Every October, thousands of visitors come to Alton, Illinois for one reason: the ghosts. Built on limestone bluffs where the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers meet, Alton has nearly two centuries of stories. It was a Civil War prison town, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and the city where abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy was killed defending his printing press. Few places pack that much history, and that many hauntings, into a few blocks.
Here’s how to plan a haunted weekend in Alton, which tours to book, and where to stay.
Why Alton is called one of the most haunted towns in America
Alton’s reputation isn’t a marketing invention. Local ghost tours have run here since 1992, and many of the city’s most famous sites are real historic buildings with documented, often tragic pasts. Much of the downtown is built from local limestone, and paranormal investigators like to say the stone “holds” energy. Whether or not you believe that, the history alone is worth the trip.
The best Alton ghost tours to book
Alton Hauntings Tours. Founded by paranormal author Troy Taylor, this is the classic three-hour walking tour of Alton’s most documented haunted sites. Stops include the ruins of the old Alton Penitentiary, the First Unitarian Church, and the Enos Sanitarium.
Alton Odyssey Tours. This operator continues the tradition of Alton’s original 1992 ghost tours. In October it offers evening walking tours that start at the historic Grand Theater, plus 21+ haunted craft beer walks paired with Old Bakery Beer Company.
Vintage Voices at Alton City Cemetery. This one is less spooky and more storytelling. Costumed actors portray notable Altonians on guided walks through the historic cemetery, where Elijah Lovejoy is buried. It’s a great daytime option, and good for families.
Tip: October weekends sell out. Book your tour and your room at the same time.
Alton’s most famous haunted places
- McPike Mansion: The city’s signature haunted house. It’s a vacant 1869 Italianate mansion with a notorious wine cellar.
- Mineral Springs Hotel: A former grand hotel with several well-known ghost stories, including the “jasmine lady.”
- First Unitarian Church: Linked to a tragic fire and one of the tour circuit’s most-told stories.
- Old Alton Penitentiary ruins: Illinois’ first state prison, which later held Confederate prisoners during a deadly smallpox outbreak.
- Enos Sanitarium: A former Underground Railroad site with limestone rooms below street level.
- Milton Schoolhouse: A former school building with its own share of reported activity.
Where to stay for an Alton ghost tour weekend
Most Alton ghost tours start and end downtown after dark, so you want a hotel that’s close, easy to park at, and comfortable to come back to at midnight.
The Great Rivers, an Ascend Collection Hotel is at 3559 College Avenue, just a few minutes’ drive from the downtown tour meeting spots. After the tour you can come back to:
- Free parking and free Wi-Fi
- A heated indoor pool (a good way to shake off the chill)
- A complimentary breakfast buffet before a day of exploring
- On-site dining, so you don’t have to hunt for dinner before an 8 p.m. tour
It’s also about 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis, so it’s an easy overnight for St. Louis-area groups who don’t want to drive home at midnight.
Make it a full haunted weekend
- Friday night: Check in, then take a downtown walking tour.
- Saturday: Antique shopping on Broadway, then an afternoon drive up the Great River Road to Grafton for fall colors and wineries.
- Saturday night: A second tour, or a haunted craft beer walk (21+).
- Sunday: Breakfast at the hotel, then Vintage Voices at Alton City Cemetery.
For more ideas, see our guide to 25 things to do in Alton, IL.
FAQ
Is Alton, Illinois really haunted?
Alton is widely called one of the most haunted small towns in America. Its ghost tours have run since 1992, and many of its haunted sites have well-documented histories.
When are Alton ghost tours offered?
Most public tours run in September and October, with the busiest dates on October weekends. Some operators offer private group tours year-round.
Where should I stay for an Alton ghost tour?
The Great Rivers hotel on College Avenue is a few minutes from the downtown tour starts. It has free parking, an indoor pool and free breakfast.