While Austin isn’t typically known for its haunted offerings, you can find a few places to celebrate the spooky and supernatural this fall in the capital city. Check out our list of top spine-chilling things to do and (allegedly) haunted places in Austin, Texas. 

Haunted Places in Austin

The Driskill Hotel
Listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, this Romanesque-style hotel was built in 1886 and named after the owner, Colonel Jesse Driskill. It’s said that Col. Driskill is still a fixture in the building, as he can sometimes be found overlooking Sixth and Brazos Streets, watching the busy city below. While you’re searching for ghouls, be sure to grab a drink at the historic Driskill Bar; you may even run into the ghost of late President Lyndon B. Johnson, who frequented the hotel during his time in office. 

Oakwood Cemetery
It’s no surprise that Austin’s oldest burial ground is home to spirited apparitions. Records for Oakwood date back to the mid-nineteenth century, although some scholars believe that some of the first interments were victims of the Great Raid of 1840. Visitors to the cemetery have reported orb sightings, uneasy sensations and even the feelings of being watched when no one is around.

Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill
Flooding around the building in the early 1900s caused casualties due to the building’s location on Red River Street, near Waller Creek and the Colorado River. It’s suspected that the ghosts of the drownings never left and took up residence at Moonshine (not a bad choice, if you ask us!). There have been reports of diners getting tapped on the shoulder and bottles falling off the shelves behind the bar. Order a moonshine flight and chow down on Southern comfort food at this former saloon and domino parlor.

Littlefield House
George Littlefield, a Captain during the Civil War, built the large Victorian Littlefield home in 1893. It is said that Littlefield would lock his wife, Alice, in the attic when he traveled, in fear that she might be kidnapped in his absence. Family members have denied these claims, but folklore says that she can still be seen from the second-story windows. Alice and George were both buried in Oakwood Cemetery after their deaths. The Littlefield House is now owned by the University of Texas and closed to the public, but visitors can explore the grounds.

Texas State Capitol Building
The Texas State Capitol building was constructed in 1882. A beloved Texas landmark and architectural masterpiece, this historic establishment has welcomed both dignitaries and regular visitors alike. It has been said that the ghosts of the Capitol don’t keep a schedule and show themselves year-round to both visitors and political officials. Sightings include Comptroller Robert Marshall Love, frequently spotted on the many free tours of the complex. Other spooky encounters include handprints on the windows that can’t be scrubbed off and will reappear even if a window has been replaced.

Millet Opera House
Millett Opera House has earned a reputation for its ghostly residents, especially after the spirit of Priscilla, an opera singer who met her tragic end after falling from the catwalk before her wedding. Visitors and staff have reported seeing her in the building's elevator at night, dressed in a white gown. Some even claim that Priscilla knocks objects out of people's hands, adding to the eerie atmosphere at this historic site. While Millet is not regularly open to the public, folks can visit their website to check for special events or to schedule a private tour.

Austin Ghost Tours & Haunted Experiences

Austin Ghost Tours
A diverse mixture of ghost tour styles can be found at the locally-owned Austin Ghost Tours. If a walking tour suits your preferences, Austin Ghost Tours offers a 90-minute version that begins at the Driskill Hotel (exploring that space’s haunted areas) and moves through Downtown Austin’s historic district. Should you rather take an immersive bus tour that investigates a tragic 1900 dam collapse (which left the area with several ghostly residents), the Dam Good Tour also features Austin Ghost Tours’ skilled guides. And an off-site adventure can be found at Pioneer Farms Ghosts, a Northeast Austin farm tour hosted by a paranormal investigator and researcher. 

Nightly Spirits Ghost Tours
Those who want to scope out ghostly “spirits” while imbibing other types of “spirits” can do exactly that on the Booze and Boos Tour hosted by Nightly Spirits Ghost Tours. This tour begins at a popular Downtown Austin bar, where guests can enjoy a cocktail while learning the spooky backstory of the tour’s other destinations. You’ll then head out on a 2.5 hour walking tour of Austin’s downtown historic district that features both ghost-related stops and beverage-related stops. 

Ghost City Tours
Spooky yet educational tours are available for guests of all ages at Ghost City Tours. This group emphasizes Austin history and its place in the “Wild West” canon, and tour options range from the family-friendly Ghosts of Austin (a 90-minute walking tour throughout the downtown historic district) to the adults-only Murders By Gaslamp tour, which features darker stories and grislier details. Ghost City Tours also hosts a Haunted Pub Crawl, inviting guests to learn about haunted downtown bars like Dumont’s Down Low and Moonshine while partaking of craft cocktails and cold beers.

Haunted ATX
A ghost tour in a hearse? If that sounds like an exciting adventure, then be sure to sign up for an outing with Haunted ATX. This tour group offers public hearse rides that stop at famously haunted locations like the Littlefield House and the Clay Pit restaurant, or you can book a private hearse tour for your family and friends. Haunted ATX is also the team behind Paranormal Investigation, a hands-on adventure that trains attendees to use professional investigative equipment while exploring the Bertram Building downtown.

More Haunted Things to Do 

For ages 12 and older, Pioneer Farms hosts evening ghost tours on the first Saturday of the month. The Flashlight Haunted History Walk explores many of the haunted buildings located outside the Living History Museum.

Looking for a more immersive experience? Join a public séance session at The VORTEX with The Austin Séance. Learn about tools used by working mediums and participate in a modern recreation of an old-time seance!

Find more ways to explore the haunted and scary this spooky season on our blog or events calendar.