Gastown's Phantom Past: Vancouver's Must-See Dark History Tour
Step inside a world of murder, revenge, and true grit in a dramatic history of Victorian Gastown. This roving one-person play is led by a professional actor in character. Stories of deadly fire and smallpox emerge from the shadows as you venture through cobblestone streets to the shocking finale in this unique performance-theatre experience.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
5 stars
4 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Zachary_P, 10/17/2025 1:23:42 PM
Vanessa is such a talented guide! She really brought the history to LIFE and gave the characters such humanity. I will think about this experience for many years to come.
3elijahr, 10/17/2025 12:11:37 PM
Very fun and informative tour of gas town. Cole was very performative and had excellent story telling skills. Very fun way to start a trip.
stephaniepF203LY, 10/16/2025 7:31:47 PM
This was a really neat way for our family of five to explore the Gastown district of Vancouver! Our guide, Kennedy, did a great job of effectively telling tales in a convincing accent for the full 90-minute tour. He had a great sense of humor and ad-libbed some funny bits, too. It was cool to learn that he was a 3rd-generation Gastown resident. The mile-long stroll was easy with minimal inclines. I especially enjoyed seeing the famous Steam Clock! It felt good to learn that a portion of our ticket cost supports the Vancouver Urban Native Youth Association, which provides meaningful opportunities for local indigenous youth.
Sharon_S, 10/14/2025 12:18:46 PM
Well organized, interesting, but a bit crowded. Do not like that you are requiring a 100 character comment.
Gracen_S, 10/13/2025 10:22:03 AM
It was a great historical tour of gastown. Not as spooky as one would hope but I left feeling more educated about the history of this beautiful part of the city
Joli M, 10/12/2025 8:27:21 PM
Gave good information and really enjoyed tour however, there was too many people and it was hard to hear. That’s why it only got four stars. In the cold months, I would definitely grab a coffee or hot chocolate for the walk.
jasminesZ2147YI, 10/8/2025 12:51:58 AM
Kennedy was a great guide for exploring gastown. Loved hearing the different stories while learning about the history of Gastown.
alyowl, 10/8/2025 12:16:54 AM
Absolutely brilliant evening, Billy was great kept us all engaged all the tour, very informative and entertaining and well worth the money
dermsy1, 10/6/2025 7:36:54 PM
This is a very fun, very entertaining way to learn about Gastown, the origins of Vancouver, the characters that shaped the early city, and the history of the area. Our guide/actor was very knowledgeable and very engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience.
Kathryn_H, 10/6/2025 7:02:33 PM
Entertaining night, full of ghostly stories. Guide was knowledgable and entertaining. A great way to learn about the area.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time
- Our tours are designed for adult audiences and do contain some references to adult themes. Our age recommendation is 14+ but certainly children aged 10+ can attend and enjoy our walking tours if parents are comfortable with their children hearing mature subject matter.
Departure point
Meet outside Monaco Cafe at 356 Water St. in Gastown. Close to Waterfront Skytrain and Seabus Station.Return details
Step inside a world of murder, revenge, and true grit in a dramatic history of Victorian Gastown. This roving one-person play is led by a professional actor in character. Stories of deadly fire and smallpox emerge from the shadows as you venture through cobblestone streets to the shocking finale in this unique performance-theatre experience.Redemption
• Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour start time so you can be checked in. Our tours depart on time and we don't want you to miss it! • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended • Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to guests who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is cancelled, you will not be entitled to a refund.24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund