Door County has generations of seafaring, shipwrecks and hard winters behind it, and the Ghost Trolley Tour is the way the local operator turns that history into an evening out. Billed as the Trolley of the Doomed, the tour leaves from the Door County Trolley Station in Egg Harbor after dark in the shoulder months and at the early evening in summer, and it lasts about two and a half hours. Along the route the guide tells the stories of tragic shipwrecks in the dangerous waters off the peninsula and of the mariners said to linger around the places where they were lost. The tour visits three stops: a historic lighthouse, a local cemetery and a building that the operator describes as truly haunted, and at each one the guide shares the history and the unexplained phenomena attached to the place. The approach is storytelling rather than jump scares. Guests ride in the trolley, hear the local folklore from a guide who knows the peninsula well and step out at the stops to see the locations in the dark. It is a good fit for people who enjoy a spooky story but want a comfortable ride, and it works well for groups of friends, couples on a night out and families with older children. Ghost lore is also a way into real history, because many of the stories are tied to actual wrecks, lighthouse keepers and early settlers that you can read about in the lighthouse and maritime museum visits during the day. Door County's reputation as a place of ghost stories is longstanding, and this is the trolley version.
Planning the tour
The operator runs the Ghost Tour from May through September at 7pm and in October and November at 6pm, so the earlier start in autumn lets you reach the stops as darkness falls. The tour is about two and a half hours, longer than most of the daytime rides, and it is listed for ages five and up, with children under five not permitted.
Tickets are split between adults aged 16 and over and children aged 5 to 15. Advance purchase is strongly recommended because the tour is one of the most popular and often sells out in summer and during October, and the policy is that tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled for any reason.
What to bring
The stops are outdoors, and an evening on the Door County shoreline can be cool even in summer, so wear a jacket and sturdy shoes. In October and November it can be cold and windy, and gloves and a hat are sensible. A small flashlight is not necessary because the guide leads the way, but a phone with a charged battery is handy for photographs.
The tour is listed for ages five and up, but sensitive young children may find the subject matter a little spooky, so use your judgment, and consider the Family Ride for the youngest travelers.
Making an evening of it
Schedule dinner before the departure, because the tour starts at the trolley station in Egg Harbor and runs through the evening. A fish boil in Fish Creek or Ephraim followed by the ghost tour makes a classic Door County evening, though you should leave time for the drive to Egg Harbor. If you want more of the same, the Murder and Mayhem Trolley Tour tells true-crime stories on the peninsula, and the Lighthouse Trolley Tour covers the lighthouses by day.
In October the tour is at its most atmospheric, but it is also the busiest time, so book early and consider a weekday. After the tour, the village is quiet, so plan on heading straight back to your lodging.
What to expect
The experience
An evening trolley ride of about two and a half hours with three stops, a historic lighthouse, a cemetery and a haunted building, and a guide telling the ghost and shipwreck stories.
Best time
October, for atmosphere, or a summer evening if you prefer milder weather; weekdays are quieter.
How long
About two and a half hours from departure at the Egg Harbor station.
Tips
Dress warmly for outdoor stops, book early because it sells out, and remember that tickets are non-refundable and children under five are not permitted.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who enjoys ghost stories, shipwreck history and an after-dark outing with a guide.
- Families
- Rated for ages five and up, but the subject may be too spooky for sensitive children.
- Couples
- A memorable evening out, ideally after a fish boil dinner.
- Pair with
- The Murder and Mayhem Trolley Tour, a fish boil dinner or the Lighthouse Trolley Tour by day.
- Time needed
- A full evening, with dinner beforehand.
Good questions
How long is the Door County Ghost Trolley Tour?+
It lasts about two and a half hours, including the ride and the stops at the lighthouse, cemetery and haunted building.
What time does the Ghost Tour start?+
The operator lists a 7pm departure from May through September and a 6pm departure in October and November. Confirm on the tour page before you go.
Where does it leave from?+
The tour departs from the Door County Trolley Station at 8030 Highway 42 in Egg Harbor.
Is the Ghost Tour suitable for children?+
It is listed for ages five and up, though the stories about shipwrecks and haunted places may frighten sensitive children. Children under five are not permitted.
Can I get a refund if I cannot make it?+
Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled for any reason, so book only when your plans are firm.