Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour: Haunted Tour

Half the tour is walking through 17th-century graveyards, so the stories stick with the graves themselves.

The Boston Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour is a 2-hour ghost-themed tour combining trolley rides through Boston's darkest corners with walking tours of two of the city's oldest burying grounds. A costumed guide playing a cursed 17th-century grave digger narrates stories of Boston's most sinister characters (from the Angel of Death to the Boston Strangler), and explains the symbolism carved into 17th-century headstones. You visit Copp's Hill Burying Ground in the North End, where Cotton Mather (connected to the Salem Witch Trials) is buried, and Granary Burying Ground, where Revolutionary War figures including John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams are interred. Children must be at least 6 years old. Check in 20 minutes before departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museumpass by
2. Granary Burying Ground10m
3. Copp's Hill Burying Ground10m
4. 13th Arrondissement15m

Boston ghost and graveyard tour

• Board trolley with grave digger host
• Hear stories of Boston's sinister characters
• Visit Copp's Hill Burying Ground
• Visit Granary Burying Ground
• Walk through Granary Burying Ground

The experience

Copp's Hill Burying Ground sits atop the tallest point in Boston's North End, and the tour walks you through both it and Granary Burying Ground to show the imagery carved into 17th-century headstones and the graves of people whose names shaped American history. The guide, dressed as a grave digger cursed to eternal damnation, relays the stories of the unfortunate souls he encountered and the macabre events he witnessed: a framing that turns the tour into something between history lesson and ghost story, without veering into pure theater.

The trolley carries you past the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and through the streets where Boston's most sinister characters operated, from the Angel of Death to the Boston Strangler. Then you step off to walk the graveyards themselves, which is where the real detail lives: the headstones, the names, the carved symbols that meant something to people 300 years ago. Comfortable shoes matter because half the tour is on foot.

The whole thing runs 2 hours, with a professional tour conductor narrating throughout. You'll need to check in 20 minutes before the tour starts, and the tour is not suitable for children under 6.

What’s included

• Professional tour conductor narration.
• ghost-themed trolley ride through Boston.
• walking tours of Copp's Hill Burying Ground and Granary Burying Ground.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 17:00, the last at 22:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Historic Tours Of America

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a mix of trolley and walking: the trolley covers ground quickly while walking sections let you linger at specific graves and sites, and you'll need to be comfortable on your feet for roughly an hour total.

Traveler reviews

4.46★★★★★★★★★★

2,742 verified traveler reviews

5 ★2,017

4 ★310

3 ★188

2 ★120

1 ★107

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What exactly happens on the trolley part of this Boston ghost tour?

The trolley carries you through Boston's streets while a costumed guide playing a 17th-century grave digger tells stories of the city's darkest history: sinister characters, haunted locations, and the macabre events he witnessed during his cursed existence. You pass landmarks like the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum as the narrative unfolds.

Which graveyards do you actually walk through?

Copp's Hill Burying Ground in the North End and Granary Burying Ground. At Copp's Hill you see the grave of Cotton Mather, who was involved in the Salem Witch Trials. At Granary you visit the burial sites of Revolutionary War figures including John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams.

How long is the walking portion of the tour?

Half of the 2-hour tour is walking, so plan for roughly an hour on foot through the two burying grounds. The guide explains the carved imagery on 17th-century headstones and the significance of the people buried there, so comfortable shoes are essential.

What's included in the ticket price?

The tour includes narration by a professional tour conductor, the ghost-themed trolley ride, access to both burying grounds, and local taxes. Gratuities, food and drinks, and hotel pickup are not included.

When do I need to arrive for the tour?

You must check in 20 minutes before the tour's start time. When you book, provide a local Boston hotel phone number or a cell phone number where you can be reached.