Niagara’s Dark History

Dark History Tour – – Only dark history and strange stories of Canada’s Prettiest Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Featuring the true villain of the 1813 burning, a disgruntled British politician.  With a disappearance that almost ended Freemasonry, the lover’s public execution and standing up to slavery with violence.

Plus a leisurely walk through Ontario’s oldest cemetery, stories of Niagara’s daredevils and a hidden historic fort.

BOOK NOW! | FAQ | NOTL GHOST WALK

||UPDATES

Final date of 2023 (Sept 2) now booking…

Ghost Walks Gift Shop

127 Queen Street MAP & HOURS
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Gift Shop - accepted payment types - debit, interac, credit card

ARRIVE 5-10 MINS EARLY FOR CHECK-IN & INSTRUCTIONS

Niagara’s Dark history Prices

Adults . . . . . . . $14.00
Kids 13 & under . . . . $12.00

+ HST Tax / No Hidden Fees!

Book for Niagara’s Dark History

Select Date / Click Book Now to See Times

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Upcoming

  • 2023 Dates
    • Sat Sept 2nd
Tour info
Niagara's Dark History Tour - duration
Niagara's Dark History Tour - type of tour
Niagara's Dark History Tour - parking
Mature Content on Tour - not recommended for young kids
Niagara Dark History Wheelchair Access

group bookings for this tour
private walks information

FAQ & Interesting Info

Why we are different from other Tours?

A focus on masterful storytelling at a reasonable price (with no hidden fees!).  First, we’ve put special attention into respecting the ghost story.  Also, with a dedication to traditional styles mixed with natural (and interesting) odd history.  This is our specialty since 2003.

Reviews | What people are saying…

Excellent5.0 Based on 760 reviews fromChris WhiteChris White ★★★★★ Great value and Sir Bob’s storytelling was fantastic.Christopher WhiteChristopher White ★★★★★ Great value and Sir Bob’s storytelling was fantastic.Tammy MoffattTammy Moffatt ★★★★★ It was a beautiful night for storytelling,we did the ghost walk with Regina Rose as our guide.Two of our party had never been on a walk and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.Regina kept the group focused and was a great guide.We were a large group and everybody enjoyed it and found it very interesting.Mary the ghost showed herself and played with the focusing from our cameras.I will return if Im in the area again.Raynier MaharajRaynier Maharaj ★★★★★ Had a great time. Our guide Gill the , Magician was amazing. So much history and spooky stuff!Amanda ChapmanAmanda Chapman ★★★★★ We had Regina as our guide. She was lovely. A very great personal/knowledgeable guide. The tour was very cool and informativeAlbert LeBlancAlbert LeBlanc ★★★★★ Definitely would recommend the ghost tour. So many interesting histories of Niagara-on-the-Lake and it's darker past. We had Gil the Magician, and he was wonderful. Excellent storyteller, with a great sense of humour and great at inserting his magic tricks into the tour. I would gladly do it again!Emma KemperEmma Kemper ★★★★★ Gill the magician was amazing!! Our group had so much funNicholas ThornNicholas Thorn ★★★★★ Chris SimonettiChris Simonetti ★★★★★ Sir Bob was a great tour guide. Personable and fun with tons of insightJenn PolandJenn Poland ★★★★★ such a great ghost walk with Sir Lawrence, very informative and wonderful story telling. Will be recommending this.Wear walking shoes and exploring NOTL in general, its a beautiful townMike OlsenMike Olsen ★★★★★ Great tour! Our guide Mackenzie was fun and knowledgeable.Brian ChessinBrian Chessin ★★★★★ Lew FraleighLew Fraleigh ★★★★★ Very enjoyable walk with insights on History and Ghost stories. The Magician was a wonderful guide.Ryan GallagherRyan Gallagher ★★★★★ We were recommended the tour from a local restaurant and had a great time. Would recommended giving it a shotDevyn DelaneyDevyn Delaney ★★★★★ Such a fantastic tour! The Black Widow was an AMAZING guide, entertainer, storyteller, and more. You could tell she really enjoys making this experience fun for everyone. Learned lots of new information despite being from the area. Would certainly recommend to others in the future, locals and tourists alike.Sandy ArvanitisSandy Arvanitis ★★★★★ This was our second Ghost walk and had the pleasure of having Sir Lawrence as our guide. He is very knowledgeable and takes the time to explain everything and answer questions, he makes it fun and exciting. Absolutely worth it you won’t regret it.js_loader

Are group discounts available?

If you have a group of 8 or more people we may be able to provide a discount depending on night and time of year. Find out by Making Contact.   Mention the number of people.

Why are dates and times missing when booking?

When a date or time slot is missing in the Booking… If a missing time, that tour time is sold out.  A missing date, means the entire night is sold out.

Should I book in advance?

Yes.  We are limited on space for tours.  Advance bookings allows us to guarantee spots for you, and book in additional guides if needed.

Can I buy tickets right before the tour?

Yes.  As long as the tour isn’t sold out. 

Please arrive at the Ghost Walks Gift Shop 15-20 minutes before the tour time.  You can buy tickets and get really easy directions to the starting location.  The starting location is a 3 minute walk from the shop.

Do we go into any of the buildings?

This is an outdoor tour.  Featuring a walk through the cemetery and stop in the picturesque Gazebo.

St. Mark’s Cemetery Walk

Oldest in Ontario

One of the main features of this unique tour is a stroll through St. Mark’s Cemetery.  The oldest in Ontario gives it a feel more common in historic European towns.  With randomly places stones and crypts shaded by mature trees.

The site of much history and legend.

Featuring…

  • The most important rock of the War of 1812
  • The tragic story behind two empty graves
  • A gruesome legend around one damaged stone
  • And the reason for an unmarked grave

It’s the kind of cemetery you’d expect to be in the legendary Niagara-on-the-Lake.  And a big part of this late afternoon stroll through the darker side of Canada’s Prettiest Town.

Canada’s Most Haunted Town has to have Dark History

Much Very Dark History

So many stories surround this very historic region.  British Canada was born out of the violence in Niagara.  This Tour is all about that rich history.

Including the Burning of Niagara on the Lake

After the defeat of the American’s in Stoney Creek.  The War of 1812 is looking bleak.  For none more than a former British Loyalist named Joseph.  He staked his whole life on the Americans.

Failed and ruined.  When hearing the Americans would abandon Niagara-on-the-Lake, Joseph snapped. 

It was British Politician!

It was Joseph who suggested they burn the town.  Said, “To deny the British shelter during the cold winter.  It’ll slow them down.” 

Then on the night of December 10th, 1813, he rode around town on his horse forcing families out of their homes. 

Many ran in fear to succumb to the cold.  As soldiers marched and burned.  Over 400 women, children and elderly forced into the cold.

Just a taste.  The interesting parts of the full history featured on Niagara’s Dark History Tour.

Visiting the Graves – Full and Empty

Includes a walk-through Ontario’s oldest cemetery at St. Marks Church.  Containing so many graves filled with the bodies of town pioneers.  And 2 empty ones.

We’ll talk about the tragic story of the Foam.  A Toronto yacht which left Toronto bound for the Queen’s Royal Hotel in Niagara on the Lake. 

Headstrong boys were too brave.  They sailed into a storm off of Port Dalhousie. 

They found the boat the next morning.  Only 5 of the 7 boys in there cabin beds, as if peacefully sleeping. 

7 graves with 5 bodies = 2 empty.  The interesting parts of this story, and others including the truth of the “Chopping Block” stone… all inside this beautiful Graveyard.