Things to do in Asheville: Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour
One rainy Tuesday night, in a dark and creepy alleyway behind the Asheville Masonic Temple, Karla and I nervously anticipated our first ever ghost tour in the US. I for one have a knack for horror and supernatural things but never did I imagine to be in an actual tour. But alas, the clock struck 8 and we were met by Tadd, our archaeologist tour guide. One of the most unique things to do in Asheville, welcome to the Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours.
Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour: A Themepark for Adults
Established in 1792, Asheville may only be 230 years old but already has a rich history as town. Coined as the “Paris of the South”, Asheville is a popular destination that draws about 250,000-600,000 tourists per year. And why not, right? It’s basically a melting pot of culture, good food, and architecture. Popularized by the Vanderbilts, it’s basically a little New York, without the crazy noise and hustle.
But as they say, every place has a dark side to it. And Asheville is just right up the alley of spooky, or rather hair-raising. Now I don’t want to spoil all the fun and spill the ghastly beans. But all I can say is, if LA or Orlando has Disney, Asheville has their not-to-miss ghost tours — a legit themepark for adults. And that’s exactly what we ‘enjoyed’ on our first night in Asheville!
Asheville: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Now before anything else, here’s a brief background about Asheville. Part of the Buncombe county, Asheville is home to about 90,000 residents, and about 64 local beer breweries. Although established in the 1790s, it was only in the 1880s when trains brought money, power, and affluence into Asheville. It was also around this time when the young aristocrat George Vanderbilt from New York visited the city. And with that, he purchased 125,000 acres. And eventually constructed America’s largest private residence – the Biltmore House.
As the 1900s drew close, more and more people and business owners grew interest in the progressive city of Asheville. Thereby drawing new businesses and hotels to be built left and right. There was also a scramble to build tall buildings, such as the iconic Jackson Building, The Battery Park Hotel, and the Grove Park Inn. Thus prompting new money, new jobs, and new power. At one point, Asheville was so progressive that they even had their own Wall Street filled with stock brokers and lawyers.
Eagle Street where the city’s largest killing spree
happened
Sadly, the progress was cut short in just a span of 30 years. With the stock market crashing in October 1929, so did the prosperity chain of Asheville. Soon, all the railroad money disappears prompting people to lose their jobs, business, homes — and even lives (so as they say!)
A must do in Asheville NC: Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour
Now it must be the rain that kept our tour size small at 5, when they normally run at 40-50. But it was absolutely perfect! We loved that Tadd was on time, was very knowledgeable about the whole history of Asheville. Making the tour, much more interesting and informative – with or without ghosts.
Our guide Tadd story-telling about the ghosts on Church Street
During our two-hour walking tour, Tadd walked us through the streets of Asheville making several stops along the way. As I want to reserve the details for you to discover, one thing I must note is the unique way Haunted Asheville holds their tours. Which both Karla and I appreciate. First few stops, Tadd gave us a brief history of Buncombe county and Asheville itself. Before exploring the stops that gave us the chills the whole night.
Coverage of Haunted Asheville
We took the Classic Walking Tour that covers 1.5 miles across downtown Asheville. According to the Haunted Asheville website, it should cover the following stops:
- The Pink Lady who haunts the Grove Park Inn
- Chilling apparitions from a suicide at Helen’s Bridge
- A young lady brutally murdered in the Battery Park Hotel
- Spirits from the madman who executed our city’s largest killing spree
And we did just that and much more (hauntingly so)! While I don’t recall stopping by Helen’s Bridge nor the Grove Park Inn, we did however cover 2 more spots along the way. First was the Jackson Building, the ghost story of which were the most haunting one. As it’s tightly tied up to the economic history we’ve mentioned prior. And second, the 2 apparitions reported in Church street. Classically haunting and mysterious. Our last stop took us back to the basement of the Masonic temple. Where a museum lies, bearing some of the creepy artifacts and actual news clippings of all those stories. 1000% creepy, I must say!
All in all, I would totally recommend the Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour. Whether you’re a supernatural buff or not, the tour is a nice and unique way to see what Asheville is all about. Can’t wait to be back!
Photograph of Asheville’s madman, Will Harris. Who killed 5 people in Eagle Street in an obsessive rampage.
For bookings or other inquiries, visit the Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour website. Or send them an e-mail at contact@HauntedAsheville.com. Can’t wait for all the good food that Asheville has to offer? Check out our Downtown Asheville Food Tour.
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