What gives a city its character? Each city has a unique flavor. You feel it the moment you step off the airplane: the people, the foods, the streets, and the scents. But what gives a city its flavor and uniqueness are, above all, the stories and legends of the city, which shape its personality and charm.
Upstart ghost tourism companies, which offer ghost tours and haunted pub crawls across the US, bring ancient legends to life and contribute to the vibrancy of some of America’s most famous historical cities.
Preserving History and Local Legends
[Copyright The Lizzie Borden House]
Every story has its legends. These legends aren’t just stories to be told to tourists; they were the experiences of those who lived, worked, and dreamed there.
Unfortunately, these legends often die out over the generations as the memory of those involved fade away. Our mission is to preserve their stories and keep these people alive. The stories we tell delve deep into the history of each location, recounting the everyday lives of the people who contributed to the city’s character. Many of their ghosts linger on, yearning for their stories to be told to future generations.
[Copyright The Villisca Axe Murder House]
Our work with historic haunted houses takes this a step further. We restore and preserve real, historic haunted houses such as the Lizzie Borden House and the Villisca Axe Murder House. The Villisca Axe Murder house, for example, the site of the gruesome Villisca axe murders, remains in its original condition.
Many of these properties were left forgotten, slowly deteriorating as they constantly switched owners. Our work breathes new life into these historical structures. We allow guests to book individual rooms instead of limiting them to the whole house, as was the case in the past, thus broadening access to a larger percentage of the population.
In addition, in many cities, we offer tours that go beyond ghost stories and explore new and unique aspects often neglected by other tourism companies. A good example is our World of Pirates Experience in St. Augustine, where guests get to visit the historic forts and taverns frequented by outlaws of the past and learn about the espionage, rebellion, and high-sea adventures that characterized the Golden Age of Piracy in America.
Boosting Local Tourism
Ghost tours and haunted stays attract a wide range of visitors, from paranormal enthusiasts to history buffs to families looking for something unique to do on vacation. By providing these experiences, we help draw tourism dollars to local economies.
Tourists who take part in our haunted pub crawls, such as our Charleston Terrors haunted pub crawl, often spend money on drinks at the bars and pubs we stop at, as well as on other nearby attractions and small businesses before and after the tours. This creates a ripple effect that boosts the local economy.
And, since we run our tours nightly every day of the year, rain or shine, we help boost tourism year-round. While some attractions may be seasonal, the intrigue of the supernatural knows no off-season. Whether it’s a chilly October night or a warm summer evening, our guests are eager to explore the haunted side of the cities they visit.
Supporting Local
As a veteran-owned small business, we focus on giving back to the community. We support and promote local businesses during our food tours and haunted pub crawls. We hire local guides, providing flexible employment opportunities, including veterans.
Making Every Visit Unforgettable
What makes a city unforgettable isn’t just what you see but how it makes you feel. Through ghost tours and haunted house stays, we create moments that linger long after the visit is over. Guests leave with goosebumps and a newfound connection to the places they’ve explored.
From spine-chilling tales to awe-inspiring history, our experiences offer a depth that’s hard to find elsewhere. They leave with a lasting love and appreciation for the city itself.
Our tours are also a social experience. We focus on building connections between locals, travelers, and ghost hunters from around the world.
[Main image credit: Copyright US Ghost Adventures]
