Madison Ghost Tour
Looking for a more “spirited” way to experience Madison? Venture with Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours to explore the terrifying tales and haunted locations of Madtown.
GET TICKETSJoin our Madison ghost tour as we take you to the heart of the city’s haunted history and experience its eerie energy for yourself.
Why You Need to Take a Madison Ghost Tour
In Madison, the echoes of the past never truly fade; they just give you chills. Forget its superb selection of craft beverages and amazing cheese curds; Madison has a darker side lurking beneath its friendly facade. For thrill-seekers and lovers of the otherworldly looking to take a walk on the wild side, our experienced guides at Madison Ghosts will help you explore the city’s darkest mysteries and show you the hidden stories that make Madison a one-of-a-kind ghostly destination.
Fun tour, and great way to see the capitol and learn more about downtown
Great tour and great information about the town and it's past.
James was very personable and a great story teller. His engagement with all the attendees was awesome and he impressed me with his thorough knowledge....
This was a "local lore" tour, rather than a "ghost hunter" style tour, and the content was great. James is an excellent story teller who was able to r...
Why is Madison So Haunted?
Have you ever wondered why they call Madison the “Mad City”? This town is filled with friendly folks, a culture that keeps your toes tapping, and a history that stretches back for ages. But maybe “Mad” has another meaning—because the ghosts haunting these streets definitely add to the unexplained chaos.
This city’s history isn’t all sunshine and Saturday at the farmers market—it’s shrouded in darkness and the terror of the past that refuses to stay buried. Almost every building on the hunted streets of Madison has some restless spirits hanging around from the past. From the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company to The Majestic Theater, Madison’s haunted spots offer a terrifying glimpse into the dismal side of the city’s history.
Here, you never know what otherworldly sights you might encounter any night because even the seemingly innocent and scenic Lake Monona hides a dark secret. Local lore reports ghostly activities around the Monona Terrace Community Center, where the graves of Ho-Chunk tribe members were destroyed in the building of Madison. This horrific act continues to this day.
If you want to be a part of a brave ghostly community looking to uncover the dark secrets buried under the scenic view of the Mad City, book your Madison ghost tour now to discover the other part of the city nobody has told you about. We might not guarantee a ghostly encounter, but we can promise you a spine-tingling good time (and maybe a story that’ll keep you up at night!).
Why should you tour with us?
If there’s one thing Madison is known for, it’s for having the world’s best cheese curds. As amazing as they are, though, let’s be honest, we can only eat so much. If you’ve had your fill of cheese curds and are ready to walk them off, book a tour with Madison Ghosts! Our mile-long walk will help alleviate the guilt of your indulgence with some frightening tales and the brooding locations from which they came.
Madison is home to a variety of notable figures, with some calling the city home and some being recognized for their involvement in particular events while here. Elvis Presley is said to have broken up a street fight in 1977. Otis Redding tragically passed away in a plane crash in Lake Monona. Nirvana recorded their album Nevermind in Madison. And one of the city’s most notable and beloved actors, Chris Farley, grew up here.
Whether you’re visiting or just want to learn more about the city you reside in, a ghost tour with Madison Ghosts will take you on a trip through a unique side of the city where you’ll discover a history that you won’t typically see in a “Fun Facts” article. Learn more about Madison in a unique and spooky way with Madison Ghosts.
When we say, “There’s a little something for everyone in Madison,” we mean it. The list of otherworldly beings that thrive in the shadows of Madison’s darkest corners includes everything from spirits to serpents. And UFOs are very much a part of that “everything.” It may not be widely known that Madison has had experiences with the phenomenon, but the fact is the city has had its share of UFO activity. Madison Ghosts takes you to the area where the encounters occurred, giving UFO hunters another place to search and another reason to believe.
As creepy as these locations and stories sound, we assure you, they’re perfectly fine for the kids. Madison offers plenty to do for the adults, but if it’s the kids’ turn to be entertained, book a ghost tour with Madison Ghosts. Our kid-friendly ghost tour will keep them entertained and engaged and give your family something to discuss the rest of your Madison trip!
There are plenty of ways for a couple to get closer. But there are none quite like the jump scares from an authentic Madison ghost tour. Think about it. Your heart is racing, you’re looking over your shoulder, terrified of what might be behind you. What better way to alleviate that panic than enlisting the help of a firm grab of your loved one’s arm? Movies, dinner, and dancing – they’ve all been done! Make it a date night you both won’t soon forget. Book a ghost tour with Madison Ghosts tonight!
Most Haunted Places in Madison, WI
Majestic Theater
Built in 1906, the Majestic Theater has hosted some of the nation’s most famous acts in the past, including Harry Houdini. Local lore reports that resident spirits take center stage these days with their own brand of spooky spectacle.
Great Dane Pub
From family-owned to family-haunted, the Great Dane Pub—once the site of Fess Hotel, has seen it all! Locals say the owner, George Fess, may have checked out, but his spirit still runs the joint!
Tempest Oyster Bar
Long before it became a restaurant, the Tempest Oyster Bar was once a funeral home that doubled as an apartment complex, where a former Heaven’s Gate member died. Reports of ghostly activities, most likely from the spirits of the deceased at the Fautschi Funeral Home, are not uncommon.
FAQs
Please see your booking details for meeting location. There are neighboring parking garages and street parking that are available in the area.
Group size varies based on time of year and demand. We can keep everyone in your party in the same group. We’ve been doing this for years, and manage group size to ensure guests have a great experience. In the event you can’t hear your tour guide, let them know, or move closer to them.
Pets are welcome as long as they do not disrupt to distract from the tour
The arrival time will be listed on your confirmation email and in the available tour times when you click the book button
Please do not call us, the best way to reach us is by email using the contact form on this website
An extended tour takes you to a few additional locations when the regular tour ends. This adds about four new places and 30 minutes to your tour- highly recommended
Book a tour and check the +1 box for each person in your group where it says “Extended Tour” at checkout to add an extended Ghost tour.
Please contact us directly for pricing and availability. We do not do private tours under 30 persons. If you have a group under 30, please order directly from the website’s book now option.
Tours are held rain or shine. We will contact you if the tour is cancelled.
Please only attend the tour for the day and time you are booked, as another day or time may not be available. If you need to reschedule, please contact us by email first. There is a $10 per order (not person) rebooking fee for each schedule change.
As it is unfair to other guests, we do not wait for late or no show parties. Please remember to arrive to the correct location on time! We do not grant refunds to guests who fail to arrive to the appointed place on time and miss their tour.
No, but some of the locations you can visit during the day for free. We simply wouldn’t have the time to focus on as many stories as we do if we were to enter each one, and we wish to focus on the stories, and leave the exploring up to you!
15 minutes before the start of your tour.
No.
No, this is a walking tour.
Most of the tour is not stroller or wheelchair accessible.
Yes, you are welcome to take photos of the locations we visit!
No, videos are not allowed.
No, there is no smoking allowed on the tour
We do not allow intoxicated guests or drinking on the tour- we will promptly ask those in violation to leave
Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours
America’s most infamously haunted house delivers the most terrifying scares from all across the nation. We’ve compiled an extensive list of notoriously haunted locations and packaged them into spooky, entertaining tours available throughout the nation. Discover the true, unfiltered stories that created these hair-raising scares in only the unique and engaging way our expert guides can bring them to you. From the ghosts of unsolved murders and tragic accidents to disturbed spirits unable to find peace, there’s no limit to what we expose on our authentic ghost tours. Join us as we take you on an unforgettable, chilling journey through your city’s dark past and uncover the sinister secrets that put these places on the otherworldly map.
The Lizzie Borden House is home to the infamous murders that captivated the nation and made Lizzie Borden a macabre household name. Guests can explore the house via a variety of tours and, for those brave enough, stay in this notoriously haunted home. We aim to provide you with a memorable experience as well as deliver the best ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, and a variety of other experiences in over 100 cities.
Blogs
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