Pack Your Camera, And Your Courage: Ghost Hunting in Seattle and Beyond
If you’re looking for something to do in Seattle that puts you in the Halloween “Spirit”, I highly recommend the Market Ghost Tour. Unlike “haunted houses” popular this time of year, this 75 minute guided walking tour of the Pike Place Market has no actors or props. The tour combines history with ghostly tales as you wind your way in and around the Market after hours.
The tours are scheduled in the evenings, just as the market is closing down or shortly after. I found that our normally bustling, people-packed Market takes on a whole different persona after hours, which is worth the tour in and of itself! As our guide led us through the empty market stalls and down through the inside lower levels of the Market she told us about the Market’s history, it’s unique features and those who helped shape it into what it is today. The Market and the surrounding buildings have some really incredible past history… For instance, did you know that one particularly popular local spot in the Market was once a morgue? Find out which one and how that plays into the Markets paranormal activity on the Ghost Tour and which spots are still playing host to ghostly visitors and unexplained activity.
Courtesy of Market Ghost Tour
If you’re looking for something to put you in the Halloween mood this October, don’t miss it.
The Pike Place Market Ghost Tour operates year-round with many additional tours in October. If you’re travel down to Seattle on the Clipper, it’s just a short walk to the Pike Place Market to begin your tour. Advance tickets are highly recommended especially in the busy month of October. Advance tickets are $15 and are first come, first serve. To purchase tickets: Advance tickets are available through BROWNPAPERTICKETS, paypal (paypal requires the additional step of making a RESERVATION) or by calling the office between 11:00-4:00 (Tues-Sat) You can purchase tickets over the phone for any date – 206-805-0195. Tour guides are in the office 1/2 hour before every tour. The office phone number is 206-805-0195 and it is located at 1410 Post Alley, south of the Gum Wall. Arrive at least 10 minutes early to check in.
A few tips:
• Children must be accompanied by an adult and there are family-friendly tours at 5pm.
• Bring your camera (no, there are no promised ghost sightings but there are some great photo opportunities non-the-less, and, well, you never know what you might catch on film : ).
• The 8pm tour is an “adults only” tour, with additional content about Seattle’s wild past.
• Plan to dine in the Market after the tour. After you’ve learned about the Market’s history you’ll enjoy the opportunity to spend time in some of the historic buildings you just learned about. (It will also make for some interesting dinner conversation).
Courtesy of Jay Lindberg
Looking for Something a Little More Kid-Friendly in Seattle?
The Woodland Park Zoo will be having it’s yearly “Pumpkin Bash” on Saturday, October 30th. Watch the zoo animals as they eat, play and smash their pumpkins and enjoy trick-or-treating in the zoo’s West Plaza. Visit zoo.org for more information.
Visiting Victoria in October?
The city of Victoria, BC was settled by some interesting characters… Some of whom never left. Spend the day exploring Victoria’s old buildings and spooky alleys on your own, or wait until the witching hour to enjoy a nocturnal narrated ghost tour including some of Victoria’s most intriguing tales of its more famous citizens. Clipper’s Haunted Victoria Tour Includes round trip Clipper cruise, 1 night’s accommodations and the Haunted Victoria Tour starting at $146pp/do (additional nights available).
The two-hour Haunted Victoria Tour is available October 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31 and is a fully escorted evening tour. By lantern light, you will visit Pioneer Square, home of Victoria’s first cemetery, and Bastion Square once the site of the public hangings at the hands of Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, the notorious “hanging judge.” Listen to tales of haunted homes in James Bay where famous ghosts like John Helmcken and Emily Carr still make their presence known. Fingers crossed, you might just catch a glimpse of something “unexpected” on this spirited tour.
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