It’s been approximately 400 years since New York City was founded. In this time, there have been plenty of stories about ghosts and gangsters roaming Manhattan’s streets. Plus, haunted townhouses in Greenwich Village such as the House of Death always provide a spooky time for guests. The best way to experience New York’s haunted history is by joining a ghost tour.
With the city’s rich, layered history of things that go bump in the night, it’s no wonder that so many ghost enthusiasts flock to NYC. While there are plenty of ghost walking tours in NYC, you can enjoy the haunted past of New York in style. In fact, as far as small-group private experiences go, there is no better way to go on a ghost tour of NYC than via boat.
Why Take a Ghost Tour in NYC?
Ghost tours are always popular, but haunted landmarks and historic NYC buildings make them even better. Keep in mind that New York gangsters & speakeasies used to fill the city and have provided lots of paranormal history. Private haunted tours connect visitors with the city’s hidden stories. For instance, the Brooklyn Navy Yard is likely a good spot for a haunted tour of NYC, due to its military past.
Spooky NYC experiences are perfect for:
History buffs
Thrill-seekers
Couples
Small groups
Take the New York Harbor Tours private boat experience!
Haunted Places You’ll Discover on a NYC Ghost Tour
Eerie walking tours of NYC can introduce you to some of the most haunted places on earth. Below, we’ll explore four of the top destinations among ghost tours in NYC.
Greenwich Village Ghost Stories
Taking a NYC ghost tour of Greenwich Village will give you a completely different perspective of the area. In fact, Greenwich Village ghost stories go back hundreds of years. Washington Square Park is probably the eeriest story of all. Before it was the park NYC residents know and love, it was known as Potter’s Field. It contained, at its peak, approximately 125,000 buried individuals. Even now, it’s estimated that at least 20,000 skeletal remains are hidden beneath the park.
The most famous spot, however, is the House of Death. Also known as 14th West 10th Street, this townhouse may contain as many as 22 ghosts. During your ghost tour in NYC Greenwich Village, you might even get to take a peek at Mark Twain’s spectral image. The lost souls of Greenwich Village almost certainly haunt places such as The Ear Inn and St. Veronica’s Church.
Manhattan’s Historic Hauntings
A ghost tour of Manhattan will reveal several interesting stories from local specters. Most famously, The Dakota on the Upper West Side is best-known for serving as the exterior to the fictional Bramford in Rosemary’s Baby. This makes for an excellent Halloween in NYC, but the building’s haunted history is also exciting. A prime example is that resident John Lennon was shot and killed in The Dakota’s archway in 1980. Since then, several residents, including Yoko Ono, have reported seeing Lennon’s ghost.
Fraunces Tavern is the Wall Street area’s most famously haunted bar. Many workers have had spectral encounters, and the place fills up with ghost hunters around Halloween. Additionally, St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery is also rumored to be filled with haints.
Ghosts of NYC’s Gangsters & Speakeasies
Going on a gangster and ghost tour in NYC exposes the city’s seedy underbelly. The first stop should be the Landmark Tavern, which is said to be haunted by three ghosts. Of course, plenty of speakeasies fill up ghost and gangster tours in NYC. After all, violent encounters weren’t exactly rare, so many mobsters met their end in a speakeasy.
Joseph Masseria, the head of the infamous Morello crime family, was murdered during Prohibition by the shady Buster from Chicago. Before Prohibition even started, Nicholas Morello also met his end when he and his bodyguard were ambushed and killed by members of the Camorra gang. Post-Prohibition, gangsters continued to rule the streets. Two of the best-known executions included the Mad Hatter, also known as Albert Anastasia, and Paul Castellano, whose murder was orchestrated by John Gotti.
Beyond Manhattan – Haunted New York State
If you’re interested in ghost tours of New York State, you’ll run into a diverse variety of locations. Arguably, the most famous, or infamous, spot in all of New York State is the Amityville Horror House. Other areas that are a must-see include Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Rolling Hills Asylum and Letchworth Village. Plus, going to Utica State Hospital, Buffalo Central Terminal, and Iron Island Museum are all worthwhile.
Interestingly, Big Moose Lake in the Adirondacks has its own ghost too, a murdered woman named Grace Brown. Basically, the entire state has a haunted history to share. In fact, if you don’t see a ghost on this haunted tour of New York, then the paranormal might not even exist.
Types of NYC Ghost Tours
There are, at bare minimum, three different types of ghost tours in New York City. Each offers its own pros and cons, along with various levels of spectral activity.
Ghost Walking Tours in New York City
Taking a ghost walk in New York City is the classic option when you’re hunting for spirits. These tours contain anywhere from eight to more than 18 people. When attending a ghost walking tour in NYC, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. Be sure to arrive early and walk near your tour guide. Otherwise, you might miss some of what they have to say.
Themed Ghost & Gangster Tours
If you’ve got a penchant for Prohibition Era history, then you’ll enjoy looking for Lower Manhattan spirits. This ghost tour in NYC will share a lot of history, including some of the gruesome ways that mobsters died. You’ll feel connected to the 1920s as you learn what it was like to live without legal alcohol.
Private Ghost Tours by Boat
Walking around the city is a decent way to find ghosts, but it also involves a lot of steps with only a small reward. Joining a private ghost tour by boat, however, provides a quiet, intimate and eerie atmosphere. Can you picture yourself riding a boat through low-lying fog on an October night? What could possibly be spookier than that?
New York Harbor Tours will show you a new definition of a ghost tour. Rather than walking the streets for an hour or longer with tons of people you don’t know, you can book a private tour. This unique offering of haunted history is joined by jaw-dropping skyline views at night. Plus, all the shipwrecks in the area might just offer you spectral evidence that a walking tour can’t match.
When to Take a Ghost Tour in New York
The best time of year to go on a ghost tour is, of course, October. Even better, book yourself a tour for Halloween night itself. Don’t forget that evening/night tours have the best ambiance. Also, when you’re talking about a haunted tour, there is limitless, timeless appeal. For example, ghost tours of NYC in 2022 will be quite similar to ghost tours of NYC in 2025. In other words, it’s always a good time to seek out evidence of haunted activities.
How to Choose the Best NYC Ghost Tour
Walking vs. private boat ghost tour – A private ghost boat tour of NYC offers specialized attention and customized stops.
Focus on Greenwich Village vs. Manhattan gangsters – Both of these make for a great tour. However, Greenwich Village gives you the opportunity to see Mark Twain’s ghost.
Daytime history vs. nighttime haunted experiences – Either works, but if you truly want to have a Halloween activity, you have to choose nighttime haunted experiences.
Group size: large tour vs. intimate private setting – Your personality will help you decide, but really, what isn’t improved by an intimate private setting? You’ll be able to ask more questions and learn about what you’re most interested in, too.
Seasonal options – Ghost tours run all year long, so there is never a time when you can’t get your spooky on. Halloween is when legends claim that the veil between the living and the dead is the smallest, though. Therefore, your odds of encountering a ghost should go up.
Why Choose New York Harbor Tours for a Private Ghost Tour?
Join our USCG Master Captain as they steer the boat and share masterful spooky stories of NYC. This intimate, small-group experience is one you’ll never forget. Gaze upon the breathtaking Manhattan skyline as you’re entertained with its blood-soaked history. Having a local captain makes it even better as he knows all about the area’s history, including its hidden side. Add in flexible booking and customization, and you’ve got the NYC ghost tour of a lifetime.
Are you ready to see the spectral world come to life on the Hudson River? Our USCG Master Captain will spin yarns, legends, and history.