Staten Island’s Ghost Tours Unearth NYC’s Past

Staten Island’s ghost tours are haunting the borough this winter, pulling NYC history buffs into the shadows. Last night, guide Lena Carter led a group through Snug Harbor, spinning tales of restless sailors and spectral kids. The old maritime village, lit by flickering lanterns, feels frozen in time—perfect for chills. Carter’s got a knack for drama, whispering about a 19th-century widow who still roams the grounds. Tourists shiver, half from cold, half from spooks. It’s Staten Island’s eerie claim to fame.

The tours kicked off in January, selling out weekly as word spread beyond the ferry. Carter mixes fact with folklore—shipwrecks, cholera outbreaks, and a dash of pirate lore for flair. Last night, a guest swore she saw a figure in a window; Carter just smirked. The $30 tickets fund site upkeep, a win for preservationists. A skeptic in the group called it ‘campy fun,’ but still jumped at a creaking gate. NYC’s past feels alive here, creaky and all.

Some locals scoff—’Ghosts? It’s just wind,’ grumbled a St. George shopkeeper. Others worry it’s turning sacred history into a gimmick, though most enjoy the buzz. A few teens crashed last week’s tour, giggling until Carter’s glare shut them up. The hype’s drawing Manhattanites, rare for Staten Island’s quiet corner. A rival tour’s starting in Tottenville, upping the ante with VR headsets. Spooky or not, it’s putting the borough on the map.

Carter’s adding a midnight run for March, betting on braver souls as spring nears. ‘NYC’s got ghosts everywhere—this is just our slice,’ she says, adjusting her lantern. The tours blend chills with charm, a Staten Island twist on city lore. Whether you buy the hauntings or not, it’s a night out you won’t forget. Book fast—phantoms wait for no one.