Texas Is Home To Three Of The Top 10 Spookiest Ghost Tours In The Entire U.S.
The Lone Star State boasts an extremely rich history. With that comes quite a few spine-chilling tales and ghost stories; and, by extension, Texas ghost tours that explore these haunted locales! According to USA Today, the Lone Star State is home to three of the top 10 spookiest ghost tours in the entire U.S (okay, one of them also has locations in other states, but it still counts). From haunted pub crawls to a ghost bus to nighttime strolls through historic districts dating back centuries, these Texas ghost tours promise nothing but a ghoulishly good time.
First up is Nightly Spirits, which holds tours in cities all over the country. Three of its locations are right here in Texas: Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
Nightly Spirits Ghost Tours, 202 Travis St ste 666, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Haunted pub crawls are the main attraction, but you can also opt for a family-friendly or food tour (the all ages tour is only offered in Houston) .
On the pub crawl, you'll visit some of the city's most notoriously spirit-infested spots in Texas, making pit stops at bars along the way. Destinations include the century-old Driskill Hotel in Austin, Dallas' Green Door Public House, and Char Bar in Houston. Enjoy a haunted history lesson, drink in-hand, as you're whisked back in time through some seriously gruesome happenings.
Expect to spend about 2.5 hours on the pub crawl. The total walking distance is one mile. View the Nightly Spirits website
to learn more, including information about other available tours in Texas.
Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours, located in San Antonio, is another epic ghost tour in Texas. They offer several different tours, the most popular of which is a ride on the Ghost Bus.
Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours, 204 Alamo Plaza Suite #T, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
The tour is offered seasonally and lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Among the destinations you'll visit include the infamous Menger Hotel, San Antonio’s Old Red Light District, the Old Bexar County Jail, and the Alamo City's most historic cemetery. A knowledgeable tour guide will detail the dark past of each place and, the tales promising to leave your hair standing on end!
Due to intense situations, this tour is not recommended for children under 13. Visit the Sisters Grimm website
to learn more about the Ghost Bus Tour and/or purchase tickets.
The Dinner & Ghost Tour, which takes place on select nights, takes you inside the Menger Hotel, the oldest operating saloon in Texas and a place with stories to tell! Sit down to a lavish three-course meal before walking the creepy corridors for 60-90 minutes.
Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Each guest will get to choose between Chicken Piccata, a New York Strip, and vegetarian pasta for their entree. Two sides, a house salad, dinner rolls, dessert, and beverages are also included. And remember: even if the seat next to you is empty, that doesn't mean you're alone. More information is available at the Sisters Grimm website.
Editor's note: Please note this tour is closed until further notice.
For those wanting an outdoor adventure, embark on the 90-minute Haunted History Walk to traverse the very oldest streets of San Antonio. You'll stop at the infamous Alamo, the Spanish Governor’s Mansion, the Menger Hotel, and more historically haunted places in Texas.
The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Tours happen at nightfall, last around 1.5 hours, and all ages are welcome. Visit the Sisters Grimm page to learn more.
Last, but certainly not least, is New Braunfels Ghost Tours, which is located just outside Austin. This 90-minute walking tour leads through the historic downtown district and features spooky stories you won't find in history books.
Among the topics you'll learn about are urban legends, ghost sightings, and tragic murders.
Tours begin at Naegelin's Bakery, which is located at 129 South Seguin Street. From there, you'll embark upon a spine-tingling, exciting, and historic ghost walk through downtown New Braunfels!
Address: Nightly Spirits Ghost Tours, 202 Travis St ste 666, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Address: Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours, 204 Alamo Plaza Suite #T, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Address: Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Address: The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Address: 129 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Texas Ghost Tours
July 04, 2022
Sarah M.
Are there any ghost towns in Texas?
If the above Texas ghost tours whet your appetite for all things haunted and harrowing in the Lone Star State, you’ll want to pack up and head to the little town of Orla. The story of Orla is one with which we’re all familiar: like the hundreds of now-deserted Texas towns, it was built for one reason and one reason alone: to pan for gold. Orla was established in 1890 as a section house for the Pecos River Railroad; it was a place where opportunistic prospectors flocked in hopes of striking big. Unlike many of the ghost towns in America, Orla experienced a second population pop in the mid-1900s, as Texas experienced another, oil-related boom. Today, Orla remains an equipment-shipping point; however, most of the buildings and homes sit abandoned, making this Texas town a popular destination for inquisitive photographers and ghost hunters.
What are some abandoned places in Texas?
One of the most famous abandoned places in the Lone Star State, Glenrio straddles the border between Texas and New Mexico, and is another roadside casualty along Route 66. This southwestern border town was founded in 1901 as a popular intersection for many of the growing railroad lines across America. It was a beautiful place filled with wheat fields and cattle; some movies, such as “The Grapes of Wrath,” even had scenes filmed here. But alas, its location on the border put it betwixt and between two states, neither of which were willing to cede control. Two post offices, two gas stations, two state taxes… between this and the dying railroad industry, Glenrio was doomed from the beginning. In 1955, the Rock Island Railroad Depot closed, and by the 1980s, all but two residents remained. Today, curious explorers can drive through this ghost town and imagine what life was once like.
Address: Nightly Spirits Ghost Tours, 202 Travis St ste 666, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Address: Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours, 204 Alamo Plaza Suite #T, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Address: Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Address: The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA
Address: 129 S Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
