DETROIT – Michigan's diverse and sometimes bizarre history with humanity dates back to 11,000 B.C. We've compiled a list of our favorite tours that cover the morbid, spooky and sometimes destructive times in our state's lengthy history, just in time for the Halloween season.
Notorious 313 True Crime & Ghost Lantern Tour
Taking a page out of Detroit's own history book, City Tour Detroit founder Karen Risko leads the tour, taking a look at the supposedly haunted locations and the real-life violent histories of the 300-year-old city. Fourteen tours will take place over October, two of which have already sold out.
Fenton Ghost Walk
Organized by the Fenton Village Players, this walking tour through Fenton's Historic District combines history, urban legends, and the folklore of the Genesee County city. Despite its name and organizers, it is not a typical scary tour, it's an informative and non-exploitative look at the city's unfortunate past. Two tours are available, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Ghosts of Kalamazoo Tour
This tour has been held annually since 1981, with money raised going towards charities that benefit the nearly 200-year-old city. Similar to the Fenton Ghost Walk, it's not billed as a scary tour, and it treat's the community's history earnestly and respectfully. Six walking tours will take place this month, starting Oct. 13, "rain, shine, or snow".
Haunted Detroit Tours
This tour uses high-tech ghost-hunting gadgets to validate and identify the potential haunted locations around Detroit. With access to behind-the-scenes locations of some of Detroit's spookiest sights, the Haunted Detroit Tour runs through Wednesday-Saturday every week of October. Tours start at 7:30 p.m.
Haunted Old Mill Museum
The Haunted Old Mill Museum offers private and public tours of the rich history behind the historic Alfred Winkerson Grist Mill. They encourage patrons to bring their own ghost-hunting equipment, allowing them to roam the grounds freely after the guided tour for their own investigations. More details can be found here.
The Downtown Haunted History Tour
Based on the best selling book series, Haunts of Mackinac, will take you on a 90-minute walk through the historically ghost-filled streets of the island. Tours run everything night up to Oct. 28, starting at 9 p.m.
Spirits of the River Raisin
River Rasin National Battlefield is hosting its 4th annual Spirits of the River Raisin on Oct. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. This candlelit tour recounts the chilling events behind the War of 1812 battlefield, including the River Raisin Massacre, where American soldiers-- gathering in an attempt to retake Fort Detroit-- were preemptively attacked by British and Native American forces.