A Haunted Walk historical tour of Toronto is an interesting way to learn about the city’s dark past at Halloween or any other time of the year.
Halloween week seems like the perfect time to talk about one of the spookier activities Toronto has to offer. If your idea of fun is listening to spine-tingling tales then Haunted Walks Inc. has a walking tour for you. The company specializes in historical walking tours that explore the city’s darker side and has special Halloween tours available until November 2nd.
In September (on Friday the 13th, no less), I had the opportunity to experience The Haunted Walk Toronto along with my 16 year-old daughter and one of her friends. There are two Haunted Walks available in Toronto – one in downtown Toronto and the second in the historic Distillery District – and we opted to take the downtown tour because of it’s convenient proximity to the train station.
Haunted Walks take place after dark commencing at either 8pm or 9pm depending on the tour and participants should be sure to dress for the weather. Our walk took place on an unseasonably cold September night and, despite the fact that I had cautioned them to dress warmly, I had two under-dressed and cold teenagers along with me.
Haunted Walk Tour Guides dressed in black cloaks and carrying lanterns lead the walks through the downtown area, pausing to tell true stories of ghostly encounters that have occurred. We met our tour guide, Jill, in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame Building at 30 Yonge St. for the start of our walk which had 17 or 18 participants eager to be frightened.
The Hockey Hall of Fame, which had previously been a bank, was both the starting location of the tour and also the site of the first ghost story of the evening involving a heart-broken woman committing suicide and returning to haunt the building where her lover worked.
As we walked around the downtown core, we stopped at other well-known buildings such as Mackenzie House, St. Michael’s Hospital and Old City Hall, to hear tales of public hangings, murders, suicides and the troubled spirits that returned to connect with (or terrorize) people in this world.
Adjustments were made to the standard itinerary in order to mark the fact that our tour was taking place on Friday the 13th. There were a number of instances when tour participants were given the opportunity to decide how the tour would precede by choosing which direction we would head, choosing the type of story to be told etc.
The ghost stories that the guides tell on the tours have not been made up. The company thoroughly researches the information and, whenever possible, conducts interviews of the people involved to ensure authenticity. Guides share the stories and it’s up to the audience to decide whether or not they believe that there is proof of supernatural activity. It was unseasonably chilly on the night of our walk and sometimes I wasn’t sure whether it was the cold or the ghost stories that were causing me to shiver.
This is a great tour for adults, teens, and older kids to gain a unique perspective on Toronto’s history and the girls and I thoroughly enjoyed our evening. A Haunted Walk historical tour of Toronto is an interesting way to learn about the city’s dark past at Halloween or any other time of the year.
What You Need To Know
- The Haunted Walk Inc. offers walking tours in Toronto, Kingston, and Ottawa.
- Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 416-238-1473. Any remaining tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis from the start location 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.
- Current (2013) pricing: Adults – $18.75, Students – $16.75, Children (6-12 yrs.) – $9.75.
- Tours last approximately 90 minutes.
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I reviewed this attraction on behalf of Trekaroo as a guest of Haunted Walks Inc. but opinions are, as always, my own.
Ann
I love haunted/ghost tours so much and can’t wait until my kids are older so that I can start doing them again.
Can I just say that I think it’s so funny that your daughter opted to wear a free hugs shirt?
Lisa Goodmurphy
It was a great tour, Ann – you would love it! It’s recommended for ages 6 and up but I didn’t take Emma because she can be sensitive about things like that. There’s also a fair bit of walking and it’s a late night but I think generally that kids 8-10 and up would love it!
She might have been tempting fate going on a ghost tour wearing a “Free Hugs” shirt but fortunately no spirits took her up on the offer! 😉
Lisa Goodmurphy
It was just the right amount of scary, Charu – enough to make me shiver at the time but not enough to cause nightmares!
Cheryl
I wish I had the chops to do something like this but I am a wimp. I can’t handle scary movies or thrill rides. I’m a romantic comedy, merry go round kind of gal. HA HA HA
Good for you guys for doing it! I’ll just live vicariously through your stories ;).
Leigh
I don’t think you’d ever look at some of the buildings you walked by in the same way again. I worked at St. Michael’s Hospital for a few years so I’d be curious what stories lie behind it’s walls.
Cathy Sweeney
That is quite the spooky photo of Old City Hall – perfect for the occasion. I’d really enjoy a tour like this — much more my kind of spooky activity than some of the haunted houses I’ve heard about — way too scary and interactive! Happy Halloween!
Mary {The World Is A Book}
This looks so interesting. It doesn’t seem so scary when you’re learning historical things. I think I’d be willing to do this as long as there is a big group of people with me. I’d take this over haunted houses and scary movies any day. BTW, I’m not sure if it’s just me but your last picture isn’t showing up. Love Katie’s shirt 🙂
Marisol
Hi Lisa, this sounds like a fascinating tour and sounds like a fun thing to do with a family. I liker hearing spine tingle tale – whether they’re true or not. I prefer them than seeing horror movies or scary places.
Muza-chan
It doesn’t look too scary! 🙂
Stephanie SassyModernMom
Sounds like a great intro into the world of haunted tales. Err not for me, but for the braver at heart 🙂
Marcia
This is a tour I would definitely do, Lisa.
Lisa wood
Hi Lisa,
It sure sounds and looks like so much fun, mind you I am not sure that I would be able to sleep after hearing the Haunted Walk Tour 🙂
Mike
Sorry the kids were under dressed for the walk but like you said, maybe it was the chill of ghosts? I would absolutely go on this tour, Lisa! How fun 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
It actually wasn’t too scary – more of that chills down your spine every once in a while kind of feeling!
Lisa Goodmurphy
The stories are fascinating, Leigh, they really make you think!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I had never really thought of Old City Hall as being a spooky place – until I went on this tour!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I much prefer something like this too, Mary! I’m not a fan of haunted houses with people jumping out at me!
Lisa Goodmurphy
It was fascinating, Marisol, and fine for the older girls but I definitely made the right choice in not bringing Emma – it would have been too much for her!
Lisa Goodmurphy
It was just the right amount of scary, Muza-chan!
Lisa Goodmurphy
You would be fine, Stephanie!
Lisa Goodmurphy
It’s very interesting, Marcia, I think you would enjoy it!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Surprisingly, I slept just fine after the tour!
Lisa Goodmurphy
They should have listened to me, Mike!