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Ghost tours & haunted history near Raleigh
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Ghost tours & haunted history near Raleigh

5 min read 3 places Last verified August 2026

Ghost stories work best for kids when the history does the heavy lifting. Mordecai's seasonal walks and Oakwood Cemetery tours calibrate the spookiness to young ears — daytime options included.

Map & places

2 of 3 places mapped
Mordecai Historic Park
4.7
(548 reviews)
Mordecai Historic Park

1 Mimosa Street, Raleigh, NC, 27604

Students can explore three out of four educational programs: Artifact and House, Plantation Slavery, Andrew Johnson, and Historic Raleigh Trolley Tours. Tours are available Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

🚘 Distance: 373.7 miles away

Oakwood Cemetery
4.5
(37 reviews)
Oakwood Cemetery

701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC, 27601

Historic Oakwood Cemetery is more than a resting place—it's a living history museum. Visitors can explore its scenic grounds, take themed tours on topics like Civil War history and monument art, or enjoy free self-guided tours. Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.

🚘 Distance: 374.2 miles away

RP
Raleigh Ghosts by US Ghost Adventures

Guided walking tours blend documented Raleigh history with its stranger stories — hauntings around the Capitol, Oakwood's legends, and downtown's darker chapters — led by storytellers who keep earlier tours spooky-but-family-appropriate. Tours run year-round; check age guidance and meeting points when booking.

Questions parents ask

Are ghost tours scary for young kids? +
Daytime and early-evening tours keep things historical rather than horror. Mordecai's seasonal walks are the most tween-calibrated.
Where do tours start? +
Oakwood Cemetery tours meet at the cemetery gates; Mordecai tours start at the visitor center downtown.
Can we do a DIY version? +
Yes — our guide includes Oakwood Cemetery's self-guided route past famous graves, free any daylight hour.

The best upcoming events you won’t want to miss

Jaipur Literature Festival
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Jaipur Literature Festival

3800 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
The third edition of JLF North Carolina, an international edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, comes to Raleigh September 11–13, 2026, bringing the spirit of one of the world's leading literary festivals to the Triangle. Celebrating the many arts, stories, and histories of Raleigh—the “City of Oaks”—JLF North Carolina will feature thought-provoking conversations, compelling performances, author sessions, and cultural experiences exploring literature, ideas, history, society, and the world around us. The festival will take place at Meredith College and NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues. The program will bring together acclaimed authors, artists, thinkers, journalists, and cultural leaders from North Carolina and around the world. The 2026 lineup includes Belle Boggs, Jeff Tiberii, Karan Mahajan, Bob Crawford, and many more. The Jaipur Literature Festival takes place annually in Jaipur, India, and is internationally celebrated as the “greatest literary show on Earth.” Its spirit now travels through international editions across the US, UK, Canada, Spain, the Maldives, and Australia, bringing together diverse literary traditions and the unique culture of each host region. JLF North Carolina offers readers, families, students, educators, writers, and curious minds an opportunity to discover new perspectives, hear remarkable stories, and experience the power of books and ideas right here in Raleigh.
371.3 mi $12.07–$56.84 per ticket, including fees & taxes
Lakeside Retreats Family Fest
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Lakeside Retreats Family Fest

4521 Mial Plantation Rd
FREE Family Fest in Raleigh — Saturday, September 12! Looking for a full day of family fun, creativity, connection, and outdoor adventure? Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats! Optional overnight Camping 📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM–9:00 PM 📍 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 🎟️ FREE admission Enjoy a day filled with: 🔥 Fire show 🎨 Art activities 🥋 Martial arts class 🫧 Bubbles 🧘 Yoga and sound bath 🌲 Forest bathing 🏕️ S’mores and optional overnight camping 🍴 Food trucks and vendors 💛 Sensory yurt 🎤 Guest speakers 🏆 Tug of war …and so much more!
383.4 mi Free
Safe Homes, Strong Families Resource Day
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Safe Homes, Strong Families Resource Day

Abbotts Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Road, Raleigh, NC 27614
Safe Homes, Strong Families Resource Day is a free community event presented by PR Home Care for older adults, family caregivers, and families who want to plan ahead and connect with trusted local resources before a crisis occurs. Meet local professionals and learn about fall prevention, aging in place and home safety, dementia and caregiver support, planning, medication safety, home organization, and other resources that can support safer, more independent living. Aging in Place North Carolina will provide a featured presentation, “How to Safely and Comfortably Age in the Home You Love.” The event will also include community resources, giveaways, and complimentary light refreshments while supplies last. Free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome.
369.6 mi Free
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