Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Walk: Lantern-Lit Historic Tour

Moonlit alleyways, Civil War spirits, and the faces people swear they see on an ancient tombstone

The Original Ghost Walk is a 1-hour lantern-guided walking tour through Colonial Williamsburg led by a live storyteller in period attire, blending documented history with local legend. You'll move at an easy pace through moonlit streets and historic sites including Bruton Parish Episcopal Church and the Governor's Palace, hearing chilling true stories and paranormal accounts. Kids 12 and under are free, and the tour meets at The Precious Gem in Merchants Square.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bruton Parish Episcopal Church9m
2. Governor's Palace9m

Lantern guided ghost walk tour

• Meet at The Precious Gem
• Explore haunted streets by lantern light
• Hear Civil War ghost stories
• Look for faces on Obelisk tombstone
• Visit eerie location near Palace Green
• Stop at Governor's Palace
• Experience haunted house main event

The experience

What makes a ghost story stick is when it's rooted in something real. This tour leans on both: documented events like Civil War hauntings and the unexplained details locals have reported for generations, told by someone who knows the streets and the history. You'll walk past the Governor's Palace, one of the most historically significant buildings in the colonial capital, and stop at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, where visitors and guides alike have described seeing faces in the stonework of an obelisk-shaped tombstone. The guide points out what to look for, but what you see is your own.

The lantern itself matters. Walking by electric light flattens a 300-year-old street into a museum exhibit. Walking by lantern light lets the shadows do what they've always done. The guide moves the group at an easy pace, no rushing, so you can actually hear the stories and take in the locations. The tour runs about an hour, which is long enough to hit the main haunted sites without wearing out younger kids or anyone who prefers a shorter outing. Dogs on a leash are welcome, and if you have an infant or small child, a stroller works fine on the Colonial Williamsburg streets.

You'll meet at The Precious Gem in Merchants Square before heading into the historic area. The guide is dressed in period attire and speaks English, so the commentary is straightforward: no need to puzzle through an accent or a rushed delivery. Public transportation options are nearby if you're not driving, and the walking itself is manageable for all fitness levels. This is the kind of tour that works for families curious about the town's history, couples looking for something different after dark, and anyone genuinely interested in the paranormal side of American colonial life.

What’s included

• 1-hour lantern-guided walking tour.
• live storyteller in period attire.
• access to haunted historic sites including the Governor's Palace and Bruton Parish Episcopal Church.
• chilling true stories and local legends.
• free admission for children 12 and under.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 19:15, 20:30, 21:45 and 23:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (under 13): free

GroupUp to 35

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lanterns & Legends Ghost Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and keeps the pace easy, so families with kids and anyone who prefers a straightforward, unhurried tour can follow comfortably. If you want the history without the rush, or you're bringing younger children who need time to take things in, the lantern light and the storyteller's pacing make that possible.

Traveler reviews

4.06★★★★★★★★★★

18 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (under 13): free.

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 exactly is the most haunted house you'll visit on this tour?

The tour's main event is a location described as "unsettling at best" and considered one of the most haunted houses in America, though the guide doesn't reveal the full story until you're standing in front of it.

How long does the lantern walk actually take?

The tour runs approximately 1 hour of easy-paced walking through the historic streets and stops, so plan for about an hour from start to finish.

What's the difference between the faces people see on the tombstone at Bruton Parish?

The obelisk-shaped tombstone at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church has markings that people interpret differently. The guide will point out where to look, but visitors consistently report seeing different faces in the same stone.

Where do I meet the tour group, and do I need a car to get there?

You'll meet at The Precious Gem in Merchants Square. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're not driving, and Colonial Williamsburg's historic area is walkable once you arrive.