The best ghost tours NYC has to offer

During this two-hour stroll through New York’s busiest part of town, you’ll learn about Broadway and Vaudeville Stars from the great beyond, dance the Time Warp, sing songs from Phantom of the Opera and visit legendary haunted theaters. 

Satisfy your inner necromancer with Sidewalk—the free app that’ll navigate you through a hair-raising neighborhood walk using GPS, rich imagery and vivid storytelling. Explore 400 years of murder, scorn and poetry as Sidewalk guide Damien takes you through the sinister history of Greenwich Village’s haunted churches, wraith-y taverns and public parks storied to have been unearthed by the undead. (app.sidewalk.guide)

Learn the basics of ghost hunting at Manhattan’s oldest house with resident paranormal investigator Vincent Carbone. His three-hour investigation includes an overview of paranormal theory, a history of ghost hunting and a hands-on, house-wide investigation of period rooms made famous for their otherworldly inhabitants. Just don’t be alarmed if you wind up communicating with one of MJM’s notorious former residents. (212-923-8008, morrisjumel.org). 

Come explore what some believe to be Staten Island’s most haunted park. This free twilight tour will first take you through a Native American burial ground where you may encounter a spirited welcome from a shadowy figure of the Lenape tribe. If you’re still feeling brave, head on into the Conference House—the circa 1680 stone manor that served as the meeting site for the 1776 peace conference between the Continental Congress and Lord Howe, who had his sights set on halting the American Revolution. Do their restless spirits still haunt the grounds? Only a tour will tell. (nycgovparks.org). Oct 28.

If you’re too afraid of the ghouls that go bump in the night, explore this historic, Victorian landmark like you’ve never seen it before during daylight hours. You’ll learn about all the scandalous inhabitants buried within the grounds while discovering the resting places of femme fatales, artists, gangsters, murders and more. 

Once upon a time, people lived in building now called the Merchant’s House Museum. Then they died...but their spirits may not have moved on. This 50-minute tour reveals the dark, haunted past of this old structure—as well as its spooky present. Has all that construction nearby has dredged the ghosts from their slumber? During this 50-minute tour (they begin every half hour from 6:30pm to 9:30pm) you may find out! 

Meet at the northwest corner of Court Street and Pacific Street to begin a descent into Brooklyn’s underworld. Wander through seemingly charming old brownstones, hear chilling tales of hauntings and dark visitors, visit the Gate to Hell, and see the home of horror icon H.P. Lovecraft.

Astoria? More like disturbia! Actually, this is one of New York’s most delightful neighborhoods, but you may be surprised by its shadowy past and, er, poltergeists. (Gulp). Listen to cringe-worthy tales about the nabe’s twisted history, involving voodoo, grisly murders, deadly waters and more while exploring lesser-known sites and Victorian mansions of Old Astoria Village. Meeting point will be released to ticket holders. 

We are dying to go on this tour of the East and West Village. Discover where paranormal activity once took place, which buildings have had reported ghost sightings and visit murder scenes and burial grounds. This will make you question the very streets you walk on, where people were buried a century ago. You'll also learn what contemporary ghost hunters have to say about their creepy discoveries. All stories told during the tour are true! Due to popularity, advance booking through the company's website is strongly encouraged. Meet at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, Second Ave at 10th St.

Although it’s not officially a ghost tour, Untapped Cities’ abandoned Ellis Island Hospital expedition is sure to give you the creeps. Don your hard hat and go behind-the-scenes for an unparalleled exploration of the institution’s contagious disease wards, autopsy rooms and other usually “off-limits” places. Each ticket includes your ferry ride to and from Ellis Island. (untappedcities.com). Through Dec 2019.