I’ll be the first to admit, ghost tours aren’t usually my first choice when I think of things to do in a city, but US Ghost Adventures may have changed my mind! They reached out at the end of last year and invited me to try out a local tour. Though it took a bit of time to schedule a proper tour due to weather and work interruptions, I was happy to meet them on a dreary night in early March. I was immediately put at ease, learning that this tour does not include any demonic content, but mostly true crime stories, some friendly Caspers, and a few sassy heroines of their times.
Here is my wrap up with review at the end:
*NO SPOILERS*
Haunted (and not so haunted) Houston History
The tour began in Market Square where we learned a lot of local history before our walking journey began. We stood at the site of the original City Hall Building from 1904. There’s only a small piece left (middle photo). Having been here multiple times for other events, it was pretty cool to know this existed as I had walked by it unnoticed. Towards the end of the tour we also walked near many of the historical buildings that stood during the years Houston was the Capital of the Republic of Texas during 1937-1939. Though they’ve been modified (third photo above) with additional stories, you can see the distinct portions of the buildings before they were built upon.
The Dangers of the Buffalo Bayou
Houston-area bayous are dangerous, especially during our historic floods. It’s been reported by the Houston Public Media and other local news entities that over 200 people have been found in the Houston bayous since 2017. In 2025, Houston saw a record high number of 33 deaths with Buffalo Bayou having the highest concentration of cases. Though many cases are classified as accidental drownings or undetermined, the suspicions of a serial killer continues to grow despite local authorities claiming to have a lack of evidence.
So, it’s no surprise that the Houston Haunts Ghost Tour spends a lot of time along the bayou during its walk. The tales told here are quite interesting and practical. One of my favorite stops along the bayou area is the old Spaghetti Warehouse, unfortunately now a night club, where haunts continue to be reported. The storytelling throughout the tour, especially in this area, was absolutely stellar. I was clued in the whole time!
Historic Hotels
If you happen to be staying at The Sam Houston Hotel or the former Rice Hotel (now rentable lofts) then you’d be even more entertained by the stories here! The Sam Houston had an enthralling tale of a married couple that will keep your attention, but The Rice Hotel has such an amazing past! My only hint: John F. Kennedy stayed here the night before he left for Dallas, TX. That’s right… on November 21, 1963. So you can only imagine the stories at these two historic hotel stops on the walking tour. The former Sambuca restaurant on the first floor also has a story I think you’d enjoy! [Ahhh, this is hard to keep spoilers out of this review!]
My Favorite Part: Watching the EMF Reader
As a novice of ghost tours, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel with the gifted add-on of using an EMF reader on the tour. I consider myself an “in-betweener” of ghost culture – I don’t 100% believe in ghosts, but I don’t NOT believe the things that are being shared either. So, I passed the EMF reader to my advanced ghost tour friend, Lisa. For the most part, it was pretty calm and our guide, Eve, said the ghosts were quite calm that evening. However, when we were at La Carafe, Houston’s most notorious haunted site and wine bar, we were learning about a fellow named Carl who is known to haunt the 2nd floor. As we were looking at his window (now sealed with artistic glass) I kept saying, “Carlllll” like one of my favorite YouTube shows. Every time I said his name, the reader would flash to red, a signal for spirit presences. As Carl was a friendlier spirit, I felt comfortable and had a joyous time watching the reader flicker. Throughout the tour I found myself staring at it and anticipating happy haunts. If you visit a US Ghost Adventures tour, I highly recommend this $7 add-on. It really was a lot of fun and not scary at all.
Surprise Content
Haunts, History, AND Art are all included in a Houston Haunted Haunts Ghost Tour with US Ghost Adventures. As we walked along downtown we couldn’t help but notice these brilliant works of art (only 3 of many photographed). Even in the darker part of the evening, they are stunning. Eve, our guide, had background information on the murals and the artists who created them. It was an unexpected surprise and I was grateful we didn’t just walk past them without acknowledging the beautiful diversity that makes our city better!
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Pet-Friendly, Mobility Information, and After Party Recommendation
Just a quick note for those who are traveling with pets: The Houston Ghost Tour is pet-friendly as no locations are entered. Make sure to bring some water because Houston can get humid anytime of the year, and you are walking/standing for over 90 minutes.
Mobility-wise: You are standing and walking for about an hour and a half. Our information said to anticipate a 60-minute tour, but we definitely went longer. There’s a bit of a climb from the Bayou area back to the downtown Market Square area, but it wasn’t uncomfortable to me. I do have older family members that may have struggled a bit. After 2 hours or so, I even sat down on some steps outside the Alley Theatre on our extended VIP section of the tour.
After-Party: After the tour finishes, if you have never visited, I highly recommend making your way back to La Carafe wine bar. I believe it’s still CASH-ONLY so be prepared, but it’s just such a cool vibe. With staff’s permission, they may let you explore the second floor that was closed a few years ago due to structural concerns. They have a bar and small tables inside the first floor and few tables outside if you have a furry friend with you. It would really bring the ghost tour experience full circle.
US Ghost Adventures Company Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The staff members I worked with over email were very kind and understanding around my schedule, and even added on a VIP extension and the use of an EMF device to the tour I booked. The local guide during the tour was equally kind and fun. Because I value great customer service and quality of experience, I would recommend US Ghost Adventures in Houston, and would be excited to take a ghost tour or a haunted bar crawl in the other 260 cities that they organize tours!
Note: I was gifted this experience so I did not pay for my tour or the device. However, I was not paid for my review, my blog post, or social media videos.
Note: As an Expedia Creator and US Ghost Adventures affiliate member, I may earn a small commission from qualifying hotel and/or tour purchases. Your support is so appreciated!
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