Adventure Brief
Experience Raleigh’s haunted holiday past on the Christmas Spirits trolley tour, where festive fun meets spooky stories in a 90-minute journey through ghostly tales.
90 minutes
easy
Family Friendly
No Experience Required
Experience Raleigh’s haunted holiday past on the Christmas Spirits trolley tour, where festive fun meets spooky stories in a 90-minute journey through ghostly tales.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
90 minutes
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels, no special physical effort required
Wildlife
History
The tour capitalizes on Raleigh’s long-standing tradition of ghost stories linked to its historic buildings and festive celebrations.
Conservation
The tour emphasizes respectful storytelling, with efforts to preserve local history and minimize environmental impact during rehearsals and logistics.
The Great Raleigh Trolley
Experience Raleigh’s haunted holiday past on the Christmas Spirits trolley tour, where festive fun meets spooky stories in a 90-minute journey through ghostly tales.
The Great Raleigh Trolley runs guided trolley tours in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering themed rides that highlight local history, holiday traditions, and paranormal stories. The company operates a rotating schedule of experiences, including family-focused holiday trips like the Santa Express and Cocoa & Caroling Tour, adult-oriented outings such as the Holiday CHEERS Bar Cruise and Moonshine & Mistletoe, and history-driven excursions like Tour of the Month with Heather Leah and Moonshine & Mayhem with Darci VanderSlik.
Several tours focus on haunted and paranormal topics, including Haunted History: Paranormal Expedition with Heather Leah and Christmas Spirits, led by paranormal experts. Other seasonal offerings include Must See Raleigh Holiday Edition and Hidden Holiday: Raleigh Christmas Past with Heather Leah. Named local guides appear regularly on the schedule.
Tours vary in length and format; examples provided list 60- and 90-minute itineraries for specific holiday and adult tours. Many rides run through Downtown Raleigh and historic neighborhoods such as Oakwood, and select tours include stops at notable sites like the North Carolina Executive Mansion and the City of Raleigh Christmas tree. Some tours welcome families and children, while others are restricted by age (for example, adult-only bar cruises and tours noted for ages 13+).
Booking details, schedule, and ticket policies are available through the Great Raleigh Trolley's event listings. The business presents both seasonal holiday programming and themed historic or paranormal tours to meet a range of visitor interests in Raleigh. Reservations are recommended for busy holiday dates and specialty themed departures; book early.
Tours Offered
12
A rotating schedule of themed experiences
Typical Length
60–90 min
Sample durations listed for select tours
Named Guides
Heather Leah, Darci VanderSlik
Local historians and experts lead tours
Holiday Focus
Seasonal & themed
Multiple holiday and festive rides
Find the next departure, pick a themed tour, and secure tickets for holiday, haunted, or history rides through Raleigh.
Book in advance
Reserve your spot early as this popular tour fills quickly, especially during the holiday season.
Dress warmly
Comfortable layers are recommended, as it can be chilly on the trolley at night.
Bring a flashlight
A small flashlight can help you see details during indoor storytelling stops.
Enjoy the atmosphere
Embrace the spooky holiday vibe and participate actively in the storytelling.
Warm clothing
Layered clothing will keep you comfortable in the winter night air.
winter
Comfortable walking shoes
Sturdy shoes are recommended for brief outdoor stops and walking.
Small flashlight
Useful for seeing details and reading material during the tour.
Camera or smartphone
Capture the spooky moments and holiday scenes.