Colonial Williamsburg is beautiful after dark, when the crowds have gone home, the shops are shuttered and the old houses glow by candlelight, and a ghost walk is the classic way to see it. Whispers of Williamsburg is the most-reviewed tour of its kind in town, with more than 800 reviews on Viator and a 4.5 rating. Over an hour or so, a guide leads a small group through the dark streets of the Historic Area and the surrounding town, stopping outside buildings with a reputation and telling the stories attached to them: restless spirits, colonial tragedies, strange sounds and sightings that have been passed down for generations. The tales mix real history with local legend, and that is part of the fun, because you come away knowing more about who lived and died in these houses than many daytime visitors do. The tone is spooky rather than gory, so it works for older children as well as adults, and add-on options let you extend the experience. In November and December the early darkness means tours start in the evening, and the holiday decorations add atmosphere. This page links to the tour on Viator.
How it works: the walk lasts about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes and is priced at a modest per-person rate, with optional add-ons available at booking. Free cancellation is offered. The exact meeting point and the start times for your date are shown when you book and in your confirmation, so check them before you set out, and arrive a few minutes early.
What to expect: the route is entirely outdoors and on foot, mostly on level streets and brick sidewalks, which can be uneven in the dark. Dress for the weather, because November and December evenings are cold, and bring a small flashlight if you are unsure of your footing. Tours run in most weather, but check with the operator if a storm is forecast.
Making the most of it: book it for the evening of your Colonial Williamsburg day, after dinner at Merchants Square, so you see the same streets by day and by night. If you are hooked, the same operator runs a later, longer ultimate ghost tour and an adults-only haunted pub crawl.
What to expect
The experience
A guided evening walk through the colonial streets, stopping outside haunted buildings for ghost stories and local history.
Best time
The evening of your Colonial Williamsburg day, after dinner, when the streets are dark and quiet.
How long
About an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.
Tips
Check the meeting point and start time in your confirmation, wear warm layers and sturdy shoes, and carry a small flashlight.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples, groups of friends and families with older children looking for an evening plan in Williamsburg.
- Families
- The stories are spooky rather than gory, which suits most children of about ten and up.
- Couples
- A fun, atmospheric date after dinner at Merchants Square, especially with the holiday candles in the windows.
- Pair with
- A day in Colonial Williamsburg and the Patriots Tour, so you see the same streets by day and night.
- Time needed
- About an hour and a quarter, plus time to reach the meeting point.
Good questions
How long is the Whispers of Williamsburg ghost tour?+
The walk lasts about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Add-on options at booking can extend the experience.
Where does the ghost tour meet?+
The meeting point is given when you book and in your confirmation. Check it before you set out and arrive a few minutes early.
Is the ghost tour suitable for children?+
The tone is spooky rather than gory, so it works for most older children. Parents of young or easily frightened children may prefer a daytime history tour.
Does the ghost tour run in winter?+
Evening ghost tours run through the cooler months, and the early darkness adds atmosphere. Check available times for your date when you book.
Can I cancel the Williamsburg ghost tour?+
Yes, the tour offers free cancellation. Check the cut-off time on the booking page before you reserve.
