Most trolley tours want you to look out of the window. This one wants you to think. The Shocking True Crime Trolley Tour runs for about two hours and turns the ride into a group investigation, with riders acting as the jury and working together to solve some of the most sensational cases in Minneapolis history. Guides brief you on crime scenes, read from witness affidavits and share information that the operator says has not been made public, so the commentary feels more like a courtroom drama than a standard sightseeing script. You stay seated on the trolley while it moves between locations connected to the stories, which means you can concentrate on the evidence rather than the weather. The tour suits true-crime fans, podcast listeners, groups of friends and couples who want something more interactive than a pass-by city tour, and the participation element makes it a good fit for a team outing or a birthday group. Reviewers are enthusiastic, with very high scores, and mention the energy of the guides and the fun of debating the verdict with strangers. Because the stories are about real events, the tone is serious in places, so it is better suited to adults and mature teenagers than to young children. It also gives you a view of Minneapolis you will not get from the usual lakes-and-mansions loop, linking neighbourhoods to the stories that shaped how locals talk about them.
How it works
You pick a date and start time when you book and receive a mobile voucher. The tour lasts about two hours and meets at 100 East 22nd Street in Minneapolis, the same address used by the other trolley tours in the city. The trolley is air-conditioned in summer and the tour is described as suitable for all fitness levels, because you ride rather than walk.
Service animals are allowed, public transport is close by and infants sit on an adult's lap. The booking is non-refundable, so confirm your travel dates first. Group size is not stated, and a lively group tends to make the jury format more fun.
What to expect
The format is interactive. You are given a role as part of the jury, you hear the background to each case, and you are asked to weigh the evidence before the guide reveals more of the story. The cases are drawn from Minneapolis history and include material about crime scenes, suspects and what happened afterwards.
Expect a mix of storytelling, discussion and a few surprises. It is not a walking tour, so you will see locations from the trolley rather than step inside them, and the focus stays on the narrative rather than on architecture or scenery.
Making the most of it
Bring your curiosity and be ready to talk, because the tour works best when the group joins in. Dress comfortably, arrive a few minutes early to board and keep your phone handy for the voucher. If you enjoy dark history, the Wabasha Street Caves tour adds gangster-era stories in a very different setting, and the candlelight ghost trolley covers the supernatural side of the same city.
For a more traditional orientation on another day, the narrated trolley tour of the lakes and mansions is the gentler choice, and the North Loop food tour is a good way to end the afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
A two-hour seated trolley tour in which riders act as the jury, working through briefings on real Minneapolis crime cases.
Best time
Any day you want an indoor-style activity, and a good choice for cold or wet weather.
How long
About two hours, returning to the meeting point on East 22nd Street.
Tips
Join in with the discussion, arrive a few minutes early, and remember that the booking is non-refundable.
Quick picks
- Best for
- True-crime fans, groups of friends and couples who like an interactive activity.
- Families
- Better for adults and mature teenagers, because the cases are real and the tone is serious in places.
- Couples
- A shared puzzle-style activity that gives you something to talk about over dinner.
- Pair with
- The Wabasha Street Caves tour or the candlelight ghost trolley for more dark history.
- Time needed
- About two hours plus a few minutes to board.
Good questions
How long is the true crime trolley tour?+
About two hours, starting and ending at 100 East 22nd Street in Minneapolis.
What is the jury format?+
Riders act as the jury, hearing briefings on crime scenes and witness affidavits and working together to solve the cases.
Do we get off the trolley?+
No. It is a seated ride, so you see the locations from the trolley while the guide tells the stories.
Is it suitable for children?+
The cases are real events, so the tour suits adults and mature teenagers better than young children.
Can I cancel the booking?+
No. The booking is non-refundable, so check your dates before you book.
