These RI ghost tours were named some of the best in U.S. Here’s where

Looking for a paranormal activity this fall? You don’t have to go far – Rhode Island has two of the best ghost tours in the country, according to USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.

The annual rankings highlight the best in travel, food and lifestyle, and winners are chosen by a public voting poll after being nominated by industry experts. In the 2025 Halloween awards, ranking attractions like escape rooms, haunted hotels and haunted houses across the country, Rhode Island had two winners in the best ghost tour category: Providence Ghost Tour at No. 2, and Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours at No. 6.

Here’s what to know before going on the award-winning tours this spooky season.

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About Providence Ghost Tour

Ranked in second place is this Providence-based attraction that leads tours through the historic East Side of the city. While guides lead the tour group through the dark shadows of university campuses by lantern light, they tell stories of Providence’s most famous ghostly figures, including everyone from servants to famous authors.

Founded in 2006, the tours constantly evolve with the city’s ghost scene to offer something new. Each ghost story undergoes extensive historical and paranormal research before its debut to guarantee authenticity, according to the website.

While the regular Providence Ghost Tour is the most popular option, other tours offered include Haunted Benefit Street and Parasols and Pocket Watches.

Tickets for the city’s ghost tour cost $27 for adults, $15 for children ages 13 and under or $25 for seniors and military personnel. The tour is offered daily at 7 p.m., with extra availability during the days immediately before and after Halloween.

The tour company is located at 60 Congdon St. in Providence.

About Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tour

Seaside Shadows, the sixth place choice for ghost tours, offers historic tours of two ghost-infested waterfront towns: Westerly, Rhode Island and Mystic, Connecticut.

The downtown Westerly ghost tour explores tales of ghosts along the banks of the Pawcatuck River, including stories of deadly shipwrecks, cursed pirate treasure and trapped souls of the 19th century industrial community.

Here’s what USA TODAY said about the favorite Halloween attraction: “The storied shores of New England can be discovered firsthand thanks to Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours, an operator who blends history with the occult on guided tours across both Mystic, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. While options span from downtown walking excursions to spirit-themed pub crawls, each individual tour is united through a common affinity for the paranormal world.”

Tickets for the Westerly ghost tour cost $30 every month except October, when they cost $35. Seaside Shadows’ Rhode Island ghost tours take place at 7 p.m. every Friday through Sunday, and a full schedule for all tours can be found online.

The meeting point for tours is Wilcox Park at 44 Broad St. in Westerly.