Boston Ghost Tour: Gravestones & Gunpowder Walking Tour

A mile of Boston's darkest history, told by someone who knows it

This walking ghost tour through Boston's historic district covers a mile of haunted sites including the Old Granary Burial Ground, Boston Common, the Omni Parker House, and the Massachusetts State House, led by a live guide in English. The tour lasts about an hour and includes documented accounts of historic hauntings and intensely researched true stories tied to Boston's Revolutionary War past. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; moderate fitness is needed for the walking distance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Boston's haunted historic sites

• Start at Omni Parker House hotel
• Visit Old Granary Burial Ground cemetery
• Walk through Boston Common park
• See Cathedral Church of St. Paul
• Pass Massachusetts State House
• Explore Boston Athenaeum library
• Visit John Adams Courthouse
• End at King's Chapel and burial ground

The Experience

The tour starts at the Omni Parker House, the city's oldest hotel, where the founder Harvey Parker is said to linger in the halls. From there you walk cobblestone streets to the Old Granary Burial Ground, a cemetery holding figures from the American Revolution where visitors have reported strange orbs and shadowy figures among the ancient tombstones. Boston Common, America's oldest public park, carries a darker past—public hangings and duels took place there, and the ghostly apparitions of those executed are said to wander the grounds at night.

The route also passes the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, where mysterious sounds and shadowy figures have been reported since the early 1800s, and the Massachusetts State House overlooking the Common, where spirits of soldiers and politicians are rumored to roam. You'll visit the Boston Athenaeum, a historic library where visitors have reported seeing ghostly figures among the stacks, and the John Adams Courthouse, where echoes of past trials and ghostly apparitions linger. The tour ends at King's Chapel, one of Boston's oldest churches with a burial ground dating to 1630, where a mysterious "Black Minister" is occasionally seen at dusk.

Your guide is a live professional who weaves together documented accounts of hauntings with intensely researched true stories from Boston's tumultuous past. The mile-long walk takes about an hour and moves at a steady pace through the historic district. Two options are available—the standard Boston Ghosts Tour or the Boston Ghosts Extended Tour—so you can choose the length that fits your schedule.

What’s included

• A live guide in English leading you through the historic district.
• documented accounts of hauntings at each stop.
• intensely researched true stories of Boston's Revolutionary War history and the spirits said to linger at sites like the Old Granary Burial Ground, Boston Common, and the Omni Parker House.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Boston Ghosts By Us Ghost Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose this if you prefer a guided walk through haunted sites rather than a self-guided route—you'll cover about a mile on cobblestones at a steady pace, stopping to hear stories at each location.

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Top questions

What is the Old Granary Burial Ground and why is it on this tour?

The Old Granary Burial Ground is a historic cemetery holding many figures from the American Revolution. It's included because visitors have reported strange orbs, shadowy figures, and the feeling of being watched among the ancient tombstones, making it one of Boston's most actively haunted sites.

How long is the walking distance and what kind of fitness do I need?

The tour covers a mile on cobblestone streets through Boston's historic district and lasts about an hour. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness; the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What makes Boston Common part of a ghost tour?

Boston Common, America's oldest public park, was the site of public hangings and duels in its past. The ghostly apparitions of those executed there are said to wander the grounds at night, with sightings of misty figures and disembodied voices reported by visitors.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair on this tour?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the starting point.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a live guide in English, documented accounts of historic hauntings, and intensely researched true stories of Boston's history tied to the sites you visit. Food, drink, and motorized transportation are not included.

What's the difference between the Boston Ghosts Tour and the Extended Tour?

Both tours follow the same route through Boston's haunted historic district with the same live guide. The Extended Tour offers more time at each stop and deeper storytelling; choose based on how much detail and time you want to spend on the hauntings and history.