Wander through downtown Traverse City by lantern-light, tracing the city's origins, history, architecture and the ghost stories. This 100% outdoor walking tour weaves authentic stories of hauntings and spirits with compelling historical narratives.

This is a 100% outdoor walking tour, rich in storytelling — part history, part local hauntings & lore. At the end, we visit the grounds of what was once Traverse City's first cemetery. Though the graves were relocated long ago, the land still holds its memory… & some say, more than memory.

️Please note no public restrooms at meet-up location. Humor is found on this tour. The intro to ghost hunting is the last 5 minutes of the tour. 

Best For: History lovers, ghost-story enthusiasts, families seeking a spooky-yet-informative evening.

Heads-Up: Not ideal for those wanting a cemetery tour, a pure paranormal or "ghost-hunting" adventure or those allergic to history.

Seeking a cemetery tour? Check out our Oakwood Cemetery Tour

Historical Ghost Lantern Tour Downtown Traverse City

Quiet, beautiful, and haunting in its own right — Oakwood Cemetery holds the stories of Traverse City's early residents, told among their resting places. On this respectful walking tour, we'll share graveyard legends, forgotten histories, and local ghostly lore tied to the very people buried beneath your feet.

This tour is reflective, meaningful, and deeply human — with a touch of the unexplained. We also touch on the iconography of gravestones and a short grave rubbing hands on experience at the end of the 90 minute walking tour. 

️ Please note: This is a real cemetery and a storytelling tour.

Best for: Graveyard explorers, history lovers, those drawn to liminal spaces
Not for: Guests seeking jump scares or paranormal investigation

Grave Tales Oakwood Cemetery Walking Tour

Embark on a captivating 2-hour morning sail that delves into the rich history and enduring connection between the Anishinaabe people and Grand Traverse Bay. Join Tera John, a Knowledge Carrier and Story Keeper from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, as your guide aboard the Manitou. Experience the Bay through the eyes of its ancestral residents, learning about its vital role in their lives and culture since time immemorial.

Historical Tours in Traverse City

Historical Ghost Lantern Tour Downtown Traverse City

Grave Tales Oakwood Cemetery Walking Tour

Nibi Spirit of our Waters Sailing Experience