5 spooky ghost tours in Nevada

It’s officially spooky season, so now is the time to book the best ghost tours in Nevada! Let’s take a dive into these scary locations.

Halloween is just around the corner, and few states rival Nevada’s paranormal history. From Virginia City and Reno to Las Vegas and beyond, the supernatural has made itself at home in our state. Whether you are a firm believer or not, spooky season is the time to explore all things ghostly. From centuries-old haunted hotels to a museum filled with haunted items, these ghost tours in Nevada are sure to get your adrenaline pumping for a true spooky experience.

It’s important to note that while these are the best ghost tours across the state, there is no guarantee that you will have a ghostly moment of your own. With so many bogus tours out there, be sure to get the best bang (and fear) for your buck by sticking to this list. These are the places that will leave you sleeping with the lights on. Happy haunts!

1. Bats in the Belfry: Guided Ghost Tours of Virginia City, Nevada

There is something spooky about a boomtown from the gold and silver rushes of the early 1850s. When it comes to Virginia City, there’s more than just a ghostly vibe: There are actual ghosts to be seen on the Bats in the Belfry guided ghost tour, one of the best Nevada has to offer.

Home to the largest silver discovery on earth, this guided tour of the Comstock will take you through several of the city’s most haunted locales, such as Mackay Mansion Museum, Silver Queen Hotel, Piper’s Opera House, and Washoe Club Saloon, just to name a few.

The Mackay Mansion is especially chilling. The home was built in 1859 by newspaper tycoon George Hurst, William Randolph Hearst’s father, a year before the silver rush and 5 years before Nevada would become a state. The property was sold to John Mackay, the richest man to come out of the Comstock. The home once held bars of gold in a vault, heavily guarded. Word traveled fast in the 1800s, and soon, robbers were trying to find their way into the mansion to get their hands on that gold. Most famously, a pair of bandits broke into the home and were shot dead by armed security. Allegedly, the ghostly apparitions of the two men continue to walk the grounds.

For only $20, you will get an hour-long walking tour around the city’s B and C streets. While you may not be able to go inside most of the private businesses, the streets alone are bustling with entities. Locals can’t get enough of this tour, with one writing a review that she does this tour every year. You can learn more information from the tour’s official Facebook page.

2. Reno Ghost Tour: Ruin, Revenge, and Reckoning

Reno has some of Nevada’s richest history. Most notably, the Donner Party would find themselves stuck in massive snowfall in what was known as Truckee Meadows, now Reno. Following the construction of the railroad, people from across the country were landing in the biggest little city to take part in the bustling mining boom and gold rush.

With such a complex history, it’s not surprising that spirits linger with unfinished business. If you want to get to know their stories, we recommend hopping on the Reno Ghost Tour: Ruin, Revenge, and Reckoning. This tour will take you on a walk through the city’s biggest haunts. Stops include the Washoe County Courthouse, where a ghost named Joseph roams the halls.

For decades, Reno was the home of the ‘quickie’ divorce. Rita Hayworth, Norman Rockwell, and Arthur Miller are just a few of the stars who made their way to the courthouse to end their unions. However, before the courthouse was built and became the divorce landmark of Tinseltown, a man named Joseph Rover was executed on the land.

He was falsely accused of murdering his business partner. When no one stepped in to set the record straight, Joseph was executed where the courthouse now stands. He was the first and only person executed in Reno. He has never left the property, still hoping to clear his name.

Want to meet Joseph for yourself? Take the Reno Ghost Tour: Ruin, Revenge, and Reckoning. Tickets are $25 for a one-hour guided walking tour.

3. Gangsters, Glitz, and Gore Las Vegas Ghost Tour

A guide of the best ghost tours in Nevada wouldn’t be complete without a stop on the Strip. Let’s face it, Sin City got its name for a reason. From its organized crime roots to the eccentric billionaires who brought the city to life, sometimes what happens in Vegas truly stays in Vegas.

This ghost tour will take you through the haunting history of the city. You’ll start your voyage at Fashion City Mall and make your way through all the iconic stops on the Strip. Stories will be told about the era where the mob ran the city and how some celebrities may have never left, even after their residencies came to a close.

Most notably, you’ll hear shocking stories of paranormal experiences at some of the city’s most popular hotels. Did you know there is poltergeist activity on the 7th floor of Planet Hollywood? Or that an accident unfolded at MGM in the 80s that killed 85 people? Do you know how many murders occurred at Harrah’s? The list is long, scary, and haunting.

There is so much more to Vegas’ history than just gambling and entertainment—and this 120-minute tour will take you through some of the Strip’s most haunted hotels. Tickets are $25 per adult.

4. Haunted Boulder City Ghost and UFO Tour

25 miles outside of Las Vegas and home to the Hoover Dam, Boulder City is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, living humans are not the only ones enjoying the views. Allegedly, ghostly apparitions and even creatures from other planets like to visit the city.

I don’t know about you, but I am a true animal lover. When I heard the Haunted Boulder City Ghost and UFO Tour share the story of a ghost dog—a certified good boy from the other side of the spiritual plane—I was sold. The ghost stories don’t end with the pup. The Hoover Dam, while an American landmark, carries a dark history. It took a lot of death to build it, and this ghost tour will share the stories of some of the area’s most notorious haunts.

Not big on ghosts? No worries. The Haunted Boulder City Ghost Tour also highlights the UFO activity that has been seen in the area. The tour is run by Joshua P. Warren, a frequent guest on the TV show “Ghost Adventures” and the author of over 20 books on paranormal phenomena.

Walk with Joshua through the streets of Boulder City, and maybe you’ll get to pet a ghost dog or see a UFO. Tickets are only $19.95 for adults, and $12.95 for children under 12.

5. Late Night Flashlight Ghost Tour at the Zak Bagans Haunted Museum

If you’re looking to splurge this spooky season and encounter the ghosts behind the haunted items at the Zak Bagans Haunted Museum, look no further than the Late Night Flashlight Ghost Tour offered on the property every weekend. Our most expensive tour of the list, coming in at $204 for a 90-minute tour, isn’t to be missed by the most adventurous ghost hunters.

The museum was rated the most haunted destination in America, according to USA Today. While you can certainly visit the hotel during the day, only 30 people are allowed during the flashlight tour. How does this differ from a regular tour of the museum? You get free range. That’s right, this is a ghost tour where you become your own guide. You have the opportunity to explore the grounds in the pitch black and have personal experiences with the haunted items.

Are dolls your biggest fear? Then get ready to spend time with Peggy the Doll, who allegedly curses anyone who looks her in the eyes. You can also try to conjure up Dracula himself this spooky season by spending time with a mirror that was once owned by actor Bela Lugosi.

If you want to do more than walk the streets of a haunted town, this ghost tour is for you. Tickets can be purchased through the museum’s website.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: The stories behind 4 ghost towns in Nevada that are worth exploring