Boston, a city rooted in history, offers more than just tales of the American Revolution and colonial heritage. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets and historic landmarks lies a world of eerie stories and restless spirits.
The “Ghosts and Gravestones” tours of Boston provide a unique opportunity to delve into the city’s haunted history and experience the chilling tales that lurk in the shadows.
The two hour tours are typically held in the evenings and are most popular in October, creating an atmosphere that enhances the ghostly experience.
“The fact that it was dark outside during the tour made it special. It was perfect for the Halloween season,” said Eliana Ditillo, a participant on the tour.
One of the highlights of the tour is the opportunity to wander through Boston’s 17th century graveyards. As tour participants step onto the hallowed sites of Granary and Copp’s Hill burying grounds, they can feel the weight of history at their feet.
“I really liked it when we went to the graveyards, especially Granary. That part wasn’t really scary, and the history was so interesting. It was weird standing by the graves of the people we were learning about,” said Sandra Ribeiro, another tour-goer.
The tombstones date back centuries and hold secrets that tour guides are eager to share, making the past come alive in an exciting way.
“I love to be able to inform people about Boston’s history,” said tour guide Scarlet Gray. “Boston is a really cool place to be able to explain things that are a bit more on the darker side, things that you don’t learn about in your history books. People usually think about Salem being haunted, and they tend to forget that Boston has a lot of haunted history as well.”
While traveling from graveyard to graveyard, tour guides tell more haunted stories of Boston on the trolley, ranging from cursed homes to murders.
Gray’s favorite story to share is of the famous serial killer Jane Toppan. Jane, the killer nurse, used her position of power and trust to murder her victims, confessing to killing at least 31 patients with poison. Jane’s legend lingers through the streets of Boston, with the site of her killings being a short stop on the tour.
“We pass Mass General Hospital on the tour, which is where Jane did most of her murders. Being able to point out Mass General really gives people a spooky story,” Gray said.
What sets this tour apart is its interactive nature as participants are encouraged to engage with the tour guides, ask questions and participate in ghost-searching activities. The tours offer a blend of history, storytelling and a dash of the supernatural, creating an experience that carries on long after the tour is over.
“I think the tour guides on the trolley and in the cemeteries make it special, and they try to be interactive with those on the tour. They provide colorful insight on the ghosts and serial killers that make up the scary stories of Boston,” Ribeiro said.
Although it is considered a scary tour, “Ghosts and Gravestones” can be a good experience for children as well.
On Ditillo’s tour in the middle of October, there were quite a few children that did not seem to be particularly afraid of the haunted stories.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s kid-friendly, but the kids with their families on my tour didn’t mind all the scary stuff. I think it just depends on the kid,” Ditillo said.
One ticket for the tour costs $44.48.
“I think the cost was a little expensive for the length and content of the tour. I spent $161 for three of us to go, which is a lot for a short tour. But, it was still a really fun time,” Ribiero said.
The tour guides play a character throughout the experience, adding another layer to the spookiness of the tour. “Ghosts and Gravestones” staff members are committed to their roles and love to scare participants..
“Being a guide, especially in October, is crazy. But, it’s so much fun to work in that craziness. It’s both terrifying and amazing all at once,” Gray said.
