1. DC Ghosts Ghost Tour

My family and I took this tour and found it to be fascinating. We did the standard tour, which lasts one hour and covers roughly one mile. The tour meets behind the Treasury Building and stops at eight locations that are said to be some of DC's most haunted, including the White House, Blair House, and Decatur House. One of our tour-mates had rented an EMF detector through the company, and it turned red several times (which supposedly means it was picking up paranormal activity).

We all learned a lot and had a great time during the tour, and my three kids were convinced they had seen a few ghosts in windows. Did they? Check out our photos on my DC Ghost Tour review and decide for yourself!

2. Alexandria's Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour

Follow a Colonial-costumed guide by lantern light through the charming streets of Old Town Alexandria on one of two historical ghost tour routes (the North Route and the South Route). Hear ghost stories, legends, folklore, unsolved mysteries, and tales of romance and angry ghosts looking for revenge.​ The one-hour walking tour covers approximately six blocks.

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Do you dare climb the Exorcist Steps? Photo courtesy of the Ghosts of Georgetown Nighttime Walking Tour

3. Ghosts of Georgetown Nighttime Walking Tour 

Among the historic streets, manicured gardens, and Victorian row houses of Georgetown lie deep, dark secrets about a forgotten past. On this ghost tour, you'll hear stories about eerie coincidences, curses, scenes from scary movies, and the spirits that still haunt these streets. The 90-minute, 1.5-mile tour begins outside the spooky Old Stone House and ends at the Exorcist Steps (so named because they were featured in the film The Exorcist).

4. Horror on Capitol Hill

This 90-minute tour takes guests past some of DC's most legendary landmarks including the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol Building. Guides mix historical facts into the spooky stories, so kids can learn a few things while getting a good fright. The tour covers less than one mile, so no one can complain of tired feet. And kids can get really into this one, as guests are encouraged to come in costume and to even bring ghost radar.

5. White House Ghost Tour

The White House is said to be haunted by the ghosts of several former presidents, including Abraham Lincoln. While you won't actually enter the White House or any other buildings on this ghost tour, you'll hear some of their ghost stories, from the murder of Philip Barton Key to tales of the haunted Hay Adams hotel. This is a private tour for groups of up to 12 people, so it's great for extended families. The tour lasts about two hours.

6. Capitol Hill Haunts

On this 90-minute ghost tour by Amerighost, you’ll hear stories of the feuding spirits of past House lawmakers, the famous statues that dance at night in the Statuary, the disturbances at the Folger Library, and the Demon Cat that torments the guards of Capitol Hill to this day. You'll also learn the haunted history of the Supreme Court Building, the Library of Congress, and the US Capitol. The tour covers less than a mile and is offered from March through mid November.

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Hear some spooky tales about the Dolley Madison House. Interior photo by Payton Chung, via Flickr 2.0

7. Ghosts of Lafayette Park

If your family wants to do even less walking, Amerighost offers a second tour that focuses on Lafayette Square, a park known as "Tragedy Square." The tour meets in front of the Dolley Madison House (also said to be haunted) across the street from the park. Learn all about the conspiracies, crimes of passions, duels, and assassinations that took place in the area, all while walking less than one-fourth of a mile.

8. Alexandria Ghosts

Alexandria Ghosts offers 60- to 90-minute nightly ghost tours of Old Town Alexandria, with eight to 12 stops across one or 1.5 miles (depending on the tour). Guides give guests a look into the city's spooky history, from natives who lived there thousands of years ago to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. You'll also learn about Alexandria's haunted places and the unexplained activity residents experience. You can rent an EMF detector or purchase a ghost plush when buying tickets.

9. National Nightmares Hill of Haunts

This Capitol Hill ghost tour claims to begin where other area ghost tours leave off, including unique stories guests won't hear on other tours. You'll hear spooky tales about the Capitol building, the Library of Congress, Congressional buildings, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The tour lasts about an hour and 45 minutes.

10. Soul Strolls at Historic Congressional Cemetery

This Capitol Hill cemetery is a National Historic Landmark, and many of the people at the center of some of DC's most infamous scandals are buried there. On four nights in October, costumed tour guides bring these scandalous stories to life during hour-long, lantern-lit tours. While the tours feature mature themes like sex work, alcoholism, and murder, two of the tour times dial back these topics so that kids can attend. Bonus: The kid-friendly tours take place at 5pm, so little ones won't miss bedtime!