Historic Ghost Tour in Arlington, Texas
I recently explored North Texas haunted history by taking “Ashes and Apparitions: The Accursed Arlington Ghost Tour.” This fun walking tour gives a glimpse into the spooky side of Arlington, Texas: one filled with lingering legends, restless spirits, and stories that don’t always stay buried.
There were three of us that fateful night. (Hey, I wasn’t about to face the spirits alone!) My husband, Larry, and my sister, Sharon, came along for the ride.
As it happened, the night of the tour coincided with our 15th wedding anniversary. While this is traditionally known as the “crystal anniversary,” we celebrated ours with a delightful mix of history, ghost hunting, and… margaritas!
Where is Arlington’s ghost tour?
The tour kicks off in the heart of historic downtown Arlington, Texas, which makes it easy to turn the experience into a fun night out.
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to grabbing dinner before (or a drink after), with spots like Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, Tipsy Oak, and Monkey Burger all within easy walking distance.
Since my sister had just flown in from Washington State and was craving Tex-Mex, we happily obliged with dinner at Mama Cuca’s. We even lucked into their $5 margarita night.
(And yes—they even sold us margaritas to go.)
Meeting Our Guide: Look for the lantern
The ghost tour meetup was super easy. Our digital ticket advised us to meet at Arlington Music Hall and, “look for your guide carrying a lantern.”
After dinner, the three of us strolled to the theater with full bellies and margaritas in hand. No sooner had we claimed a spot beneath the glowing marquee than our guide, Kalan, rounded the corner with a lantern in hand and a twinkle in his eye.
Kalan is a self-described “theater kid” and “native Texan,” with an infectious enthusiasm for storytelling. His grandmother is a local historian, and Kalan clearly inherited her deep appreciation for the area’s past, along with a flair for bringing those stories to life.
Our group of three had reserved one EMF meter as an add-on, but Kalan surprised us by bringing enough for each of us to try. His thoughtful touch definitely added to the fun.
Haunted Hot Spots in Downtown Arlington
The Arlington Ghost Tour begins at Arlington Music Hall, then winds its way through several historic locations, including Knapp Heritage Park and the remnants of the old railroad depot.
We had fun exploring the perimeter of Knapp Heritage Park after dark. The historic cabins create a wonderfully atmospheric setting, and it’s easy to imagine the early settlers who once dwelled there.
My sister and I snapped numerous photos of the log cabin windows, hoping for a ghostly cameo—but no luck. The resident cats were equally unimpressed with our attempts to lure them off the porch.
My favorite story of the evening came when Kalan described a deadly shootout at the railroad depot in 1892—on Christmas Day, no less. His storytelling brought that moment of Wild West history to life and made the site feel vivid and dramatic.
Ghosts or no ghosts, that tale sent a shiver up my spine!
Ghost Hunting Gadgets and “Archie Debunker”
The atmosphere throughout the tour was relaxed and conversational. Kalan encouraged everyone to experiment with the EMF meters, ask questions, and experience the stories in their own way.
Larry has joined me on many ghost hunts over the years, with his scientifically minded approach earning him the nickname “Archie Debunker.” Thankfully, Kalan is both a good sport and a skilled storyteller, so he took Larry’s skepticism in stride. If anything, the playful banter between those two added to the entertainment.
Two Extra Stops: Well Worth It
Our extended ghost tour also included a couple of fascinating add-on stops at historic cemeteries: Old Arlington Cemetery and the Lost Cemetery of Infants.
Now, here’s something Kalan didn’t know: I specialize in historic cemetery symbolism! So when we arrived at these graveyards, I was already familiar with their stories. In fact, I’ve researched and written about both locations in my book Paranormal Texas, as well as in this blog post and YouTube video: Lost Cemetery of Infants.
And for the record, Old Arlington Cemetery has a haunted reputation for a reason. I once captured a photograph with a strange mist there… in broad daylight.
So I definitely recommend adding the cemetery stops to your tour!
Not only did I enjoy revisiting these historic burial grounds at night, but hearing Kalan’s take on them gave me a fresh perspective—one that made me want to dive back into their history all over again.
A Fun Night Out
All in all, the three of us had a wonderfully spooky good time. The Arlington Ghost Tour was a delightful mix of local history, ghost lore, and an easygoing nighttime stroll through some of Arlington, Texas’s most historic locations.
My verdict? Some stories are best told after dark… and this is one worth walking for!
👻 How to Book Arlington’s Ghost Tour
You can learn more about the tour and book tickets here: US Ghost Adventures – Arlington, Texas.
❓ Not in Arlington? No problem!
Tours are operated by US Ghost Adventures, which runs haunted history experiences in nearby cities like Dallas, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas…
But they also run tours all in haunted locations across the United States! So even if Arlington, Texas isn’t convenient for you, there’s a good chance you’ll find a ghost tour closer to home.
NOTE: Tickets for this tour were provided for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
I live in Arlington and have often wondered if this ghost tour was worthwhile. I also volunteer with the Arlington Historical Society and wanted to add a couple of things to the history.
The train station shootout actually occurred on December 23, 1892—not Christmas Day. However, it became known as the ‘Christmas Eve Shootout’ because it was reported in the December 24 newspapers. Three men died at the scene, and another died later from his wounds.
Knapp Heritage Park is one of the Arlington Historical Society’s venues. I actually hadn’t heard that it was potentially haunted, but I’ll keep an eye out now. Next time you’re in Arlington, visit Knapp when we’re open for a proper tour!
The Berachah Home has a lot of interesting history. Unfortunately, the meaningful work of Reverend Upchurch often gets overshadowed by ghost stories. Though sometimes referred to as the ‘Lost Cemetery of Infants’ or the ‘Baby Cemetery’—both of which I feel are a bit demeaning and sensationalized—it’s officially named the Berachah Cemetery.
Hi Jason!
Yes, we had fun on the tour. Thank you so much for sharing those historical details, especially the correct date of the shootout. That was my favorite story of the night, so I appreciate the added context.
I completely understand what you mean about the “Lost Cemetery of Infants.” When I first heard that name, it sounded rather ominous. But after researching it, I was genuinely impressed by the work of Rev. Upchurch and the care provided to unwed mothers at a time when they had very few options. That’s why I tend to describe it as a “surprisingly uplifting story” in my writing, video, and talks.
I often feel like one of the lasting benefits of haunted history tours isn’t necessarily the paranormal aspect, but how they spark curiosity about local history—especially for younger visitors. There really is so much to discover here in North Texas.
I’m definitely overdue for a visit to Knapp Heritage Park–it’s on my list. Thank you for the invitation! And I appreciate you taking the time to leave such thoughtful comments. :) ~Tui