How to Celebrate Halloween in Baltimore
From ghost tours to haunted places, here are some things to do for Halloween in Baltimore.
If you’re looking for things to do this Halloween, you’ve come to the right place. As a historic city that has been home to famous war battles and legendary authors, Baltimore has its share of haunted locales and ghost sightings. It’s no surprise, then, that we take our spooky season seriously. From eerie tours to haunted hotels and macabre museums, here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate Halloween in Baltimore.
Ghost Tours
Get to know the spirits of Baltimore.
The Original Fell’s Point Ghostwalk
It’s rumored that ghosts roam the stone streets of Fell’s Point, a historic waterfront neighborhood where privateers preyed on British shipping vessels during the War of 1812. Spooky stories about sailors who mysteriously went missing are plentiful—it seems every bar, shop and home has one—and you can learn all about them on this tour led by Baltimore Ghost Tours.
The Fell’s Point Haunted PubWalk
Step inside, grab a drink and enjoy the atmosphere of some of Fell’s Point’s most haunted pubs with this one-of-a-kind bar crawl by Baltimore Ghost Tours. Taverns in the area have long been the stomping grounds of locals and visitors alike looking for a good time, and today it’s no different. As you relax with a drink in hand, you’ll be entranced by tales of ghost sightings that took place right where you’re sitting.
The Mount Vernon GhostWalk
Once home to many of Baltimore’s most elite citizens, Mount Vernon remains Baltimore’s cultural center—and it may be spookier than you think. As you admire the gothic architecture along this weekend tour, a guide from Baltimore Ghost Tours will tell you all about guests who never checked out of the Belvedere Hotel, a séance gone wrong and more.
Mount Vernon Haunted PubWalk
Through this two-hour tour, an experienced guide from Baltimore Ghost Tours will tell you tales of wandering spirits that remain in Mount Vernon as you drink some spirits of your own. You’ll get to walk around the neighborhood and step inside some local-favorite watering holes, all while learning about the eerie history of the area.
US Ghost Adventures
Explore some of Baltimore’s most haunted sites with US Ghost Adventures. The tour group offers three options for a different experience. Take a one-hour walking tour of Fell’s Point, Baltimore’s oldest neighborhood, or explore the storied history of Jonestown along the President Street corridor. You can also opt for a haunted pub crawl to enjoy some spirits while hunting for spirits.
Haunted Sites
Create your own ghost tour with these spooky places.
Lord Baltimore Hotel
Encounters with the other side have long been reported at this downtown hotel. Built in 1928, the Lord Baltimore Hotel was one of the tallest structures in the city during the Great Depression, a time of terrible tragedy and reckoning for many. Since then, guests and employees have reported seeing the ghost of a young girl named Molly with a red ball, looking for her parents. Step inside, if you dare, and see if you can spot her for yourself.
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
It is said that at this historic fort that played a key role in the War of 1812, you’ll find eerie experiences beyond belief. In the past, park rangers have heard footsteps, workers have seen shadows and visitors have smelled gunpowder from the not-in-use, on-site machinery. What’s the most famous account of out-of-this-world sightings? The tale of a ghostly marching guard who patrols along the outer battery of Fort McHenry, hoisting a rifle.
Fort McHenry often hosts events with historical reenactments on the grounds where real battles once took place.
USS Constellation
Reports of spooky noises and strange figures circulate around this historic ship that is docked in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. In one story, visitors took a tour of the ship, only to find out later that no man of the guide’s description was employed there. Take a tour of your own and see if you see or feel anything out of the ordinary.
Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum
Walk the same narrow, winding staircases as Edgar Allan Poe, the author known for his tales of mystery, at the famed Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, as the site was once home to Poe and several of his family members in the 1830s. The now-refurbished National Historic Landmark includes artifacts such as Poe’s portable writing desk and chair, a telescope, china and glassware.
Westminster Hall and Burying Ground
Edgar Allan Poe’s final resting place at Westminster Hall & Burying Ground.
Fittingly, Edgar Allan Poe’s death, and even his afterlife, is shrouded in mystery. In October of 1849, he was found delirious on the street in Fell’s Point and, oddly, was wearing clothes that were not his own. A few days later, he passed away and was buried beneath the grounds of this cemetery, Westminster Hall and Burying Ground, where visitors often leave flasks of Cognac, coins and flowers. On Halloween, come by for a reading of Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, as well as a rare chance to visit the cemetery’s catacombs.
The Horse You Came In On Saloon
This Fell’s Point bar is rumored to be one of Edgar Allan Poe’s favorite drinking spots, as well as the site of his final drink. Employees claim Poe’s ghost haunts The Horse You Came In On Saloon, causing strange occurrences like a chandelier swinging on its own and a cash register drawer opening by itself. Dive into the mystery with a beer in hand, if you dare.
Fell Family Tomb
The final resting place of the Fell family, the founders of Fell’s Point, is said to be haunted. A ghostly figure, likely one of the brothers Edward or William Fell, has been seen walking along Shakespeare Street toward the family’s gravesite after last call. Come fall, the space will appear even more ominous than ever, perfect for thrill-seekers and historians alike.
The Admiral Fell Inn
Throughout its history, the Admiral Fell Inn has served as a ship chandlery, a theater and a boarding house for sailors, and it seems some of the characters may have stuck around. Former guests have reported seeing floating sailors and disappearing butlers that roam the halls. For those who want to see for yourself, current guests can arrange a ghost tour of the seven historic buildings on site (and it’s sure to give you goosebumps).
Costume Ideas
Looking for some Baltimore-themed costume inspiration? We have a few ideas.
