Galveston: Ghost Walking Tour of Haunted Mansions & Legends

Summary

Galveston’s haunted streets at night with stories that linger long after

You’ll walk through Galveston’s oldest neighborhoods with a local guide who knows every haunted mansion and their secrets. Hear tales of Betty Brown’s ghostly parties at Ashton Villa, pause outside homes with real supernatural encounters, and feel chills near infamous spots like Normandy Inn. This isn’t just scary stories—it’s laughter, strange silences, and moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder if you’d actually feel something on a ghost tour, or if it’s just all stories? I did. But there we were, in Galveston, standing outside Ashton Villa as the sun dipped behind those old iron gates. Our guide—local guy, quick to laugh—started talking about Betty Brown. He pointed up at a window where people have seen her in a turquoise dress, fan in hand, still trying to outshine the living. I swear, for a second, the air felt colder right there. Maybe it was just the sea breeze or maybe not—I’m not saying I believe in ghosts now, but I stopped joking about them for the rest of the night.

We wandered from mansion to mansion under these huge oaks that creaked when the wind picked up. The houses looked almost too pretty for all the dark stuff we heard—murders, secrets, even some Netflix show filmed at one of them (I think our guide was proud of that). At one stop, he told us about Olga Samaroff and how people still hear her piano late at night. Someone in our group tried to peek through a window but just got startled by their own reflection. That made everyone laugh—even the guide.

The Normandy Inn was probably the weirdest part for me. The story about the boy jumping out of a window because “something evil was going to kill me”—I didn’t expect that. There’s this heavy feeling around that place; even passing by it made my skin prickle a bit. Our group got quiet for once, except one kid who whispered something about portals and then wouldn’t let go of his mom’s hand after that.

I still think about that last hotel—the one with the lady who talks to guests and then vanishes by morning. It’s funny how you walk these streets expecting silly jump scares but end up feeling more curious than scared. Maybe it’s just Galveston at night: humid air, salt smell everywhere, and stories floating around like they belong here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore haunted Galveston homes and hotels

• Visit Ashton Villa and see Betty Brown
• See former residence of Olga Samaroff
• Tour several homes with supernatural encounters
• Visit haunted home featured on Netflix
• Explore the Normandy Inn and its dark history
• Hear stories of the lonely lady at hotel

Top questions

How long is the Galveston ghost tour?

The walking ghost tour lasts approximately 1½ hours.

Is parking available for the Galveston ghost tour?

Limited parking is provided and free street parking is available nearby.

Are children allowed on this Galveston ghost walking tour?

Yes, all ages are welcome and infants or small children can ride in strollers or prams.

Is this ghost tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed.

Does the tour include any famous haunted locations?

Yes, you’ll visit places like Ashton Villa and Normandy Inn known for their haunted histories.

Who leads the Galveston ghost tours?

A local guide leads each group through historic neighborhoods sharing real stories from Galveston's past.

Are there public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the starting point of the tour.

What’s included

Your evening includes a guided walking tour through historic Galveston neighborhoods with stops at haunted mansions and infamous sites; limited parking is provided along with free street parking options nearby; all routes are wheelchair accessible so everyone can join in comfortably—even families with strollers or travelers with service animals will find it easy to take part.