Sturgeon Bay Haunted History Walking Tour: Crime & Ghosts

Murder cases, ghost stories, and a tavern with a sinister past

A guided walking tour of Sturgeon Bay led by a certified historian with a Master's degree in Museum Studies, visiting three sites tied to Door County's most notorious crimes, mysterious events, and ghost stories. The tour lasts about an hour, includes bottled water and a themed gift bag, and covers the exterior and history of each location without building entry. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Step-by-step itinerary

Haunted history walking tour in Sturgeon Bay

• Start at famous murder case site
• Visit vacant lot with dark history
• Explore Door County's oldest tavern

The experience

The tour begins at a location connected to one of Door County's most famous murder cases. Your guide (a certified historian with nearly a decade of museum and curation experience) spends about 15 minutes unpacking the facts, theories, and historical context of the crime, explaining how it rippled through the local community. This is storytelling grounded in research, not speculation.

From there you move to what looks today like an ordinary vacant lot, but one with a long and troubling history. Over another 15 minutes, the guide reveals stories of scandal, crime, and events that unfolded there, filling in a lesser-known chapter of Sturgeon Bay's past. The third stop is Door County's oldest tavern, where you spend about 25 minutes exploring its sinister history: gambling, bar brawls, and the resident ghosts that locals still talk about. The guide focuses on the building's exterior and the intersection of crime, horror, and heritage that shaped the place.

You'll receive bottled water during the tour and a themed gift bag at the end. The route is wheelchair accessible, and all surfaces are paved. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• Guided walking tour led by a certified historian.
• bottled water.
• historical commentary and storytelling at each of the three stops.
• themed gift bag at the end of the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Encounter History

Is this one for you?The tour is a steady walk with three outdoor stops and no building entry, so it suits anyone comfortable standing and walking for an hour on paved surfaces. Tipping is appreciated but optional.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the oldest tavern in Door County known for?

Door County's oldest tavern has a history tied to gambling, bar brawls, and reported resident ghosts. The guide explores how these events shaped the building's reputation and the ghost stories that persist in local lore today.

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts approximately one hour, with three stops: about 15 minutes at a murder case site, 15 minutes at a vacant lot with a troubled history, and 25 minutes at the historic tavern.

Do we go inside the buildings on this tour?

No, the tour focuses on the exterior and history of each location. There is no building entry at any of the three stops.

Who leads this tour?

A certified historian with a Master's degree in Museum Studies and nearly a decade of museum and curation experience leads the tour in English, providing expertly researched storytelling at each stop.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility challenges?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible with all surfaces and areas paved. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.