Denver’s haunted past never stays buried for long. This guide to the Mile High City’s spookiest tours and historic sites was first written by Louison Leclercq and published in 2024. We’ve updated it for 2025 with the latest ticket prices and details (because even ghost hunts aren’t immune to inflation).
Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or just curious about the darker corners of local history, these spots are sure to add a chill to your fall evenings. From guided ghost tours and haunted landmarks to historic cemeteries, haunted hotels and even Denver International Airport’s many conspiracies, here’s your updated guide to the places where the city’s history and hauntings overlap.
Guided Ghost Tours
For those interested in ghost hunting, Denver has a variety of guided ghost tours available. Nightly Spirits, for instance, offers multiple tours, including one suitable for all ages. Its LoDo tour starts at $29.50 per person and provides exclusive access to haunted sites around the city. The tours cover about a mile of walking and visit three to four haunted bars, ensuring plenty of liquid courage as you encounter the spirits of South Broadway.
The Capitol Hill Ghost Tour is another popular option, starting at 910 Sherman Street and lasting about two hours. It takes you past several historic mansions, including the Crawford Hill Mansion, the Colorado State Capitol and the (haunted) Peabody Whitehead Mansion. This tour doesn’t involve entering the sites but instead focuses on their haunted histories, all for $28 per adult. Denver Terrors also offers tours of spots like the Molly Brown House and the Patterson Inn, with tickets for $29.
Haunted Landmarks
For a more focused experience, haunted landmark tours are a great choice. One of the most famous is the Molly Brown House, the former home of Titanic survivor Margaret Brown. This house-turned-museum offers both self-guided and guided tours, giving visitors a glimpse into Brown’s fascinating life. While the haunted aspect wasn’t overwhelming for me, there are stories of ghostly encounters, including sightings of Molly herself and other mysterious spirits. Learn more at mollybrown.org.
After visiting the Molly Brown House, I was interested in other haunted mansions, so I went to Capitol Hill. The Peabody Whitehead Mansion caught my eye—its eerie reputation and the difficulty I had finding its exact address intrigued me. The mansion is surrounded by gates, with a rusted, locked door and an old car parked in front, which adds to the eerie atmosphere. Even in broad daylight, the house gave off a chilling energy; I couldn’t imagine walking by it at night.
Another haunted landmark is the Buckhorn Exchange, Denver’s oldest restaurant, established in 1893. Adorned with taxidermy animals and historic memorabilia, the Buckhorn is known for its unique atmosphere—and its ghosts. Diners have reported hearing footsteps and voices when no one else is around, and some have even seen tables move on their own. Learn more at www.buckhorn.com.
Cheesman Park, built on the site of a former cemetery, is also said to be haunted. However, when I visited, I found it more peaceful than spooky. The park is beautiful, with numerous benches and plaques dedicated to those who have passed, though there’s little acknowledgment of the graves beneath. It was strange to see an engagement photo shoot happening in such a historically dark place, but perhaps it’s just another example of Denver’s blend of beauty and mystery. Visit 1599 East 8th Avenue, Denver, and let me know if you feel the presence of the occult.
Historic Cemeteries
Fairmount Cemetery, one of Denver’s oldest, is a must-visit for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. This sprawling cemetery feels more like a park, with beautiful mausoleums and a serene atmosphere.
As I walked through, I couldn’t help but think of my own loved ones who have passed. Despite its size (over 180,000 graves), the cemetery exudes tranquility, aided by the trees and garden-like setting. While visiting a cemetery can be strange, I believe this one is worth seeing because of its rich history and beautiful structures, such as the Little Ivy Chapel and the Fairmount Mausoleum. Check it out at 430 South Quebec Street, Denver.
Riverside Cemetery, located about 30 minutes from Fairmount, is Denver’s oldest operating cemetery and a National Historic District. With more than 67,000 graves, it’s steeped in history, dating back to the Civil War. Visit it at 5201 Brighton Boulevard, Denver.
Haunted Hotels
Did you order a hotel room with extra ghosts? Well, Colorado’s got you covered! The Stanley Hotel near Estes Park is perhaps the most well-known, having served as the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel “The Shining.” The Stanley offers tours that delve into its ghostly history, including a visit to the infamous Shining Suite. The Stanley Hotel website describes it as “A lot of Stephen King, a bit of history and a whole lot of stories of the spirited variety!” See the hotel for yourself at 333 Wonderview Avenue, Estes Park, and learn more at www.stanleyhotel.com.
Closer to home is the Oxford Hotel, one of Denver’s oldest establishments. Room 320 is particularly notorious—guests have reported terrifying encounters, including having their sheets ripped off and feeling an unseen force tugging at their arms. The hotel’s Cruise Room bar is also said to be haunted by a mysterious postal worker, who orders a beer but leaves the bottle full after drinking. It’s located at 1600 17th Street, Denver. More details at www.theoxfordhotel.com.
Denver International Airport
Finally, no exploration of Denver’s haunted history would be complete without a stop at Denver International Airport. With its strange art, secret tunnels and the infamous Mustang statue (aka “Blucifer”), the airport is a hotbed of conspiracy theories. From the gargoyles guarding the baggage claim to the disturbing murals depicting scenes of war and peace, DIA never fails to give me the creeps.
I’ve traveled in and out of DIA, and I have definitely noticed some weird, spooky things. The gargoyles leading the way to baggage claim are one of many. My first visit to Denver was when I moved here about seven years ago, and the first thing I saw was Blucifer—definitely a strange welcome. After reading about the story of this horse and its red eyes, I became even more creeped out and perplexed as to why it would be the first thing Denver visitors see.
Its strange but alluring nature makes it easy to see how rumors about connections to secret societies like the lizard people might spread. I recently visited the airport and landed at 1 a.m., so everything appeared strange and out of place. If you have ever had to go to gate A56, you will understand what I mean: it is in the airport’s basement and feels like a never-ending 20-minute walk to the baggage claim.
Denver International Airport, 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver. Learn more (if you dare!) at www.flydenver.com.
My guide to the haunted history of Denver offers a thrilling overview of the city’s most haunted sites. From guided ghost tours and haunted landmarks to historic cemeteries, dark history hotels, and the mysterious Denver International Airport, this guide is the ideal companion for discovering Denver’s ghostly past. Stay safe this spooky season, and if you come across a ghost while exploring, contact the Ghostbusters immediately!