Activity Round-Up | Chicagoland’s Haunted Tours
Chicagoland is known for a storied past that goes back centuries, and with this history comes terrifying supernatural tales that have been passed on through generations. Halloween is the best time of year to explore some of Chicagoland’s most haunted places and learn the frightening history behind each hallowed hall. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, read on to face your fears and find the perfect local ghost tour or haunted house to explore this Halloween.
Woodstock, Illinois is home to its own recurring villain that is said to haunt the local courthouse to this day. James Dacey was tried, convicted of murder, and executed just outside of the old courthouse in 1886, and many residents believe that his spirit still haunts the neighborhood. Embark on this spooky historic tour to experience the haunting past of Woodstock.
Lincoln Park, the site of the original City Cemetery and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, comes alive every Halloween as ghost seekers and explorers investigate the many rumors that ghosts may inhabit the park. Learn about the hauntings at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the secret bridge over the lagoon, and the lost cemetery graves that still haunt Lincoln Park.
Prepare yourself for a unique look at Chicago’s haunted past through the gangsters that inhabited the 1920’s Vice District, now known as The Loop. Crime, scandal, shady speakeasy saloons, and secret underground tunnels used by bootleggers are now riddled with tales of the ghosts that emerged from that dark period of history.
Before the infamous fire of 1871, Prairie Avenue was known as Millionaire’s Row and included prominent figures such as Marshall Field, George Pullman, and Philip Armour. During this ghost tour you will embark on a hunt through the neighborhood of incredible, prestigious homes that are still standing— with spirits that still linger.
Inspired by the people and places of Erik Larson’s blockbuster, “The Devil in the White City”, this tour includes a unique look at places of Victorian intrigue around Chicago such as the site where the Great Fire began, the Prairie Avenue historic district, and the World’s Fairground. Last but not least, you will get a chance to explore the site of Chicago’s terrifying former Murder Castle and home to “America’s First Serial Killer”, the one and only H.H. Holmes.
Nestled in Napervile’s beautiful historic district are three streets that possess a reputation for being haunted. It Chicago Avenue Mary, a ghostly legend that crosses the street corner every night, and the Weeping Bride, whose carriage is known to pass through School Street, are just a few of the many ghosts you may encounter in historic Naperville.
This striking gothic prison, first constructed in 1858 in Joliet, Illinois, is possibly most known for its use in Hollywood films, but the historic prison also has a reputation for ghosts. One in particular that you might encounter on your tour, commonly called The Singing Ghost, has created a stir among locals by wandering through the prison cemetery and serenading the grave sites.
From the earliest days when Decatur, Illinois was founded, the town garnered a reputation for ghostly sightings. From lost burial grounds to haunted theaters, each part of the town has its own dark story to tell. Embark on a historic tour to learn more about Decatur’s sordid past, or try a ghost hunter’s tour for an extra hour of ghostly knowledge.