15 Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus

Get spooked this Halloween with several haunting ghost tours around Columbus. If you’re into haunted history, these tours are perfect for you – all the spooks, but without the gore and special effects of haunted houses.

These tours are always popular and will sell out fast. Purchase your tickets now, or you may miss out! Some tours are family-friendly, while others are recommended for ages 12+.

Upper Arlington Golden Bear Scare

The Smith Nature Park comes alive with ghosts, witches, and a unique “Zombie Hill” where actual zombies become agitated by the sight of children ages 6-13 years.
From October 17-19, 2022, from 6 pm – 9 pm, small groups of attendees will be lead through the forest by a dedicated Scare Ranger who will explain the history of the park and how it came to be haunted.
Golden Bear Scare is open to the public, no pre-registration required. Details on the Facebook page.

Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours

Tour the darkened chambers and halls of the Ohio Statehouse for the Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours! See Lincoln’s ghost among a host of historical exhibits on this spooky tour that is appropriate for kids of all ages.

The tours will take place on Friday, October 14; Saturday, October 15; Friday, October 21; and Saturday, October 22, 2022. Tours depart every half hour between 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are limited to 35 individuals per tour start time.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $7 for students. See more details here.

Dublin Olde Town Ghost Tours

Take a ghost walk through Downtown Historic Dublin after the sun goes down. Travel on foot as you learn some of the history of Dublin and its urban legends. Hear accounts of local ghostly sightings while standing at the location. Tickets are $10 per person; cash only.

The Dublin Ghost Walk is an outdoor walking tour that takes close to two hours and is a distance of a little over a half of a mile. Recommended for ages 12+.

The experience is geared towards ages 12+. Meet at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce (129 S. High St.) in Historic Dublin. Tours take place on Friday and Saturday night throughout October 2022. Not reservations needed. Sign-ins begin at 7 pm; walk starts at 7:30 pm.

Private groups of 6 or more can make reservations for tours during the Summer by calling 614-284-6158. Find more details on the website.

Uptown Westerville Ghost Story Walking Tours

This tour features stories collected across the community and presented in a slightly theatrical, largely historical walking tour.

September 23, 24, 30
October 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 31

Columbus Ghost Tours

Tours are led by paranormal historians with a passion for storytelling and a knack for digging up the darkest tales from central Ohio’s past. There are 4 different tours to choose from that are for ages 12+. Tours are rain or shine.

Creepy Columbus Walking Tour
Ghosts of Green Lawn Cemetery Walking Tour
Night at Green Lawn Cemetery Walking Tour
Booze & Boos Downtown Walking Tours
Secret Knock Private Tours

Check out the website for full details, pricing, and dates.

SPOOKTACULAR TALES at the Harrison House

Saturday, October 15, 2022. Presented by Friends of Franklinton. Storytellers in costume will describe harvest & funeral traditions in the early 1800s as well as in the Victorian era. Foodstuffs of the time periods being discussed will also be provided. Tickets are $15.

Details here.

Columbus City Adventures

Hosting Spooky, Secret, and Historic outdoor walking tours. Escape for an evening or two with Columbus City Adventures’ October Walking tour series. They’ve teamed up with a unique group of partners for 3 tours featuring the creepier and secret side of Columbus. Downtown History tours are also available. Reservations required, read more here.

Secrets of the Statehouse Square; Downtown Columbus: October 15 and October 28, 2022 at 6:30pm
Tours are $35-$40

Tales of the Ohio Penitentiary Walking Tour: October 20 and October 29, 2022 at 6:30pm
Tours are $35-$40

Secret Columbus -Spooky Columbus: November 1, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Tour: $60-$65

Ghost Walk: A Fundraiser for Chillicothe Halloween

A one-day event, touring reportedly haunted locations in the Downtown Chillicothe Area on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 10 am – 6 pm. This year’s Ghost Walk event will feature 4 locations: The Ross County Archives, the Masonic Lodge, the Majestic Theatre, and Porch Swing Days Antique Shop.

Guests decide when they want to visit each location on the day of the event. Purchase tickets here.

Ghost Walk and Haunted History Tour by Landoll’s Mohican Castle

Take a trip back in time to the 1830’s, as you embark on a one hour guided haunted history tour of Heyd cemetery. As seen on the TV show Ghost Hunters, you will learn about the early pioneers of the castle property and the mischievous things they do to the current visitors. During the last 15 minutes of the tour you will attempt to communicate with the spirits that call Landoll’s Mohican Castle Home!

Multiple dates available, starting September 13; tickets are $25. Purchase tickets here.

Fairfield County Infirmary Ghost Hunt

Visit overnight at the Fairfield County Infirmary in Lancaster, Ohio where some of the residents of this former poorhouse may still linger, waiting to make contact with you. With a long history consisting of over 170 years of serving the less fortunate in the community, this formidable brick building may hold more than history in its walls.

Multiple dates are available, starting Sept 30; tickets are $129 for the overnight experience. Read about the history of the building, and purchase tickets here.

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Let’s Roam Columbus Ghost Tour Scavenger Hunt: Frights Of Columbus

This scavenger hunt tour will take you around downtown Columbus to learn some ugly history of our state’s capitol. Multiple reliable reports have spotted and heard ghosts all over this haunted downtown, from the Ohio Statehouse to the theaters, the Arena District to the fire stations. To lighten your spirit, there are fun and challenging questions that you’ll have to answer along the route.

Once you purchase the tour, you can do the interactive scavenger hunt at any time. $12.99 per person; valid for single use within 2 years. See website for details and to purchase.

Wagnalls Ghost Hunt

The Wagnalls Memorial Library in Lithopolis is partnering with the Greater Ohio Spirit Trackers (GOST) to investigate paranormal activity in the library. You will be placed in small groups and paired with a professional investigator to search for ghosts in different areas of our building using various ghost hunting equipment. Snacks, pop and water will be provided.

Tours are Friday, October 22, 2021, from 10 pm – 2 am. Tickets cost $30 and all proceeds go to the Wagnalls Memorial Library. Purchase tickets here.

Historic Ghost Tour of Worthington

TBA for 2022. The Ghost Tour will visit the Historic District to visit with the spirits of residents spanning the last two centuries on this guided tour. The tour is geared towards ages 13+. Purchase tickets online or in-person starting October 2. More details here.