conducted during the day.)