Austin: Haunted Walking Tour with Ghost Stories & Driskill Hotel

Ghost stories, secret corners and laughter on Austin’s streets

You’ll walk Austin’s shadowy streets with a storyteller-guide, hear ghost tales at landmarks like the Driskill Hotel and Paramount Theatre, and slip into hidden bars for exclusive stories. Expect laughs, shivers, and small surprises. This haunted walking tour is less about jump scares and more about feeling Austin’s strange heartbeat after sunset.

Step-by-step itinerary

Haunted Austin walking history tour

• Begin at The Speakeasy tavern
• Explore inside The Speakeasy
• Walk along iconic Austin boulevard
• View Texas Capitol from boulevard
• Pass by Austin Paramount Theatre
• Visit Driskill Hotel
• See Dirty Sixth Street
• End tour back at The Speakeasy

The experience

“If you hear piano music coming from the Driskill lobby when nobody’s playing, just keep walking,” our guide, Marcus, grinned as we huddled outside the old hotel. He had that kind of voice that made you lean in closer, even if you didn’t want to admit you were spooked. The air was sticky and warm (Texas never really cools off at night), and someone nearby was smoking clove cigarettes, sweet and sharp. We’d just started our haunted Austin walking tour, but I already felt like I’d stumbled into one of those late-night radio shows where everything gets a little stranger after dark.

We wandered down 6th Street, dodging party crowds and neon reflections in puddles left by a quick evening rain. Marcus pointed out where the old saloons used to be. He even stopped us in front of a battered doorway to tell a story about a gambler who never left. I caught myself glancing over my shoulder more than once. It wasn’t just the stories. It was the way he told them, pausing just long enough for your mind to fill in the gaps. At the Paramount Theatre, he showed us this faded photograph, supposedly America’s most famous ghost pic, and yeah, it gave me goosebumps even though I tried to play it cool.

The highlight for me was stepping inside the Speakeasy (I’d never been before). There’s something about old wood floors under your feet and the faint smell of whiskey that makes you feel like time folds in on itself. Marcus joked that if any spirits showed up, we could blame it on the drinks. He introduced us to one of the bartenders. A local who claimed she’d seen glasses move on their own during closing shifts. Maybe she was just messing with us, but her eyes said otherwise.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much or get genuinely creeped out by a city I thought I knew pretty well. The whole haunted history tour took about 90 minutes but honestly? It felt both longer and shorter at once: like good stories always do. Sometimes I still think about that echoey hallway at the Driskill or how everyone walked a little closer together after dark. It’s weird what sticks with you.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided storytelling through downtown Austin’s historic sites like 6th Street and Paramount Theatre, exclusive access inside The Speakeasy tavern (where you can grab a drink if you arrive early), plus time spent exploring inside legendary spots such as the Driskill Hotel: all led by an engaging local guide before returning back downtown at night’s end.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs Monday to Saturday at 19:00, 20:00 and 21:30, from US$ 31 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Thursday: 19:00 and 20:00Friday and Saturday: 19:00, 20:00 and 21:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Walking Tours of Austin

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

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.

How long is the haunted Austin walking tour?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes from start to finish.

Does the haunted history tour include entry to the Driskill Hotel?

Yes, you'll visit inside the Driskill Hotel as part of the experience.

Where does the haunted walking tour start?

The tour begins at The Speakeasy tavern in downtown Austin.

Are there food or drinks included during this Austin ghost tour?

No food or drinks are included. However, guests can grab a drink at The Speakeasy before or after.

Do I need to be physically fit for this walking history tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to walking distance and pace.

Is public transportation nearby for getting to or from the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to all stops along the route.