Walk Among the Restless Spirits of the Pine Tree State’s Most Historic Seaports and Haunted Coastal Districts
Maine is a land defined by its rugged coastline and deep history, but as the sun dips behind the mountains and the Atlantic mist rolls in, the “scandalous side” of the Pine Tree State emerges. For those seeking ghost tours near you, Maine offers an atmospheric gateway into the “thin places” where the veil between worlds is at its weakest.
Whether you are exploring the pirate-haunted cobblestones of Portland’s Old Port or the Gilded Age mansions of Bar Harbor, ghost tours in Maine provide a chilling blend of meticulously researched history and bone-chilling eyewitness accounts.
From the 17th-century maritime tragedies in Boothbay Harbor to the spectral sea captains of Kennebunkport, haunted tours in Maine reveal the dark energy lingering behind the state’s charming facade. These experiences are perfect for travelers and paranormal enthusiasts looking to discover the restless spirits of Acadia’s gateway or the whispers of the Great Fire that still haunt the coast.
Table of Contents
- Best Ghost Tours in Maine
- Bar Harbor Ghost Tour (Wabanaki Spirit Tales)
- Portland Ghost Tour
- Wicked Walking Tours
- Boothbay Harbor Ghost Walk
- Kennebunkport Ghost Walk
- Spooks & Spirits Ghost Tour
- Bar Harbour Ghost Walk #2
- Bar Harbour Ghost Tour (US Ghost Adventures)
- Best Cities in Maine for Ghost Tours
- FAQs
Best Ghost Tours in Maine
1. Bar Harbor Ghost Tour (Wabanaki Spirit Tales)
- City, State: Bar Harbor, ME
- Tour Operator: Bar Harbor Ghost Tours
As the sun dips behind Cadillac Mountain and the Atlantic mist rolls into Frenchman Bay, the “scandalous side” of Maine’s most famous seaport emerges. This tour invites guests to step away from the modern tourist paths and into the shadows of the Gilded Age.
Led by a nationally certified, historically dressed guide carrying a signature blue lantern, this walk explores the enigmatic corners where wealthy industrialists and displaced spirits cross paths. Unlike generic attractions, this haunted history tour focuses on meticulously researched tales and eyewitness accounts to uncover the dark energy lingering behind the village’s charming facade. It serves as a gateway to the town’s cryptic past, offering a genuine glimpse into the restless spirits that still inhabit Acadia’s gateway.
What You’ll Experience
- The 1932 Criterion Theatre: On most nights, guests step inside this Art Deco masterpiece to hear about rum-running tunnels and the “Silver Screen specters” backstage.
- Wabanaki Legends: Learn about the indigenous legends and ancient monsters that predate the town’s founding.
- Gilded Age Mansions: Visit the exteriors of estates like the Ledgelawn Inn, haunted by a jilted bride, and the Balance Rock Inn, known for poltergeist activity.
- Maritime Yarns: Walk the Shore Path while listening for the cries of missing sailors and stories of legendary sea serpents.
- St. Saviour’s Burial Ground: Hear the extraordinary stories of the people who shaped the legacy of Acadia in an 18th-century graveyard.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- History Lovers: Those interested in the intersection of indigenous lore and Victorian-era scandals.
- Families: Recommended for ages 8 and up, it is ideal for families seeking spooky, history-based storytelling.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine This tour stands out for its high standard of historical accuracy and the unique opportunity to access the interior of the Criterion Theatre. The use of a traditional blue lantern and historically dressed guides adds a layer of immersion that makes the past feel present.
2. Portland Ghost Tour
- City, State: Portland, ME
- Tour Operator: US Ghost Adventures
Portland is widely considered one of the most haunted cities in New England, and the salty breeze of the Atlantic here carries the whispers of centuries-old tragedies. This eerie ghost walk takes you deep into the heart of the historic Old Port district, where the spirits of pirates, sailors, and colonial settlers still linger in the shadows of the waterfront.
Led by expert guides, the tour uncovers the dark underbelly of the “Forest City,” exploring the paranormal energy surrounding iconic landmarks and bustling wharves. This experience blends meticulously researched history with bone-chilling eyewitness accounts, ranging from the echoes of the Great Fire of 1866 to the restless souls of the harbor. As the sun sets over Casco Bay, the gas-lamp style lighting of the Old Port creates a hauntingly beautiful and immersive environment for a journey into the supernatural side of Maine.
What You’ll Experience
- The U.S. Custom House: Explore the paranormal energy surrounding one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
- Andy’s Old Port Pub: Stop outside this local favorite where a mischievous spirit is known to meddle with the glassware.
- Custom House Wharf: Visit a site famous for numerous maritime sightings and spectral activity.
- Tragic Histories: Hear the harrowing history of how the Great Fire left a permanent psychic scar on the city’s architecture.
- DiMillo’s Engine Room: Learn about the spectral chatter and tragic tales reported by workers late at night.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Seasoned Paranormal Investigators: Those looking for meticulously researched accounts and eyewitness reports.
- Travelers with Pets: This tour is pet-friendly, provided animals are well-behaved and leashed.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine The Portland Ghost Tour capitalizes on the atmospheric, historic cobblestones and gas-lamp lighting of the Old Port to create a truly immersive experience. It provides a deep dive into the maritime and colonial history that defined the region.
3. Wicked Walking Tours
- City, State: Portland, ME
- Tour Operator: Wicked Walking Tours
As the mist rolls in from Casco Bay, the shadows of the Old Port grow long, revealing a city built on more than just trade—it was built on secrets. Wicked Walking Tours offers the premier ghost tour in Portland, blending meticulously researched dark history with the theatrical flair of seasoned performers.
What makes this haunted tour unique is its “slightly irreverent” tone; your guide, often a professional actor or comedian, uses rich storytelling and clean stand-up to bring the past to life. It is a journey through 300 years of “wicked” legends, including tales of murderous pirates, cursed socialites, and a minister executed as a witch. This G-rated experience has been a local staple for over 15 years, leaving guests “full of life” despite the macabre subject matter.
What You’ll Experience
- Professional Entertainment: Expect clean stand-up, hysterical impersonations, and street theater elements that make “factual dark history” easy to digest.
- Legends of the Docks: Hear the tragic story of Lula, the Captain’s daughter, who reportedly haunts the waterfront waiting for a ship that never docked.
- The Old Port District: Traverse the paths where 18th-century merchants once roamed, stopping at landmarks to hear undocumented historical oddities.
- Historical Dark Tales: Learn about the dark side of Maine’s religious past, including a local minister caught in the witch-hunting hysteria.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Families: This is a G-rated, kid-friendly experience designed to entertain all ages with theatrical storytelling.
- Entertainment Seekers: Those who prefer humor and professional street theater over a dry history lecture.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine By combining professional entertainment with dark history, Wicked Walking Tours has established itself as a local staple. It provides a memorable way to learn about the city’s secrets without being overly terrifying for younger guests.
4. Boothbay Harbor Ghost Walk
- City, State: Boothbay Harbor, ME
- Tour Operator: American Ghost Walks
When the sun dips below the horizon in Maine’s boating capital, the charming facade of the village fades to reveal a landscape haunted by 17th-century tragedies and maritime lore. The Boothbay Harbor Ghost Walk offers a bone-chilling exploration of “Ghost Row” and beyond, traversing the 1901 Footbridge—America’s longest wooden footbridge.
This is not your average walk; it is a meticulously researched journey into the “thin places” where Maine’s history and the paranormal collide. Led by expert storytellers, this haunted tour uncovers the dark secrets of the local Opera House and the unsettling mystery of the “Lady in Black” at the library. From pirate treasure legends to modern-day poltergeists in historic B&Bs, this experience is a must-do for fans of the macabre searching for a night of spine-tingling tales.
What You’ll Experience
- The Footbridge & Burnt Island: Hear the chilling history of lighthouse keepers who refused to leave their posts even in death.
- Commercial Street (Ghost Row): Visit the site of “Ghost Row,” including a stop at a haunted sea captain’s home where residents have been captured on camera.
- Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library: Hear the unsolved mystery of the “Lady in Black” who checked into a local hotel and met a watery end a century ago.
- The Opera House: Stand before a former secret society lodge—often called the most haunted building in Maine—and learn about “Bob,” the resident spirit.
- Whale Park: Dive into seafarer superstitions and documented sightings of the Great New England Sea Serpent.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Fans of the Macabre: Those searching for a deep dive into unsolved mysteries and seafaring legends.
- Teens and Adults: Recommended for older audiences; it is not suggested for children under 12.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine The tour’s focus on the iconic 1901 Footbridge and the “Ghost Row” of Commercial Street provides a uniquely Maine experience that centers on the state’s deep seafaring heritage.
5. Kennebunkport Ghost Walk
- City, State: Kennebunkport, ME
- Tour Operator: American Ghost Walks
When the sea mist rolls into the Kennebunk River, the boundary between the living and the dead grows thin in one of Maine’s most storied coastal towns. On the Kennebunkport Ghost Walk, you will step away from the boutique shops of Dock Square and into a world of seafaring tragedies and Gilded Age mysteries.
This award-winning haunted history tour peels back the charming veneer of this presidential summer retreat to reveal a legacy of “Midnight Mariners,” spectral sea captains, and colonial curses. Exploring cobblestone paths and gas-lit streets, the tour relies on meticulously researched archives and eyewitness paranormal accounts rather than typical theatrical attractions. Led by expert guides, it offers a sophisticated blend of Maine’s maritime heritage and chilling supernatural reports to explain why lost souls still choose to linger in the Kennebunks.
What You’ll Experience
- White Columns: Begin at this majestic 1853 Greek Revival mansion, which serves as the perfect gateway to the town’s haunted past.
- Haunted Landmarks: Visit iconic locations including the Captain Lord Mansion and the Nonantum Resort, which is rumored to house nearly 30 distinct spirits.
- Eerie Legends: Hear the hair-raising account of the Harriman family poltergeist and the “Rustling Lady” of Maine Street.
- Maritime Yarns: Listen to stories of haunted lighthouses, phantom ships, and sea serpent sightings that have baffled locals for centuries.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Boutique Travelers: Visitors who want to see the darker side of a high-end vacation destination.
- Paranormal Enthusiasts: Those interested in locations with high concentrations of reported spirits, like the Nonantum Resort.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine This award-winning tour offers a sophisticated blend of maritime heritage and chilling supernatural reports in a town often only known for its luxury and political connections.
6. Spooks & Spirits Ghost Tour
- City, State: Boothbay Harbor, ME
- Tour Operator: Mysterious Harbor Tours
As the fog rolls into the rocky Maine coast, the spirits of sea captains and long-dead lighthouse keepers stir within the historic district of Boothbay Harbor. The Spooks & Spirits Ghost Tour is the ultimate haunted history tour for those who want to uncover the “snickleways”—the narrow, hidden byways that most tourists overlook.
Led by a local paranormal expert, this ghost walk reveals the town’s darkest legends and unexplained phenomena at the “thin places” where the veil between worlds is at its weakest. This is more than a standard haunted tour; it is a captivating blend of local history, documented hauntings, and even UFO sightings. The experience offers an atmospheric dive into the unknown that concludes with a well-earned toast to the other side at a local speakeasy.
What You’ll Experience
- The Boothbay Opera House: Stand before Maine’s most haunted building, a former secret society lodge filled with reports of full-bodied apparitions.
- The Thistle Inn: Discover poltergeist activity and seafaring spooks at this former sea captain’s home.
- Unexplained Skies: Listen to documented accounts of UFO sightings over Adam’s Pond and the mysterious “Red Paint People“.
- Neat Whiskey Bar: Settle your nerves at a local speakeasy at the conclusion of the walk.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Adults and Teens: Recommended for ages 13+ due to the concluding stop at a whiskey bar.
- Mystery Lovers: Those who enjoy exploring hidden pathways and learning about unexplained phenomena beyond traditional ghosts.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine The Spooks & Spirits Ghost Tour is unique for its inclusion of UFO lore and its focus on the “snickleways,” offering a perspective on Boothbay Harbor that most visitors never see.
7. Bar Harbour Ghost Walk #2
- City, State: Bar Harbor, ME
- Tour Operator: American Ghost Walks
Under the velvet shroud of a Maine night, the Gilded Age “cottages” of Mount Desert Island hold secrets that the daylight refuses to reveal. The Bar Harbor Ghost Walk invites you to explore the chilling side of this world-famous coastal town as the Atlantic mist rolls into Agamont Park.
Led by an expert guide, this is a deep dive into the maritime tragedies, indigenous legends, and spectral sightings that have defined Bar Harbor for centuries. You will traverse the streets where Victorian socialites and weary sailors once walked—and some say, still do. The tour offers a sophisticated blend of authentic Maine history and researched accounts of the paranormal that go beyond standard folklore. It is a unique way to see the town after the shops close, focusing on the unsettling history behind some of the town’s most iconic landmarks.
What You’ll Experience
- The Ledgelawn Inn: Hear the tragic story of Mary Margaret, the “Woman in White,” and why her spirit is still reported today.
- The Bar Harbor Inn: Learn about the “Reading Room” and high-society hauntings at this landmark hotel.
- The Shore Path: Walk the waterfront to hear documented stories of ghost ships and local sea serpents.
- Criterion Theatre: Stand outside this 1932 masterpiece and listen for the whispers of “Silver Screen specters“.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Teens and Adults: Recommended for those 12 and up who appreciate a sophisticated historical narrative.
- Paranormal Researchers: Anyone seeking documented accounts that go beyond standard folklore.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine The tour’s emphasis on researched accounts and its focus on the “Woman in White” at the Ledgelawn Inn make it a compelling choice for those seeking a more serious haunted history experience.
8. Bar Harbour Ghost Tour (US Ghost Adventures)
- City, State: Bar Harbor, ME
- Tour Operator: US Ghost Adventures
Step into the shadows of Maine’s most famous coastal escape, where nightfall over Frenchman Bay reveals a darker side hidden beneath the elegant facades of Gilded Age “cottages”. This haunted history tour takes you on a journey through the narrow streets of Bar Harbor, where the salt air carries whispers of the Great Fire of 1947 and the restless spirits of Maine’s rugged past.
Led by expert local guides, the walk explores the lingering energy of the Victorian elite and the tragic maritime legends that define the island. From the eerie silence of the Shore Path to the imposing silhouette of haunted inns, you will discover why Bar Harbor is considered one of the most haunted seaports in New England. Whether you are a dedicated paranormal investigator or a history buff, this experience blends authentic research with bone-chilling storytelling near the gateway to Acadia.
What You’ll Experience
- Great Fire of 1947: Hear accounts of the fire that significantly impacted the town’s history.
- Balance Rock Inn: Learn about the heavy energy left behind by former summer residents who never checked out.
- Wabanaki Legends: Begin at the Atlantic’s edge with ancient indigenous tales and stories of lost sailors.
- The Ledgelawn Inn: Discover the legend of Mary Margaret, a jilted bride who still wanders the halls.
Who This Tour Is Best For
- Families: Designed as a spooky yet educational evening suitable for older children.
- Travelers with Pets: Well-behaved pets are welcome to join the walk.
Why It’s One of the Best Ghost Tours in Maine This tour provides an essential nighttime activity for those visiting Acadia National Park, blending indigenous legends with the more recent history of the 1947 fire and high-society spirits.
Best Cities in Maine for Ghost Tours
Bar Harbor
- Number of Tours: 3
- Haunted Reputation: Known for Gilded Age mansions haunted by “Women in White,” Wabanaki legends, and the psychic scars left by the Great Fire of 1947.
Portland
- Number of Tours: 2
- Haunted Reputation: Famed for its Old Port district where pirates, sailors, and victims of the Great Fire of 1866 are said to still roam the gas-lit streets.
Boothbay Harbor
- Number of Tours: 2
- Haunted Reputation: Home to “Ghost Row,” the most haunted building in Maine (the Opera House), and mysterious “snickleways” filled with maritime spooks and UFO sightings.
Kennebunkport
- Number of Tours: 1
- Haunted Reputation: A presidential retreat with a hidden side of seafaring tragedies, colonial curses, and haunted resorts housing dozens of spirits.
FAQs
What is a ghost tour? A ghost tour is a guided experience exploring haunted locations while sharing stories of paranormal activity, local legends, and historical events. They often take place at night in historic towns or old buildings to provide an immersive way to learn about a location’s past.
What should I wear on a ghost tour in Maine? Comfort and practicality are key. Maine’s coastal breeze can turn chilly after sundown, even in the summer, so dressing in layers is recommended. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip for navigating historic cobblestones or uneven paths.
Are ghost tours in Maine scary? While spooky, most focus on storytelling, history, and exploring haunted locations rather than jump scares or intense horror. The level of fear depends on the setting and the guide, but they are generally designed to be enjoyable for beginners.
What should I bring on a ghost walk? Essential items include a fully charged phone, weather-appropriate clothing, and a small flashlight. Helpful extras include a portable power bank, a bottle of water, and bug spray.
Can children go on ghost tours in Maine? Many tours are family-friendly, though some recommend ages 8+ or 12+. Wicked Walking Tours in Portland is specifically G-rated and great for families with theatrical storytelling.
