You may not be able to celebrate Halloween like you usually do this year with the Del Ray Halloween Parade and Lee Street neighborhood bash on hold, but there are plenty of opportunities to get spooked – and stay safe – on one of Alexandria’s many ghost tours.
Below is a list of virtual and safe in-person options. Tour providers are taking extra safety precautions due to COVID-19.
Alexandria Colonial Tours’ Ghost and Graveyard Tour is taking place both in-person and virtually through Zoom this Halloween season. This hour-long tour is an Alexandria classic that is offered year round. Tour guides wearing colonial era costumes lead fright-seekers through six blocks in Old Town Alexandria by lantern light. Listen to tales of romance, revenge, death and mystery and learn about Alexandria’s most notorious ghosts. In person tickets range from $9 - $15 and children under six are free. The Zoom tour is $20 per household. Visit the Alexandria Colonial Tours website here for a complete list of dates and times. Alexandria Colonial Tours has completed the ALX Promise Program.
Photo courtesy of Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden
Don’t miss the opportunity to catch the popular Grief and Ghost Tour at Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden. For two weekends only, visitors have a rare opportunity to see the house after dark. The tour will focus on some of the more macabre Victorian mourning customs like hair jewelry and séances. Visitors will also hear the stories of some of the tragic deaths and mysterious incidents that have occurred over the home’s centuries long history. Tickets are $10 per person and must be reserved in advance due to space limitations. Tours are offered Oct 23, 24, 30 and 31 every half hour between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Face masks are required.
For a more family friendly option, consider attending the museum’s Fall Frolic on Oct 24 every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as they participate in seasonal activities in the garden. There are opportunities for crafts, a ghost hunt, a Trick or Treat walk and more! Timed tickets must be purchased in advance due to space limitations. Tickets are $15 for participating children, $5 for accompanying adult and children under 2 are free. Face masks are required. Find out more about both programs here. The Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden is also part of the ALX Promise Program.
Photo courtesy of Carlyle House Historic Park
Carlyle House Historic Park is offering a new tour this season called Death Comes to Carlyle House. During the tour, visitors will learn about death and mourning in the 18th century as they hear about the death of the original owner of the house, John Carlyle, in 1780.
Tours are offered at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct 9, 16, 23 and 30. Tickets are $10 and COVID-19 procedures will be in place during the tour. For more information and tickets visit the park's website.
Photo courtesy of Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe + Wine Bar
If cuddling up with a black cat as you listen to ghost stories is more your speed, you will want to attend Alexandria Black Cats and Ghost Tails hosted by Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar. Visitors can share their own creepy tales or listen to Marth Washington tell Mount Vernon ghost stories. Adoptable cats will be available to comfort you if you get too scared! A virtual option is also available. Tickets are $25 for in-person or $10 for virtual and can be purchased from the Mount Purrnon website.
Photo courtesy of Nightly Spirits
Note: this photo was taken pre-COVID-19.
If you need a little liquid courage while you listen to scary stories, Nightly Spirits offers their Frights and Pints Old Town Alexandria Tour year round. The two and a half hour long tour stops at three or four pubs or bars. A costumed guide shares ghost stories and history of Alexandria’s most haunted spots along the way. Tours are every Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and participants must be 21 years of age or older. Tour sizes are limited in size in order to maintain COVID-19 safety procedures. Private tours are also available. Book a tour here.
Photo courtesy of George Washington's Mount Vernon
George Washington’s Mount Vernon does not currently offer ghost tours, but you can find out about the mansion’s many ghosts here. Scroll to the bottom of the webpage to listen to a “Conversation at the Washington Library” podcast episode titled Jack-O'-Lanterns, George, and Sheep's Blood: Halloween at Mount Vernon.
