One walk, and Denver’s past starts talking back. This tour pairs indoor access with story-driven hauntings, anchored in landmarks like Union Station and the Oxford Hotel. I like how the guides connect spooky moments to what you can still see and feel in the buildings, and I love that you get to try paranormal investigative tools if you want. The one drawback: the route includes several brief outdoor stops, so you’ll want to dress for wind and rain.

The big win here is the tone. This isn’t a bar crawl in costume; it’s a guided look at Denver’s darker edges, with a solid dose of history and just enough paranormal theatrics to keep it fun. With a maximum group size of 20, you’ll usually get a more personal, question-friendly pace, and the tour runs year-round.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Union Station and Oxford Hotel are the indoor anchor stops, and admission is included for those locations.
• Paranormal investigative tools are part of the experience, and you can use them if you choose.
• Much of the rest of the route is outside, including LoDo landmarks tied to older Denver characters and buildings.
• Guides like Rachel, John, and Jonathan get called out for strong storytelling, history-first accuracy, and great energy.
• Expect a 1–2 hour experience that can vary slightly based on building access and downtown activity.

Entering Union Station: hauntings in Denver’s front door

The tour starts at 1701 Wynkoop St, right in front of Union Station under the flagpole. The first stop is where the whole evening gets its footing. Union Station is not just a nice landmark; it’s one of Denver’s most historically important sites, which makes it a strong place to talk about spirits and legends.

You’ll get inside for about 20 minutes, and the focus is on how Denver’s story developed there, not just jump scares. The guide frames the haunting elements alongside what made the station central to the city—its role as a hub and the feeling that travelers, workers, and others passed through with lives colliding in the same hallways.

A standout detail is the tour’s mention of tunnels beneath the city. Even if you don’t spend the whole time underground, the way the guide ties the under-city passages to dark paths and Denver’s earlier characters gives this stop extra weight. It’s also one of the locations where an admission ticket is included, which is a practical value perk.

Possible downside: Union Station is active and public, so depending on conditions you might not get the exact access you’re hoping for. The tour company does note that building events can limit entry, and they’ll always try to take you inside—but nothing is guaranteed.

LoDo on foot: Tattered Cover, Wazzee’s, and the Sugar Building

After Union Station, you shift into LoDo storytelling mode. This is where the tour becomes a walk through the layers of downtown Denver—past and present stacked close together.

You’ll stop briefly at the former Tattered Cover bookstore building. This is an outside stop (around 10 minutes) with no admission included. I like this part because it gives you a cultural stop that doesn’t feel like it exists only for spooky vibes. It’s the kind of location that helps you understand why the area grew, then shifts into what might linger around older structures.

Next is A5 Steakhouse, in the former famous Wazzee Supper Club building. Another quick outside stop (about 10 minutes), and again, no admission included. The reason this works is simple: the LoDo identity in Denver is tied to places like this, where dining, nightlife, and late-hour characters all mixed. The tour points out that there are tunnel connections, which keeps the theme consistent even while you’re above ground. For me, this is the sweet spot of a ghost tour like this: small details that make you look at a building differently after you leave.

Then you’ll stop at the Sugar Building, still outside, still short, and still part of the thread about how Denver formed into what it is now. It’s around 10 minutes. If you like “why this neighborhood exists” stories—not just “what might be haunted”—you’ll probably enjoy this stop. It’s also a good moment to reset your brain before the tour’s bigger indoor locations.

Practical consideration: these middle stops are mostly outdoors, so your comfort matters. The tour goes out in rain, so bring a small umbrella or rain layer. With chilly evenings in Denver, you’ll feel every wait between steps.

The Oxford Hotel: classic luxury with a haunted reputation

If you want one stop to anchor the whole tour’s spooky pitch, it’s the Oxford Hotel. This is listed as a favorite for a reason. You’ll spend about 20 minutes here, and admission is included.

The pitch is straightforward: this is one of Denver’s first luxury hotels, which means the architecture and atmosphere help the story land. When a guide can explain why a place mattered, the hauntings feel less random. You aren’t just hearing “it’s haunted.” You’re hearing why the building drew people in, what happened there, and why those stories stuck.

From a value standpoint, the Oxford Hotel being included is big. Many ghost tours either keep you outside the whole time or charge extra for the buildings that matter. Here, at least two meaningful indoor stops include admission, which makes the $25 price feel more grounded.

This stop is also where you’ll likely get some of the most memorable guide moments. One of the themes in the tour’s guide style is connecting the paranormal to visible details—things like marks on walls that tell you the building has seen real events. The result is a tour that feels anchored in place, not just a script recited down a sidewalk.

Lincolns Denver speakeasy peek (time permitting)

There’s also a conditional stop: Lincolns Denver, described as a hidden speakeasy bar in the Ice House building. If time permits, you may head over and poke your head in for about 10 minutes.

This is not an included admission stop in the information you provided, and it’s not guaranteed. Still, it’s a fun add-on if you like the idea of catching a different vibe of LoDo nightlife without turning your tour into a pub crawl. Speakeasy-type locations also fit the theme: older Denver had plenty of hidden corners, and this is the modern version of that idea.

Because it depends on time and access, manage expectations. If you don’t get it, you won’t feel like the tour is missing the core value. The real center of gravity stays with Union Station and the Oxford Hotel.

How long it really takes and why weather matters downtown

The tour runs about 1 to 2 hours, and the real-time factor depends on access. The company notes that sometimes events at buildings can limit where they can go inside, and that route variations happen. That’s normal for a downtown ghost tour, where you’re mixing story time with door access.

The walking portion is not extreme. But there is enough outdoor movement that the weather turns into part of the experience. The tour specifically says it goes out in rain and you should dress accordingly, with a note about bringing an umbrella if needed. In severe weather, the tour can be cancelled.

My practical tip: plan to layer. Denver nights can flip from chilly to damp-cold, and you’ll be standing outside waiting for the group to gather and cross streets. Comfortable shoes help too, because you’re on your feet for several short transitions.

Small group size also helps the pace. With a maximum of 20 travelers, it’s easier for a guide to keep everyone together and answer questions without turning the tour into a slow-moving conga line.

Price and value: what $25 covers (and what it doesn’t)

At $25 per person, this tour lands in the sweet spot for budget-friendly entertainment—especially if you care about indoor access. Here’s what makes the price feel like value rather than just paying for a story.

You get:

• a professional guide
• paranormal investigative tools that you can demonstrate and use if you choose
• admission included for Union Station (20 minutes) and the Oxford Hotel (20 minutes)

You do not get admission included for the outside-only stops: Tattered Cover, A5 Steakhouse, the Sugar Building, and Lincolns Denver (if it happens). Those stops still matter because they connect the dots across the neighborhood. But if you’re imagining this as an all-access indoor crawl, be aware that part of it is meant to be seen from the street.

The way I see it, you’re paying mostly for two things: storytelling that links Denver’s past to the buildings you’re standing in, and the chance to go inside at the most meaningful locations. For a first-time ghost tour, that’s a strong value setup.

Guide styles: why people remember the stories

One of the most praised parts of this tour is the guide performance. Not just “fun voice,” but the specific skill of making the buildings feel alive and the history feel relevant.

Rachel is described as going above and beyond, especially for first-timers. The key detail there is confidence. If you’re new to ghost tours, Rachel’s style seems built for comfort, clear explanations, and an atmosphere that feels genuinely exciting instead of awkward.

John and Jonathan get called out for storytelling craft—wrapping the narrative around the same walls where events happened. One review notes that John identified details like burn marks on surfaces and recognized artwork connected to what the stories claim. That’s the difference between a tour that sounds dramatic and a tour that makes you look twice at what you’re already seeing.

If you care about history accuracy and good narration, you’ll likely enjoy how the guides balance the spooky side with what made these sites central in Denver’s development.

Who should book this tour (and who might not love it)

This is a good fit if you:

• want a ghost tour that stays grounded in Denver history, not just generic hauntings
• like walking through LoDo without turning it into bar hopping
• enjoy places you can’t always access during normal hours
• want a small-group feel with time for questions

You might not love it if you:

• hate even short outdoor stretches in rain
• expect every stop to be fully inside with guaranteed admission
• prefer strictly paranormal content over history context

The tour’s sweet spot is people who enjoy atmosphere, narrative, and atmosphere-aware history—plus a guide who can make old buildings feel like more than scenery.

Should you book Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tours?

I’d book it if you want a two-for-one experience: a guided walk through Denver’s older downtown identity plus indoor access at two major locations. The $25 price holds up best when you’re looking at included admissions, not just the ghost story factor.

If you’re new to ghost tours, this one is especially approachable because the guides focus on making you comfortable and confident while still keeping the stories lively. Add in the chance to use paranormal investigative tools and the fact that the tour is capped at 20 people, and it becomes a pretty efficient way to spend an evening in Denver.

FAQ

How much does Dark Side of Denver Ghost Tours cost?

It’s $25.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 1 to 2 hours.

Where do you meet, and what time should you arrive?

Meet at 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202, in front of Union Station underneath the flagpole. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, it includes a mobile ticket.

Which stops include admission tickets?

Admission tickets are included for Union Station and The Oxford Hotel. Other stops listed (like Tattered Cover and A5 Steakhouse) are outside stops with admission not included.

Does the tour run year-round, and what happens in bad weather?

It runs year-round. You will go out in rain, but the company says they will cancel for severe weather. If cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation.

If you tell me your travel dates and whether you’re visiting in peak winter or summer, I can help you pick the best time to go and how to pack for the walking portions.