In a city with as much history as Alexandria, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of tales of ghostly sightings. Halloween is the perfect time to learn about the creepy ghosts that haunt the city at one of the many ghost tours or events on offer this year.
Honor the stranger with the long black veil ®
Oct 14 | 3 pm-9pm
3950 Wheeler Ave.
Start your adventure into the paranormal with a drink made from local beer on October 14th. The Port City Brewing Company, in partnership with the Gadsby Tavern Museum, is hosting the annual release of their black IPA called Long Black Veil ®. This brew is inspired by Alexandria’s most famous ghost, the stranger who died on October 14, 1816 at the age of 23 after a long illness in Gadsby’s Tavern. She was buried with a mysterious tombstone in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Cemetery and her spirit is said to still haunt the tavern. For every 16 oz. Pour sold, $ 1 will be donated to Gadsby’s Tavern Museum.
https://www.portcitybrewing.com/event-details/long-black-veil-release-with-the-female-stranger
Related: Who was the female stranger?
Ghost and Cemetery Tour by Alexandria Colonial Tours
Different dates and times
221 King St.
Sign up for Alexandria’s Original Ghost and Graveyard Tour. Guides in colonial costumes lead fear seekers through six blocks of old town Alexandria for an hour by lantern light. Hear stories of romance, vengeance, death, and mystery, and learn about Alexandria’s most notorious ghosts. Tickets cost between $ 9 and $ 15 and children under six are free. Visit the Alexandria Colonial Tours website here for a complete list with date and time.
Frights and Pints Old Town Alexandria Tour
Different dates and times
301 King St.
If you need a little fluid courage while listening to scary stories, Nightly Spirits has their Frights and Pints Old Town Alexandria Tour year round. The two and a half hour tour stops at three or four pubs or bars. A costumed guide tells ghost stories and the history of Alexandria’s most haunted places along the way. The tours run every Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $ 25 and attendees must be 21 years or older. Private tours are also available.
https://nightlyspirits.com/dc-tours/old-town-tours/
Ghosts from Carlyle House
October 15, 22 and 29 | 6:00 p.m.-8: 30 p.m.
121 N. Fairfax St.
The long and varied history of Carlyle House is full of truths, myths and rumors that make it one of the most visited places on Alexandria’s ghost tours. Come and experience a uniquely immersive tour of the house and grounds by candlelight, perhaps encounter the deceased ghosts of well-known residents and neighbors, and hear their stories of sadness and triumph. This event takes place in collaboration with the Little Theater of Alexandria. Tickets are $ 10 and must be reserved in advance. Half-hour tours are offered.
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park/events/spirits-of-carlyle-house
Mourning and ghost tour
October 22, 23, 29 and 30 | 7 pm-9pm
615 Oronoco Str.
The Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden only runs its popular Halloween tour on two weekends. Visitors have the rare opportunity to see the house after dark. The tour focuses on some of the more macabre Victorian funeral customs such as hair accessories and séances. Visitors will also hear the stories of some tragic deaths and mysterious incidents that have occurred in the house’s centuries of history. Tickets cost $ 15 per person and must be reserved in advance due to space constraints. All participants must wear a mask. Guided tours are offered on October 23, 24, 30 and 31 every half an hour between 7 and 9 p.m.
Ivy Hill Cemetery ghost tour
October 22nd, 24th | 19 o’clock
2823 King St.
The 22-acre Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria was established in 1856 and is still an active cemetery today. Hear stories of ghostly encounters told by cemetery staff on this hour-long walking tour. Tickets are $ 10 per person, you pay at the box office, but you must register by emailing info@IHCHPS.org or by calling 703-549-7413.
Ghost Tails – ghost story nights with cats
Oct. 15 | 7-8pm
October 16 | 7-8pm and 8-9pm
109 S. Alfred St.
Alexandria’s cat café, Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar, invites visitors to snuggle up with adopted black cats while they hear creepy stories. Martha Washington will be there to talk about the haunted Mount Vernon and you are invited to share your own ghost stories! The event is for ages 12 and up and costs $ 30 / person.
https://www.mtpurrnoncatcafe.com/events
Halloween storytime on board the tall ship Providence
October 30th, 31st | 11 am-12:30pm
1 Cameron St.
If you’re looking for a more family-friendly experience, hop aboard Tall Ship Providence for a spooky Halloween story with Captain John Paul Jones as he recounts two stories of terror on the high seas. This 15-minute program is ideal for children ages 5-12. The story times take place at 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm. Tickets are $ 5 per person with a special family rate of $ 25 if there are more than five family members. Children and adults alike are welcome to come in costume; Every guest receives a bag of goodies on the way out. No weapons, toy weapons or prop weapons of any kind are allowed on board the ship.
https://tallshipprovidence.org/