Historical Ghost Lantern Tour
Experience a walking ghost tour that brings the spirits of Traverse City to life! This engaging and theatrical outdoor walking tour touches on the fascinating history of Traverse City, and the tales of the hauntings unfolding in downtown Traverse City, and concludes with a short introduction to ghost hunting with real ghost hunting equipment! Please note the ghost hunting is the last 5 minutes of the tour-after all the ghost story locations- and is always optional for guests to participate or not participate in.
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This is a 100% outdoor walking tour on sidewalks, dirt paths, and a grassy park lawn.
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This tour operates in the rain! We will cancel due to extreme weather conditions.
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We do not enter any of the buildings on this tour.
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Famous sites we stop at include: Hannah Mansion, City Opera House, State Theater and Carnegie Library.
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No restrooms available at start/end of tour->Public Restrooms Map.
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Private Tours are available, click here for the schedule. Starting at $450 for up to 15 guests. For tour sizes 16 or more or outside of the available times, please fill out this form to book private tours.
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This is a dog-friendly tour for friendly, well-behaved puppies.
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Meeting Point
Outside Higher Self Bookstore
313 E. Front St, Traverse City
Google Maps Link
Languages
English
Tours are presented with theatrical, storytelling by your experienced, local tour guide. 100% outdoor tour please dress for the weather. There are public restrooms located along the way when in the downtown area, but the tour does not have scheduled restroom stops. Please plan accordingly. Pictures are welcome but please no video of your tour guide. I get shy and self-conscious when on camera and much prefer to have conversations with my guests instead.
Gratuities
Our tour guides are always appreciative of gratuities.
Thank you!
End of Tour Location
Perry Hannah Circle,
Corner of Union & 6th St
Google Maps Link
Included on Tour
Ghost Hunting Equipment is provided. Please note the ghost hunting is the last 5 minutes of the tour-after all the ghost story locations- and is always optional for guests to participate or not participate in.
Reservations
Evening tours almost nightly
Spring-Fall, by reservation only.
Hello & Welcome!
My name is Desirae, but most family and friends just call me Dez. I started Haunted Traverse Tour Company to share my Historical Ghost Lantern Tour's ghost stories collected or research by myself and my family. I hope you enjoy my Historical Ghost Lantern Tour as much as I enjoy leading the tour and researching the fascinating history and folklore in my part of the world I call home, Grand Traverse County and bootiful Traverse City Michigan.
The Historical Ghost Lantern Tour is our most popular tour! And for good reason, this is a walking tour through downtown Traverse City that will take you past a beautiful architecture that will unfold right before your eyes. With so much wit, humor, a big dose of fascinating history, and those chilling ghost encounter stories experienced by myself, my family, and the locals in the area, this combination of storytelling and engaging stops on the tour are sure to keep you on your toes during the Historical Ghost Lantern Tour!
Are you ready to experience a walking tour that brings the ghosts of Traverse City back to life, Dear Guests?
The Downtown Traverse City Ghost Tour is a walking, 90-minute, 100% outside tour and we have fun and operate rain or shine...or doom. The tour path will head west on Front Street, South on Union Street, and the tour concludes with a ghost hunting experience at Traverse City's first official cemetery with real ghost hunting equipment!
We stroll approximately 10-11 blocks or .8 miles so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. The pace is slow to medium-paced at times on sidewalks and a grassy park with one set of spooky stairs we go DOWN but do NOT go up again.
After the intro to ghost hunting investigation concludes, head off to enjoy the fine restaurants and engaging entertainment Downtown Traverse City offers. Need ideas on where to dine or set off on your next adventure? Ask your local guide and we can give you some great insight on what to do next!
Public Tours as you see in our calendar have limited spots to make sure the group sizes stay on the small side. So please book the moment you know you want to do one of our tours. As we do sell out during the busy seasons.
Be ready to greet your experienced local tour guide about 10 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Oh...and bring stories of what you are up to! We love to hear about what guests to the area are doing to have fun!
Thank you for thinking of my tour company, Haunted Traverse Tours. I hope you give me and my local guides the opportunity to show you the strange, unique, and paranormal side of Traverse City that is full history!
See you soon on a spirited adventure!
Dez
Founder and Tour Guide of Haunted Traverse Tour Company
Why take this tour?
Did you know that Haunted Traverse Tour Company is the ONLY tour company that specializes in the history, paranormal, and folklore in Grand Traverse County!? Well...now ya do and more to the point...we can't wait to share all the cool insight about all of these fun subjects on our Historical Ghost Lantern Tour!
Our Traverse City walking ghost tour, The Historical Ghost Lantern Tour, sweeps its guests up into fun ghost storytelling with some humor, chills, and spirit! A visceral, interactive experience for tour guests to learn the enchanting, enthralling, and spooky history of T.C.'s past.
This is the only Haunted Traverse tour that includes a short ghost hunt near Traverse City's first "official" cemetery, Perry Hannah House, and Carnegie Library right in the heart of downtown Traverse City.
Frequently asked questions
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Is this tour right for me?Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or someone in still making up their mind, you'll be entertained by our ghost stories, lore, local shenanigans and so many fun paranormal experiences and historical stories! I have had many guests that tell me they didn't believe in ghosts and that their group members really wanted to do the tour more than they did. That is ok! I do not design my tour to prove whether ghosts exist or not. My focus is to tell you the ghost stories and lore experienced by the locals and myself, as well as get you excited about the fascinating history of Traverse City. So, in short, lots of fun history, fun tidbits of fun facts, and of course the spooky hauntings. All presented with a theatrical style by myself and my helper tour guides. We hope to see you on tour and do let me know if there is a particular aspect that you really would love to hear more about when we meet! ~Desirae
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Do I need to make reservations in advance?Yes, reservations are required for all activities. We cap our tour guest numbers to ensure small, quality tours. From time to time, we may exceed a number to accommodate a party add-on, but I do not like to have large tours because a smaller tour, I believe is more fun and gives my guests more time to speak with the tour guide. ~Desirae So yes, please, if at all possible, book a reservation. (We will cancel free of charge with a 24-hour advanced notice).
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Do the tours go INSIDE the buildings we visit?The walking tours in Traverse City are 100% outside. I would love to take you inside them, but these are busy operating businesses, hotels, and private residences that are all difficult to access the interior. However, once you know which businesses are haunted and the ghost stories and history attached to the sites, you can patron the businesses during your visit to Traverse City. That will get you an idea of what they look like inside. Please be considerate to the businesses you visit, as again, they are busy servicing visitors to the area.
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Is this tour suitable for children?Yes! The tour is geared towards adults, but many people bring their children and tell us that they enjoyed it thoroughly.
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Tried to call to book a tour but got a voicemail?Please leave a message and we will get back to you asap. We are out on a tour or away from the phones. The best way to see availability for tours is by clicking the book button to explore the dates we have available. Please feel free to leave a voicemail and we will call you back when we are available. This number is also text enabled.
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Bad Weather? Cancellation Policy by guest or Haunted Traverse Tours?Yes, the tour runs in all-weather unless it's deemed dangerous. If we cancel the tour, we will notify tour participants one hour prior to the start of the tour via email and/or text messaging. Please make sure you opt in to receive text messages when booking. ***Cancellations by Haunted Traverse Tours will be sent via email or text, 1 hour prior to the start time of the tour. If Haunted Traverses Tours cancels a tour, participants are given the option to reschedule for a future event or cancel their booking. *** Cancellations by guests, please email HauntedTraverse@hotmail.com and let us know in writing that you need to cancel your tour. Cancelation Policy Refundable Tickets: We ask for at least a 24-hours notice prior to the start of the tour for a full refund of your booking. Cancelation is easy, please email or text Haunted Traverse Tour Company. Free Rebooking when requested in writing at least 24-hours in advance of original tour start time. Cancelation Policy Non-Refundable Tickets: No Refunds for Adult/Child Non-Refundable Ticket(s). Free Rebooking when requested in writing at least 24-hours in advance of original tour start time. ***Reservations made within 24 hours of booking are not eligible for a refund.*** **Guests that do not attend their reserved tour are not eligible for a refund or rebooking.** *No refunds are provided for canceling rebooked Ticket Reservations.*
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Do children need to be accompanied by an adult?Yes, all participants ages 5 - 13 must be chaperoned by someone age 18 or older. Proof of age may be required. Children under the age 5 must be accompanied by an adult too!
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Can I buy tickets over the phone, in person, or with cash?If you need to pay with cash or card in person, please call 231.645.1447 to book your reservation. Online reservations must be made by no later than one hour prior to the start time for that tour. Please call if booking within one hour of the tour starting. 231.645.1447.
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Do we have minimums to operate a tour?Please leave a message and we are out on a tour or away from the phones. The best way to see availability for tours is by clicking the book button to explore the dates we have available. Please feel free to leave a voicemail and we will call you back when we are available. This number is also text enabled.
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Can we bring cameras or video equipment?But, of course! Some of the best ghost photos have been taken by unwitting photographers intending to shoot other subjects. Ghostly apparitions tend to show up in photos, even when you didn’t see anything while snapping the picture. The only thing we ask is that you share the picture with us if you do get paranormally lucky!
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If I am running late for the tour, will you wait for me?We always start the tour on time. If you are running late, please let us know by calling 231-645-1447. If we do leave without you, find us! On that note, please give yourself plenty of time to find parking and get to the tour meeting point 10 minutes prior to the start of the tour to check-in! If you're having dinner at one of our local restaurants, be sure to tell them what time you need to leave by so you, and they, can plan accordingly.
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Do we go inside buildings during the tour?No, the Walking Ghost Tours' stories, local lore, and legends are told outside each location.
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Is tipping acceptable?Tipping is always acceptable, but not required - it is totally at your discretion. Our guides do their absolutely best to entertain you and all of our guests. Many of our guests appreciate good service and choose to reward it. Ghost Guides are always grateful for your generosity! Now-a-days we know we are a cashless society so here is our helpful Venmo information: @SendDesiraeMoney :) Thank you! We will make sure your gratuity gets to your tour guide! Please leave a review for your guide too! They love to read them.
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Can I setup a private tour?Yes, private tours are available. Most groups, however, decide to attend the public tour for two reasons. First, it is less expensive. Second, part of the fun of the tours is interacting with all the other participants. If you are interested in more information on private tours, contact us.
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Refund and Rebooking PoliciesCancellation Policy Refundable Tickets: We ask for at least a 24-hour's notice prior to the start of the tour for a full refund of your booking. Cancelation is easy, please email or text Haunted Traverse Tour Company. Free Rebooking as well when requested in writing at least 24-hours in advance of original tour start time. Cancellation Policy Non-Refundable Tickets: No Refunds for Adult/Child Non-Refundable Ticket(s). Free Rebooking when requested in writing at least 24-hours in advance of original tour start time. ***Reservations made within 24 hours of booking are not eligible for a refund.*** **Guests that do not attend their reserved tour are not eligible for a refund or rebooking.** *No refunds are provided for canceling rebooked Ticket Reservations.* Thank you for understanding that this tour operates with limited guest spots on the tour and offering only one tour per night. While I strive to be as helpful and flexible as possible, there have been instances where guests have taken advantage of this flexibility. Unfortunately, this makes it challenging to optimize the tour and makes sure each spot gets filled. To ensure the best experience for all guests and to be able to continue the tour, it's important that the cancellation and notification policies are followed. ~Dez, Tour Guide and Owner of Haunted Traverse Tour Co. *
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Can I video the tour guide while she is presenting the tour?Well...do you want a good tour or a tour where your guide is self-conscious? I ask that pictures are taken only of the buildings or the guide, but please do not video your tour guide. You will have more fun with the camera tucked away anyway! I founded the tour because of my interest in the paranormal and history of Traverse City. I never aspired to be on TV! I am actually a quiet person and a little on the shy side. When you come on a tour with me, my enthusiasm for my tour topics takes over and I become pretty talkative! Go figure! Plus, I love meeting new people and hearing of their adventures too! If you do take a picture, will you please send the picture to me too? I love to scrapbook on social media my summer as a tour guide, but never get the chance to take pictures of me doing the tours. I can't wait to hear what kind of adventures you are living! I hope to see you soon. ~Desirae
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What is the difference between a Private and Public Tour?Great Question. A public tour has an assigned start time and is open to anyone who wishes to book. Perfect for small groups that want to enjoy the company of others. A Private Tour is for groups of 10 or more. A private tour start time can be determined by guests, allowing we have a guide available. We do private tours for groups of 10 or more. These private bookings are for tour start times that differ from our public tour start times. Please call 231-645-1447 or message Haunted Traverse Tours for more information on how to book. We can make it easy if you have multiple guests that will be paying. We can curate a link that will give your group members the ability to book individually. Need more information on which tour to book, visit www.hauntedtraverse.com. Thank you!