When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls

Why Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls offer an immersive and thrilling way to experience Chicago's haunted history and supernatural folklore. Ideal for groups of friends looking for an unforgettable night out, this tour blends chilling ghost stories with engaging local history. Guests can explore some of Chicago's most haunted locations, like Lincoln Park, Oz Park, and the surroundings of John Barleycorn's Memorial Pub, all led by expert guides renowned for their storytelling and deep knowledge of the city's paranormal legends. The tours are accessible to various fitness levels, often conducted in small, friendly groups that allow for interactive conversations and an intimate atmosphere. Many tours include high-tech gadgets like EMF meters to heighten the spooky experience. Apart from spine-tingling tales, the tours uncover tragic stories, unsolved crimes, and eerie urban legends that have shaped Chicago's mysterious reputation. This blend of history, intrigue, and supernatural elements makes Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls a captivating social outing, perfect for both curious locals and tourists.
Here's what people think of Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls
As of recent, Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls holds a 4.9-star rating based on 302 reviews.
Reviews for Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls are overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a strong 4.9-star rating from over 300 guests. Many users highlight the engaging and knowledgeable guides as a standout feature, praising their ability to weave historical facts with chilling ghost stories that captivate audiences of all ages. Reviewers particularly enjoyed the small group settings, which fostered a personal, interactive experience, and the use of tools like EMF meters added an exciting real-time paranormal investigation element. Positive feedback often mentions the unique mix of humor, spooky ambiance, and valuable local insights that made the tour both entertaining and educational. On the downside, a few guests wished for deeper exploration of some ghost stories or noted the challenge of hearing side conversations in the outdoor setting if not close to the guide. Weather conditions sometimes affected the experience, but many found that a rainy or cool evening intensified the spooky atmosphere. Overall, the reviews convey that Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls offer a memorable, well-organized adventure that expertly marries Chicago's haunted lore with friendly social vibes, making it highly recommended for groups seeking a spooky yet fun outing.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
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Our tour guide Alec was amazing! There wasn't a dull moment at all! I'd recommend renting the EMF readers and getting your own spooky plush. We also got the extended tour package and it was worth it! Definitely a great way to pass the night in Chicago!
Jessica Schwartzman
We had such a great time and our guide was so friendly and energetic. Lots of great information and chatting walking along the stops. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about the area and have some fun stories along the way
Crawford Family
Julian did an amazing job guiding my husband and I through the experience. We never went on a ghost tour before so if we ever do it again, the bar is set pretty high! You know you can tell when someone is passionate about their job and this was one of those cases. Thank you, Julian! ~Sandra
Khristian Noto
Can you find the white ghost in the large window next to the black car? We had a lot of fun and it was super informational!! Nice walk around the town and saw multiple haunted places and heard amazing stories!! Would 100% recommend!!
April Foust
Carrie was very friendly and informative! We visited several cool locations and heard their stories. We didn't go inside any of the places but it gave us great suggestions for places to check out the next day that had spooky histories! Would recommend this tour to anyone interested in hearing a little history and spooky tales about the area!
How to reach Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls
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Why Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls with your friends?
Gathering your friends or family for an outing is always about creating memorable shared experiences, and Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls offers a uniquely thrilling environment to do just that. With an outstanding rating of 4.9 from over 300 reviews, this business combines Chicago’s deep, sometimes dark history with engaging storytelling and immersive paranormal adventures. The blend of history, mystery, and the thrill of the supernatural appeals to groups looking for entertainment that sparks conversation and bonds people through shared emotions—from excitement to suspense. The tours are designed to be social and interactive, which encourages group engagement, whether you’re locals discovering new layers of your city or visitors looking for an offbeat experience. Moreover, Windy City Ghost Tours’ reputation for professionalism and vibrant guides ensures that everyone, no matter their background, will be drawn into the chilling stories and historic secrets of Chicago. This shared journey through haunted sites and haunted taverns creates an atmosphere of excitement and connection, perfect for groups eager to rally together around an experience they won’t forget.
What activities can you enjoy at Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls?
Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls offers a captivating mix of ghost tours and pub crawl experiences that highlight both the haunted history and vibrant nightlife of Chicago. Their ghost tours are famous for taking groups through Lincoln Park and downtown Chicago—areas steeped in dark stories that include forgotten burial grounds, violent murders, legendary gangsters like Al Capone, and mysterious paranormal events. Professional guides provide well-researched narratives that mix true crime with supernatural lore, making each stop on the tour richly engaging and appropriately spooky. The walking tours typically last about an hour, making them a manageable yet immersive experience that maintains high energy and attention throughout.
In addition to the classic ghost tours, the haunted pub crawls add an extra layer of fun. These events combine visits to historic and rumored-haunted taverns with storytelling about the darker side of Chicago’s nightlife history. Participants enjoy not only chilling tales but also the social atmosphere of Chicago’s bars, allowing groups to chat, laugh, and bond in between eerie stories. The tours use adults-only themes with mature language and topics, which is ideal for groups looking for a more intense and authentic paranormal experience.
Why is this place perfect for a group meetup?
There are several reasons Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls is an excellent choice for group meetups. First, their tours cater specifically to groups by keeping numbers small enough to maintain intimacy but large enough to create a lively dynamic. This balance allows for a more interactive experience where friends can share reactions and discuss stories in real-time with each other and the guide. The nature of the tours encourages socialization, whether through shared reactions to spooky moments or group participation in paranormal activities like using EMF meters to detect ghostly presences.
Second, the combination of physical activity—walking through historic neighborhoods—and stops in atmospheric bars means the event blends adventure with relaxation, offering guests time to talk and bond over drinks. This balance is perfect for people with varied interests and energy levels.
Third, the themes of crime, corruption, and haunted history tap into universal fascinations that provide conversation starters and make the evening flow naturally as a shared journey of discovery. Unlike typical meetups in casual venues, here groups experience the thrill of uncovering chilling tales tied to real locations, making the meetup feel truly special and memorable.
Lastly, the consistently high ratings across multiple platforms reflect the professionalism, care, and quality of the experience provided. Guests can confidently choose this venue, knowing it delivers a reliable and exceptional experience that will get everyone talking long after the tour ends.
What makes the ghost tours at Windy City Ghost Tours unique?
Windy City Ghost Tours stands out due to its deep focus on Chicago’s unique and complex history intertwined with haunting legends. Their walking tours explore areas like Lincoln Park, a neighborhood built atop a forgotten burial ground, and other downtown locations tied to unsolved murders and sinister events. The guides delve into stories involving Chicago’s notorious past of gangsters, bootleggers, and dark secrets, offering a chilling but informative perspective.
The tours are strictly adult-oriented, which means the stories are told with a level of maturity and graphic detail that adds to the authenticity and intensity of the experience. Guests often mention how the guides use immersive storytelling techniques, allowing the past to feel vividly present, and the paranormal elements to become palpable through activities such as EMF meter readings and exploring haunted spots like the Lion House bathroom mirrors at Lincoln Park Zoo.
This combination of detailed historical narrative and real-time paranormal exploration elevates the tours beyond just a history walk or a casual ghost story session—it becomes an interactive performance grounded in well-researched truth and local lore. It appeals to experienced ghost tour aficionados as well as newcomers by balancing history, horror, and humor flawlessly.
How do the haunted pub crawls enhance the group experience?
The haunted pub crawls cleverly combine socializing with storytelling, making them a great option for groups who want a casual yet thrilling night out. As participants move through some of Chicago's most iconic and historic bars, they learn about the darker events and hauntings connected to these watering holes. The pubs themselves add atmosphere, providing cozy or eerie backdrops for each story.
For groups, this means the experience is not only walking and listening but also an engaging bar hop where people can relax, enjoy drinks, and interact freely between stops. This format encourages mingling and bonding, as the shared excitement of ghost stories naturally sparks conversations both about the paranormal and Chicago’s history. It transforms a typical night out into a memorable themed adventure that supports group cohesion.
The pub crawls also cater to a mature crowd, ensuring the content is suitably intense, sometimes graphic, and completely engrossing. This mature theme appeals to friend groups or family members looking for something beyond conventional tourist activities. The mix of thrill, social time, and historic intrigue keeps everyone entertained, even those less interested in the supernatural.
What should you expect when booking a tour with Windy City Ghost Tours?
Booking a tour with Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls is an easy and user-friendly process designed to accommodate both locals and travelers. Reservations can be conveniently made online, allowing groups to plan their outing ahead of time. Tours generally last about 60 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the package, making them manageable for most schedules.
On tour night, participants meet at a clearly indicated starting location, such as near Oz Park or Lincoln Park Zoo, depending on the specific tour chosen. Guides arrive equipped with detailed knowledge and storytelling tools, including EMF meters and visual aids, to enhance the experience. The tours involve walking distances that are accessible for most fitness levels, ensuring everyone in the group can comfortably participate.
Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring along an open mind ready for surprises. The guides welcome questions and interaction, making the event feel personalized and engaging. Reviews consistently highlight the professionalism and enthusiasm of the guides, adding to the overall positive group experience.
In summary, Windy City Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls offers a compelling and immersive opportunity for groups to explore Chicago’s haunted history and nightlife. The range of activities, combined with expert guides and a mature, interactive format, creates an ideal setting for friends or family to enjoy an unforgettable night full of suspense, laughter, and shared memories. Whether you seek spine-tingling ghost stories or sociable pub adventures infused with local legend, this business stands out as the perfect rallying point for your next group meetup.