We captured numerous ghostly orbs in some of our photos

Whether it’s the time we spent living in New Orleans or our obsession with Halloween, Dad and I just love ghost tours. Wandering deserted streets late at night as our guide spins intricate tales of long-ago tragedies, it is easy to feel like we are stepping back through time. We make it a priority to seek out ghost hunts everywhere we go. Our range of experiences includes making our way through an incredibly creepy basement in Savannah Georgia; climbing a fire escape to peek at a cage once used for female criminals in Jerome, Arizona; and traveling the streets of St. Augustine in a customized hearse. But our tour with Alamo City Ghost Tours in San Antonio, Texas, was one of the most interactive and scientific we have ever experienced.

About Alamo City Ghost Tours

The Alamo looked suitably creepy by twilight

The tour begins across from the Alamo, outside the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. The walk covers 13 haunted locations over a distance of approximately one mile. As of 2011, tours depart nightly at 9 pm and last approximately 2.5 hours. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for kids aged 5 to 17. Younger children are free. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome on the tour.

Our Experience

Dad and I spent a long, hot summer day exploring downtown San Antonio, and were very glad for a long dinner and rest break before the tour began. We arrived at the meeting spot around 8:30 and were able to check in with our guide, J.R., who is also the company owner, at about 8:45.

Our guide, J.R., was also the company owner

Many ghost hunts focus on creepy guides and smooth storytelling methods. We were immediately struck by the more scientific presentation offered by Alamo City Ghost Tours. Once everyone was checked in, J.R. distributed EMF meters and thermal meters to everyone, and went over how to use them. He also spoke a bit about paranormal investigation and his own involvement in the field. He stressed that we might or might not capture any paranormal activity and explained some of the non-paranormal reasons for unusual EMF readings (electrical interference is particularly common).

We walked at a reasonably brisk but comfortable pace, and stops were frequent. In each location, J.R. gave us the history of the spot and encouraged us to use our ghost hunting equipment. While many ghost tours build the stories up a bit for maximum drama, J.R. stuck to the documented historical reality. This in no way detracted from the tour, however, as the real-life history of San Antonio proved suitably exciting.

The dowsing rod experiments were quite engaging

Roughly midway through the tour, we stopped by the river, where J.R. brought out a dowsing rod. Used in divination since at least the early 1500s, dowsing rods are sometimes thought to be conduits to the supernatural. J.R. explained several theories on how they work, including both paranormal and more mundane possibilities. He performed a few experiments with a volunteer from the group, and then handed out several rods for us to play with. The results were mixed, which J.R. explained is common, particularly on a night as windy as that one.

After the tour, J.R. stuck around for awhile to answer questions, give directions and simply chat. The tour ends several blocks from where it began, so be sure to ask for directions to your car or hotel if you are unfamiliar with the city.

Tips for Parents

The tour was highly interactive

As a scientific and historic tour, Alamo City Ghost Tours is entirely appropriate for children. Although tales of murder and mayhem are, by necessity, fairly graphic, the tour does not sensationalize them. The stories are well researched and told simply and honestly. The focus is definitely on the investigative elements as everyone works together to see if any evidence of a haunting is present.

The thermal readers use lasers, similar to laser pointers, and can be damaging if pointed directly into someone’s eyes. Although guests are encouraged to use the readers liberally, there are a few ground rules, such as not pointing them at oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Make sure your kids understand and follow the rules, for everyone’s safety.

Tour group sizes are not as severely restricted by law in San Antonio as they are in other places, and groups of 50 are not uncommon. If you are in a bigger group, keep a close eye on your kids. Although the guides go out of their way to ensure everyone’s safety, you are walking dark streets at night. Try not to let smaller kids get lost in the crowd.

Related Articles:

San Antonio: The River Walk and the Alamo

Remember the Alamo in San Antonio

Buckhorn and Texas Ranger Museum: San Antonio Celebrates the Bizarre

A great guide can really make a ghost tour spectacular

They say that every city has its own unique energy. Certainly Los Angeles feels different than New York, and Chicago could never be mistaken for Orlando. But in some cities, the energy feels just a little more supernatural, like something could be lurking behind every doorway. Although these cities may be wildly different from each other, they tend to have certain things in common.

Port towns, particularly those once ruled by pirates, cities steeped in violence or bloodshed, and places once known for voodoo or other alternative religious practices generally have the highest incidences of reported ghosts. Whether you actually believe in spirits or not, ghost tours are a great way to learn the more colorful history of a given city. But are they appropriate for children?

Mode of Transport

Walking tours are the most common

By far the most common ghost tours are one-hour walks. The tour generally covers less than a mile, and the group stops frequently to listen to stories. These walking tours generally stay outside on the sidewalk rather than entering any of the properties. This is probably the easiest type of tour to experience with children, since you can easily break away from the group if the kids get scared or bored. Strollers may be acceptable, since the tour stays outdoors, but some tour operators ask guests not to bring them because of narrow streets and crowds. Call in advance if you want to bring a stroller.

Some tours cover more ground and provide transportation. Trolleys and carriages are particularly popular modes of transport, but some ghost tours actually use customized hearses! If you are sure your kids will make it through the full trip, these tours are an excellent option. You will make several stops along the way to get out and take pictures, which gives the kids a chance to stretch their legs.

Interior Tours

Some tours go inside a haunted building

Some ghost tours actually go inside one or more buildings. A common type is the in-depth, single-building tour such as the Sorrel-Weed House in Savannah, Georgia or the Old City Jail in Charleston, South Carolina. Another option is a paranormal investigative tour that covers four or five buildings in a single night, such as those offered in various locations at various times by the International Society for Paranormal Research.

The room was illuminated only by photo flashes

Note that some outdoor walking tours actually do go inside a haunted building, or at least allow you to get very close. Tour guides are generally long-term local residents who have built excellent relationships with the owners of the properties along their routes. On a tour in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, we were permitted to go up the stairs and peek in the windows of one of the houses, with the owner’s permission.

On a tour years ago in New Orleans, the guide was extremely theatrical. He had us stand in the doorway of an apartment building, just outside the front door, while he drew us into a story about the building across the street. The place he was describing was the scene of a gruesome multiple murder, where body parts were found strewn throughout the building and grounds. Just as our guide got to the climax of the story, he proclaimed, “And when the police arrived, it probably looked something…LIKE THIS!” At that moment, he used his cane to swing open the doorway behind us. We all spun around to view a dimly lit apartment with arms, legs and torsos scattered about! After our collective scream, the tour guide started laughing. It turned out that was his apartment, and he decorated it with theatrical props for tour groups. It was the last stop of the tour on a bitterly cold night, so he invited the whole group inside for hot chocolate and we had a very pleasant visit.

Pub Stops

Your tour may include a short break at a local watering hole

Although some tours do not permit guests to consume alcohol during the tour, others build in a pub stop for refreshments and restroom visits. If children are permitted on the tour, then they are also allowed inside at any stop. If it bothers you for your children to be exposed to any drinking, then you may want to choose a tour without a pub stop. In general, though, ghost tour participants are interested in the subject matter and not likely to get drunk. On the rare occasion that someone does overindulge, he or she generally loses interest and wanders away shortly after.

Age Requirements

Some tours are extremely intense

Not all ghost tours are appropriate for all ages. Pub crawls, particularly those that include alcoholic beverages in the price, are usually restricted to adults aged 21 or above. Late-night tours, often defined as those that begin after 10 p.m., may be limited to legal adults. Some in-depth tours have age restrictions, especially those that distribute EMF meters and other research equipment. Teens may be allowed on these tours with parental supervision.

In general, early-evening walking and trolley tours welcome all ages. Always call or visit the company’s website to ask about age requirements before booking your tour. Although any tour guide can have a bad night, we have consistently found that companies that welcome kids are excellent at keeping the kids interested and involved.

The Scare Factor

Ghost tour guides are good at setting the mood

Whether or not a tour is “scary” depends on dozens of factors. Ghost tours differ from Halloween haunted houses in that a ghost tour guide will not try to “scare” you. But they are great at setting the mood, whether by carrying a lantern and dressing in period clothing, or simply modulating their voices for a creepy effect. Being scared also depends on your personal beliefs about ghosts. Strange phenomena have been reported in all of the visited locations, from cold breezes to actual ghost sightings. If something unusual happens, crowd reactions range from disbelief to screaming to laughing.

When deciding whether to take your kids on a ghost tour, consider their individual temperaments. Are they afraid of the dark? Do they tend to take things in stride? Do they believe in ghosts? Outside walking tours are generally best for a child’s first ghost tour, since they will be on the street and well away from the haunted building. Interior tours tend to feel a bit more intense.

Material

The stories are always gruesome and sometimes salacious

By their nature, ghost tours focus on the seedy and violent underbelly of the city. You may hear stories of prostitutes, pirates, serial killers and plagues. Although the stories are factually presented and are not graphic, some parents are uncomfortable with their kids hearing about such matters. In our experience, most kids take in the stories at whatever level they are ready for, with more adult portions of the tale going right over their heads. Of course, you should always be prepared to answer any questions that might arise.

Choosing a Tour

A good company gives you factual information about known hauntings

Cities that are known for their ghosts and spirits tend to have a wide variety of ghost tours to choose from. Pick up brochures for every tour in town, and then start narrowing them down. Some won’t be offered on a night that you have free. Some won’t allow children. Some involve more walking or more time than you want to invest. Some are out of your price range.

Once you have narrowed down your options to just a few choices, ask around for local recommendations. The visitor center and your hotel concierge are both excellent sources of information. If you happen to meet other locals, ask who they prefer. We have found that each city generally has one or two highly-respected ghost tour companies. Always try to go with the best.