Best Ghost Tours in Downtown Franklin: Exploring Tennessee’s Haunted Past
Franklin Walking Tours: Tombstone Tales
Ghost tours in Franklin, TN, invite visitors to step into the city’s haunted history. Beneath the glow of Main Street’s lampposts, stories of soldiers, mysterious houses, and lingering spirits come to life, blending the beauty of Franklin with a touch of the supernatural.
Much of Franklin’s ghostly lore traces back to the Battle of Franklin in 1864, one of the fiercest fights of the Civil War, waged right through what is now the heart of downtown. For hours, thousands of soldiers clashed across fields and streets that locals still walk today. After the battle, homes, churches, and businesses became makeshift hospitals, many of which still stand in downtown Franklin.
Franklin ghost tours build on that connection between past and present, as guides intertwine verified history with local legend while leading visitors along the same streets marked by the events of 1864. Stops often include Carnton, Carter House, and Lotz House, landmarks that still bear the memory of the battle.
With its storied past, downtown Franklin offers the perfect setting for an evening of mystery and history. If you are brave enough to wander where spirits still linger, read on to discover the best Franklin ghost tours and haunted walks.
Franklin on Foot
Since 2003, Franklin on Foot has shared the legends that make the city one of Tennessee’s most captivating historic towns. Their popular Haunted Franklin Tour explores the ghosts that linger on the streets and dwellings of downtown Franklin. Departed socialites, a Civil War spy, hardworking shopkeepers, soldiers, and even a loyal dog are said to still roam the area, each with their own story to tell.
Franklin on Foot’s guides are expert storytellers, weaving history and folklore into an engaging evening walk. Among the tales shared, one presence is said to be helpful, a few seem lonely, and one, as guides like to joke, may even be afraid of the dark. Guests are encouraged to bring cameras and an open mind—you never know what might appear in your photos! Many participants have captured curious images along the way, from faint shapes to mysterious streaks of light.
Franklin on Foot private walking tours are also available year-round and can be customized for special groups and events. For a history-focused alternative to the ghost tour, Franklin on Foot offers the Classic Franklin Tour, which highlights the city’s architecture and introduces visitors to notable local figures. It’s a perfect complement to the Haunted Franklin Tour, showcasing the history by day and the mysteries by night.
Tours run throughout the year, beginning at 305 Public Square, in front of the old Williamson County Courthouse. The 90-minute route covers about six blocks and includes stops at some of Franklin’s most notable locations. Parental discretion is advised for children under 12, as some might find certain stories too scary.
Franklin Walking Tours
Franklin Walking Tours offers a creative mix of history, humor, and hometown pride through a variety of themed experiences. The Grim and Ghostly Tour, held nightly, takes guests through Franklin’s historic district to hear tales of mysterious happenings and intrigue. The 90-minute walk passes some of the most haunted buildings in town, weaving together ghost stories and true crime accounts that range from mischievous to darkly fascinating. It’s a favorite among history lovers, true crime fans, and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Additional tours are often added during busy seasons, giving more visitors a chance to experience this storytelling walk.
For October, the company expands its offerings with two special experiences. The Haunted Tour of Cherry Manor invites guests inside one of Franklin’s most talked-about homes for the first time ever. The tour of Cherry Manor explores the house’s fascinating history and the unusual accounts that have surrounded it for generations. Each Saturday night in October brings a unique feature, from a pendulum reader and hidden-room access to tarot card readings and a special appearance by celebrity psychic Deb Lantz.
The beloved Tombstone Tales returns for one night only on October 25th, transforming one of Franklin’s historic cemeteries into an evening of storytelling and living history. Lantern-lit paths guide visitors as costumed interpreters share the tales of notable residents from Franklin’s past.
Franklin Walking Tours also offers private tours designed to fit any group’s interests. They can create custom experiences that highlight local history, Civil War sites, boutique shopping, or even themed adventures like a boozy bar crawl, walking game show, or extra-graphic crime tour.
In addition to their seasonal and private tours, Franklin Walking Tours offers several other themed walks, including Franklin Charm, a two-hour journey through the city’s history that concludes with a sweet treat; Franklin’s Fierce Females, a one-hour private tour celebrating the courageous and trailblazing women who shaped the community; and Faith of Franklin, a one-hour private experience that visits some of the state’s oldest sanctuaries to share remarkable stories of faith and perseverance.
Most tours begin at Landmark Booksellers, located at 114 E. Main Street in downtown Franklin. Special October events, such as Tombstone Tales and the Haunted Tour of Cherry Manor, have separate meeting locations noted in the ticketing confirmation. Children are welcome on Franklin Walking Tours, though some stories include spooky themes, so parental discretion is advised.
Lotz House Ghost Tours
The Lotz House is nationally recognized both as a well-preserved historic site and as one of the country’s most haunted places, even appearing on the Travel Channel’s America’s Most Terrifying Places. Built in 1858 by German immigrant and master carpenter Johann Albert Lotz, this home became the epicenter of the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The house still bears scars from the conflict, and its preserved furnishings and architecture offer a glimpse into the lives of those who endured that day.
Every Saturday evening through October, the museum offers guided Ghost Tours. These 90-minute experiences allow visitors to hear firsthand accounts from staff and guests about unusual happenings inside the home, like footsteps in empty rooms, faint voices, or items that seem to move on their own.
Lotz House Executive Director Thomas Cartwright, a noted historian, leads many of these tours and shares historical insights alongside the unexplained stories that have made the home so famous. The tours offer a respectful and engaging way to experience history, with an emphasis on Franklin’s resilience and the preservation of its past.
In addition to the Ghost Tour, the Lotz House offers several specialty tours throughout the year. The Women’s History Tour explores what civilian life was like for women in the 1860s. The Walking Battlefield Tour leads guests through the very ground where the Battle of Franklin unfolded. Visitors can also take part in the Cellar Tour or enjoy Sundays With Chuck, a history-rich experience led by a retired teacher who shares detailed stories about the Lotz family and how the Civil War forever changed their lives.
The Lotz House is located at 1111 Columbia Avenue in downtown Franklin, Tennessee. Children are welcome on the Ghost Tours, though the themes may be best suited for older kids.
US Ghost Adventures
Offering guided experiences in more than 150 cities, US Ghost Adventures brings its storytelling expertise to Franklin with the Franklin Ghost Tour, a one-hour, one-mile walking tour held nightly year-round. This walking tour explores Franklin’s enduring legends, connecting the city’s Civil War past with the folklore that has fascinated locals for generations. Stops include several of Franklin’s most well-known landmarks, such as the Historic Courthouse Building, Lotz House Museum, The White Building, and Gallery 202. Each site is introduced through a mix of verified historical context and the legends that have grown around it.
Guides discuss how field hospitals, public buildings, and private homes were transformed during the Battle of Franklin, shaping both the town’s landscape and its lasting identity. Visitors learn about the people who once lived and worked in these spaces: craftsmen, soldiers, and townspeople whose lives intersected during one of the most pivotal chapters in Tennessee history.
Though inspired by the supernatural, the Franklin Ghost Tour remains rooted in authentic history. By blending education, storytelling, and local preservation, US Ghost Adventures offers another way to experience the stories that make Franklin one of Tennessee’s most talked-about historic towns.
US Ghost Adventures tours begin at 501 W. Main Street, across from Franklin Road Apparel. The tour welcomes families, though parents should note that some stories include dark themes and may be better suited for older children.
Discover Franklin’s Haunted Side
Whether you wander downtown by lantern light, step inside one of Franklin’s haunted homes, or pause among headstones in a historic cemetery, ghost tours in Franklin, Tennessee, offer a memorable way to experience the city’s history after dark. Each experience highlights a different side of local history, sometimes eerie, always fascinating, and deeply connected to the stories that shaped Middle Tennessee.
Related Reading: Explore More Fall Fun Around Franklin
Looking for more ways to enjoy the season? Discover local art, film, and fall festivities across Middle Tennessee.
Learn about the galleries and studios that showcase local talent with Art Crawls in Franklin and Nashville: Discover Middle Tennessee’s Creative Scene, or settle in for classic scares with FearFest at The Franklin Theatre: A Month of Movies for Spooky Season.
For something outdoors, explore Fall at Southall: Seasonal Experiences for Franklin Locals, or plan your weekends around Fall Festivals and Events in Franklin, TN & Williamson County. Each offers a unique way to soak in the sights, sounds, and spirit of fall in Franklin.
