Haunted DC Pub Crawl Spirits and Scandals in the Capital

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Your night begins at one of Washington, D.C.’s most notoriously haunted homes. Built in 1800 and once used as a temporary White House after the War of 1812, the Octagon Museum carries centuries of tragedy within its walls. Guests have reported eerie sounds, ghostly apparitions, and an overwhelming sense of dread—especially near the infamous staircase, where legend tells of two daughters who met mysterious deaths. As you stand outside this historic mansion, you’ll hear chilling tales of séances, restless spirits, and lingering energy that refuses to leave.

   20 min

2. Just steps from the White House stands one of the most haunted government buildings in America. With a long history of deaths, from construction accidents to tragic suicides, this grand structure is said to be filled with restless spirits. Visitors and staff alike have reported unexplained touches, shadowy figures, and ghostly voices echoing through its corridors. Among the most famous apparitions is Civil War photographer Mathew Brady, believed to still wander the halls, a lingering reminder of a troubled past tied to war and loss.

   20 min

3. Now home to one of D.C.’s most luxurious hotels, this site hides a deeply tragic story. The ghost of Marian “Clover” Adams, a socialite who died by suicide before her home was completed, is said to still haunt the property. Guests and staff have reported hearing a woman’s sobs, feeling sudden cold spots, and even experiencing unexplained touches. The scent of almonds or perfume often accompanies her presence, an eerie signature that suggests her spirit never truly left the place she never lived to enjoy.

   20 min

4. Known as the “Church of Presidents,” this historic site has welcomed every U.S. president since James Madison, but it may also host visitors from beyond. Legend says that when the church bell tolls for the death of an important figure, six mysterious figures dressed in white appear in the President’s pew at midnight, silently paying their respects before vanishing. Whether they are former leaders, spirits of the faithful, or something more divine, their presence adds a chilling layer to this otherwise sacred space.

   20 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Washington DC

• Its from-price is 65% below the median of the 767 experiences we list in Washington DC.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 361 of 767.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Washington DC

Washington, DC is the US capital, a planned city on the Potomac, with a National Mall of monuments and museums and cherry trees in spring.

Washington was planned as a capital in the 1790s, with broad avenues radiating from the Capitol. The National Mall stretches from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool. Memorials to Jefferson, Franklin Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr stand around the Tidal Basin, where cherry trees bloom in late March or early April. The White House stands just north of the Mall.

Top-ranked sights in Washington DC: The White House, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial.

See all 767 experiences in Washington DC