Ghosts & graves: The Capital Region's best haunted tours 🕯️👻 😬

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’ve rounded up some of the best haunted tours and eerie experiences happening now through Halloween. Ready to meet the region’s restless spirits?

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Hey, hey, we love getting fan mail (an even the occasional hate mail). Rebecca Ryan, who won a spot in Phat’s sold-out Vietnamese cooking class, sent us a letter so kind that it made us blush!

Rebecca writes: “A while back, Instagram led me to the 518 Newsletter, and what a delight it’s been! It offers such a great mix of news, events, history, culture… it’s become one of my favorite local resources. The work that Phat and Karley are doing to build community is incredible, and it definitely doesn’t go unnoticed!”

Speaking of the work we put into the newsletter, we’re considering making a MAJOR change—publishing the newsletter once instead of twice a week. This would allow us more time and space to put together cool events that bring people together IRL. Besides, a little birdie told us that folks don’t necessarily read ALL of our emails 😅

Let us know what you think about this change!

🕯️ Top haunted tours & ghostly experiences this spooky season

For seekers of ghost stories, true crime, and macabre tales, the Capital Region is a fertile place for frightful fun. Get your spook on at these chilling haunted tours…

Haunted Capitol Night Tours

Wander the hallowed halls of power after dark. These tours explore ghostly legends of the New York State Capitol building. Highlights include the spot where a night watchman died in a fire and sometimes reappears, and visits by dead presidents. If you love New York history, this needs to be on your spooky list. Watch this video to get a sneak peek of the tour. We had a grand ol’ time on this tour last year!

Free, but reservations required; through Oct. 31.

Candlelight Tours of the Haunted Stockade

Experience Schenectady’s historic Stockade District after dark and uncover the haunted history of this nearly 400-year-old neighborhood. Guided by expert storytellers, you’ll hear eerie tales on the “Ghostly Victorian” tour as you pass gas-lit stoops and shadowy corners. Or choose the “Colonial Hauntings” route, where colonial-era spirits are said to linger along cobblestone streets and centuries-old homes. Both tours offer a chilling glimpse into the past—if you’re brave enough to walk it.

$16; through Oct. 31.

The Dark Side of Downtown Albany

Dare to tread where the streets whisper secrets? Join the Historic Albany Foundation for The Dark Side of Downtown: a guided, 90-minute walking tour that leads you through downtown Albany’s haunted corners, telling true crime tales, local legends, and unsolved mysteries whispered in old newspapers and alley‑way murmurings.

$25 donation; through Oct. 30.

Eerie Albany Historic Ghost Tour

Discover Albany has its own 90‑minute stroll through downtown Albany, tracing ghost stories at Ten Broeck Triangle, Olde English Pub, and the Capitol’s more mysterious corners. It’s part of Albany’s All‑Halloween Festival, and they dig into rumors, ghastly gossip, and haunted history.

$17.85; this Friday, Oct. 17.

Murder at Cherry Hill: A Harrowing Walk Through a Historic Event

A dramatic tour that re‑enacts the 1827 murder at Cherry Hill, complete with actors, chilling scenes, and shadowy suspense. The killing involved a member of Albany’s elite, who was killed in his family’s Georgian mansion at Cherry Hill. The murder of John Whipple resulted in “two sensational trials steeped in the issues of their time,” according to this WAMC report.

$25; Oct 9–11, 15–18, 22–25.

Stories from the Past at Albany Rural Cemetery

The sprawling Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands is a favorite haunt for ghost‑story walks. We visited for the first time a few months ago and it was a fascinating experience. Our readers consistently call it one of the Capital Region’s hidden gems. 

On Saturday, psychic medium Michele Lyons Polito will take you on a tour of the cemetery and share her experience working with local ghost hunting groups as well as her personal experiences with some of the local spirits. Sorry, she won’t be doing any personal readings at this event!

$20; this Saturday, Oct. 18.

Btw, the Greenbridge Cemetery in Saratoga is also hosting its Twilight Cemetery Tour this Saturday.

Manifestations: A Shaker Ghost Tour

Go beyond city streets and into the haunted history of America’s first Shaker settlement. Trigger warning: This ghost tour touches on sensitive topics including sickness, mental illness, suicide, physical abuse, religious persecution, and death, both of children and of adults. Which means, it ought to be pretty spooky.

$12.51; Oct. 17, 18, 19, 24, & 25.

City Séance Ghost Tour

Join Madam Maeve for a spooky journey through Albany’s haunted history, where legends like Legs Diamond, Herman Melville, and the ghost of Abraham Lincoln still linger. Presented by theREP and The Original Albany Ghost Tour, this after-dark walk uncovers chilling tales and mysterious apparitions hiding in the city’s shadows.

$25; Oct. 18, 21, 22, 24, 27 & 28.

Further afield:

• The Ghost Tours at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, in Lenox, MA

• Haunted History Ghost Tours at Fort William Henry

• The Walking Tours at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Email Was Only the Beginning

Four years in the making. One event that will change everything.

On November 13, beehiiv is redefining what it means to create online with their first-ever virtual Winter Release Event.

This isn’t just an update or a new feature. It’s a revolution in how content is built, shared, and owned. You don’t want to miss this.

Save your spot

🗣️ Got a burning question for the next President of Albany’s Common Council? Here’s your chance to ask it! The 518 will be moderating a debate between the (only) official candidate for Common Council President, Kelly Kimbrough (the Democratic Party and Working Families Party candidate), and write-in wild card, Jesse Sommer (New Scotland Spirits founder).

What do YOU want to know about the candidates’ plans for Albany’s neighborhoods, nightlife, housing, or City Hall culture? Just hit reply with your biggest, boldest, most thought-provoking questions.

BTW, we’re neutral on this contest! You can call us Switzerland because we’re just living our best lives everyday, right here in the urban core of the Capital City of the Empire State 💪 

Come out and get civil-minded with us at Lionheart on the Green in Albany next Wednesday, 6-8p. Help us grill the candidates!

🍦 From now through Sunday, Bliss Cafe & Creamery in Delmar is giving out free ice cream until supplies last! Get a scoop (or two) of summer goodness even as the leaves are turning.

🍤 Pad Thai Noodle at 113 Everett Road in Colonie held its grand re-opening today, after a natural gas explosion destroyed the restaurant last year. The family-run establishment has been overrun with loyal customers since its return earlier this month.

⭐️ 🕯️ Shine bright at the NYS Diwali Festival of Lights, held annually at the Empire State Plaza. Celebrate with dazzling fireworks, intricate henna, colorful rangoli, lively performances, vendor stalls, and more in honor the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. All are welcome. Sat, 4–9p, free.

⭐️ 🥣 Get your fill and help fill other bellies too at the 15th Annual Regional Food Bank Mac-N-Cheese Bowl! Get to historic Remsen Street in Cohoes to sample the best ooey-gooey, stick-to-your-bones mac ‘n’ cheese in the region. VIP tickets include tastings from local breweries and cider makers, and every bite supports the Regional Food Bank. Sat, 11a, $55 VIP, $35 adult, $10 kids, free under 5 yrs.

⭐️🍗 If you missed the Schenectady Wing Walk, you may still be able to get tix to the Saratoga Wing Off on Saturday. Savor $2 samples at participating Saratoga County restaurants and cast your vote for the best wings in town. A portion of proceeds support the American Cancer Society. Sat, 11a–4p, free admission, $2 samples.

⭐️ 💀 Make your heart sing with precious, weird things at the Nightmare Market in Schenectady. This alternative night market celebrates all things eerie, artsy, and unconventional by bringing together local artisans and small businesses offering one-of-a-kind artwork and handcrafted curiosities. Sat, 5–9p, free.

⭐️ 🐕️ The delightful Hounds of Halloween is bounding back into downtown Albany with a parade of ghoulish golden retrievers, devilish dachshunds, and more. Catch the Canine Costume Contest and lap up Yappy hour specials at local bars and restaurants. And be sure to catch the new Puppy Parade at Clinton Market Collective! Sat, 12–6p, free to watch, $15 to register your pup.

🎟️ MORE WEEKEND EVENTS

✏️ Archtober is a month-long celebration of architecture and design in Troy, led locally by TAP Inc. and inspired by NYC’s own architecture festival.

TODAY

🚲️ Albany Social Cycling hits the Riverfront Trail and Common Roots brewery this evening. Meet at the Washington Park Playhouse at 6:30p.

FRIDAY

🖼️ Stroll around Art Night Schenectady, a celebration of local and regional creatives in downtown Schenectady on the 3rd Friday of every month.

⚡️Feel the flow at Poetry Jam, held at the Alice B. Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center. 18+ only.

🤮 Get your horror fix as “The Exorcist”(still one of the scariest movies ever made) screens at Albany’s Spectrum 8 Movie Theatre.

SATURDAY

👑 March for democracy at the No Kings Rally, 12–2p. Learn more about Saturday’s No Kings rally in the Times Union.

👻 Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America are giving out Halloween costumes and books at the Underground Railroad Center.

🏳️‍🌈 The Albany Gay Men’s Chorus gives a free concert at the Albany Public Library.

🎃 The Trick or Treat Nature Trail at Grafton Lakes State Park invites you to discover wonderful forest friends along an illuminated trail, with a bonfire and other treats thrown in.

🧙‍♀️ The 4th Annual Witch Walk & Dance in downtown Saratoga raises cackles (and money) for a good cause.

🍺 The Annual Pints for Preservation Pub Crawl benefit the Saratoga Spring Preservation Foundation’s efforts and restoration projects.

🇩🇪 Get to the Adirondack Brewery in Lake George for its always-festive Oktoberfest.

SUNDAY

🎵 Spin out at the Saratoga Record Riot at Saratoga Springs City Center.

🚢 Glide over to the Albany Historic Foundation for the Matthew Bender IV Annual Lecture: ‘200 Years of the Erie Canal.’

🍷 Forno Bistro in Saratoga hosts its Annual Corks & Cuisine Wine & Food Tasting.

🏳️‍🌈 A Big Gay Market returns to Albany’s Washington Park.

MONDAY

🪴Every audience member gets their own prop kit & toilet paper at The Rocky Horror Picture Show with The Kids of Albany, at Albany’s Palace Theatre.

🍽️ Colonie Restaurant Week kicks offs!

📚️ Scott Turow will discuss Presumed Innocent and other topics at UAlbany.

🎸 GO TO THE LIST

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