St. Louis was once one of the great brewing cities of America, and before Anheuser-Busch dominated, the Lemp family was its beer royalty. Their brewery on the south side of the city, built over a network of natural caves that kept the beer cool, produced the Falstaff brand and made the family enormously rich. Then the story turned dark: a run of early deaths and suicides struck the family over the following decades, Prohibition finished off the business, and the grand Lemp Mansion, now a restaurant and inn, gained a reputation as one of the most haunted houses in America. This walking tour takes you through the streets of the Lemp neighborhood south of downtown, past the old brewery complex and the family’s former homes, as a guide tells the history of the dynasty alongside the ghost stories that have grown up around it. It suits history lovers as much as ghost hunters, and it shows a part of St. Louis that most visitors never see, with handsome red-brick streets and the remains of the brewing age. The tour is rated 4.8 out of 5 from more than 320 reviews on Viator, and this page links to it there.
How to visit: the tour runs on foot in the Lemp neighborhood on the south side of the city, around the old Lemp brewery and the mansion, a short drive or rideshare from downtown. Check the meeting point, start times and the current schedule on the Viator listing when you book, as times can change with the season and the shortest days of the year bring earlier starts. The tour is a guided walk in the open air, not a visit inside the mansion or the caves.
What to expect: a walk of a couple of hours at an easy pace on city sidewalks, with stops where the guide tells the story of the Lemp family, the brewery and the neighborhood, and the legends attached to them. The content leans toward history with a dose of the macabre, including the family’s tragedies, so think about whether it suits younger children. Dress for the weather, as November evenings can be cold.
Making the most of it: book dinner nearby before or after the walk, as the surrounding south-side neighborhoods are known for their bars and restaurants, and the Lemp Mansion itself serves meals. Combine it with a daytime visit to another historic neighborhood such as Soulard.
What to expect
The experience
A guided outdoor walk through the old Lemp brewing neighborhood, mixing local history with ghost stories.
Best time
An evening departure in autumn, when the dark streets suit the stories.
How long
About two hours on foot.
Tips
Check the meeting point and start time on the listing, dress warmly for November evenings and book dinner nearby.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers, ghost-story fans and repeat visitors who want to see beyond downtown.
- Families
- Better for teenagers than young children, as the tales include the family’s tragedies.
- Couples
- A memorable evening out, followed by dinner on the south side.
- Pair with
- The Old Courthouse for city history, or the Central West End food tour.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours including travel.
Good questions
Who were the Lemp family?+
They were St. Louis beer barons whose brewery on the south side was one of the biggest in the country before Prohibition. A series of family tragedies gave their mansion its haunted reputation.
Does the tour go inside the Lemp Mansion?+
The tour is a neighborhood walk outdoors around the brewery and the family’s homes. Check the Viator listing for exact inclusions before you book.
Is the Lemp tour scary?+
It mixes history with ghost stories and covers the family’s tragedies, but it is a storytelling walk rather than a fright attraction. It suits teenagers and adults best.
How long is the Lemp haunted tour?+
Plan on about two hours at an easy walking pace. Confirm the exact duration and start time when you book.
Is the tour well reviewed?+
Yes, it is rated 4.8 out of 5 from more than 320 reviews on Viator. It is one of the best-reviewed tours in St. Louis.
