This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclaimer for more information.
| |

Natchez Ghost Tour Review: History, Hauntings & the Old Jail

ByPaige Watts

The Natchez Ghost Tour was exactly my kind of ghost tour: lots of local history, plenty of creepy stories, and just enough paranormal activity to keep things interesting. We spent the evening walking through Downtown Natchez with guide Scott McCoy, hearing about haunted hotels, tragic deaths, and some of the city’s strangest legends.

What made our tour especially fun was that we had a couple paranormal investigators in our group who let us use their ghost-hunting equipment along the way. We even lucked out and got to go inside the Old Adams County Jail at the end of the night, where a few unexplained EMF spikes made things extra creepy.

If you’re thinking about booking the Natchez Ghost Tour, here’s what the experience is like, how spooky it feels, and what you’ll learn along the way.

#1 Pick
A Gothic style church is illuminated at night, with a tall steeple and cross rising against the dark sky during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. Trees and a brick building frame the church grounds.

Natchez Ghost Tour Overview

  • 1.5-hour haunted walking tour
  • About 1 mile through Downtown Natchez
  • History, humor, and ghost stories
  • Possible bonus visit inside the old jail
Check Prices and Availability!
A tall, red brick Eola Hotel with rows of white framed windows rises against the black night sky, illuminated by a bright streetlight on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. Neatly trimmed trees and palm trees partially obscure the lower floors of the historic building.

About the Natchez Ghost Tour

The Natchez Ghost Tour is a 1.5 hour walk through Downtown Natchez led by Scott McCoy. Tours are offered nightly year-round, and you get to explore the darkened streets in front of some of the city’s most haunted buildings and learn about Natchez’s mysterious history.

What to Expect on the Natchez Ghost Tour

Walking Through Haunted Downtown Natchez

A tall, red brick Eola Hotel with rows of white framed windows rises against the black night sky, illuminated by a bright streetlight on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. Neatly trimmed trees and palm trees partially obscure the lower floors of the historic building.
The Old Adams County Jail, a large historic red brick building with steep gabled roofs, a rounded corner tower, and white wooden porches, stands beneath the night sky during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. Bright streetlights illuminate its exterior, revealing tall windows, decorative stone trim, and a grassy lawn.
King's Tavern, a historic two story log building with a brick ground floor, stands along a quiet street at night. A red awning covers the wooden entrance doors, while a glowing wall lantern illuminates the brick facade and pink flowering crepe myrtle trees frame the building during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.
The Prentiss Club, a historic light brick building, stands against the night sky on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi, with an ornate arched window opening onto a small wrought iron balcony. Warm exterior lighting highlights the decorative stonework, while dark shrubs fill the foreground and an illuminated yellow building sits nearby.

The Natchez Ghost Tour took us on a nighttime walk through Downtown Natchez, stopping outside some of the city’s most historic and haunted buildings.

During our tour, we stopped at places like:

  • the Eola Hotel, where a Woman in White walks the halls of the 5th floor and a phantom doctor on the 7th floor who’s said to cure back pain
  • the Prentiss Club, where a colorful local resident named Buzz is said to still walk the sidewalks outside (Buzz passed in 2011, so this is one of the few ghost tours I’ve been on that has a modern ghost hanging around)
  • King’s Tavern, where a renovation in the 1930s revealed skeletons in the wall, one of which is said to belong to Madeline, the allegedly murdered mistress of the tavern owner, who still haunts the upper level
  • and the Old Adams County Jail, which is said to be haunted by the prisoners who were hanged there.

Walking past these buildings after dark definitely gives them a different atmosphere than seeing them during the day, especially when you’re hearing stories about the people who met their tragic end there.

The tour covers about a mile of downtown, moving through several different areas. You get to see a good mix of historic architecture along the way, and the stops are spread out enough that you can chat on the walk between haunted spots. This was a good time to learn more about Natchez, Scott’s own ghost experiences, and our fellow ghost hunters.

I won’t spoil every story Scott tells, but the route gives you a nice introduction to some of Natchez’s more mysterious history while still letting you see quite a bit of downtown after dark.

Check Prices and Availability!

History, Humor & Ghost Stories

A tall Gothic Revival brick church is illuminated at night, with pointed arched windows and a clock tower topped by a narrow steeple. Trees frame the building against the dark sky during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.
A white historic building is illuminated at night, with tall columns, arched windows, and a clock tower rising above the entrance. Steps lead up to the brightly lit portico against a black sky during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.
A white neoclassical building is illuminated at night, with four tall columns supporting a triangular pediment above the entrance. An American flag hangs at half staff beside the building during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.
A grassy historic property is lit at night beneath sprawling tree branches, with several small buildings visible beyond the lawn during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.

What really makes the tour work is Scott’s storytelling. He blends local history, ghost stories, and humor in a way that keeps the tour entertaining, but it’s never cheesy or overly theatrical.

You’re not just walking around listening to spooky stories with no context. Scott gives you the history behind the buildings and the people connected to them, then ties that into the legends and reported hauntings associated with each stop.

That makes the tour especially fun, because I like learning the history behind a place just as much as I like a good ghost story. There were definitely creepy moments, but the tour never felt like a haunted-house attraction where someone was trying to scare you.

Ghost Hunting on Our Tour

The Prentiss Club, a historic brick mansion, is illuminated at night on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi, highlighting arched windows, columns, balconies, and ornate architectural details. Dark trees and shrubs frame the building against the black sky.
King's Tavern, a historic wooden and brick building, is lit at night beside a row of flags during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. A sign on the building reads "King's Tavern."

On our tour, we had a couple paranormal investigators. They brought along EMF readers, a spirit box that was supposed to capture voices, and some other fun ghost hunting tools.

They let us borrow an EMF reader for the walk, and it was pretty active when we were outside the Prentiss Club where Buzz is usually seen.

Obviously, this isn’t typical for a tour, since it was our fellow tourists who brought the equipment along. But Scott was super excited to have paranormal investigators with us, so it’s safe to say you’re welcome to bring your own equipment.

Scott does have an EMF reader and other equipment of his own on hand, just in case he gets the opportunity to take you on a bonus part of the tour, which I’ll talk about next.

Check Prices and Availability!

Bonus: Going Inside the Haunted Old Adams County Jail

Several people stand and sit inside a dimly lit jail corridor lined with barred cells inside the Old Adams County Jail on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. Bright light pours through a barred doorway at the far end while a small device with a glowing green light sits in the foreground.
Paige stands in a dark jail corridor inside the Old Adams County Jail holding a small EMF device that glows green in her hands during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. A man is partly visible behind her near the barred cells.
A rusted barred jail cell inside the Old Adams County Jail stands open in a dim brick interior, revealing a narrow cell with a toilet and plumbing fixtures inside. Heavy metal bars and worn surfaces emphasize the age of the confined space on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.
Narrow beams of light cast barred shadows across the heavy metal doors and walls of a dark jail corridor inside the Old Adams County Jail on the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. The dim passage emphasizes the confined cells and worn institutional surfaces.

The tour typically stops outside the Old Adams County Jail. That’s standard for all of Scott’s tours.

But sometimes, he can arrange access inside the old jail at the end of the tour.

The Old Adams County Jail is currently an administrative building, so Scott has to go into the Sheriff’s Office next door and see if anyone is available to unlock the old jail for him. If it’s a slow night and there are enough workers to spare one stepping away for a minute, then Scott can take you inside the old jail!

Our group lucked out and we were able to go inside.

The old jail is interesting because it looks like a house from the front, but around the side you can see the bars on the windows. The back portion of the house is where the jail cells were, and they’re still intact even though the front of the building has been converted to offices.

We made our way into the dark building and to the jail cells in the back. In the first room, there are a few holding cells and a trap door in the floor. This is where some prisoners were executed. Scott told us that on previous paranormal investigations, they discovered the spirits in the old jail seem to have a sense of humor and respond pretty well to banter. Our paranormal investigators set up a REM Pod in this room before we moved on, which would detect when something disrupted its electromagnetic field.

We then went into the old cell block, which is not air conditioned and is like an oven in the Mississippi summer. As soon as we left the holding cell room, we heard the REM Pod alert, which was unsettling.

Inside the cell block, Scott told us about some of the spirits seen here. Scott and our ghost hunters set out some devices that would trigger light if touched potentially by a spirit, and then we set off to see if we could get anything on our EMF readers.

Scott said the spirits in here responded well to women, and I did get a couple big spike on my EMF reader inside a couple of the cells. We also had one of the light sensors go off once.

Overall, it was a successful ghost hunt! We didn’t stay very long inside, though, since it was a hot summer night and it was stifling in there.

Check Prices and Availability!

Who Should Take the Natchez Ghost Tour?

A man stands inside a dark jail corridor inside the Old Adams County Jail and shines a bright handheld light onto a metal cell door during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi. Bars and heavy steel panels surround him in the narrow space.

The Natchez Ghost Tour is perfect if you like history, ghost stories, or just want something fun to do in Natchez after dark.

Scott gives plenty of historical context for the history lovers, while paranormal fans will enjoy hearing about reported hauntings and Scott’s own experiences.

It’s also a fun option for couples and anyone who wants to see Downtown Natchez from a different perspective after spending the day touring historic homes. If you bring your own ghost-hunting equipment, even better.

If you’re looking for a haunted-house style attraction with jump scares or actors trying to frighten you, this isn’t that kind of tour. This is much more of a nighttime history walk with ghost stories and paranormal lore mixed in.

Check Prices and Availability!

How to Book the Natchez Ghost Tour

The Natchez Ghost Tour currently costs $30 per person. The tour is offered daily, but you should book ahead in advance so that you can get all the info about when and where the tour meets.

Book your Natchez Ghost Tour here.

Is the Natchez Ghost Tour Worth It?

A grassy historic property is lit at night beneath sprawling tree branches, with several small buildings visible beyond the lawn during the Natchez Ghost Tour in Natchez, Mississippi.

I absolutely think the Natchez Ghost Tour is worth it. Kevin and I had a lot of fun, and Scott’s storytelling is what really makes the experience work. He mixes local history with ghost stories and humor, so you’re learning about Natchez while also hearing about the hauntings and legends tied to the buildings you’re passing.

It’s also a fun way to experience Downtown Natchez at night. The historic buildings feel completely different after dark, and the walk gives you a chance to see another side of the city beyond the daytime house tours.

Our paranormal investigators and the chance to use an EMF reader made our tour even more memorable, and getting inside the Old Adams County Jail was an incredible bonus.

But I wouldn’t book the tour only for the possibility of going into the jail, since access isn’t guaranteed. The regular walking tour is entertaining and interesting enough on its own, and the old jail simply made an already fun night even better. I do recommend bringing your own ghost hunting equipment for the walk, though!

Check Prices and Availability!

Natchez Ghost Tour FAQ

How long is the Natchez Ghost Tour?

The Natchez Ghost Tour lasts about 1.5 hours. That gives you enough time to hear several stories and explore different parts of Downtown Natchez without the tour taking up your entire evening.

How much walking is involved on the Natchez Ghost Tour?

The tour covers about 1 mile through Downtown Natchez. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of stops while Scott tells stories, so you aren’t continuously walking for the full 1.5 hours.

I’d wear comfortable walking shoes since you’ll be outside and on your feet for most of the tour.

Is the Natchez Ghost Tour scary?

I wouldn’t call the Natchez Ghost Tour scary in the haunted-house sense. There aren’t actors jumping out at you or staged scares; the creepiness comes from walking around historic Natchez after dark while hearing stories about murders, deaths, ghosts, and reported paranormal activity.

There were definitely some eerie moments, especially with us using ghost hunting equipment on the tour, but Scott’s humor keeps the tour fun rather than terrifying.

Does the Natchez Ghost Tour go inside any haunted buildings?

The regular tour is primarily an outdoor walking tour, with Scott telling stories outside the haunted buildings you visit.

Occasionally, he may be able to arrange access to the Old Adams County Jail at the end of the night, but this is a bonus and isn’t guaranteed.

I would book the tour expecting the standard outdoor experience and consider getting inside the jail a very cool extra if you’re lucky enough to get the opportunity.

Can you bring ghost-hunting equipment on the Natchez Ghost Tour?

Yes, based on our experience. We had paranormal investigators in our group who brought EMF readers, a spirit box, a REM Pod, and other equipment, and Scott was excited to have them along.

You definitely don’t need ghost-hunting equipment to enjoy the tour, but if you already have your own, this is a fun opportunity to bring it.

What should you bring on the Natchez Ghost Tour?

Comfortable walking shoes are the main thing you’ll need since you’ll cover about a mile on foot. Because the tour takes place outside at night year-round, I’d also check the weather before you leave and dress accordingly.

If you’re visiting during warmer months, remember that Natchez evenings can still be hot and humid. And if you’re lucky enough to get into the Old Adams County Jail, the old cell block isn’t air conditioned, so be prepared for it to be especially warm inside.

Check Prices and Availability!

Top Tours in Natchez, MS

Where to Stay in Natchez, MS

More Mississippi Guides

Ready to visit Natchez, MS? Plan your trip with these tips.

  • Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
  • Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Natchez using Booking.com.
  • Start Packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.

Cheers!

Paige

Natchez Ghost Tour Review: History, Hauntings & the Old Jail

Would you take this ghost tour in Natchez, Mississippi? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *