Ghost Tours
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$25
per adult
Colonial Ghosts
Colonial Ghosts
4.5
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Full view
About
Colonial Ghosts is the most real walking ghost tour through Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary, ranked as one the Top 10 Ghost Tours in the US. Colonial Ghosts was awarded the Best of Williamsburg Tour Operator, and has been recognized by Huffington Post and Southern Living Magazine. Our stories are taken from our own research and interviews with people who have had first hand haunting experiences, not from folklore. See our youtube page or website for captured hauntings and interviews! We have tour options appropriate for everyone and private groups of all sizes. This tour features more locations and hauntings not covered on other tours. We take a documentary and factual approach to the hauntings, versus a fantasy or costume-lantern-theatrical approach. Guests often witness hauntings on our tours, most commonly during the 10PM Ultimate Tour. Tours are offered nightly at 8 and 9pm, lasting one hour. Ultimate tours at 10pm are 90 minutes. All tours have an exclusive extended tour through the College of William and Mary that adds 30 minutes and several new tour locations! All tours are appropriate for all ages. Children 6 and under are free to the 8 and 9pm tours. Our stories are derived from factual events, research, history, personal accounts, and hauntings sourced from eyewitnesses accounts and those captured on video, which you can view on our website. The special 10PM Ultimate Tour is perfect for adults and offered on select nights. The latest tour available in Williamsburg features new locations and stories not featured on other tours. More importantly, this is the tour where most witness paranormal activity during or after the tour. Electromagnetic field detectors (EMFs) are available to rent to help identify paranormal activity near each person for $6 each. We also offer a GPS guided audio tour app on iTunes and Google Play that features several more haunted locations in Williamsburg, in addition to 20 other cities across the US. We want to make sure you have fun and are entertained by the intriguing tales of haunted Williamsburg on your ghost tour of Williamsburg. From large private groups over 200 to small intimate birthday, business, or bridal parties, we want to serve and scare you! Many of our guests witness strange phenomena on our tours, and we're not talking about "orbs" in photos! Many have felt hand on their shoulders, something breathing on them, or have even been choked. We hope you'll join us on one of our ghost tours!
Williamsburg, Virginia
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Colonial Ghosts
Ghost Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$29
per adult
Walking Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$25
per adult
Ghost Tours
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$44
per adult
Travelers talk about
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,111 reviews
Excellent
829
Very good
110
Average
68
Poor
53
Terrible
54
Megan L
2 contributions
Aug 2020
We did the ultimate tour with the extended tour added on, William was an amazing tour guide. He really knows how to draw you into the history he is telling you. We really enjoyed the tour and got some really cool photos. The only thing that I was disappointed in is that there was construction going on that prevented us from being able to see everything on the extended tour.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are happy to hear you had a great experience with William! We hope to see you again soon!!
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alexander R
Philadelphia, PA1 contribution
Feb 2021 • Couples
My review of Colonial Ghost tour: I enjoyed the tour. The tour guide, Matt, was awesome. I recommend all those who read this review and are considering going on this tour, to get booted and suited for a pleasantly spooky experience! I recommend that you not forget to bring cash on you so to tip the tour guide (especially Matt). I, myself, regrettably forgot to bring cash for I indeed enjoyed the tour so much that I wanted to tip the guide generously. His stories, delivery, and hospitality has made my experience in Williamsburg (I’m on my honeymoon, by the way) a memorable one. Thanks Matt!
Written February 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your feedback. We’re glad you had a great experience with Matt and we hope you can join us again soon! Congratulations!!
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Olivia L
2 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Patrick was our Ghost Host last night. He captivated us with both intriguing Williamsburg history and spooky ghost stories. We have taken ghost tours in Williamsburg before but this was a cut above the rest. It was awesome to have a guide who has lived in the area his whole life and gave us new stories we hadn’t heard before. Even though it was 25 degrees, he made it very enjoyable. We definitely recommend Colonial Ghosts and Patrick! Thanks again!
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello! We love your feedback! Patrick is an amazing guide and storyteller! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad you enjoyed your time with us, and we hope you’ll check out one of our other locations and tour experiences in over 35 cities or an overnight stay at usghostadventures.com!
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
agrest272
Stuttgart, Germany2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Can't give it higher, as the guide never showed up! Left 10 people high and dry for a 9:30 tour. Impossible to get in touch with them in person, they only have a voice mailbox and email address. There was an 8:00 tour that ended just as ours should begin, but the girl finishing that tour booked it right past us and drove off in her car. Would have been nice to know it was cancelled so we could have done something else with our night!
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I am so sorry that happened and I would love to make things right. If you would please email me at contact@colonialghosts.com and let me know how I can help.
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CShawver
Newport News, VA45 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Started 35 minutes late with a small explanation that the guide just didn't show up. Once it did start, the guide's voice rattled more then the floor boards of the closest supposed haunted dwelling. I understand things happen and substitutes are put in place but perhaps they can have a bit of flavor in their admission and not be a super free submission. Also, I could have easily joined the tour without paying and just walked into the crowd and watched several people do just that. Complete waste of money and I could have easily got the same some tour for free by walking into a group.
Written February 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback and for letting us know about your experience. We have since contacted the guide and tour operator and passed along your feedback to improve future guests’ experiences. We’re sorry you did not receive the 5-star experience we usually provide for guests on tours. We would love to have you email us at contact@colonialghosts.com and give us the opportunity to make it right.
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lauren H
2 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
What an awesome experience! This tour was the perfect balance of history and horror. Vincent did a great job pacing our tour so that we could process one story before moving on to the next. He even timed it so that the clock-tower struck just as we were walking by.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience Lauren! We are thrilled to receive such a great rating! I am also delighted to hear that you had an amazing time with Vincent! We hope you’ll check out one of our other locations and tour experiences in over 50 cities or an overnight stay at usghostadventures.com!
Written March 30, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sirius57
New York City, NY137 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Very large group (40+ people); no history of Williamsburg; a few ghost stories that you could barely hear. The guide was friendly but this felt like a mass operation. For us, was worth neither time nor money.
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback and for letting us know about your experience. We have contacted the guide and tour operator and passed along your feedback to improve future guests’ experiences. We’re sorry you did not receive the 5-star experience we usually provide for guests on tours. We would love to have you email us at contact@colonialghosts.com and give us the opportunity to make it right. We look forward to hearing from you
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TMish2014
Erial, NJ169 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
I have only been on a handful of ghost tours, but this was my least favorite. Tour consisted of walking around Colonial Williamsburg and hearing stories mostly about deaths in buildings not so much about ghosts. Not overly interesting or believable.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback and for letting us know about your experience. We’re so sorry you did not receive the 5-star experience we usually provide for guests on tours. Could you please email us at contact@colonialghosts.com and give us the opportunity to make it right? Thank you!
Written July 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jill S.
Richmond, VA8 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Great guide. Very educational and enough spook to it! Would recommend to anyone who enjoys history & ghost stories! Will be bringing others back for a tour! Can’t believe I waited so long to visit a ghost tour. Great date night option. Learned a lot and retained it!
Written September 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill, this is what we love to hear! We're so glad you had a spooktacular tour, and that you'd recommend us to other visitors. That means a lot to us! We are honored to have been your first ghost tour, and we hope you join us again in the next city you visit! We offer tours all over the country with US Ghost Adventures and we'd love to have you back again!
Written September 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michelle G
Phoenix, AZ132 contributions
Jul 2021
This tour was fun. There was a lot of history involved which we loved. Great stories about the area. The only reason, however, that we chose this particular tour was for the insane asylum. My son wanted to see it. It was not a stop on the tour at all. That was really disappointing for him. The extended tour to William and Mary was definitely worth the extra $5.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We’re happy you had a great time. Thank you for your review!
Written October 10, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
juliepelletier4464
Rome, Maine
Is it a fairly easy walk? I’ve had double knee replacements, and don’t do well with hills or uneven ground.
Written July 19, 2018
It's an approximately 1 mile walk maximum depending on the tour, across flat ground over paved streets, brick sidewalks, and occasionally over grass or gravel. It's an easy walk for most people, but we recommend not attending a walking tour if you have significant difficulty walking at a normal pace.
Written October 30, 2018
Can i use a double (side by side) stroller for my 2 year olds? My okder son eally wants to do this tour but the babies will be asleep!
Written March 8, 2018
Yes! As mcrigsby stated, we don't go up and or stairs, nor inside buildings. Just be wary of the horse poop and you should be fine :)
Written March 10, 2018
Are you walking the whole time? And if so how long would it be approx?
Written June 30, 2016
an hour and stop and look and talk along the way - wear comfortable shoes. It was looking like rain so a brought an umbrella but didn't use it
Written June 30, 2016
Are you walking the whole time? And if so how long would it be approx?
Written June 30, 2016
You stop at numerous locations and listen to stories. You are on your feet the whole 2 hour tour.
Written July 3, 2016
As far as walking up to doors, it is actually illegal to let people walk up to the door on tour and the company and tour guides can lose their license for that. It is explicitly prohibited. The guides may not be licensed, and are certainly in violation of the law. All of our tour guides are licensed with the city. Guests can return on their own to knock on doors if they want to, but just because another company chooses to break the law isn't cause for a bad review.
Regarding a comment made that all the stories are the same, that is false. Our stories are not the same as you will hear on other tours, and that is one thing that sets us apart. Ours is the most truthful and comprehensive account of hauntings. We've done research at most. We're not about yelling, jumping out at people, or dressing up.
For example, google Peyton Randolph House and read our investigation. The story told about Betty and Eve as the haunting cause is not at all what we talk about, and we debunk the traditional stories, because we care. We also tell the Wythe House very differently, and many of our hauntings come from different and verified sources as well, which you can tell by visiting our website.
Two more things of note:
First, we cover events from pre-colonial to the modern day, including the Civil War.
Second, we have investigated many of the stories that have been told for decades and are in some books to find that many of them are fabricated or false. We get down to what really happened, so the stories you hear everywhere else are not the same stories you will hear on ours. We actually debunk some of the traditional stories.
Written March 30, 2016
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