Nashville Ghost Bus Tour: Haunted History in Comfort

Union Station's restless guests, Printers Alley's darker secrets, and a cemetery where 22,000 spirits refuse to leave quietly

A 2-hour ghost bus tour of Nashville's most haunted locations, led by a live guide who uncovers real tales of murder, betrayal and restless spirits from the shadowy corners of Printers Alley to the haunted halls of Union Station Hotel. The VIP experience rides in comfort on a coach bus with a small group, exclusive bonus stories not on the standard walking tour, and the option to sip drinks from partner venues before departure. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult; the tour is rated PG-13 for mature themes including true crime and historic tragedies.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Nashville's haunted locations

• Board the Haunted Nashville VIP Ghost Bus
• Sip optional drink before departure
• Visit Union Station Hotel and hear its haunted history
• Explore Printers Alley and learn about its dark past
• Hear story of David "Skull" Schulman in Printers Alley
• Discover haunted tales of Tennessee State Capitol
• Visit Nashville City Cemetery and hear ghost stories

The Experience

The bus departs from The Green Light Bar after you've checked in with your guide. Once you're seated, the storytelling begins — and it doesn't stop for two hours. You'll hear the real history of Union Station Hotel, opened in 1900 as Nashville's grand gateway to the South, where soldiers kissed sweethearts goodbye and gangsters slipped through under assumed names. Behind its elegant arches lies heartbreak and horror that never left. The guide walks you through what happened there, what guests have reported seeing, and why some spirits seem reluctant to move on.

From there, the bus takes you into Printers Alley, the narrow downtown entertainment district with a reputation built on more than just music and nightlife. You'll hear about David "Skull" Schulman, the self-proclaimed Mayor of Printers Alley, and the tragic stories that haunt the alley's atmospheric lanes. The ghost of a printer who died under mysterious circumstances is said to wander there still. The guide also covers a murder and the man who blew up the block because he believed he was possessed by lizard people — the kind of true crime story that stays with you. These are the bonus locations and stories you won't get on the standard walking tour.

The bus climbs the hill to the Tennessee State Capitol, designed in the 1840s by architect William Strickland, who was so proud of his work he chose to be buried inside it. Civil War tunnels run beneath its elegant façade, used once to move bodies. Footsteps echo after midnight. Strickland's ghost is said to still inspect his masterpiece. Finally, you'll reach Nashville City Cemetery, established in 1822 and the city's oldest resting place — over 22,000 souls lie beneath its rolling hills, including governors, soldiers, and sinners. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate dead were laid side by side, and their blood-soaked ghosts are said to still roam among the tombstones. The tour runs rain or shine, so bring an umbrella or poncho if the weather turns.

You can rent or purchase a ghost-detecting EMF reader to bring along, and the VIP experience includes a Paranormal Investigation Kit available for rent. The guides work for tips. If the bus sells out, everyone rides together on a larger coach instead of splitting the group — the small group size is what keeps the experience personal and VIP, not cramped or rushed.

What’s included

• Comfortable coach bus transportation.
• live guide in English with exclusive bonus stories and haunted locations not covered on the standard tour.
• small group VIP experience.
• Paranormal Investigation Kit available for rent.
• option to sip drinks from partner venues before departure.
• ghost-detecting EMF reader available for rent or purchase.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Nashville Tours - Ghost Tours and Pub Crawls

Is this one for you?The bus ride is what makes this work for anyone who wants Nashville's haunted history without walking the streets for two hours — you stay seated, the guide brings the stories to you, and the small group keeps it personal instead of crowded. Choose this if you'd rather ride in comfort and hear the deeper true crime details than cover the highlights on foot.

Traveler reviews

4.65★★★★★★★★★★

445 verified traveler reviews

5 ★382

4 ★14

3 ★18

2 ★19

1 ★12

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the Union Station Hotel and why is it haunted?

Union Station Hotel opened in 1900 as Nashville's most elegant train terminal and grand gateway to the South, where soldiers, gangsters, and travelers from every walk of life passed through under cathedral-like arches. Behind its beauty lies heartbreak and horror that never left, and guests have reported encounters with spirits who seem reluctant to move on.

What happened in Printers Alley that makes it haunted?

Printers Alley, a narrow downtown entertainment district since the mid-19th century, is haunted by multiple tragedies including murder and a man who blew up the block because he believed he was possessed by lizard people. The ghost of a printer who died under mysterious circumstances is said to wander the alley in period clothing, and David "Skull" Schulman, the self-proclaimed Mayor of Printers Alley, has a tragic story tied to the location.

Does the tour go inside the Tennessee State Capitol?

The bus stops at the Tennessee State Capitol, designed in the 1840s by architect William Strickland, who was so proud of his work he chose to be buried inside it. You'll hear about the Civil War tunnels beneath its elegant façade, the footsteps reported after midnight, and Strickland's ghost said to still inspect his masterpiece, though the tour is experienced from the bus rather than entering the building.

How many people are buried in Nashville City Cemetery?

Nashville City Cemetery, established in 1822, is the city's oldest resting place with over 22,000 souls beneath its rolling hills, including governors, slaves, soldiers, and sinners. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate dead were laid side by side, and their blood-soaked ghosts are said to still roam among the tombstones.

Can I bring my own food or drinks on the bus?

No outside food or drink is allowed on the bus. Food and drinks may be purchased inside The Green Light Bar before departure and brought on board, and you have the option to sip drinks from partner venues before the tour begins.

What's included in the VIP Ghost Bus experience?

The VIP experience includes transportation on a comfortable coach bus, a live guide in English who tells exclusive bonus stories and covers locations not on the standard walking tour, a small group size that keeps the experience personal, and a Paranormal Investigation Kit available for rent. You can also rent or purchase a ghost-detecting EMF reader to bring along.