4 Historic Haunts in Northern Virginia
Thrill seekers looking for some truly unforgettable haunted historic sites will find a variety of them throughout Northern Virginia. Just outside Washington D.C., the region is rich in American history, and there is no doubt some of it still lives on long after the Civil War battles have ended and the smoke has cleared. Here are just a few of the historic haunts visitors can brave…if they dare.
Alexandria Ghost Tour Pub Crawl with Nightly Spirits
Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the fall, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $25 per person
Various locations throughout Old Town Alexandria, VA 22314
844-678-8687
nightlyspirits.com
Experience a haunting mixture of ghostly sights and pub crawling on this walking tour of historic Old Town Alexandria. Listen to creepy stories of ghosts and local history. Your costumed guide will take you in and out of several haunted pubs and other locations in Old Town. Hear about murder, death and tragic love stories as you walk along historical streets. Tours last about two hours, cover approximately one mile, and include plenty of time to calm your nerves. Must be 21+ for this tour.
The Workhouse Arts Center Haunted Trail- Fairfax, VA
Screams will echo across the 55-acre historic Workhouse campus, built on the grounds of the abandoned and notorious DC Department of Corrections Lorton Reformatory (now an exquisite working arts studio). Chosen as 2018’s “#1 Must-See Haunt” in Virginia by TheScareFactor.com, the Workhouse Arts Center’s haunted trail was fully redesigned for 2019 featuring real-life prison cells, spookier stories, and creepy characters designed to bring brave attendees’ darkest fears to life. In 2020, the Workhouse innovated again by bringing Northern Virginia’s first-ever Haunted Drive-Thru Trail to life to massive success. 2021 brings an all-new Haunted Attraction, with more scares, more creepy characters, and more spooky scenes than ever before. https://www.workhousearts.org/
Shocktober- Leesburg, VA
Northern Virginia’s only REAL Haunted House is not for the faint of heart. Built in the 1800s, the foreboding Carlheim mansion in Leesburg features more than 100 cast and crew to create the ultimate haunted house experience. The experience, offered weekends in October, also raises money for the Arc of Loudoun while spooking thousands of visitors annually. This year features new rooms and experiences in the house or an opportunity to go through virtually. https://shocktober.org/
Wine Guzzling Ghost at The Winery at La Grange – Prince William County, VA
The first winery of its kind to come to Prince William County, VA, The Winery at La Grange is a scenic 22-acre farm vineyard that is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon sipping wine. Founded by a group of wine enthusiasts in 2005, the property now boasts eight acres of planted vines and a fully renovated manor house dating back to 1790, now used as their Tasting Room. The vineyard is located just 40 miles southwest of Washington D.C. in Haymarket, Virginia. It sits at an elevation of about 600 feet, right at the foothills of Bull Run Mountain.
The house and property are rich with history and folklore. Many visitors share their stories of experiences with the ghosts that live here. Most of the encounters entail the piano in the parlor playing on its own, the ghost of a young girl who inhabits one of the upstairs rooms as well as the spirit of Benoni who guided the home’s restoration project in the 1800’s. Benoni E. Harrison purchased the La Grange estate in 1837 and lived there until he died in 1869. Rumor has it that Benoni still haunts the manor house to this day. You will find a glass of red wine on the mantel in the Tasting Room, which is set out for his ghost each day to ensure the staff doesn’t encounter any mysterious phenomena while open to the public. Although some believe the Manor House to be haunted, do not let that deter you from stopping by to experience the unique hand-crafted Virginia wine you can find here. https://wineryatlagrange.com/
