The thunder of cannon fire and the smell of fresh gunpowder still engulfs war-torn Yorktown from beyond the grave. Peer into this gory unseen world with Yorktown Ghosts.
Book NowJoin Yorktown Ghosts for a peek into the bloodiest affairs and haunted battlegrounds that have made Yorktown the spooky epicenter of colonial Virginia. Existing in perpetual dread, the town’s dead eagerly await your arrival.
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The 1722 Swan Tavern may be empty of living souls today, but the dead of Yorktown have made their favorite watering hole a home. A skeleton was dug up during excavations in 1935. But an ominous cloaked figure has been prowling the property since 1877. Who could it be? The list of terrors waiting within the Swan Tavern is almost endless.
Every night, three entities wander through the historic Nelson House. The building played a vital role in the final battle of the Revolutionary War, but it was not enough to quell the restless spirits lurking within. Their stories explain the fabric of the house and its journey through generations of war in a frightful dance often seen by the living.
Eerie sounds emanate from the mouth of this cave, where British General Cornwallis and his men hid from the bombardment of the Colonial army. Once again, Union forces utilized it during the Civil War, and it has harbored spine-tingling tales ever since. Demonic chants and moans are among many of the legends surrounding the cave.
Stand between the edges of madness with Yorktown Ghosts and dive into the fog of war surrounding the otherwise tranquil colonial town deep in the heart of Virginia. Yorktown Ghosts welcomes you into the darkest corners of the Revolutionary War, where the tortured souls of battle make their presence known to those who walk in their former paths.
War has raged over Yorktown twice and, in its wake, left a grotesque heap of casualties that simply refused to stay dead. The clash of arms still echoes loudly in Yorktown, only muffled by piles of putrid and rotting spectral soldiers.
Visit the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center with Yorktown Ghosts and enter a world where the unusual has become the norm. Echoes of canon fire and drum beats still boom late into the night, and triumphant music has been known to play for hours. The phantoms of the final battle of the Revolutionary War refuse to be silenced and have woken up the living numerous times in old Yorktown.
Some lost souls here are better known than others, like John “Jackie” Custis, the stepson of George Washington, who haunts the area searching for peace. His apparition is seen with bloodied bandages around his feet, a chilling reminder of the bloodletting that only quickened his death. Reserve your spot with Yorktown Ghosts to hear his tortured tale for yourself.
Visit Yorktown’s Most Haunted Locations, Including:
Well-preserved and silent structures hold monstrous burdens, along with the souls of those who sacrificed it all for their freedom. Walk with us to The Nelson House, a home that has witnessed death, war, and destruction since its walls were raised in 1745. The grim reaper came to the house early, taking the life of owner Tom Scoth’s daughter. Could her spirit be the one sobbing from an empty room on the third floor that is heard so often?
The Nelson Family, who trace their roots to founding father and Revolutionary War hero Thomas Nelson Jr., owned the house until 1908. Within this time, blood splattered across the hallways and staircases of the historic home on multiple occasions. It was used as a military hospital during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
Look toward the windows of the first floor, and you may see the agonized face of an injured soldier, his eyes nothing but deep sockets and his face covered in blood. But he is far from the most disturbing spirit within the home. Take a Yorktown ghost tour to discover who is watching unsuspecting visitors from the shadows.
With all the violence spewing from the ground of Yorktown’s bloodstained rebellion, it’s no wonder taverns were not hard to find. Drinking and death went hand in hand as much as the Founding Fathers and freedom. Often, they worked together.
Venture to The Swan Tavern, which opened for business in 1722, to hear of the late nights and bleary-eyed conversations held by those in control of America’s future. But behind the drinks once served here is the putrid smell of decay and rot. The National Park Service discovered this when they dug up human remains in 1935 during the tavern’s reconstruction.
Hear the accounts of shadowy figures and ominous apparitions that had plagued the building for decades before the excavation. A fire burned the building to near rubble in 1863, and shortly afterward, whispers of a cloaked apparition began to spread across Yorktown. Many years after the first sighting in 1877, this mysterious figure continued to wreak havoc in the world of the living.
Who knocked over furniture in the middle of the night during the building’s day as an antique store? Prepare yourselves for the answer with Yorktown Ghosts.
Explore the heart-wrenching tale of the Dudley Digges House outside this 1760 home that experienced the horrors of war first-hand. Cannonball damage was found during renovations in the 1960s, a haunting echo of the tumultuous past that had shaped its destiny. But this was far from the worst atrocity occurring in the home of Virginian politician Dudley Digges.
His wife Martha lost her life while in the pangs of childbirth. While Digges remarried and moved away after the war, her spirit has yet to be removed from where her flame was extinguished. Her ghost was heard during the same renovations that exposed the cannonball damage. Wails of unfathomable pain and desperation echoed through the home, and ever since, her spirit has loomed heavy over the house.
Find out what else the brooding spirit of Martha Digges has to say on an eerie and engaging haunted walking tour through Yorktown’s historic main street.
Stray bullets and cannon fodder laid waste to the citizens of Yorktown during the Revolutionary War, the effects of which are still felt by anyone who dares to enter their tormented world. Join Yorktown Ghosts at the Hornsby House Inn, where our spooky storytelling brings the haunting history of the Moore House to life.
Augustine Moore Jr. was the first to die in the home, the victim of a stray gunshot while tilling the fields during the Revolutionary War. He now eerily whispers, “I’m still working,” to anyone who will listen. Other unseen occupants curiously leave imprints of their presence in beds and chairs around the historic home.
Embark on a bone-chilling adventure with Yorktown Ghosts, where history and the otherworldly converge in the heart of Yorktown, Virginia. Reserve your spot tonight for a chance to look behind the town’s ever-thinning veil.
Wars are fought on battlefields, through city streets, and in the minds of those who fight them. Yorktown has remnants, both physical and spiritual, of the gory skirmishes that took place on its land scattered across the town. The most reputedly famous and haunted is Cornwallis’s Cave, where the minds of British soldiers and General Cornwallis were preparing for defeat as they hid from Colonial forces.
Listen closely, and you may hear what locals have been hearing for centuries: the voices and pained murmurs of spirits who have yet to fully surrender to their graves. Could they be pirates who sought refuge in the darkness of the cave? Or, as many believe, something demonic and far more sinister? The truth awaits you on our hair-raising excursion through the haunted ghost tour of Yorktown.
Victory comes quickly, accompanied by a grand celebration from the winner’s table and pools of blood from the losers, despite the length of the battle. From the ashes of this turmoil, monuments often rise, reaching towards the sky in eternal glory. But alongside them are the spirits of weary casualties, lost in eternal torment and anguish.
Follow Yorktown Ghosts to the Yorktown Victory Monument to learn about the 100-foot-tall statue’s enigmatic history and the spooky stories surrounding it. Defeated redcoats have been seen running across the nearby field when the moon is bright. The torn and tattered visage of a British Corporal covered in vicious wounds has frightened many away from the monument’s historic grounds.
The various battles of Yorktown have made this colonial town a haven for the otherworldly and those seeking their icy touch. Yorktown Ghosts invites you into this unforgiving world of the spectral. From the frightening Nelson House to the ominous shadowy figures lurking within the Swan Tavern, Yorktown is a treasure chest of hauntings for the brave traveler to discover.
Experienced tour guides lead the way on this ghostly journey with tales of first-hand encounters and historical facts to back them up. You may even hear a couple of stories from your fellow ghost adventurers. So what are you waiting for? Book your spot on the Yorktown ghost tour today!
* This is a walking tour and we do not enter privately-owned buildings or private property *
Looking for unique things to do in Yorktown? Join the Yorktown Ghosts ghost tour for a spine-tingling adventure not found anywhere else. As night falls, explore Yorktown’s most haunted locations, such as the Hornsby House Inn and Nelson House. Hear tales of restless spirits and eerie encounters, blending history and mystery for a thrilling experience.
Yorktown is part of the Historic Triangle of Virginia, along with Jamestown and Williamsburg. This area is rich in colonial history and is a popular destination for those interested in America’s early days. Complete that historic road trip and hear about the cities in a way found nowhere else. Spend a few days in each town and soak up as much history as possible. Yorktown Ghosts is the perfect addition to any itinerary while visiting Virginia’s Historic Triangle! While you’re at it, check out the Williamsburg ghost tours.
Yorktown’s waterfront area along the York River adds charm, offering scenic views, a beach, and recreational activities. The town’s historical sites, picturesque setting, and vibrant cultural heritage make Yorktown a key location for history enthusiasts and tourists seeking a blend of education and leisure. But behind all this is a much darker side of Yorktown, one that only reveals itself as the sun sets. Come along with Yorktown Ghosts to explore the shadowy side of this iconic town.
For a family-friendly activity that’s both educational and exciting, the Yorktown Ghosts ghost tour is an unforgettable experience everyone will enjoy! Perfect for all ages, this guided adventure takes you through the historic streets of Yorktown, revealing eerie tales and ghostly legends that captivate young and old alike.
Yorktown, Virginia, is renowned for its pivotal role in American history, particularly during the Revolutionary War. The town is most famous for the Siege of Yorktown, which took place in 1781. This decisive battle marked the last major conflict of the Revolutionary War, leading to the British surrender under General Lord Cornwallis to American and French forces. Book a spot on our Yorktown Ghosts haunted walking tour of Yorktown if you want to know everything there is to know about this monumental battle!
