Williamsburg: Ghost Photo Tour & Haunted Colonial Stories

Summary

Ghost photos and haunted tales on duke of gloucester street

You’ll walk Colonial Williamsburg’s streets at night with a local guide showing real ghost photos at each stop. Choose which haunted houses or taverns you want to visit, hear eerie stories tied to actual places, and try snapping your own ghost photo along Duke of Gloucester Street. The tour ends at Peyton Randolph House — if you’re brave enough.

What’s the experience like?

Hands stuffed in my jacket pockets, I watched as our guide, Tom, flicked open his Galaxy notebook right on Duke of Gloucester Street. He grinned like he was about to show us a magic trick — but it was just a photo of what looked like a pale blur in an old window. “That’s the Bruton Parish House,” he said, pointing over his shoulder. The air had that crisp Williamsburg smell — wood smoke from somewhere, maybe a tavern kitchen? — and I swear the light seemed to shift when he told us the story behind the photo. We all shuffled closer without really meaning to.

What surprised me most about this Williamsburg ghost tour wasn’t just the photos (though some were honestly weird), but how much we got to pick where we went next. Tom asked if we wanted more stories about taverns or private homes — someone in our group joked about wanting to avoid angry ghosts, and Tom just laughed and said, “No promises.” At each stop, he’d show another ghost photo and then point out exactly where it was taken. Sometimes you could see people inside through the glass now — regular folks, not ghosts — and that made it feel even stranger.

I tried taking my own photo outside the Peyton Randolph House (supposedly the most haunted spot in Williamsburg) but all I caught was my own reflection and some blurry lights. Still, there was this moment when everything went quiet except for distant carriage wheels clattering down the street. It felt… I don’t know, heavy? Like something old hanging around. Tom told us some guards refuse night shifts here. Not sure if I believe every story, but walking back past Market Square I kept glancing over my shoulder anyway.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Williamsburg East Ghost Tour

• Start at the Capital
• Walk down Duke of Gloucester Street
• Choose haunted stops to visit
• View ghost photos on notebook
• Listen to haunted history and stories
• Take own ghost photos
• Visit Peyton Randolph House

Top questions

Is this Williamsburg ghost tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

Can children join the Colonial Williamsburg ghost photo tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Do I need to bring my own camera for ghost photos?

No, but travelers are encouraged to bring their own cameras if they want to try capturing ghost photos themselves.

Where does the Williamsburg East Ghost Tour start?

The tour starts at the Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg.

How long is the walk on this day trip?

The route covers Duke of Gloucester Street from the Capitol to Peyton Randolph House with flexible stops based on group interest.

What’s included

Your evening includes seeing real ghost photos at each stop on a large computer notebook as you walk through Colonial Williamsburg with your guide; you’ll hear true stories that may explain each haunting and have plenty of chances to take your own pictures along Duke of Gloucester Street before finishing up at Peyton Randolph House.