5 Spooky Historical Tours in Columbus

Want to take a deeper dive into the ghostly history of Columbus and beyond? Step right up to a spiritual adventure offered only at this time of year. -- By Madeline Kaufman

Ohio State Reformatory

Oct. 1–31

The Haunted Prison Experience transforms the former state prison (which is creepy on a good day) in Mansfield into a haunted house with special effects. Take a walk through the warden's quarters or the cell blocks, where you might encounter something scary. Tickets are also available for November ghost walks and overnight ghost hunts.mrps.org

Dublin Olde Town Ghost Tours

Oct. 2–31

In Dublin's historic district, visitors can listen to stories of local ghost encounters. The tour culminates with a "Ghost Hunters"-style, EMF detector-equipped visit to Indian Run Cemetery.oldetownghosttours.com

Haunted Statehouse Tours

Oct. 16–24

The Statehouse comes alive during nighttime tours featuring tales of the Lady in Grey and a stop in the historic governor's office, not usually included on regular tours.ohiostatehouse.org

Columbus Landmarks Foundation

Oct. 23–29

Each evening of the Halloween Lantern Walking Tour series explores a different historic Columbus neighborhood or landmark, like Victorian Village and Fort Hayes, finishing up with a Haunted Historic Tavern Tour sure to provide many "spirits."columbuslandmarks.org

Delaware Ghost Walk

Oct. 24

Start with a skit at the Strand Theater that highlights some of that building's ghost stories, and then walk through the historic Northwest neighborhood on a guided tour to learn about local unexplained ghost stories.delawarenna.org