Is Galveston a Good Place for Ghost Hunting?

Ghost hunting has been a popular pastime for adventurous visitors of the iconic Texas coastal town Galveston for many years. Stories of whimsical, mischievous spirits have been told in many pubs and restaurants, luring thrill-seekers in search of a supernatural experience. But what is the real history of this stunning coastal town, and is it actually a good place to engage in some good-natured ghost hunting?

Though it’s surprisingly difficult to find reliable, comprehensive information on the historical hauntings in Galveston and what the best places may be, doing a bit of digging reveals an interesting past. The town has been linked to many notorious and significant people, organizations and events and was likely to have plenty of restless spirits walking the streets, yearning for recognition.

From its days as a booming port in the mid-1800s to being hit by major storms including the 1900 hurricane that took close to 8,000 lives, not to mention being associated with warring Native American tribes, Galveston has witnessed more than its fair share of tragedy.

So let’s dig deeper into some potential haunted sites around Galveston, what types of hauntings you might experience and how to go about ghost hunting with the least amount of risk and disturbances.

Galveston: A Rich History, Full of Interesting Stories

Still today, one of the greatest attractions in this small town is its roots, which extend back to 1818 when it was deemed Galvezport, in honor of Spanish Count Bernardo de Gálvez. From then on it developed as a popular port city in the mid-1800s with numerous settlers coming to call it their home, including the French and some of their original settlers still remain today.

Interestingly enough, during the Civil War Galveston was occupied by Confederate forces. In 1866 Union troops nevertheless managed to take control of the city and as a result, it became the last Confederate stronghold to fall in Texas.

If you’re researching potential ghostly locations to visit around Galveston, it would come as no surprise that many were connected to this tumultuous history in some way or another. One great example is the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa – ghosts or no ghosts – it is the perfect place for visitors to immerse themselves into an era gone by.

The Different Types of Haunted Locations in Galveston

The majority of the potential haunted locations in Galveston are connected to historical buildings, as well as locations with a strong association to Galveston’s social history. Sites like the famous Menard House, said to be haunted by the spirit of a former tenant who lost his life in a duel at Montgomery Plaza; Greune Hall, with tales of mysterious activity after hours and most notably, Ashton Villa mansion that exhibits clear signs of paranormal activity such as strange humming noises in the attic that still baffle ghost hunters today.

Of course ghost-hunting doesn’t need to be confined to grand old buildings and big external locations; there are plenty of pubs and dining establishments that according to locals are frequented by the spirits of Galvestan’s past – especially those near The Strand Historic District. These ghosts generally make their presence known by creating a chill in the air or making strange noises, but on occasion everything from dishes crashing and children laughing have been reported.

How Do You Ghost Hunt Without Disturbing Those That Haunt?

No activity should ever be undertaken lightly when visiting any rumored supernatural location and etiquette is just as important when pursuing ghosts as it is when visiting family or friends.

The primary thing you should remember when embarking on your own attempt at ghost hunting near Galveston is that you are an observer – never attempt to seek the attention of potential spirits, force them or cause them any distress for whatever reason.

In addition it’s worthwhile researching the history of any potential site before you visit; this will put you in better stead when it comes to understanding why any potential apparitions may still remain today. At the end of the day respect is key to effective ghost hunting – and respect for all living beings Ghostly or otherwise should always be at the front of your mind.

Galveston’s Haunted Pub Crawl Offers a Guided Experience

If all this sounds a bit too daunting, fear not; there are safer options available, especially if you are concerned about offending any forgotten souls who may be lingering around certain sites but more importantly if you wish to remain aware and safe while ghost hunting.

Take for example Galveston’s Haunted Pub Crawl Walking tour an incredibly popular activity offered by GetYourGuide that takes you to explore purported haunted sites like The Tremont House and Hotel Galvez while staying undercover with one knowledgeable local tour guide.

The tour includes stops at some of Galveston’s most noticeable spirits located at watering holes with plenty of chilling stories about unexplained events that have taken place in these venues throughout generations.

Returning tourists often remark how the Pub Crawl brought their otherwise subjective paranormal experience alive with detailed accounts from both their tour guide as well as those moments where they felt reactions from both seen and unseen forces that cannot be easily explained away.

We certainly would not suggest trying to carry out an effective ghost hunt without fully understanding potential risks or disturbing these old souls without due respect – so safe to say that booking an organized tour from an experienced guide could well be your safest bet while looking for something spooky during your visit to Galveston.

Conclusion: Is Galveston a Good Place To Ghost Hunt?

What should we make then of all these thrilling hauntings around Galveston? Does Galveston actually make for a good place for non-professional ghost hunting? Unquestionably; there’s more than enough evidence directly related to Galvestan’s history that points to a wide range of mysterious activity taking place around town – more than enough to encourage anyone looking for a supernatural experience into giving it a try.

This being said however it should be kept in mind that professional ghost hunters should always be respected and followed – no one should enter any claimed haunted location without their permission, nor should anyone attempt their own ghost hunt without having read up about available safety measures and proper etiquette – for instance through joining an organized tour such as Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour. After all, nothing would spoil an otherwise spooky experience faster than an arresting officer!