What happens on a Chicago gangster or ghost tour?

A guide leads a roughly two-hour walk (or a bus tour) past key sites, telling the gangster history and ghost legends on the streets where they happened. It's storytelling theater rather than a haunted house.

Is the tour mostly walking?

Walking tours cover a downtown loop on foot over about two hours; bus and trolley tours cover more ground with less walking. Choose based on how much you want to walk.

What should I wear on a Chicago tour?

Comfortable shoes and layers — Chicago is cold and windy much of the year and evenings are cooler. Bring a rain jacket, as tours usually run rain or shine.

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What to expect on a Chicago gangster or ghost tour

Short answer: expect a guided walk of about two hours (or a bus tour for more sites), led by a storyteller who brings the gangster history and ghost legends to life on the streets where they happened. It’s outdoors and involves some walking, so dress for Chicago’s weather. Evening tours are the most atmospheric.

The format

Most tours are walking tours that cover a downtown or near-north loop on foot, stopping at key sites while the guide tells the stories. Bus and trolley tours cover more ground across the city. Either way, the draw is the storytelling — this is history theater, not a haunted house.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes — you’ll be on your feet for a walking tour.
Layers — Chicago is cold and windy much of the year; evenings are cooler.
A rain jacket — tours generally run rain or shine.

See exactly how long the tour takes and what to know before you go.

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