Explore the Lost Souls of Gastown
Experience hosted by Will
90 mins
Up to 10 people
Hosted in English
What you'll do
Immerse yourself in the chilling dramas of historic Gastown as you venture into Vancouver's earliest and most gruesome history on this 90-minute walking tour. Follow the lamplight of your guide as you discover the terror of a Great Fire that ate up Gastown in minutes, the long forgotten plague of smallpox, and the unsolved murder of John Bray.
Designed for adult audiences, the experience is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Your guide is a professional actor, performing in character throughout. Every story is grounded in documented Vancouver history, taken from the city archives. The plot line is woven together as the tragic tale of one person's life, ending in a dramatic finale in Gastown's Maple Tree Square.
Every one of Gastown's must-see sites and landmarks is visited on the walk, the oldest hotel, the Gastown Steam Clock, you’ll see how Vancouver looked before and after the Great Fire, explore notorious Gaoler's Mews, and walk down the back alleys of Water Street to famous Maple Tree Square.
Do not expect a ghost tour or conventional walking tour – this is a performance experience that will pull you so deep into the swirling lamplight and darkened alleys of Gastown’s murky past, you may have a hard time finding your way back out…
Other things to note
We run the tours rain or shine, if it is raining, be sure to pack an umbrella and wear your rain boots! There are no bathroom breaks on the tour.
Designed for adult audiences, the experience is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Your guide is a professional actor, performing in character throughout. Every story is grounded in documented Vancouver history, taken from the city archives. The plot line is woven together as the tragic tale of one person's life, ending in a dramatic finale in Gastown's Maple Tree Square.
Every one of Gastown's must-see sites and landmarks is visited on the walk, the oldest hotel, the Gastown Steam Clock, you’ll see how Vancouver looked before and after the Great Fire, explore notorious Gaoler's Mews, and walk down the back alleys of Water Street to famous Maple Tree Square.
Do not expect a ghost tour or conventional walking tour – this is a performance experience that will pull you so deep into the swirling lamplight and darkened alleys of Gastown’s murky past, you may have a hard time finding your way back out…
Other things to note
We run the tours rain or shine, if it is raining, be sure to pack an umbrella and wear your rain boots! There are no bathroom breaks on the tour.
Immerse yourself in the chilling dramas of historic Gastown as you venture into Vancouver's earliest and most gruesome history on this 90-minute walking tour. Follow the lamplight of your guide as you discover the terror of a Great Fire that ate up Gastown in minutes, the long forgotten plague of smallpox, and the unsolved murder of John Bray.
Designed for adult audiences, the experience is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Your…
Designed for adult audiences, the experience is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Your…
Will's commitment to safety
This host committed to Airbnb’s COVID-19-related safety and cleaning guidelines—including adhering to social distancing guidelines, practising good hygiene and ensuring that all participants wear a mask.
- 93 Reviews
- Identity verified
We are Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours. On the Explore The Lost Souls of Gastown, your guide will be Janet, Eric, Alison, or Will. Each of us is in love with Vancouver and our work is to share it's remarkable history! Our interests lie in the dark corners of Vancouver's history: the scandals, the secrets, the crimes, the great escapes and the near misses. We dress to look the part and we promise we'll give you an unforgettable experience!
We have four more amazing experiences to check out on your visit to Vancouver!
Explore Forbidden Vancouver - http://www.airbnb.com/forbiddenvancouver
Explore Vancouver's LGBTQ2+ History - http://www.airbnb.com/vancouverLGBTQhistory
Explore the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park - http://www.airbnb.com/darksecretsstanleypark
Explore Art Deco +Taste Chocolate - http://www.airbnb.com/artdecoandchocolate
We have four more amazing experiences to check out on your visit to Vancouver!
Explore Forbidden Vancouver - http://www.airbnb.com/forbiddenvancouver
Explore Vancouver's LGBTQ2+ History - http://www.airbnb.com/vancouverLGBTQhistory
Explore the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park - http://www.airbnb.com/darksecretsstanleypark
Explore Art Deco +Taste Chocolate - http://www.airbnb.com/artdecoandchocolate
We are Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours. On the Explore The Lost Souls of Gastown, your guide will be Janet, Eric, Alison, or Will. Each of us is in love with Vancouver and our work is to share it's remarkable history! Our interests lie in the dark corners of Vancouver's history: the scandals, the secrets, the crimes, the great escapes and the near misses. We dress to look the part and we promise we'll give you an unforgettable experience!
We have four more amazing experiences to che…
We have four more amazing experiences to che…
Where you'll be
We'll meet in front of Buro Coffee and I'll invite you to follow me as I relive the Klondike Gold Rush at the Hotel Victorian. As we step deeper into Gastown, we'll visit Water Street, the Gastown Steam Clock, Gaoler's Mews and famous Maple Tree square.
I was dissatisfied that this was not a ghost tour. The name of the tour should be changed to reflect a more realistic description of the tour.
I felt more historic facts to the walk and more suspense to the story could be added and smaller group sizes.
I was dissatisfied that this was not a ghost tour. The name of the tour should be changed to reflect a more realistic description of the tour.
I felt more historic facts to the w…
Better bring an extra pair of underwear, because we were spooked outta our britches! Our host Eric was amazing! Never broke character, very interactive, and great at storytelling. But watch out for that host Jim- terrible guy. 10/10 would recommend!
Better bring an extra pair of underwear, because we were spooked outta our britches! Our host Eric was amazing! Never broke character, very interactive, and great at storytelling.…
We really enjoyed our experience on this tour. Will was an excellent storyteller and was well versed in the history of Gastown. He really did put on show, stayed in character the entire time and made everyone feel welcomed. Definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for something unique to do during their time in Vancouver.
We really enjoyed our experience on this tour. Will was an excellent storyteller and was well versed in the history of Gastown. He really did put on show, stayed in character the e…
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Things to know
Cancellation policy
Any experience can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase, or at least 7 days before the experience starts.
Guest requirements
Up to 10 guests ages 14 and up can attend.
What to bring
Please be sure to dress for the weather and bring an umbrella if it is raining!
Wear comfortable shoes
Wear comfortable shoes