9 Ghostly Tennessee Tours to Experience This Fall
Tennessee comes alive this Halloween with haunted prisons, ghostly lantern tours, and historic sites steeped in eerie tales. From Brushy Mountain Penitentiary to Elmwood Cemetery, these nine spine-tingling destinations are perfect for thrill-seekers and ghost story lovers alike. Image: Tennessee Tourism
Fall is officially in the air, and with it comes the thrill of ghost stories, haunted history, and spine-tingling adventures. Tennessee’s haunted past isn’t just legend, though. It’s alive in historic prisons, hotels, cemeteries, and more. Whether you’re chasing apparitions, touring by lantern light, or simply love a good scare, these nine spooky experiences and ghost tours in Tennessee should make your Halloween bucket list.
Brushy Mountain Penitentiary | Petros, TN
Tours: Thursday through Sunday, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm EST
More Info: tourbrushy.com
Known as “The End of the Line,” this former maximum-security prison opened in 1896 and housed notorious inmates, including James Earl Ray, who infamously attempted to escape in 1977. After closing in 2009, Brushy Mountain earned a reputation as one of Tennessee’s most haunted spots. Visitors often report footsteps, apparitions, disembodied voices, and EVP recordings, especially in The Hole, cell blocks, the Mess Hall, and James Earl Ray’s Cell 28. October tours are now available, including paranormal investigations. The site also features a distillery, restaurant, concert venue, and an on-site RV park.
Dread Hollow & Lantern Tour at Ruby Falls | Chattanooga, TN
Tours: Thursday through Sunday, October 2 through November 2
More Info: dreadhollow.com
Dread Hollow returns with new chills, including interactive haunted spaces like the Belle Royale Hotel, Dreadwood Forest, and Dread Hollow High School. For a more historical scare, Ruby Falls also hosts the Lantern Tour: Ghost Walk Edition, sharing Chattanooga legends and ghostly tales by lantern light. (Note: Kids under 12 are not permitted.)
Victorian Séance at Mabry-Hazen House | Knoxville, TN
Tours: October 23, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; October 24 & 25, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; October 26, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More Info: mabryhazen.com
Step into the season of the dead with a Victorian séance experience that explores America’s fascination with death, burial, and spiritualism. Not into séances? You can also take a walking tour on October 16 with the executive director of Mabry-Hazen House, which explores Knoxville’s infamous Gun Fight on Gay Street.
Historic Rugby Lantern Tours | Rugby, TN
Tours: Select dates through October
More Info: historyhighwayshaunts.com
Tour a Victorian village founded in 1880 by British author Thomas Hughes, and join After Dark Lantern Tours for guided ghost walks, paranormal investigations, and private ghost hunts. Alongside hauntings, Rugby offers hikes, teas, galas, and performances throughout the year.
Haunts at the Font | Castalian Springs, TN
Date: October 18 at 6 p.m.
More Info: historiccastaliansprings.org
Located about an hour from Nashville, Cragfont State Historic Site also invites guests to explore its grounds by lantern light. Journey from the historic tobacco barn to the looming mansion, encountering spirited characters from Cragfont’s past. Enjoy apple cider by the fire and historic murder ballads performed by the Traveling Caudells. (Note: This tour is not suitable for kids under 9.)
Lotz House | Franklin, TN
Tours: Friday nights in October
More Info: lotzhouse.com
The 1858 Lotz House, central to the Battle of Franklin, served as a hospital for both sides during the Civil War and sustained cannonball damage. Visitors often report apparitions, mysterious sounds, and displaced items. Daytime tours and Friday night walking tours throughout October highlight the home’s haunted history.
Bell Witch Cave | Adams, TN
Tours: Click HERE to see all available options
More Info: bellwitchcave.com
Part of the legendary Bell Witch story, Bell Witch Cave is steeped in eerie activity, including reports of flying rocks and mysterious lights. Black Wolf Paranormal offers overnight investigations of the cave, replica cabin, and nearby Native American burial hill.
Elmwood Cemetery | Memphis, TN
Tours: Click HERE to see all available options
More Info: elmwoodcemetery.org
Established in 1852, Elmwood Cemetery spans 80 acres and is the resting place of over 75,000 people, including generals, governors, and local luminaries. Visit the Victorian-era monuments, join docent-led tours, or explore via free walking and driving tours.
SB Tip: For a full night of dark tales, hop on the Haunted Memphis Bus Tour for local legends and paranormal stories.
Halloween Campfire Storytelling | T.O. Fuller State Park in Memphis, TN
Date: October 28 at 6 p.m.
More Info: tnstateparks.com
Gather around the fire for Marshmallows and Mayhem, a family-friendly evening of folktales, spooky fables, and roasted marshmallows. Dress for the weather and bring blankets, snacks, and chairs for extra comfort!
From haunted penitentiaries to candlelit cemeteries, Tennessee’s fall offerings promise chills, thrills, and a peek into the state’s ghostly past. Are you brave enough to visit them all?
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Brianna Goebel
Brianna is StyleBlueprint’s Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.