Minneapolis does not shout about its haunted side, which is exactly why a night-time ghost tour is such a good way to see a different version of the city. This candlelight trolley tour lasts about an hour and runs after dark, taking you through downtown on a seated trolley while storytellers share ghost stories, paranormal legends and unsolved mysteries tied to the streets you pass. Instead of walking in the cold, you ride from one spooky location to the next, which makes it one of the more comfortable ways to do a ghost tour in a Minnesota winter. The tour starts and ends at the Pillsbury Club on East 22nd Street, and guests are invited to arrive early to look around the market set up outside, pick up something to eat and make use of the lounges before boarding. The mood is theatrical rather than gruesome, with a focus on storytelling, atmosphere and local folklore, so it suits adults on a night out, friends in town for a weekend and curious teenagers who like a good scare. Reviewers rate it very highly, and many single out the quality of the storytelling as the reason the hour passes quickly. It is a fun first-night activity because it ties the city's history, its river-town past and its grand old buildings together in a way that a daytime sightseeing loop does not.
How it works
You choose a date when you book and receive a mobile voucher with instant confirmation. The tour is in English, lasts about an hour and departs in the evening from the Pillsbury Club at 100 East 22nd Street, close to the edge of downtown and the Loring Park area. Service animals are allowed, the tour is described as suitable for all fitness levels because you stay seated, and public transport runs nearby.
Infants are expected to sit on an adult's lap. The booking is non-refundable, so check your plans before you commit, and because trolley capacity is limited, popular nights near Halloween and on weekends can sell out well ahead.
What you will see and hear
The route stays in the central city, passing the kinds of places that collect stories, such as old hotels, historic theatres, riverside warehouses and landmark churches. The storytellers draw on local lore, unexplained events and unsolved mysteries rather than gore, and the pace is relaxed enough that you can look out of the windows between tales.
Do not expect long stops or time inside buildings, because this is a ride rather than a walking tour. The appeal is the combination of the trolley, the dark streets and the narration, and the bonus of arriving early to soak up the market and the lounges beforehand.
Making the most of it
Dress warmly, because boarding and any waiting outside can be cold, and arrive early enough to enjoy the pre-ride atmosphere. Pair it with dinner in the North Loop or downtown before you go, or with a drink afterwards. If you want a daytime orientation as well, the narrated trolley tour covers the lakes and mansions, while the Wabasha Street Caves tour adds another layer of the city's darker history, with gangster-era stories told underground. Together the three make a full day or evening of Minneapolis storytelling without a long walk.
What to expect
The experience
An evening trolley ride through downtown with storytellers sharing ghost stories, paranormal legends and unsolved mysteries.
Best time
After dark, ideally early in your trip and especially in the weeks around Halloween.
How long
About an hour, starting and ending at the Pillsbury Club on East 22nd Street.
Tips
Arrive early for the market and lounges, dress warmly, and remember that the booking is non-refundable.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Adults, friends and older children who enjoy storytelling and a spooky atmosphere.
- Families
- Suitable for all fitness levels and seated throughout, though the stories suit older children better than young ones.
- Couples
- A shared, atmospheric evening activity that fits easily before or after dinner.
- Pair with
- Dinner in the North Loop or the Wabasha Street Caves tour for more dark history.
- Time needed
- About an hour, plus time to arrive early and enjoy the market.
Good questions
How long is the Minneapolis ghost trolley tour?+
About an hour, departing in the evening from the Pillsbury Club on East 22nd Street.
Is the ghost tour scary?+
It is built around storytelling, folklore and unsolved mysteries rather than jump scares, so it is atmospheric more than frightening.
Do I get out of the trolley?+
No. It is a ride with commentary, so you stay seated while the storytellers describe the places you pass.
Is the tour accessible?+
It is described as suitable for all fitness levels and service animals are allowed. Infants sit on an adult's lap.
Can I cancel the booking?+
No. The booking is non-refundable, so choose your date carefully.
