Dells Trolley: Haunted History Tour

The Haunted History Trolley Tour trades sunshine for storytelling. Guides take riders through Wisconsin Dells at night or in low light, weaving true local history with ghost stories, legends and unexplained happenings tied to the river, the old hotels and the buildings downtown. It is a light-hearted scare rather than a horror show, which makes it a good choice for couples, friend groups and families with older children who like a creepy tale. Because it runs on the same trolleys as the daytime tours, it is also a cheap, easy evening activity in a town where much of the entertainment ends when the waterparks close. As with all the trolley tours, check the operator for current dates, since haunted rides can be seasonal or concentrated around autumn.

Every old resort town has its ghost stories, and Wisconsin Dells has more material than most. The river gorge has claimed lives over the centuries, the early tourist trade left behind weathered hotels and theaters, and a long list of fires, drownings and local tragedies has fed a tradition of legends. A haunted trolley tour collects these tales into a single ride and uses the town itself as the set, so the story about a long-gone hotel is told within sight of where it stood.The experience is guide-driven.

Expect a narrator who mixes fact and folklore, usually with a sense of humor, and who names the buildings, corners and stretches of river associated with each story. You stay seated while the trolley moves between stops, so there is no stumbling around in the dark. The tone is meant to be fun: more campfire tale than haunted-house jump scare. Parents of younger children should check the operator's guidance on age suitability, since some stories deal with deaths and accidents even when told gently.Plan the rest of the evening around it.

Eat before you go, since the ride is better with a full stomach and a light jacket, and consider pairing it with a daytime history tour so the ghost stories have context. Haunted programming tends to be strongest in the fall around Halloween, but check dates rather than assuming; the operator also lists holiday tours and other themed rides. If you want a second spooky outing, a haunted walking tour in nearby Baraboo, built around the Al. Ringling Mansion, makes a good companion for a day trip.A few last tips.

Check the departure time against sunset, because in midsummer it can stay light until late and the atmosphere is better in real dusk. Wear closed shoes and a layer even in July, since open-air trolleys cool quickly after dark. If you are traveling with teenagers, they are often the ones who enjoy this ride most, especially if you promise ice cream afterward. Arrive a little early to find the boarding point, and keep your phone on silent so the storyteller can hold the mood. Leave room in your evening for a late dinner downtown afterward.