Philadelphia Ghost Tour: Haunted Sites Walking Tour

Candlelight, costumed guide, four haunted landmarks and the spirits that linger there

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia is a candlelight walking tour through Independence Park, Society Hill and Old City led by a costumed guide who tells stories of hauntings and supernatural encounters at historic sites. The tour runs about 75 minutes and covers four stops, including the Liberty Bell Center, Library Hall, Washington Square Park and Powel House. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the route is wheelchair accessible.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Liberty Bell Center5m
2. Library Hall5m
3. Washington Square Park5m
4. Powel House5m

Candlelight ghost walking tour

• Hear supernatural tale at Independence Hall
• See Ben Franklin's spirit at Library Hall
• Visit Washington Square Park ghost site
• Explore haunted Powel House mansion

The experience

The tour starts in the shadows of Philadelphia's most historic neighborhoods, where a costumed guide leads you by candlelight through back streets and secret gardens. You'll hear about a harrowing supernatural experience involving security guards and an unknown entity at Independence Hall, then move to Library Hall, where Ben Franklin's spirit is said to appear. The walk takes you through Washington Square Park, a former burial ground now home to a wandering ghost, and ends at Powel House in Society Hill: a colonial mayor's mansion that harbors more than one lost soul. The whole route covers about 75 minutes on foot.

What sets this tour apart is the candlelight itself and the costumed guide spinning tales of mystery and intrigue rather than just reciting dates. You're not standing in a museum or listening to a recording. You're walking the actual streets where these stories took root, moving between sites that are still standing and still, according to local lore, occupied. The guide draws on seldom-told tales about the city's most famous landmarks (Independence Hall, Washington Square, the Liberty Bell Center and more) stories that don't make it into the standard history books.

The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions. It's suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair accessible throughout, with all areas and surfaces navigable. Children from age 4 can join, though they must be accompanied by an adult. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them to reach the starting point.

What’s included

• A costumed local guide leading the walk in English.
• candlelight throughout the tour.
• stories and history at four haunted sites including the Liberty Bell Center, Library Hall, Washington Square Park and Powel House.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 19:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ghost Tours of Philadelphia

Is this one for you?At 75 minutes, this tour fits into a single evening without eating up your whole night: long enough to visit four landmarks and hear the stories that haunt them, short enough to leave time for dinner or a drink afterward in one of the neighborhoods you've just walked through.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What happens at the Liberty Bell Center on this ghost tour?

The Liberty Bell Center is where guests hear about a harrowing supernatural experience involving security guards and an unknown entity in Independence Hall: one of the tour's key ghost stories.

How long does the candlelight walking tour take?

The tour runs about 75 minutes and covers four haunted sites across Independence Park, Society Hill and Old City.

What is the Powel House and why is it on the tour?

Powel House is a colonial mayor's mansion in Society Hill and one of the most haunted sites on the route, said to harbor more than one lost soul according to the tour's stories.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible with all areas and surfaces navigable. Public transportation options are also available nearby.

Does Ben Franklin appear on this tour?

Ben Franklin's spirit is said to appear throughout Philadelphia, including at Library Hall, which is one of the four stops on the candlelight walking tour.