REVIEW · DENVER GHOST TOURS

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver

★ 5.0 · 28 reviews 2h 30m From $38 Operated by Smile High Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Ghost stories make Denver’s old streets feel different. Mile High Hauntings pairs Denver history with spooky tales, keeping the entire 2.5-hour experience in Lower Downtown, or LoDo. You meet at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row on Market Street and finish in Larimer Square, so the tour begins and ends in two easy-to-find downtown locations.

I like the strong storytelling focus, especially the way guide Josh brings old characters and tragic events into the tour. I also like the small maximum group of 20, which should make it easier to hear and ask questions. The main drawback is the weather requirement: this is an outdoor walking experience, so a cold, wet evening could take some of the fun out of it.

Key things to know before you book

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - Key things to know before you book

  • Josh is the guide to look for: He is praised for lively storytelling, Denver background, and personal ghost experiences.
  • The tour stays in LoDo: You cover historic downtown streets, Market Street, Union Station, the Oxford Hotel, and nearby locations.
  • It lasts about 2.5 hours: That gives the stories room to breathe, but it is a long time on your feet outdoors.
  • You finish at Larimer Square: The ending puts you in one of downtown Denver’s most walkable areas.
  • The group limit is 20 people: The smaller size suits anyone who prefers a more personal tour.
  • The price is $38 per person: That is fair if you want both local history and ghost stories rather than a quick, theatrical scare.

Why LoDo is the right setting for a ghost tour

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - Why LoDo is the right setting for a ghost tour

Lower Downtown is the historic heart of Denver, and that matters here. The tour is not built around a single haunted building. Instead, it uses the streets, hotels, station, and older corners of LoDo as a backdrop for stories about people and places that shaped the city.

That approach gives the evening more substance than a string of unexplained noises. You hear about the people connected with Denver’s past, then learn how certain locations gained their ghostly reputations. The result is part city walk, part storytelling session, and part paranormal entertainment.

I would choose this tour if you like your ghost stories tied to real places. It should also work well for anyone who enjoys local history but does not want a formal lecture. Several stories include lively characters, cultural details, and tragic events, so the tone appears to shift between amusing, informative, and unsettling.

The setting also gives you a useful orientation to downtown. You begin near Market Street and eventually reach Larimer Square, an area you can continue exploring after the tour. If you are new to Denver, the walk can help you get your bearings while giving you an evening activity with a clear theme.

Starting at Whiskey Row on Market Street

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - Starting at Whiskey Row on Market Street

The meeting point is Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Denver at 1946 Market St. This is a practical starting place in LoDo, but you should pay attention to the exact address and arrive with enough time to find the group.

The tour begins with an account of the place where you are standing. That opening matters because Josh does not appear to rush straight into the supernatural material. He first sets the scene, explains the area’s past, and introduces the people and circumstances behind the story.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. A ghost story has more weight when you understand the street, building, or period connected with it. Instead of hearing only that a spirit appears somewhere, you get the surrounding human story first.

Josh’s style is described as lively and conversational. One account compares the experience to spending an evening with a well-informed friend who happens to tell excellent Denver stories. That is a useful expectation. This is not presented as a solemn academic walk, and it does not seem to rely only on theatrical scares.

The opening stop also lets the guide establish the rhythm for the evening. Expect a blend of facts, characters, personal observations, and ghost lore. If you want a tour filled with jump scares or elaborate effects, this may feel restrained. If you want context, it should suit you well.

Following Market Street toward Union Station

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - Following Market Street toward Union Station

From the opening location, the route continues down Market Street toward Union Station. The movement between stops gives the tour a natural flow. You are not simply standing in one room listening to a set script. The city itself becomes part of the experience.

The Market Street portion appears to focus on Denver’s older personalities and the changing character of the area. Josh has been praised for explaining the people, cultures, and events connected to LoDo, not just for reciting dates. That makes the walk useful even if you are only partly convinced by ghosts.

Union Station adds a particularly strong setting. It is a major downtown landmark, and the tour uses stories about apparitions associated with the station. The contrast works well: a familiar public place takes on a more mysterious feel when you hear about the reports linked to it.

You should expect some pauses for storytelling along the route. The tour lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes, so the pace is likely designed to allow proper explanations rather than hurried one-minute stops. Wear shoes you can walk in, and dress for the forecast. The experience requires good weather, and you will be outside for the full evening.

The route is also one reason the price feels reasonable. You are paying for a guided walk through several notable downtown locations, not just admission to a haunted attraction. The value comes from the guide’s interpretation and the range of stories.

The Oxford Hotel and its colorful spirits

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - The Oxford Hotel and its colorful spirits

The Oxford Hotel is another important stop. The stories here involve a cast of spirits with their own identities and connections to the building. That gives the tour a different texture from the Union Station section.

Josh’s storytelling is said to give these figures personality. That is important because a list of ghost names can become forgettable. Characters with motives, relationships, or sad endings are easier to remember, and they add an emotional layer to the supernatural material.

The Oxford stop also shows how the tour uses Denver’s buildings as story settings. You are not only hearing about a haunting in the abstract. You are standing in front of a real downtown location and connecting its past with the tales told about it.

The tone here seems to remain accessible rather than grim. You may get a few spine-tingling moments, but the evening also includes humor. That balance is helpful for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the historical side while another waits for the next ghost account.

If you are sensitive to scary material, the tour description does not indicate extreme horror, graphic effects, or actors in costume. The emphasis is on spoken stories and real locations. Still, themes of death, loss, and tragedy are part of the material, so this may not be the right choice for very young children or anyone looking for a light comedy walk.

A few more hauntings around Denver worth booking

A tragic story near a downtown speakeasy

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - A tragic story near a downtown speakeasy

The tour ends in front of a speakeasy, with a story centered on a mother’s tragic loss. This sounds like one of the more emotional moments of the evening, and it gives the route a strong closing story rather than simply ending after the final location.

Josh also includes his own experiences involving an elevator ghost. Personal accounts can be a useful touch when handled well. They give the guide a connection to the subject and make the storytelling feel less like a memorized list.

At the same time, you should decide how much weight you place on paranormal claims. The tour is best approached as an entertaining mix of documented local history, traditional ghost lore, and personal testimony. You do not need to believe every haunting to appreciate the people, places, and stories behind them.

Finishing at a speakeasy also keeps the ending social and downtown-focused. The tour concludes at Larimer Square, at 1430 Larimer St, rather than returning you to the starting point. That is convenient if you want to continue your evening in the area, but you should remember that you will need to make your own way back to your hotel or other destination.

What makes Josh’s guiding style important

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - What makes Josh’s guiding style important

The guide can make or break a ghost tour, and Josh receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. He is described as informative, entertaining, and able to keep the group engaged for the entire evening.

That matters more than special effects here. The experience depends on spoken delivery, timing, and the ability to make old events feel immediate. Josh appears to add humor to the darker stories and provide enough historical background to keep the walk from becoming a generic paranormal script.

His personal approach may be especially valuable for small groups. One booking included only three family members, and the tour became highly personalized. With a maximum of 20 people, you may get a more direct experience than on a large downtown walk with dozens of people trailing behind a flag.

The feedback also includes praise for another guide named Gable, described as a great tour guide and driver. The main written detail about the route and storytelling centers on Josh, so guide assignment may matter if you have a strong preference. The safest plan is to confirm the guide when booking or meeting up.

Is $38 a fair price?

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - Is $38 a fair price?

The cost is $38 per person. I consider that a fair midrange price for a 2.5-hour guided downtown experience, especially if you value both history and entertainment.

A quick ghost walk with one or two stops would need to be cheaper to offer similar value. Here, you spend a full evening moving through LoDo and hearing stories connected with Market Street, Union Station, the Oxford Hotel, and the final stop near a speakeasy. The guide’s role is central, so the price makes the most sense when the storytelling is your main reason for booking.

The value is weaker if you want a purely factual city tour or a high-energy haunted attraction. This experience does not promise theatrical effects, costumes, or staged scares. You are paying for interpretation, atmosphere, and access to a well-planned story route through downtown.

I also like that the end point is Larimer Square. You can combine the tour with dinner or drinks before or after, though the tour itself begins at a bar and ends near another nightlife location. That makes it easy to fit into an evening in downtown Denver.

Timing, group size, and practical comfort

Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver - Timing, group size, and practical comfort

The tour lasts about two and a half hours, so plan for a full evening rather than a short activity between other reservations. The length allows for several locations and detailed stories, but it also means you should prepare for outdoor conditions.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Keep the local Denver time in mind when calculating the deadline.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information provided does not specify the exact walking distance, surface conditions, or seating opportunities. If those details matter to you, ask before booking.

The maximum group size is 20. That is large enough to create a lively evening but small enough for a guide to address the group without shouting every sentence. If you prefer the most personal experience possible, an unusually small booking may be ideal.

Who should book Mile High Hauntings?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy:

  • Local history told through real downtown locations
  • Ghost stories with tragic and human details
  • Guides who add humor and personal experiences
  • Evening walks through LoDo
  • Small or medium group tours
  • Activities that work for both history fans and paranormal enthusiasts

You may want a different activity if you dislike walking outdoors for several hours, want a guaranteed scare-filled attraction, or prefer a tour with a fixed indoor setting. The weather requirement also makes this a less dependable choice during uncertain conditions, even though the refund policy offers some protection.

The experience appears suitable for a mixed group. A history fan can focus on Denver’s past, while a ghost enthusiast can wait for the next haunting. That balance is one of its best qualities.

Should you book this Denver ghost tour?

Yes, if you want storytelling over spectacle. Mile High Hauntings offers a well-shaped route through LoDo, with Union Station, the Oxford Hotel, Market Street, and Larimer Square giving the evening a strong sense of place.

Book it for Josh’s guide work, the small group limit, and the mix of local history and paranormal tales. Plan your clothing and footwear carefully, allow the full 2.5 hours, and keep your schedule flexible enough to account for weather.

At $38, it is a solid choice for an evening in downtown Denver. You may not leave convinced that every elevator or hotel room has a ghost, but you should leave with a better sense of the city’s older streets and the stories that still cling to them.

FAQ

Where does the Mile High Hauntings tour start?

The tour starts at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Denver, located at 1946 Market St, Denver, Colorado 80202.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Larimer Square, located at 1430 Larimer St, Denver, Colorado 80202.

How long does the ghost tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $38 per person.

What part of Denver does the tour cover?

The entire tour takes place in Lower Downtown, also known as LoDo, the historic heart of Denver.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 participants.

Is public transportation available near the tour?

Yes. The tour information states that it is near public transportation.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of bad weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

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