U.S. Ghost Adventures Mayhem, Mystique, and Murder in Myrtle Beach Ghost Tour

On Monday, August 10, 2026, my crew went on the 8 p.m. U.S. Ghost Adventures Mayhem, Mystique, and Murder in Myrtle Beach Ghost Tour. Booking was simple online, and we had a choice of either 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.

We met our tour guide, Amy the Lantern Lady, at Peaches Corner at 900 North Ocean Blvd, which was super easy to find since it has a huge peach on top of the awning. We were staying at the Dayton House Resort, approximately a mile north of the Boardwalk, so we walked to the tour and did not need to find parking so I'm not sure whether or not free parking is readily available in the vicinity.

This is our second ghost tour we have done with U.S. Ghost Adventures. I do not work for them, and I did not receive any perks for writing this or my first article about their ghost tours - we paid full price, and I did not let our tour guide know that I have a blog until after the tour, so I feel like my crew got an experience that was just like anyone else booking the tour.

We decided to add on the extended tour upgrade featuring extra haunted locations. This is an add-on for each person in the group. I personally think that U.S. Ghost Adventures might consider changing that to an add-on for the group or discounted add-ons if you have several people in a group. One of my daughters particularly liked the EMF activity detectors from the previous tour we did on the Outer Banks in Manteo, so we also opted for that add on.

Although we have gone on two haunted tours near the coast, the vibe of each was distinct and quite different. The tour in Manteo at Roanoke Island in North Carolina was very quiet and mysterious beneath a dark sky in the Fall. The Myrtle Beach tour featured a more vibrant and bustling nightlife Boardwalk backdrop under an August summer sky that was still bright at the beginning of the tour but darkened as we neared the end of the tour. My group enjoyed tours at both Myrtle Beach and Roanoke - they just had different vibes and styles.

The U.S. Ghost Adventures tours tend to incorporate history of the area, so if you are a history enthusiast or would like to learn more about history in a fun, interactive way without listening to an educational lecture or reading about or watching videos about the area on the internet, you might consider a ghost tour like this. Of course, a lot of people book ghost tours in search of local ghost stories and claims of haunted places, so a ghost tours can add some interest and excitement.

While the Roanoke tour involved about a mile of walking in a residential area, the Myrtle Beach tour was at the heart of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, with minimal walking totaling about half a block amidst the crowds with music playing from various businesses along the way. A thunderstorm had just pushed through a few hours earlier that day, which may have led to our group totaling four joined by one couple in contrast to the Roanoke ghost tour that hosted about 25 people. Having a small group was helpful because we all basically had a front row experience, and the tour guide did not need to use a microphone to project over the music and busy areas. If you are hoping for a small group, you might try off season options, but that timing would vary depending on the location. Outdoor ghost tours are likely to be more popular and crowded around October and perhaps when the weather is ideal.

Amy the Lantern Lady clearly enjoys their job, and we easily recognized them as a tour guide with a lantern hanging on a large walking stick. Our enthusiastic tour guide quickly struck up a conversation about history of the local areas and tips for fun places to visit on future vacations as we waited for the tour to begin. Amy actively engaged the audience several times throughout the tour and even mentioned a personal story of their community's resilient activities in the wake of a particularly destructive hurricane years ago at the eastern South Carolina region where she grew up. The tour included a few surprises, but I'll let you discover those surprises for yourself if you wish to go on the adventure.

The Myrtle Beach ghost tour featured various ghosts and haunted locations related to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, a haunted house, and Plyler Park, and you can read several details on the U.S. Ghost Adventures website. We learned some detailed information about several key people; cultures, including the Gullah Geechee; local shops, including the Gay Dolphin; and even a protective ghost dog of earlier years that lived in the coastal area. Nature has provided the magnet to draw people to the area known for beach music and dancing, but the weather has also caused significant destruction of many buildings and lives at the coastal town, leading to quite a few tales of ghosts, hauntings, and other phenomena that cannot be easily explained scientifically.

I did not have any weird glitches with my technology on this tour like I did in Roanoke and I personally didn't feel any strong eerie vibes. One in my group said she saw a ghost and felt a dog's presence while another person in my group felt a presence several times on the tour and heard dragging footsteps immediately behind her in the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove that we visited after the tour. Those footsteps were so real that she turned, expecting to see her boyfriend immediately behind her but after immediately turning, she realized that nobody was standing nearby. 

The EMF reader lit up at various times throughout the tour, and the reader lights tended to change while we were standing still and listening to historical stories of death, destruction, and undying presence. I would say my favorite part of the tour was when we moved to a quieter area overlooking the ocean, which was beautiful and serene on the night we went on the tour, which contrasted to a relentless wall of water that demolished the entire area, leading to the untimely deaths of many who were in the area many years ago.

If you enjoy ghost tours and walking history combined with the outdoors at the ocean's edge, you might consider the Mayhem, Mystique, and Murder in Myrtle Beach Ghost Tour by U.S. Ghost Adventures. Myrtle Beach also offers quite a few additional interesting opportunities like escape rooms and a pinball museum that our group has found to be fun as well.

Thanks so much for reading my blog! You may wish to discover more of my articles on my search bar, site map, or through the links of related articles below:

• U.S. Ghost Adventures Outer Banks Ghost Tour - Are There Really Ghosts in Manteo?
• Fun Things to do at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Lynches River County Park and Canopy Walk in Coward, SC

U.S. Ghost Adventures Outer Banks Ghost Tour - Are There Really Ghosts in Manteo?

 

My crew wanted to try out a ghost tour in Manteo, NC while we were visiting the Outer Banks at the end of September 2025. The Pirate City ghost tours by U.S. Ghost Adventures run nightly and when we booked, they were offering two tours per night. Per their website, they sometimes offer one, two, or three tours nightly, depending on the date. We chose the earlier time. Since the days are now shorter, it was dark before the tour started. I think the shroud of darkness may add to the ghostly feeling of the tour. If you are traveling with younger kids, you might consider an earlier tour before dark when the days are longer; however, if you are traveling with older kids, they might opt for the later, darker time slot. I recommend arriving about 15 minutes early. Bathrooms are located in a building where we met at the the start of the tour.

Our excellent tour guide, Ann, carried a lantern throughout the tour but also encouraged participants to use phone lights any time if needed for safety. The hour long tour is an outdoor walking tour; we walked about one mile along several quiet roads and a pier in Manteo. The walking surfaces were paved except for the pier, which had wooden slats. From what I saw, it looked like the tour could be navigated by people with mobility issues. We did go from the road to the sidewalk and back to the road a couple of times, but I think we only saw about one car on the road, so someone in a wheelchair or scooter could probably opt to stay on the side of the road safely without navigating to the sidewalk if they preferred.

This ghost tour included quite a bit of history of the area, which I enjoy. The educator in me is always looking for interesting ways to learn about places, and if you are homeschooling kids, a tour like this can be a great way to learn about history while having fun. Ann mentioned that many people claim to have had paranormal experiences in this area of town, including herself. Participants can take a tour like this whether or not they believe in ghosts. I think it is fun to participate in activities with an open mind and just see what happens. Ann had an authentic vibe and was a great storyteller, which all of my group appreciated.

What is a ghost tour without traipsing through an old cemetery after dark? This was one of the first stops, and Ann provided some relevant historical information and a photo that we found to be intriguing. Three people on our tour had EMF readers including one with our group, and all of the devices tended to light up in similar areas, but at times some of them would light up more than others. EMF readers detect electromagnetic energy. Some might say the lights indicate the presence of spirits in the area while others have different explanations for the lights. Our group found the readers to be interesting nonetheless.

We had the opportunity to look at various buildings as we walked along the sidewalk or road. Stained glass windows at the Methodist Church were particularly riveting for several of us, and many of us took photos as we walked and stopped at various locations along the tour. We respectfully turned off the flash to keep from ruining the vibe for anyone else. My camera does not take great photos in the dark, but one of my daughters also took some photos of which I have included in these ghost tour articles.

One stop, a B&B called the White Doe Inn had connections to Virginia Dare. North Carolina's coast is shrouded by the mystery of The Lost Colony, a group of colonists that was left while others went overseas for supplies. When the rest of the group returned, the entire colony had disappeared, remaining a riddle to this day. Virginia Dare was the first baby born within the colony. Many believe her spirit visits this area. We also learned of numerous happenings inside the bed and breakfast that would be hard to explain scientifically.

We walked by the Roanoke Island Inn that claims to house the spirit of a former owner who suffered much grief in his later years. Perhaps many people today could relate to the idea of being edged out of a job in which one dedicated oneself for many years. The stories associated with these homes certainly had the makings of heartache if nothing else.

Our group also ventured to a pier at Roanoke Sound and learned more about the area. The North Carolina coast was known to host Blackbeard as well as many vessels that fell victim to those shallow waters that unfortunately became known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Those interested in more details about this area might visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras. A replica of a merchant ship known as the Roanoke Island Ghost ship can be found a short distance from the pier.

A building that now houses art pieces used to house the the town's jail with a sordid history. Ghost tour participants can learn about the jail's history and its ties to a famous actor from North Carolina.

I had some weird things to happen to several pieces of my equipment that I highlighted in my article about this ghost tour on my Travel NC with Kids blog - see the link at the bottom of this article if you are interested in reading that article as well.

My group thoroughly enjoyed the Outer Banks ghost tour in Manteo and would readily do another ghost tour in the future. Ann did a great job of balancing history and mystery without sounding cheesy. She also did a great job of mixing heavy and light subjects throughout the tour. I really appreciated her authentic vibe and pacing throughout the tour.

Visit the U.S. Ghost Adventures Outer Banks Ghost Tour website for lots more information about the tour, area history, a video, and a link for booking a tour.

Visit my Love 2 Travel With Kids site map or enjoy some of my other articles below:

• Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina
• First Flight Adventure Park - Nags Head, Outer Banks, NC
• North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island - Fun, Interactive, Creative!

Mayberry Squad Car Tour Offers Nostalgic View of Andy Griffith's Home Town in NC

 

One of my daughters particularly enjoys older things, so I thought it might be fun to take her and her grandparents on a trip to Mt. Airy, North Carolina to go on a Mayberry Squad Car tour. Andy Griffith grew up in Surry County's Mt. Airy and many of his earlier small town memories made their way into the fictional town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show. We had the opportunity to see the house where he grew up on the tour.

The tours begin at Wally's Service Station at 625 South Main Street. Reservations are not required but are recommended. We went on the 4th of July during the brutal heat of a North Carolina summer and arrived early in the morning, which was fortunate because the squad cars, which are well kept Ford Galaxies from the 1960's, do not have air conditioning. The driver said there are times on particularly hot days that they stop the tours in the afternoons, so you might want to keep that in mind if planning a tour when the weather is hotter. We enjoyed the ride with the windows cranked down!

The tours can accommodate groups of up to five people. We had four in our group and had plenty of room. The driver was quite knowledgeable about the town and the sitcom's setting and characters and shared information and pointed out areas of interest as he drove from site to site. He stopped at several places to give extra time for photos.

The town definitely wants to keep its small home town vibes, and tour riders can see several businesses that give a nod to the show, such as Floyd's Barber Shop, Snappy Lunch, and a museum dedicated to Andy Griffith. Although Andy later moved to Manteo on North Carolina's Outer Banks, I found it interesting that Betty Lynn, who played Barney Fife's girlfriend Thelma Lou, actually moved to Mt. Airy in 2007 and lived there the rest of her life.

An interesting and quite detailed wall mural, The Five Faces of Andy, depicting five stages of Andy Griffith's life, was painted by artist Jex from Greensboro in recent years. Our driver said he enjoyed watching the artist very quickly paint the mural with spray paint as he would drive by for the tour. 

The wall mural also features Pilot Mountain, which is a real life state park in North Carolina that one cannot miss when driving near the landmark on Highway 52. Those who have watched The Andy Griffith Show would likely remember several characters traveling to Mount Pilot, which is based on Pilot Mountain. If you enjoy seeing mountain views and/or hiking or rock climbing, I would recommend visiting the state park.

Mt. Airy is home to the world's largest open faced granite quarry, so the tour cars drive to the quarry for some additional history and photo opportunities. The quarry and many downtown businesses were closed for the holiday, but people taking the tour might consider adding a meal and trip to the museum after the squad car tour.

After the tour, our driver offered to take some photos of us with the squad car, which was fun. We also toured several areas next to the starting point of the tour. Visitors are welcome to step inside the Mayberry courthouse and jail where you might want to make a citizen's arrest! You can also check out Gomer and Goober's tow truck or the Darlin's house.

If you want to take your kids to the squad car tour, this can be particularly fun with multiple generations. The younger generations might want to watch some episodes of The Andy Griffith Show to get a feel for the sitcom and its characters before going on the tour, which my daughter had done. It was a fun time for all of us!

Find more information about the tours at the Mayberry Squad Car Tour official website.

You might also want to visit my site map or read more of my articles. Below are a few suggestions:

• Mt. Airy Squad Car Tour - Learn History About the Andy Griffith Show and Town
• U.S. Ghost Adventures Ghost Tour in Manteo NC
• Pilot Mountain State Park's Little Pinnacle Overlook Trail Offers Beautiful View with Little Effort

Dayton House Resort at Myrtle Beach Offers Great Service, Fun Activities, & is Oceanfront

 

Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC © Katrena

Located at 2400 N. Ocean Blvd., Dayton House Resort has been around since the 1960's. They offer a family-friendly atmosphere in Myrtle Beach right on the ocean. I don't work for the Dayton House Resort and did not mention that I have a travel blog when I made reservations or checked in to the hotel, so I feel that I received treatment just like any other guest in mid-July 2023. I found all the staff to be friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Front Desk Staff Member, Sierra, Provided
Friendly and Professional Service © Katrena

At the front desk, Sierra was professional and pleasant, even when I had several questions and changed my reservation since a couple of people in my group were unable to come. I also checked out sandbags for playing corn hole at the front desk and found each person at the desk to be knowledgeable and welcoming.

Annie at Dayton House Resort Keeps the
Rooms Clean & Goes the Extra Mile © Katrena

If you vacation right on the ocean, keeping the rooms clean can be a significant challenge. People are often tracking in sand on their shoes and areas tend to get moldy easily with the combination of warm temperatures and high humidity. We found our room in the middle building to be very clean. The beds were comfortable and everything including the air conditioner, microwave, refrigerator, and plumbing, worked fine. Annie, the housekeeper, made a point of welcoming us to the hotel and offered tips for times to visit when the weather is particularly nice. She went the extra mile for us the entire time we stayed at the hotel and checked more than once to see if we needed anything.

Dayton House Resort Provides Beachfront Vacations © Katrena

Since we vacationed during a very hot part of the season, I began checking to see if my daughters wanted to do some indoor activities during our vacation, but they unanimously decided they wanted to simply enjoy the amenities at the hotel, so we stayed on site for our whole vacation.

View from the Balcony at Dayton House Resort © Katrena

Dayton House Resort offers a complimentary hot breakfast that was delicious and served with a smile. The staff is very conscientious as they work together to keep the indoor areas, grounds, and rooms looking nice. I saw several crew members meticulously lining up the deck chairs and straightening the lawn chairs with the umbrellas each morning.

Multiple Pools & a Lazy River at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

My crew found the pools and hot tubs to be relaxing and refreshing. I particularly liked how some pool areas offered shade and indoor options. We had lots of fun playing corn hole one evening as well.

Direct Beach Access from Dayton House Resort © Katrena

Those who enjoy the beach won't be disappointed staying on oceanfront property. We could walk right out onto the balcony and see and hear the ocean. Taking walks together on the beach offers a great opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures in life together. 

Yellow Umbrellas at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

The Dayton House Resort has lots of yellow umbrellas on the lawn on the way to the beach, so it's easy to find the hotel after taking a walk along the shore.

Sunrise at Myrtle Beach © Katrena

I stayed at this hotel for the first time about 20 years ago and am delighted that it is still thriving and offering great service. They have added more buildings and items like the lazy river, but they have maintained a welcoming family atmosphere that can appeal to multiple generations. The resort actually had quite a few guests staying when we did, even though my photos tend not to have people in them.

Visit the Dayton House Resort official web site for more details.

Sunset at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

Thanks for visiting my Love 2 Travel With Kids blog! Find more of my articles through my site map, topics tabs, or search bar. Below are a few related articles you may find of interest:

• Fun Things to Do at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Complimentary Breakfast at Dayton House Resort at Myrtle Beach - Hot Tasty Meal Served with a Smile!
• Travel NC With Kids (features our travels in North Carolina)

Fun Things to Do at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Fun Things to Do at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach SC © Katrena

The Dayton House Resort, located at 2400 N. Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been around since the 1960's and offers a friendly family atmosphere that encourages families with multiple generations to visit over and over again. Our family has stayed at the resort several times over the years and we've found that the hotel has evolved to incorporate a great mix of activities. The pools, decks, and grassy areas appeared to be well-maintained when we visited.

Indoor/Outdoor Pool at Dayton House Resort © Katrena

My favorite pool is the indoor/outdoor pool. I think I can get sunburned in about 15 minutes while being lathered with 70 SPF, but I really enjoy hearing the ocean waves while enjoying an outdoor atmosphere. This pool was a great option for me and tended to be less crowded than the largest pool.

Sauna at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach SC © Katrena

A sauna and hot tub are located next to the indoor/outdoor pool. We visited in the middle of July in 2023 and it was hot and humid already, so I didn't try either one of them. However, my oldest daughter sat in the hot tub both days we visited and enjoyed it. She mentioned to be particularly careful when stepping into the hot tub because there is a third step that is easy to miss when the water is bubbling.

Outdoor Zero Entry Pool at Dayton House in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

Nighttime View of Pool from Middle Room Balcony at Dayton House © Katrena

The largest pool offers zero entry, which is especially nice for people with mobility issues or for those who want to enjoy a very shallow area without going to a separate pool. This one tends to be quite popular. When staying in an ocean front room in the middle building, the balcony provides a nice view of this pool as well as the ocean.

DJ Playing Music at Dayton House in Myrtle Beach SC © Katrena

On Sunday afternoon, a DJ played music between the snack bar and largest pool. I noticed people of all ages were enjoying the music and a few were dancing by the pool. We only saw the DJ with music on Sunday, so I'm guessing they only offer it on the weekends or just for special occasions.

Ping Pong at Dayton House Resort © Katrena

To the left of the snack bar is a room with a ping pong table. Guests may check out paddles and balls at the front desk. A small kid's pool is also by the snack area at the south building.

Indoor Pool in Suites Building at Dayton House in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

Large Hot Tub at Suites Building in Dayton House Resort © Katrena

The suites building features an indoor pool, which is a great option if weather conditions don't allow for outdoor swimming. A small indoor kids pool is located beside this one on one side. Another larger hot tub is located just outside the door by the other end of the indoor pool.

Lazy River at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

Dayton House now offers a lazy river that runs outside in front of the suites building. Guests can hop in a provided flotation device and float through various spraying features. We made a few laps around the lazy river one day.

Corn hole at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

A couple of sets of corn hole boxes are located in the grassy area with the yellow umbrellas. Guests can check out beanbags at the front desk. It's particularly nice to do this on grass because the sand can get particularly hot in the middle of the summer.

Fitness Center at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach © Katrena

Dayton House offers a fitness center in the west building for those who wish to exercise indoors while on vacation. They have a couple of machines (pictured above) while the other half of the floor is open, so if you want to do dance exercise, kickboxing, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, etc., you'll have a space to do so. The fitness room has two mounted TVs and some towels for your convenience and is located next to the laundry.

Enjoy the Atlantic Ocean Beach at Dayton House Resort © Katrena

We enjoyed days with no rain, so we opted for walking on the beach for our exercise, walking down to the Skywheel one evening and walking the other direction on the other day. Walking in the sand is a great workout while enjoying the sounds of the surf and perhaps a beautiful sunrise or sunset. I recommend wearing flip flops or slides because the dry sand can get quite hot in the hotter parts of the day. We went barefoot once we got out to the wet sand. Of course, swimming in the ocean is another option for those who are strong swimmers. Four of the current Dayton House Resort buildings are adjacent to the beach. Those staying in the west building are right across the street and parking for guests is free.

Sunset at Myrtle Beach South Carolina © Katrena

Visit the Dayton House Resort official web site for more information. Thanks for visiting my Love 2 Travel with Kids blog! Find more of my articles via the search bar, topics tab, or site map. Below are a few of my articles you may wish to read:

• Complimentary Breakfast at Dayton House Resort - Hot Tasty Meal Served with a Smile!
• Dayton House Resort at Myrtle Beach Offers Great Service, Fun Activities, and is Oceanfront
• Lynches River County Park and Canopy Walk in Coward, South Carolina