From Our Haunted House to Yours
Get Spooked at These Historic Local Haunts
The Hermitage
Nashville
GHOST TOURS: TRAGEDY AND MYSTERY AT THE HERMITAGE
Most days you can step into the home of the seventh President and explore more than 1,120 acres of historic grounds, gardens, exhibits, trails, and the beautifully preserved Hermitage Mansion. Come October, enter if you dare...
Your night just got a little more haunting...
ICHABOD'S LAST RIDE: A NEW NIGHTTIME WAGON EXPERIENCE
Inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this journey through The Hermitage grounds combines narration, sound effects, and audio cues with the darkness, historic landscape, and movement of the wagon to draw you into the eerie world of Ichabod Crane. This isn’t a traditional haunted hayride. There are no actors or jump scares along the route. Instead, imagine an old-time radio drama brought to life – with the sounds of the horses, the nighttime landscape, and the story unfolding around you as you ride. Runs every Thursday-Sunday, through November 7th.
EXPLORE THE HAUNTED SIDE OF HISTORY AT ANDREW JACKSON'S HERMITAGE
Step into the shadows of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage for a lantern-lit evening tour exploring ghost stories, unexplained happenings, and strange accounts connected to the mansion, grounds, family cemetery, and Jackson himself. Ghost Tours will begin at Andrew & Rachel’s Café, where guests can enjoy ghostly treats and specialty drinks before heading out on the lantern-lit tour! Along the way, guests will hear stories passed down through generations while also learning about death, mourning, funerary customs, and superstitions of the late-Regency and early Victorian eras. Blending history, folklore, and the atmosphere of Tennessee's most historic site, this tour offers a rare after-hours look at The Hermitage and the mysteries that have lingered there for more than two centuries.
You’ve seen The Hermitage by day. But when the sun goes down, the stories take on a different life. Explore The Hermitage after dark and hear stories of tragedy, mystery, and the unexplained. Ghost Tours will happen rain or shine, and tickets will NOT be refunded due to weather conditions. Ghost Tours begin run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, through November 7th. Tours are offered nightly at both 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
EDGAR ALLEN POE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MACABRE
Spend an evening with one of America's most celebrated authors in this captivating living history presentation. Portrayed by acclaimed interpreter Charles Wissinger, Edgar Allan Poe reflects on the triumphs, tragedies, and personal experiences that shaped his extraordinary life and inspired some of literature's most enduring works. Discover the man behind The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher as Poe shares his remarkable journey in his own words, on October 15th at 7:00 p.m. Whether you're a longtime admirer or new or his work, this unique program offers an unforgettable look at the life and legacy of the master of the macabre.
If you didn’t get your fill of the spirit world visiting The Hermitage, then here are a few more ghostly opportunities to commune with the dead this Halloween season.
The Lotz House
Franklin
A nationally recognized historic home built in 1858 that served as a field hospital during the bloodiest hours of the Battle of Franklin. It features original furnishings, structural civil war damage, and is frequently featured on national television for high levels of reported paranormal activity.
Franklin on Foot
Franklin
Offers the popular ninety-minute Grim and Ghostly historic district tour exploring dark local crime, Civil War tragedy, and haunted spots like Cherry Manor. Meeting Point: Standard tours start at Landmark Booksellers in downtown Franklin.
Bell Witch Cave & Cabin Tours
Adams
Guided lantern tours exploring the infamous Bell Witch Cave, the John Bell cabin site, and dark local folklore surrounding America's most famous haunting.
Two Rivers Mansion
Nashville
Spirit of Two Rivers Historic Tours: Guided historic tour season (with a ghost story or two perhaps!) goes through October 28th. Limited Special “After Dark” Tours: After dark have a ghost tour experience at Two Rivers Mansion. Ghost-hunting equipment welcome!
Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens
McMinnville
Saturdays in October just got spookier… Follow George McGlothin, Falcon Rest’s owner and chief storyteller, through the mansion as he recounts ghostly experiences reported to him during the thirty-seven years, he has shared the building with its previous “residents.” Reserve your place any Saturday night this October – if you dare! $25 per person plus tax; limited availability.
Cragfont
Castalian Springs
Haunts at the Font: Explore the spooky landscape of Cragfont by lantern! Along the way, you'll meet a few restless souls with a story to tell! Join on October 17th for an evening of ghost stories and spooky tales! Guests will be guided by lantern along a trail from the historic tobacco barn to Cragfont, looming creepily in the distance. Along the way, you will encounter a number of characters from Cragfont's spirited past. Each will have a spine-tingling story to tell! Before and after the tour, calm your fears with apple cider by the fire and the soothingly spooky sounds of historic murder ballads performed by the Traveling Caudells.
