** Thanks to US Ghost Adventures and Windy City Ghosts for hosting our Embers of the Windy City: Chilling Chicago Ghost Tour.
From Oz Park in Lincoln Park, we set off on a Windy City ghost tour with our guide, Rachael. We met up with her at the Tin Man statue, where she talked to us about Chicago’s history of dead bodies buried beneath our feet.
With an EMT (Electromagnetic Field) activity detector in hand, our small group walked around the Lincoln Park neighborhood, stopping at various spots to hear the tales of apparitions and spooky happenings.
The stops included Red Lion Pub, Biograph Theater (which is now Victory Gardens Theater), the alley where John Dillinger was killed by the FBI, Hunter’s on Halsted, the Valentine’s Day massacre location, Lincoln Park Zoo, and many more sights. (Did you know there are people buried under the zoo?!)
At each location, Rachael told us the story of ghost sightings and who is believed to be haunting each place. The EMT readers added a fun element to the Chicago ghost tour because it was constantly going off, which my daughter loved.
You’ll have more fun on this tour if you a.) wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate attire for the weather and b.) lean into it. Be prepared for about an hour of walking, and even more if you book the extended tour, which we did. We had an additional three or so stops, including a home that survived the Great Chicago Fire.
The Embers of the Windy City tour normally costs $26 per adult, with the extended tour being $7 per person. The same company has tour all over the country. The EMF detector rental is optional and goes for $7. Be sure to bring cash to tip the guide as well. It would make a fun date night or place to take visiting family members who are into the paranormal.
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.