Locals Swear These 15 Haunted Georgia Ghost Tours Are The Real Deal

Georgia has a dark past that refuses to stay buried, and its stories still linger in the shadows today. Centuries of conflict, tragedy, and mystery have left behind restless spirits and chilling legends that locals whisper about after sunset. From historic cities to quiet towns, the Peach State is filled with places where strange sights, unexplained sounds, and ghostly encounters are said to occur.

These stories are not just rumors passed down for fun. Many are rooted in real events that shaped Georgia’s history. Walking these streets after dark feels different, as if the past is watching from just beyond view.

If you are brave enough to explore Georgia’s haunted side, ghost tours offer a thrilling way to experience it. Knowledgeable guides share eerie tales, historical context, and firsthand accounts that will keep you on edge. Prepare for goosebumps, surprises, and an unforgettable journey into the supernatural.

1. Savannah Ghost Walking Tour

Walking through Savannah’s historic squares feels like stepping back in time. The Savannah Ghost Walking Tour meets at Madison Square, located at Bull Street and Macon Street, Savannah, GA 31401, and guides you through some of the city’s most haunted locations. You’ll hear stories about tragic deaths, Civil War soldiers, and restless spirits who never left their earthly homes.

Your guide shares well-researched historical facts mixed with chilling paranormal encounters. The tour covers colonial homes, historic cemeteries, and shadowy alleyways where strange things have been reported for decades. Many participants have captured unexplained orbs and mists in their photos.

I found the storytelling incredibly engaging and the atmosphere genuinely spooky. The tour lasts about 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to soak in the eerie ambiance. Wear comfortable walking shoes because you’ll be strolling through cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks.

Book your spot early since this tour fills up fast, especially during October.

2. Atlanta History Center’s Ghosts of the Past Tour

History and hauntings collide at the Atlanta History Center. Located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, this tour explores the spirits that linger around the historic Swan House and surrounding grounds. Built in 1928, the mansion has witnessed generations of joy, sorrow, and unexplained occurrences that continue to this day.

Guides lead you through elegant rooms and gardens while recounting tales of mysterious footsteps, flickering lights, and apparitions seen by staff and visitors. The tour blends architectural beauty with supernatural intrigue, making it perfect for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. You’ll learn about the families who lived here and the tragedies that may have trapped their spirits.

I appreciated how the tour balances education with entertainment. The guides are knowledgeable and respectful of the property’s history. The experience lasts around two hours, and you’ll want to bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and maybe something unexplained.

Reservations are required, so plan ahead for this unique Atlanta experience.

3. St. Simons Island Lighthouse Ghost Tour

Lighthouses have always carried an air of mystery and isolation. The St. Simons Island Lighthouse, situated at 101 12th Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522, is no exception to this rule. This tour takes you up the 129 steps to the top while sharing the tragic story of the lighthouse keeper who was murdered here in 1880.

His spirit is said to still climb the stairs, tending to duties he performed in life. Visitors report hearing footsteps when no one else is around and feeling cold spots in the warmest months. The view from the top is breathtaking, but the stories you hear along the way will send shivers down your spine.

I loved the combination of coastal beauty and ghostly lore. The tour guides are passionate about the lighthouse’s history and the paranormal activity reported over the years. Make sure you’re comfortable with heights and narrow staircases.

Evening tours offer the spookiest atmosphere, and the sunset views are absolutely stunning from the top.

4. Sorrel-Weed House Paranormal Tour

Few places in Savannah carry as dark a reputation as the Sorrel-Weed House. You’ll find this notorious mansion at 6 West Harris Street, Savannah, GA 31401, standing as a monument to tragedy and unexplained phenomena. Built in 1840, the house has been featured on numerous paranormal investigation shows and is considered one of the most haunted buildings in America.

The tour takes you through both the main house and the carriage house, where a slave named Molly allegedly took her own life. Visitors frequently report being touched by unseen hands, hearing disembodied voices, and feeling overwhelming sadness in certain rooms. The basement is particularly active with paranormal energy.

I was genuinely unnerved during this tour, which doesn’t happen to me often. The guides don’t hold back on the disturbing details of the house’s history. Photography is encouraged, and many guests capture strange anomalies in their pictures.

This tour is not recommended for young children due to the intense nature of the stories and experiences.

5. Augusta’s Haunted Pillar Tour

Standing alone on a busy street corner, the Haunted Pillar has survived tornadoes, fires, and attempts to move it. Located at the intersection of Broad Street and 5th Street in Augusta, GA 30901, this mysterious column is all that remains of a market building destroyed in 1878. Local legend says a traveling preacher cursed the spot after being run off by the market’s owner.

The curse supposedly protects the pillar from destruction and brings misfortune to anyone who tries to harm it. Several people who attempted to remove or damage the pillar met with accidents or bad luck. The tour explores this legend along with other haunted locations in downtown Augusta.

I found the story of the pillar fascinating and the curse surprisingly well-documented. Your guide shares newspaper accounts and historical records that support the supernatural claims. The walking tour covers about a mile and includes several other spooky stops.

Augusta’s haunted history goes beyond the pillar, and you’ll discover dark secrets hiding in plain sight throughout the historic district.

6. Macon’s Hay House Haunted History Tour

Opulence and otherworldly encounters await you at the Hay House. This Italian Renaissance Revival mansion stands at 934 Georgia Avenue, Macon, GA 31201, showcasing architectural brilliance from 1859. The house features 18,000 square feet of elaborate rooms, secret passages, and a history of strange occurrences that have puzzled visitors for generations.

Staff members and guests have reported seeing a woman in Victorian dress gliding through hallways, hearing phantom music from empty rooms, and experiencing sudden temperature drops. The tour guides share these encounters while showing you the mansion’s incredible features, including an early elevator and advanced ventilation system. The combination of luxury and lingering spirits creates an unforgettable experience.

I was impressed by how well-preserved the house is and how seriously the staff takes the paranormal reports. The tour lasts about an hour and covers four floors of the mansion. Photography is allowed in most areas, so bring your camera and watch for unexplained shadows.

The evening tours provide the best atmosphere for ghost hunting.

7. Colonial Park Cemetery Midnight Tour

Wandering through a cemetery after dark takes courage most people don’t have. Colonial Park Cemetery, located at 201 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401, dates back to 1750 and holds the remains of over 10,000 people. Many graves were disturbed during the Civil War when Union soldiers camped here and vandalized headstones for entertainment.

The midnight tour reveals the cemetery’s darkest stories, including the legend of Rene Rondolier, a voodoo practitioner whose disturbed grave supposedly unleashed a curse. Visitors report seeing shadow figures moving between tombstones, hearing whispers in empty areas, and feeling watched by unseen eyes. The moss-draped trees and weathered monuments create an atmosphere straight out of a horror movie.

I felt genuinely spooked walking these paths in the darkness. The tour guide knows every grave and story, making the experience both educational and terrifying. Wear sturdy shoes because the ground is uneven and roots push up through walkways.

This tour is strictly for adults due to the late hour and intense nature of the content.

8. Marietta Ghost Tour

Small towns often hide the biggest secrets behind their friendly facades. Marietta’s ghost tour begins at the historic Marietta Square, located around 50 North Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060, and winds through streets lined with antebellum homes and Civil War history. The city served as a strategic location during the war, and many soldiers never made it home.

Your guide shares tales of haunted hotels, possessed dolls in local museums, and residual hauntings from tragic events. The tour includes stops at several buildings where paranormal investigators have documented unexplained activity. You’ll hear about the Root House, where a young girl’s spirit is said to play in the upstairs rooms, and other locations where the past refuses to stay silent.

I enjoyed learning about Marietta’s lesser-known history through the lens of ghost stories. The tour covers about a mile of downtown and lasts roughly 90 minutes. Bring a light jacket even in summer because the evening temperatures can drop.

The guides are locals who grew up hearing these stories, adding authenticity to every tale they tell.

9. Jekyll Island Club Hotel Ghost Tour

Luxury and hauntings blend seamlessly at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Located at 371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, this historic resort once hosted America’s wealthiest families, including the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts. The hotel opened in 1888 and has accumulated over a century of ghost stories from staff and guests.

The tour explores the hotel’s elegant rooms and hidden corners while sharing accounts of spectral sightings. Guests have reported seeing a woman in Victorian clothing in the hallways, hearing children laughing when no kids are present, and experiencing objects moving on their own. The hotel’s rich history provides plenty of context for these supernatural occurrences.

I loved the combination of coastal luxury and ghostly intrigue. The tour guides are hotel staff members who have had their own paranormal experiences, making their stories particularly credible. The tour lasts about an hour and includes areas not normally accessible to regular guests.

Consider booking a room for the night if you want to do your own ghost hunting after the tour ends.

10. Athens Double-Barreled Cannon Ghost Tour

Athens holds more than just college football pride and academic excellence. The Double-Barreled Cannon Ghost Tour starts near the famous double-barreled cannon at City Hall, located at 301 College Avenue, Athens, GA 30601, and explores the haunted history of this college town. The cannon itself is a Civil War curiosity that never worked as intended, but the spirits haunting Athens are very real.

Your guide leads you past fraternity houses with dark pasts, historic buildings where students died tragically, and locations where Confederate and Union soldiers clashed. The University of Georgia campus has its share of ghost stories, including residence halls where unexplained footsteps echo through empty corridors. The tour blends college legends with documented historical hauntings.

I appreciated how the tour connected Athens’ academic reputation with its supernatural side. The guides are typically students or alumni who know the campus inside and out. The walking tour covers about two miles and takes roughly two hours.

This tour is particularly popular during football season when Athens is packed with visitors looking for something different to do.

11. Madison’s Heritage Hall Ghost Investigation

Equipment in hand, you’ll investigate paranormal activity like a professional ghost hunter. Heritage Hall, located at 277 South Main Street, Madison, GA 30650, opens its doors for special ghost investigation tours where participants use EMF meters, digital recorders, and other ghost-hunting tools. This Greek Revival mansion dates to 1811 and has a well-documented history of supernatural phenomena.

Previous owners and visitors have reported seeing full-bodied apparitions, hearing disembodied conversations, and witnessing objects move without explanation. The investigation tour allows you to explore the mansion’s rooms, attic, and basement while attempting to communicate with any spirits present. Guides teach you how to use the equipment properly and interpret the results.

I found this hands-on approach much more engaging than standard walking tours. You’re not just hearing stories but actively participating in the search for evidence. The investigation lasts about three hours, giving you plenty of time to explore thoroughly.

Groups are kept small to maintain a serious atmosphere. Many participants leave with recordings or photos they can’t explain, making this one of Georgia’s most interactive paranormal experiences.

12. Rome’s Clocktower Ghost Walk

Rising above the city, the historic clocktower watches over Rome’s darkest secrets. The Clocktower Ghost Walk begins near the iconic structure at the intersection of Broad Street and 5th Avenue in Rome, GA 30161, and explores the haunted locations throughout downtown. Rome sits at the convergence of three rivers, and locals believe this geographic feature somehow amplifies supernatural activity.

Your guide shares stories of Civil War ghosts still fighting forgotten battles, spirits of factory workers who died in industrial accidents, and the mysterious woman in white who appears on the old bridge. Several historic buildings along the tour route have been investigated by paranormal research teams who documented unexplained voices and shadow figures. The clocktower itself is said to be haunted by a former caretaker who loved the building so much he never left.

I enjoyed learning about Rome’s industrial past through these ghost stories. The tour covers about a mile and lasts 90 minutes. The guides are passionate about local history and have collected firsthand accounts from residents who’ve experienced paranormal activity.

Bring a flashlight and camera for the best experience.

13. Dahlonega Gold Museum Ghost Tour

Gold fever brought thousands of prospectors to these mountains in the 1800s. The Dahlonega Gold Museum, located at 1 Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533, sits in the heart of what was America’s first major gold rush. The museum building itself served as the Lumpkin County Courthouse from 1836 to 1965, witnessing countless trials, sentences, and executions during its long history.

The ghost tour explores the museum after hours when the spirits are most active. Visitors have reported seeing a judge in period clothing sitting at the bench, hearing gavel sounds from empty courtrooms, and feeling an oppressive presence in the old jail cells. The tour also covers outdoor locations around the square where miners met tragic ends and justice was sometimes swift and brutal.

I was fascinated by how the gold rush history intertwined with the paranormal accounts. The museum staff leading the tour have witnessed unexplained phenomena themselves, adding credibility to their stories. The tour lasts about 75 minutes and includes access to areas normally closed to the public.

The mountain setting adds an extra layer of atmosphere to an already spooky experience.

14. Columbus Riverwalk Ghost Tour

Rivers have always carried stories along with their currents. The Columbus Riverwalk Ghost Tour meets at the National Civil War Naval Museum area, near 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus, GA 31901, and follows the Chattahoochee River through historic downtown. Columbus played a crucial role in the Civil War as an industrial center, and the river carried both goods and casualties during those dark years.

Your guide shares tales of drowned sailors whose spirits still walk the riverwalk, factory workers killed in accidents who haunt the old mill buildings, and Civil War soldiers who appear in period uniforms before vanishing. The tour includes stops at several buildings where paranormal investigators have recorded electronic voice phenomena and captured unexplained images. The sound of rushing water creates an eerie soundtrack to the ghost stories.

I found the riverside setting particularly atmospheric as darkness fell. The tour covers about a mile and a half along the riverwalk and lasts two hours. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking on both paved paths and cobblestones.

The guides know Columbus history intimately and can answer questions about both the historical and paranormal aspects of the city.

15. Tybee Island Lighthouse and Fort Screven Ghost Tour

Coastal winds carry more than salt air on Tybee Island. The Lighthouse and Fort Screven Ghost Tour begins at the Tybee Island Light Station, located at 30 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, GA 31328, where paranormal activity has been reported for decades. The lighthouse dates to 1736, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in America, and Fort Screven served as a coastal defense installation through two world wars.

Visitors climbing the lighthouse stairs have reported being pushed by unseen hands, hearing voices calling their names, and seeing shadow figures in the keeper’s cottage. The fort’s abandoned batteries and underground tunnels are particularly active with unexplained sounds and cold spots. Your guide shares documented accounts from military personnel and lighthouse keepers who experienced phenomena they couldn’t explain.

I loved exploring both the lighthouse and the military fortifications while hearing ghost stories. The tour lasts about two hours and includes climbing the lighthouse if you’re physically able. The beach setting provides a unique backdrop for ghost hunting.

Bring layers because coastal weather changes quickly, and the wind can make even summer nights feel chilly at the top of the lighthouse.