Each fall, as the days shorten and the air turns crisp, New York City seems to embrace its own haunted history. The city’s haunted past reaches back through centuries of tragedy, violence, and mystery, offering a particularly compelling backdrop during this season of murky shadows and whispering alleyways. Beneath the surface of skyscrapers and neon lies a realm where spirits of the past linger. Washington Square Park, for example, rests atop the remains of more than twenty thousand souls buried when the square served as a potter’s field during the early nineteenth century.
The theatrical world of Broadway holds its own legends. Among those said to haunt its stages, figures such as Olive Thomas, David Belasco, Samuel Roxy Rothafel, and even Clyde Fitch are tied to ghost stories in historic venues, including the New Amsterdam, Belasco, Radio City Music Hall, and the Lyric Theatre. In more understated corners, the Merchant’s House Museum in Manhattan is reported to be haunted by the spirit of Gertrude Tredwell, who died in the house formerly occupied by her family, and whose presence is said to linger on the premises.
For those seeking to experience this haunted side of New York firsthand, Empire Tours’ “Gangsters & Ghosts Tour” has become one of the city’s most popular draws. Often described as the best haunted walking tour in NY and a top-rated NYC ghost tour, it blends eerie storytelling with true-crime history. Over two hours and roughly 1.2 miles, guests follow expert guides through neighborhoods such as Five Points, Chinatown, Little Italy, and the old West Village, before concluding at Washington Square Park. Along the way, stories of organized crime figures like Lucky Luciano and John Gotti intertwine with haunted crime-scene lore. Stops include sites such as the Merchant’s House Museum, adding depth to the city’s reputation for restless spirits.
What makes the tour distinctive is its ability to combine two elements—gangster history and ghost stories—that are rarely told together. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about both infamous figures who shaped the city’s underworld, and about the spectral presence said to remain in the places where those stories unfolded. It is an experience designed for history enthusiasts and those looking for an atmospheric evening walk through some of Manhattan’s most storied streets.
The founder and CEO explained that Empire Tours operates offices in New York City, Chicago, and Charlestonin South Carolina, and maintains properties in New Orleans, Wisconsin, and the Ohio River Valley. He described how he began in hospitality at a young age, working from the age of 12, “shucking oysters illegally for four dollars an hour,” and navigating significant challenges early in life. After graduating in 2008, during the financial crisis, he moved with his wife to Taiwan, where he improvised his start in the tour business. He recounted a chance event on a subway that led to giving a walking tour in Tamsui, which launched his career in tourism.
Empire Tours is at the intersection of haunted history, crime heritage, and ecological awareness. The founder’s personal narrative of humble beginnings and creative adaptation adds a human dimension. Acknowledging his path, he noted that guiding tours enabled him to scale beyond the modest income of conventional family-run operations. Reflecting on early missteps, he said that he learned to treat employees with respect, describing the benefit of adopting “servant leadership” and retention strategies that allowed him to keep staff even through pandemic-era disruptions.
This time of year, visitors and residents alike may feel especially drawn to a spooky evening in the city. Whether drawn by gangster lore or ghostly locals, those who take the Gangsters & Ghosts Tour encounter a layered experience that honors the city’s dark chapters and affirms that the most vivid stories are found under the shadow of old stones after dusk.