Niagara’s Dark History

Dark Stories in Canada’s Prettiest Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake

History like you’ve never heard! Featuring darker, rich stories in Niagara-on-the-Lake!  With death, disappearances, battles and uprisings.

Featuring…

  • Walk-through Ontario’s oldest cemetery & hear about the dead.
  • The disappearance that almost ended Freemasonry.
  • When Niagara-on-the-Lake turned to violence to save a man from slavery.
  • And a hidden historic gem … Fort Mississauga.

*Led by Guides with 30 years experience between them, Daniel & Sir Lawrence.

Perfectly paired with our other tour (Ghost Walks) to really experience the rich history of Niagara.

BOOK! | FAQ | *LOOKING FOR THE GHOST WALK?

||UPDATES

Booking below, including Sunday May 18th

Entrance to Simcoe Park

Picton & King Sts. MAP
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Niagara’s Dark History Prices

General . . . . . . . $15.00

+ HST Tax & Small 1.5% Fee

Book for Niagara’s Dark History

Select Date / Click Book Now to See Times

Upcoming

  • Spring 2025
    • Thu May 8th @ 5p
    • Sun May 18th @ 1030a
    • Sun Jun 8th @ 1030a
    • Fri Jun 27th @ 7p
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.  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…

Very fun walk tonight. Gil was our host. His stories were very interesting and entertaining. We did the Castle Kilbride last week and loved that one as well!
I've been on a few ghost walks now, and they are wonderful. My most recent walk was led by the Black Widow, and she was an absolute pleasure to listen to. You'll gain a new appreciation for the history of the area, while enjoying some spooky stories. Get some steps in after your ice cream. Highly recommended.
Very nice ghost tour! I did the tour on May 3rd, the tour guide did really good. It informative, exciting with a slight of humor. I recommend!
Regina Rose was awesome. Very enjoyable evening.
We had the infamous Black Widow of NOTL as our tour guide. She was very suspicious right from the start when she inquired about who were the single men in our group! She took us around town on a 1.5 hour walk, imparting its' ghastly tales and the mysterious disappearances of her husbands! She was an awesome storyteller and kept us quite entertained. Highly recommend doing this tour if you should be in the area. However be very careful not to be seduced by the widow if you should get her as your tourguide!
I've been a few times on this walk, it's a lot of fun and an enjoyable walk. This last time we had Regina as our guide, she was very enthusiastic and fun to listen to. She's definitely one of the best guides I've been with so far.
Gil made our NOTL ghost tour not only engaging and informative but magical and fun.
His passion for story telling made the whole experience exciting and captivating!
Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting NOTL, and if you can request Gil - you’re in for a magical thrill.
A good tour with the magician. He was good with the history and very informative. He walked at a pace that my wife could could keep up even with her bad leg.
Maud was an incredible tour guide - absolutely loved her character and the way she told the tales of the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake. She was so knowledgeable and so much fun to listen to. My partner and I had never been on a ghost walk before and now we're looking at booking more adventures like this! We had an absolute blast from the past - made for the perfect date night! A+++
Enjoyed the Tour. Mod did a great job, absolutely loved her narration. Totally worth it!
Gil, the magician, was a fantastic guide for my wife and I. Loved the blend of history, haunted stories with a sprinkle of magic. His passion for throughout the tour was infectious and we loved his magic tricks and humour as well! Definitely recommend.
Sir Brayden was a wonderful host for our ghost walk of Niagara on the Lake. He was a great storyteller, kept us engrossed for the whole 90 minutes and really knew his way around town. Great way to see and hear about the dark past of NOTL!
I am tom the town crier since 2011, Ambassador and Hysterical re-enactor. I also give tours in my 1891 Morrison Electric Horseless carriage. I have been referring guest to Ghost Walks since 2011 and have received positive feedback. Last night I actually took a walk with Gil the magician. It was a delightful evening, I learned things I didn't know in a most entertaining and full spirited way. Gil engaged every member of the walk and made them feel not only welcome but integral to the entire groups positive experience. I will continue to promote the ghost walks and encourage guest to notl that the fun does not stop when the sun goes down. many thanks tom
It was my first Ghost Walk and I can only describe it as AMAZING. Gill "the magician 🎩" made the walk fun with his wit and magics. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the places we visited. His storytelling skills, showmanship and his interactions with the group made this experience very interesting. The 90 minute walk felt more like 15 minutes. I definitely would do this walk again in the near future and recommend it to everyone who's visiting the beautiful town of Niagara on The Lake.

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.