Austin Haunted Ghost & Murder Tour: Downtown's Darkest Stories
Emily's shoes still sit behind the bar at The Tavern, waiting for the girl who haunts it.
This 2-hour walking tour covers roughly 2 miles through downtown Austin's most haunted and historic sites, led by a live guide in English (minimum age 13). You'll visit The Tavern (a Prohibition-era speakeasy where a young girl named Emily is said to linger) along with the Texas Capitol, Paramount Theatre, and Driskill Hotel, each with its own paranormal history. The guide shares documented stories of the Servant Girl Annihilator, the UT Tower shooting, Angelina Eberly's fight to keep Austin the capital, and real paranormal photo evidence woven through the city's darker chapters.
Step-by-step itinerary
Haunted walking tour of Austin
- Start at The Tavern, see Emily's shoes
- Walk Texas State Capitol, hear ghost stories
- Visit Paramount Theatre, learn haunted history
- Explore Mirabeau Lamar's home, hear local tales
The experience
You've got a free afternoon in downtown Austin and want something more than the usual tourist loop. This walking tour starts at The Tavern, one of Austin's oldest bars, which operated as a Prohibition-era speakeasy and grocery store before that. The chilling part: a young girl named Emily is said to haunt the building, and her shoes are still on display behind the bar. From there, the route moves through roughly 2 miles of downtown, hitting the Texas Capitol, the Paramount Theatre, and the Driskill Hotel: each stop anchored to a real story the guide unpacks as you walk.
The tour doesn't just name the places. It connects them to documented Austin history and local lore. At the Capitol, you'll hear about the Lady in Red, a ghostly comptroller, and the architectural rules that shaped the city. The Paramount Theatre, a grand venue since 1915, carries its own spine-chilling tale. The Driskill Hotel is known for its tragic bridal suite and the spirits said to linger there. The guide also covers the Servant Girl Annihilator, the UT Tower shooting, and Angelina Eberly (the woman who fought to keep Austin the capital) weaving paranormal photo evidence and local legend throughout the 2-hour walk.
The pace is built for walking and listening. The route is manageable for all fitness levels, and the guide brings the stories alive with both the chilling details and moments of levity. You're moving through real downtown streets and stepping inside actual historic buildings, so the history is not narrated from a distance. You're standing in the places where these stories took root.
What’s included
- Professional live guide in English.
- entry to The Tavern, Texas Capitol grounds, exterior access to the Paramount Theatre and Driskill Hotel.
- paranormal photo evidence and stories tied to each stop.
Information
Lasts 2h, runs every day at 19:00, from US$ 30 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Spirits of Austin
Is this one for you?Two hours is short enough to fit into an afternoon without derailing the rest of your day, but long enough to walk the full downtown loop and hear the real stories behind each haunted site: the kind of detail a self-guided walk would miss.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the story behind Emily at The Tavern?
Emily is a young girl said to haunt The Tavern, Austin's oldest bar, which operated as a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Her shoes remain on display behind the bar, a tangible remnant of her presence in the building.
How long is the walking tour and how far do we cover?
The tour runs 2 hours and covers approximately 2 miles through downtown Austin, moving between The Tavern, the Texas Capitol, Paramount Theatre, and the Driskill Hotel.
What is the Servant Girl Annihilator and why is it part of this tour?
The Servant Girl Annihilator is a documented chapter of Austin's darker history that the guide covers as part of the tour's exploration of the city's true paranormal and criminal past.
Is this tour suitable for teenagers?
The tour is suitable for ages 13 and up. Younger visitors are not permitted on this particular walking tour.
What makes the Driskill Hotel significant on this tour?
The Driskill Hotel is known for its tragic bridal suite and lingering spirits. The guide shares the stories tied to the building's paranormal history as one of the key haunted stops.
Can I visit these sites on my own, or do I need the tour?
You can walk past these landmarks independently, but the tour provides the documented stories, paranormal photo evidence, and historical context that connect each site to Austin's haunted past: details you would not learn on your own.
Austin Haunted Ghost & Murder Tour: Downtown's Darkest Stories
2h · EN
from US$ 30 per person