The Spookiest Tours in Winston-Salem

Are you afraid of the dark? No? Then come along as we explore some of the most spine-tingling tours in Winston-Salem. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time local, these four eerie adventures offer the perfect blend of history, haunts, and unforgettable thrills.

Old Salem Night Watchmen Tours (seasonal)

Embark on a spine-tingling journey through Old Salem this Halloween with the Night Watchman Tours! Join costumed guides on lantern-lit walks, venturing into the original buildings where chilling tales of ghosts, fires, and mysteries unfolded. Explore true incidents of suspense and horror from Salem's history, learning how early settlers navigated the darkness and unexplained phenomena. This immersive tour is designed for ages 10+ and runs for 60 minutes. Tickets are $50 and tours will be held October 18th-19th, 24th-26th, and 31st with departures every 15 minutes between 6:30 pm and 7:45 pm. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes, as the tour is partially outdoors and explores uneven streets and buildings with stairs.

• Cost: $50 (held rain or shine)
• Duration: 1 hour approximately 
• Meeting Point: The Boys' School (3 E. Academy St.), in Old Salem
• Good to know: Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes, as the tour is partially outdoors and explores uneven streets and buildings with stairs.

Carolina History & Haunts' West Endings Tour

Looking for the spookiest neighborhood in town? Look no further than West End, the historic neighborhood just west of downtown. You’ll find some of the city’s oldest and most beautiful homes here, along with the city's most popular year-round ghost tour, West Endings, a nightly ghost walk hosted by Carolina History & Haunts. “You can’t throw a stone in West End without hitting something historic,” says tour leader Dan Riedel. “No matter where you’re standing, there’s a story.”

Like the tale of an age-old curse that hovers over the Zevely House (now home to Bernardin’s Restaurant). Or the paranormal phenomena reported at the old Bahnson Mansion (now home to the Spring House Restaurant). According to Riedel, the focus on history makes the tour so unique. Where some ghost tours thrive on gimmicks to bring the screams, he lets the stories speak for themselves. 

It's this focus on the terrifying-and-true history of Winston-Salem that has earned unanimous praise on websites such as Trip Advisor.  “This tour is a must-do," said one recent reviewer. “The stories are spooky but filled with history, and the guide made it all come alive. What a perfect night out.”  

• Cost: $20 adults, $15 children (7-12), free for kids 6 and under
• Duration: Tours last 90 minutes and cover four blocks total
• Meeting point: Tours start and end at the historic Rosenbacher House (848 W. Fifth St.) 
• Good to know: Reservations are required. Tour groups can be as few as four or as large as 25. Private and corporate tours are also available

US Ghost Adventures' Colonial Haunts Tour

Winston-Salem’s newest ghost tour unfolds nightly in one of its oldest spots. The Winston-Salem Colonial Haunts tour takes you on a spine-chilling journey through the haunted streets of Old Salem. As you explore this historic colonial village, you’ll hear unsettling tales of murder, tragedy, and restless spirits condemned to wander the very streets where their stories unfold. Along the way, you’ll also learn about the humble, mysterious Moravians and the darker side of their history in Camel City. 

The tours are presented by US Ghost Adventures, a national company that offers ghost tours in more than 150 cities across America. The tours cover around a mile total and stop at three to four locations in Old Salem. Tour-goers have an optional bonus extended tour that visits three more haunted locations for an additional $7. For an extra thrill, you can rent an EMF Activity Detector to measure paranormal activity along the way.

• Cost: $20 adults, $12 children, free for ages 6 and under
• Duration: 1 hour, 1 mile total
• Meeting point: Frank L. Horton Museum Center in Old Salem
• Good to know: While this tour visits several haunted spots in Old Salem, it doesn’t enter inside any of the buildings since all are privately owned. (If you want to explore inside the sites, take one of the Old Salem Nightwatchmen Tours, detailed below.)

Winston-Salem True Crime Tour

Get ready for a thrilling adventure through Winston-Salem's dark history. The Winston-Salem True Crime Tour explores the strangest and most fascinating stories that lie beneath the surface. From serial killers to cult leaders, this hour-long tour uncovers the real-life crimes and scandals that have shaped Winston-Salem's past.  Triangle Walking Tours organizes the tours, which are regularly scheduled on Saturday evenings. Custom and private tours can also be booked by special request on other nights of the week. 

• Cost: $19 
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour, 1 mile total
• Meeting point: Fair Witness Fancy Drinks, (290 E. Fourth St.)
• Good to know: The tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

Want to know more about Winston-Salem’s spooky past? Check out our roundup of Winston-Salem’s Most Haunted Sites, which explores five of the city's most historic (and haunted) spots.