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Historical Ghost Lantern Tour

Discover the eerie beauty of Traverse City, Michigan's haunted past with our ghost tours and ghost hunting investigations. Our pictures capture the chilling and captivating stories of the spirits that roam our historic town. Join us on an unforgettable journey through Traverse City's haunted history
Discover the eerie beauty of Traverse City, Michigan's haunted past with our ghost tours and ghost hunting investigations. Our pictures capture the chilling and captivating stories of the spirits that roam our historic town. Join us on an unforgettable journey through Traverse City's haunted history
Discover the eerie beauty of Traverse City, Michigan's haunted past with our ghost tours and ghost hunting investigations. Our pictures capture the chilling and captivating stories of the spirits that roam our historic town. Join us on an unforgettable journey through Traverse City's haunted history
Discover the eerie beauty of Traverse City, Michigan's haunted past with our ghost tours and ghost hunting investigations. Our pictures capture the chilling and captivating stories of the spirits that roam our historic town. Join us on an unforgettable journey through Traverse City's haunted history

Description

Experience a walking tour that brings the ghosts of Traverse City back to life. The tour concludes with a ghost hunting experience at Traverse City's first official cemetery with real ghost hunting equipment!

The Downtown Traverse City Ghost Tour is a walking, 90-minute tour and we go rain or shine. The tour path will head west on Front St, South on Union St, and the tour includes a short ghost hunt at Hannah Park. We walk approximately 10-11 blocks or 1.5 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. After the investigation concludes, head off to enjoy the fine restaurants and engaging entertainment Downtown Traverse City offers.

Duration
1 hour 30 minutes
Group Size
Up to 15 guests
Price starts at
32 USD
Languages
English
Meeting  Point
Outside Higher Self Bookstore
313 E. Front St, Traverse City
Google Maps Link
Drop-Off  Point
Perry Hannah Circle,
Corner of Union & 6th St
Google Maps Link

Why take this tour?

Our Traverse City walking ghost 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.

Included

Ghost Hunting Equipment is provided for the Historical Ghost Lantern Tour and The Ghost Hunting Experience.

Things to know

Prices
Adult- $32
Ages 5-12- $15
Ages 0-4- FREE
Group Size
up to 15 guests
Please call for larger parties
Expectation
Duration
90 minutes
100% Outdoor tour
Sidewalks and grassy park

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.

Pets
Well-behaved puppies are welcome!
Gratuities
A tip is never required but is very much appreciated.
Reservations
Evening tours almost nightly
Spring-Fall, by reservation only.
Private Tours in Winter w/minimum 5 guests, by reservation only.

Frequently asked questions
 

  • Do you think a ghost tour isn't for you? Wrong! :)
    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 told 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 guide, Clara. 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
  • Do I need to make reservations in advance?
    Walking Tours and Experiences: Yes, reservations are required. We cap our tour guest numbers to ensure small, quality tours. What if I don't have a reservation and the tour is about to start? You can meet us at the starting point, but if no one booked, we do not drive into Traverse City. I would advise that you call ahead. So yes, please, if at all possible, book a reservation. (We will cancel free of charge with a 24-hour advanced notice). If you do not make a reservation and we are operating a tour, please come with exact cash as your tour guide does not carry change.
  • Does Higher Self Bookstore operate the tours?
    Nope. No. Nada! Haunted Traverse Tour Company does! Higher Self Bookstore graciously allows Haunted Traverse Tours (that explore downtown Traverse City) to meet its guests here. We hope this makes it easier for guests to find the starting point for our 100% outside walking tours. If you have time, please go on in and visit. This bookstore specializes in paranormal readings and items such as crystals. So, this is a great spot to shop in downtown Traverse City. Please do not ask the staff for instruction about the tours. Since the bookstore does not operate them, they will not have the answers you may have. Please call Haunted Traverse Tours at 231-645-1447 and Desirae will be happy to help!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Does the tour happen rain or shine?
    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. If Haunted Traverses Tours cancels a tour, participants are given the option to reschedule for a future event or cancel their booking. ***Cancellations by Haunted Traverse Tours will be sent via email or text, 1 hour prior to the start time of the tour. *** Cancellations by guests, please email HauntedTraverse@hotmail.com and let us know in writing that you need to cancel your tour. With more than 24 hours' notice, we will happily refund 100% your tour costs. We do not refund with less than 24 hours' notice but will happily reschedule to another date with availability.
  • What is your cancellation policy for tours and experiences?
    *** Cancellations by guests, please email HauntedTraverse@hotmail.com and let us know in writing that you need to cancel your tour. With more than 24 hours' notice, we will happily refund 100% your tour costs. We do not refund with less than 24 hours' notice but will happily reschedule to another date with tour availability. ***Cancellations by Haunted Traverse Tours will be sent via email or text, 1 hour prior to the start time of the tour. Guests will have the option to rebook to the new tour start time of their choice or the new alternative time presented by Haunted Traverse Tours. We understand that severe weather happens, and it is out of our control, so if we cannot book a new time/date for the tour, we will happily refund your tour booking cost. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be. And we all want to be able to live to vacation another day! :) Am I right!? Safe Travels and stay adventurous! ~Desirae
  • How long are the tours and experiences?
    Each tour has a different length from 1 - 3 hours. Please, look at our home page to see each individual tour's information.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • Do we go inside buildings during the tour?
    No, the Walking Ghost Tours' stories, local lore, and legends are told outside each location.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Wait times? Strangers- Are we put in groups with strangers?
    We do have peak times when are wait times can exceed an hour. To avoid peak times, make plans to attend the first two weekends of the 5 weekends we put on this limited, seasonal haunted trail attraction. Length of queues vary but we try to get our guests through as quickly as possible. HOWEVER....we do not like to sacrifice quality for throughput....so expect long queues that may be up to 90 minutes during peak hours. Campfire stories are available to sit around a fire and listen to during your wait. Are we put in groups with strangers? Short Answer: Yes. ->-> If you are arriving in a small group. e.g. a group of 2 or 4 possibly even 6, we WILL put you in a group with other guests during peak hours. Meaning that you are expected to all walk together through the haunt and not split up. If you split from the group we know, and the scares WILL suffer because of it. We received a nasty review last year of someone who didn't like that we didn't scare them and that they were grouped with strangers so they split off. They didn't get scares because we focused on the rest of the group instead. You have been warned! Stay with your group!! But Ghost Farm of Kingsley, I just want my small party to go through together. Two options for ya! #1: Book a private time. This will cost extra. $54 to make a reservation (reflected as booking 3 entries to the haunt). This is paid at the gate or by calling 23164514447 to make a reservation. #2. Please attend the first weekend when it is our slowest, if you want your small party to go by itself. And of course, we will accommodate this as long as peak lines are not present. We consider peak times to be a waiting time of 30 minutes or more.
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