6 Haunting History Tours to Check Out This Autumn
Autumn is just around the corner, meaning Halloween will soon be on the horizon, as well. Among Austin’s slew of historical sightseeing tours, many include an extra-spooky flair perfect for the fall season.
Read on to discover six haunting history tours to check out this autumn in Austin.
Austin Murder Walk
Admission: $45.00 per person
Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
The Austin Murder Walk is a leisurely tour covering 2 miles of Austin’s historic downtown area, including West 6th Street, The Warehouse District, and Guy Town. The tour delves into the history of America’s first known serial killer, who terrorized Austin for over a year between 1885-86. Despite their link to the deaths of at least eight women, the “midnight assassin” was never captured. Piece together the clues they left behind as you explore the historic streets of the Lone Star’s capital, with a drink break at the iconic Driskill Hotel Bar.
Austin Murder Walk is hosted by Walking Tours of Austin, and is not recommended for guests under 13 years of age. Tours depart at 8 PM from 525 North Lamar Blvd. Click here for additional details and availability.
Haunted Austin Walking Tour
Admission: $25.65 per person
Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Discover the historic legends of murder and mayhem that led Austin down the path to weirdness, on the Haunted Austin Walking Tour. Acclaimed storytellers guide small groups through the capital’s strangest locals–including many little-known spots with a particularly spooky history. The trip includes a brief tour of the historic Driskill Hotel.
Haunted Austin Walking Tour is operated by Walking Tours of Austin, and departs at 8 PM from the “Downtown” Jos Coffee shop, located at 242 West 2nd Street. Guests are advised to arrive ten minutes prior to departure. Comfortable shoes and a moderate physical fitness level are recommended for this tour. Click here for additional details and availability.
Austin Famous Ghost & Bat Segway Tour
Admission: $69.00 per person
Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. *Please note: this experience requires good weather. In the case of inclement conditions, guests will be offered the choice of an alternative tour date or a full refund.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Hit the streets of Austin in a new and exciting way on this 2.5 hour Segway tour, offered by Segway Nation Austin from March through October, annually. This nighttime excursion through downtown Austin stops at a number of haunted hotels and landmarks, such as the Texas State Capitol Building and Moonlight Towers. For an added creepy flair, guests can observe the world’s largest urban bat colony from Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge.
Guests will receive expert instruction on how to ride a Segway, and helmets will be provided. Tours depart at 7 PM from 1108 Lavaca Street. The minimum age for guests is 14 years, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must sign a liability waiver prior to departure. Click here for additional details and availability.
Murder by Gaslight Walking Ghost Tour
Admission: $29.99 per person
Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Leave the kids behind for the ultimate test of courage on Austin’s premiere adults-only ghost tour. Murder by Gaslight explores the gritty intrigue of Victorian-Era Austin, stopping at landmarks such as the Millet Opera House, the Driskill Hotel and the University of Texas Tower. The tour is operated by Ghost City Tours of Austin, and departs at 9 PM from 214 West 4th Street. *Please note: The Murder by Gaslight Ghost Tour contains mature themes and language. Click here for additional details and availability.
Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour
Admission: $33.06 per person
Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Duration: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Pub crawl meets chills and thrills with the Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour. Beginning in downtown Austin, the tour stops at a number of bars throughout town, each housed inside a historic, ghostly building. Guests can enjoy drinks as they listen to their guide’s narration about the historic legends and spine-chilling tales of Austin’s most haunted locales. Groups are small and intimate, with no more than 10 guests per tour. At the conclusion of the experience, guests will receive a take-home commemorative cup. *Please note that drinks, while available to purchase, are not included in the price of admission.
The tour is operated by Nightly Spirits, and departs from 417 Red River Street. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to participate. Click here for additional details and availability.
The Ghosts of Austin Walking Tour
Admission: $24.99 per person
Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. *Please note: this experience is subject to weather conditions. In the case of inclement weather, guests will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Ghosts of Austin offers the perfect haunted tour for visitors of all ages, designed to entertain anyone “ages 5-100”. The tour combines educational history with haunted folklore, featuring guides that provide knowledgeable, entertaining and family-friendly instruction. The tour includes stops at the Texas State Capitol–known as the nation’s most haunted capitol–along with the Driskill Hotel and the Texas Governor’s Mansion.
Ghosts of Austin is operated by Ghost City Tours of Austin. Tours depart at 8 PM from 1100 Congress Avenue. Click here for additional details and availability.
Also discover the 7 Historic Monuments at the Texas State Capitol
Which tour are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!
