One of my favorite activities while on vacation is to seek out local ghost tours. I’ve taken ghost tours around the country, including some of America’s most haunted cities; Savannah, New Orleans, and St. Augustine. But, I’d never taken a ghost tour of my own city-Chattanooga-until my recent partnership with TripAdvisor. I’ve lived in the area all of my life and thought I had heard all the paranormal tales, but I was wrong. If you’re looking for some spooky fun and a bit of history, plan an evening with Chattanooga Ghost Tours.
Thanks to TripAdvisor for partnering with us on this post. All opinions are my own.
Chattanooga Ghost Tours
What roams the streets of Chattanooga as darkness settles? Do ghostly specters creep about, biding their time before appearing to unsuspecting travelers? The Murder and Mayhem Tour was destined to answer my questions.
I wish we could say we arrived on a dark and stormy night to add atmosphere to the story, but no. It was a clear night with a half moon and twinkling stars when we met our guide, Jessica, a former ballroom dance instructor, in the parking lot. She began the evening with tips on how to take paranormal pictures.
*Do not use flash
*Take several pictures in a row to look for abnormalities
*Clean your lens to remove dirt before taking pictures
We were instructed to be on the lookout for orbs, ectoplasm, and apparitions before beginning our journey. Our first stop was the county jail where an evil spirit, once used to scare inmates, is still said to haunt the current inmates. Our tour continued to the Courthouse where a lonely spirit still seeks justice for a horrific crime committed against him almost 80 years ago. Bail bondsmen who sit outside the courtroom late at night often report mysterious lights and noises emanating from the building. Most choose not to investigate the source, but those who do appear baffled when they can find no trace of human activity.
One of my favorite spots of the evening was a location I never knew existed, the Newell Sanitarium, opened on Friday the 13th, 1911. Today, the building still stands, condemned by the city after tenants moved in and out quickly. It’s reported that the last tenant stayed only a few days before fleeing the area, leaving behind all the supplies in the building and changing their phone number. Screams and moans are said to be common occurrences inside the building.
The Ghost Swing
Along the way we stopped along a row of buildings said to be haunted by several different entities. The owner of the buildings finally became so fed up with complaints from his clients that he installed a swing in a shaded area across from them in hopes of luring the ghostly children to play.
We also visited the infamous Reid House with its haunted ballroom and the haunted 311 room. 311 is said to be haunted by two spirits, one who dislikes males and the other who dislikes females. Various guests over the years have checked out or asked to have their rooms moved due to the paranormal activity.
Our final stop of the evening was a section of Underground Chattanooga. The original city of Chattanooga, located along the banks of the Tennessee River, was often flooded during storms. Businesses and residents began to carefully raise the city streets, building hills to elevate homes and shops. Over time a 40 block area was raised to be one story higher. This left an elaborate labyrinth of underground passages. Doors that went nowhere, alleys that dead end into walls, and windows barely peeking above the ground can still be seen if you look closely. The section of Underground Chattanooga we entered is creepy. Several degrees warmer than the outside, with cells built into the back, the entire area gives off an eerie feeling.
Owner Amy Petulla has meticulously researched both the historical significance and paranormal history of each location. She is the author of The Corpsewood Manor Murders, a true crime story set in the woods of North Georgia, and the co-author of Haunted Chattanooga. Her guides are hand-picked, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject. You’ll leave knowing more about the history of “the scenic city” and maybe with a spooky story of your own.
Tips to Remember Before Taking the Chattanooga Ghost Tours
*This is an approximately 2-hour walking tour. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
*Spring, Summer, and Fall Months can be warm and humid. Bring a drink.
*The tour ends at a different point than the starting point, although the guide will take you back to the original location after the tour is over.
*You will only be entering one building along the tour.
*The main location of Chattanooga Ghost Tours is located in the building behind Tzakiki’s Cafe. You must walk up the hill on East 57th Street and into a small alley to find the entrance.
UTC/Cemetery Ghost Hunt
If you’re up for a more “hands-on” adventure, the UTC/Cemetery Ghost Hunt, also offered by Chattanooga Ghost Tours, gives guests the chance to try out the latest in ghost hunting equipment. The tour begins at 611 McCallie Avenue, in front of Hooper Hall, and is only available on Friday and Saturday nights. Once everyone had arrived our guide, Donnie, explained how to use the equipment and since we were a small group, allowed each of us to choose a device. I chose The Ghost Meter EMF Sensor, used to detect electric fields, while my husband chose the Nubee Temperature Gun Digital Laser Infrared IR Thermometer, used to detect changes in temperature.
The location where Anna is said to appear.
Our search began outside Hooper Hall where we attempted to communicate with “the lady in white.” Abandoned at the altar by her fiance, Anna is said to wander the halls, grief-stricken, perhaps searching for her lost lover. She’s also said to hate men, including Donnie, our guide. Donnie asked if any women would like to communicate with her. Two women took him up on the offer to use the Ovilus X. They had little success, although the box did say “leave” to one of the women.
We moved on to the Bell Tower, said to be home to a Monk who broke his vows of celibacy. Unable to live with himself afterward, he hanged himself from the bell tower. Once again we attempted to communicate with little success. Although the Ovilus X repeated the word “leave” to the same woman. This happened at almost every spot on the tour, much to the amusement of the rest of our group.
We continued to several stops, including Patton Chapel, where Anna was left at the altar, stopped by the spot of the most recent death on campus, and then continued to the cemetery. Located across the road from UTC, it’s actually four cemeteries in one. Divided into the Pauper’s cemetery, the Confederate cemetery, the Jewish cemetery, and another section, we were allowed to explore on our own for several minutes. After regrouping we headed toward another section of the cemetery to a well where bodies had been deposited.
Our last stop for the evening was in front of the student center, where a ghost named “Tim” is said to reside. Tim is said to dislike females and flirt with males. One group member was offended when the Ovilus X called her a name she didn’t appreciate. Donnie is a great guide, witty and entertaining. He made sure everyone got a chance to try the Ovilus X and told humorous and spooky stories from past ghost encounters.
Tips to Remember on the UTC/Cemetery Ghost Hunt
*You will not be going in any of the buildings on campus.
*You will be doing a good bit of walking so wear comfortable shoes.
*The tour usually runs a little longer than scheduled.
*Some of the areas are not as well lit as others. Consider bringing a small flashlight.
*Be sure to bring your camera. Bring your cell phone for audio and video recordings.
*No one under 18 is allowed on this tour.
Book Through TripAdvisor
Most people think of TripAdvisor as the go-to place for reviews of attractions, lodgings, and restaurants. One thing you might not know is you can also book over 56,000 attractions, tours, and experiences worldwide directly through TripAdvisor. I was able to book my tickets quickly and easily, meaning no waiting in line when we arrived.
TripAdvisor also offers some great services when you book directly through them, including:
• Whenever, wherever booking: Book your experience a month in advance, a week in advance, or a day in advance. If there’s a long line, you can book then and there to ‘skip the line’ t you’re standing in.
• VIP access: They offer skip-the-line opportunities, behind-the-scenes access, private viewings and more.
• 24/7 customer service: Book through TripAdvisor Attractions and you’ll have 24/7 access to our customer support team. And, if you’ve ever had something go wrong while waiting in line, you’ll know this is a lifesaver!
• Low price guarantee: If you find a lower price for the same tour or activity within 72 hours of booking, or if you arrive in your destination and find your activity offered at a lower price by our operator, let TripAdvisor know. They’ll refund the price difference. There’s an app for that! If you are like me, you might wait until you are in an area to make reservations due to time constraints.
They help with hotels too! With one click, we compare prices from 200+ hotel booking sites – including the hotel’s own website – to help you find the lowest price on your ideal hotel. The prices are updated in real time so you’ll always find the best deal.
If you are like me, you might wait until you are in an area to book attractions. Time constraints, cranky kids, and more can lead to missing some of the activities we’ve planned. With the TripAdvisor FREE mobile app, I can make booking arrangements online in a matter of minutes. No hassle, no fuss, and no wasted money.
Whether you are a ghostly fan, serious skeptic, or history buff, these tours are worth the price for the history and the oral storytelling. Have you taken the Chattanooga Ghost Tours?
oh my! how fun would this be. i know my boys love a good scare but so do my girls so im sure theyd think it was a riot too. me? nope. i dont do scares well ahha.
This would be a great way to spend some of the fall season! I love all of the spookiness in my area too. Not far from Chatanooga!
That’s one of the perks with using TripAdvisor, you learn more about your surroundings. Love explorng new places with my family. Relying on sites like TripAdvisor helps us save and plan ahead for things.
I don’t think I can do this tour, My kids will love though, I am not strong enough watch scary movie. You are so brave.
I don’t think I have the courage to finish that ghost hunting tour. I’d get spooked by everything seeing from the photos, it looked quite scary.
This looks so spooky. Perfect for this time of year with Halloween coming.
Oh gosh, I would love to go on a ghost tour of Chattanooga! How fun was it???
I’ve always wanted to do a ghost tour, but I hate it when they jump out at you. Not my idea of fun. No thanks.
I can imagine looking over my shoulder and trying to see any orbs and apparitions for this tour! Thanks for the tips and for sharing this with us.
I went on a Ghost Tour in Eureka Springs one year while attending a conference. The tour took everyone to the famed Crescent Hotel. We were staying at the Basin Park Hotel and unbeknownst to us, it was also a nationally recognized haunted hotel. I didn’t sleep a wink that weekend.
I went Ghost Hunting in Tampa and it was fun. Didn’t see anything but we had a lot of laughs!
Ghost tours are so much fun! The last one I did was in the Seattle Underground. I’ll have to add Chattanooga to my list.
I have some friends that would love a trip like this one. They are big into the Halloween haunted houses and creepy places
I’ve never taken a Chattanooga Ghost Tour. It looks like a fun time and something that the kiddos would love.
Ohh this is really in time for the Halloween. I think I will consider trying this activity too. I will tell this to my girlfriends and see if we could try this out.
My daughter would LOVE this. She’s all about ghost hunting. I tend to be a scaredy cat but she’s all, “Come on!” and will go into the dark places.
I love walking tours like food tours, but there is absolutely No way I could do this. 🙂 My kids would absolutely love it. I think I’d find a good coffee shop while the kids and the hubby (loves this stuff) did the ghost tour.
I cna say this in all honesty, there is NO way I would do this! haha! I’m such a “scaredy-cat” Things like this scare me to running! I won’t even watch scary movies, my family makes so much fun of me!!
You are so much braver than I am! I cannot do scary stuff I just chickened out. It looks like it would be a lot of fun if you are not a chicken like I am!