Haunted Pub Crawl, 2 Hours

DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures runs through US Ghost Adventures. Rated 4.0 across 63 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $29.

Overview

This two-hour walking tour mixes ghost stories with bar hopping in downtown Washington, starting outside Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th Street NW and finishing at The Hamilton on 14th Street. A guide from DC Ghosts, part of US Ghost Adventures, leads a group of no more than 15 travellers between several bars and buildings while telling stories of hauntings and paranormal sightings tied to the capital's past.

The route passes through the area around Pennsylvania Avenue, with stops that include Old Ebbitt Grill, described in the listing as a 170-year-old establishment, and the Round Robin Bar inside the Willard Hotel, which the operator says is frequented by the ghost of President Grant. Drinks at each stop are not included in the tour price, so budget for your own purchases along the way. Some stops are pass-by or exterior viewing rather than entry, and one reviewer noted that several stories concern buildings the group does not actually enter.

The tour suits travellers who want an easy walk with history and a few drinks rather than an intense scare experience. Several reviewers described the guides as knowledgeable and friendly, while others felt the ghost content was thin compared with the historical material.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Old Ebbitt GrillMeet your guide outside Old Ebbitt Grill at 675 15th St NW. This is the starting point of the crawl.
2. Old Ebbitt GrillThe first stop is Old Ebbitt Grill, a stop of 10 minutes. Admission is not included, and drinks are purchased separately.
3. 15th Street NorthwestA 10-minute stretch along 15th Street Northwest, free to pass through, with stories from the guide along the way.
4. Washington DC and Pennsylvania AveThe route continues through downtown Washington DC, including 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, with about 10 minutes at each.
5. John Wilson Building and National TheatreThe group passes by the John Wilson Building and the National Theatre. This is a pass-by stop of 10 minutes with no entry.
6. Proper 21A 10-minute stop at Proper 21 on F Street. Drinks here are not included in the tour price.
7. The HamiltonThe crawl ends at The Hamilton, 600 14th St NW, after a final 10-minute stop. Drinks are purchased on your own.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what to know before booking, based on the listing and on what past travellers have said about the tour.

• Budget for drinks. Drinks are not included in the price, and the tour visits several bars where you buy your own. One reviewer mentioned that some of the stops are pricey, so plan a drinks budget before you go.
• Easy walking pace. The listing asks only for a moderate level of physical fitness. One reviewer expected more walking and was relieved it was less, so the route is manageable for most people who can stand and stroll for two hours.
• Small group feel. The tour caps attendance at 15 travellers. Several reviewers mentioned small turnouts, even solo or two-person groups, which makes for a conversational evening but also means the experience can vary with turnout.
• History over scares. Several reviewers said the historical material was stronger than the ghost stories, with a few finding the haunting angle thin or forced. Come for history and drinks with a spooky theme rather than a genuinely frightening experience.
• Stories at a distance. Not every story is told inside a haunted building. One reviewer noted that some tales concern the White House or buildings across the street while the group sits in a bar, so expect a mix of interior stops and exterior storytelling.
• Accessible route. The listing states the tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, allows service animals, and is near public transportation. Surfaces along the route are described as wheelchair accessible.

Common issues. Drinks are not included, and some stops are on the expensive side, which caught a few guests off guard. The ghost content divides opinion: several reviewers found the history engaging but the hauntings thin, and one suggested it works better as a history-and-drinks tour. Small turnout can also be an issue. One reviewer was told an hour before start time that they were the only guest, then lost the refund by missing the 24-hour cancellation deadline. Another said a two-person tour ran shorter than the full two hours.

What To Work Out Before Booking