Niagara on the Lake 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 and why the tour should be on your Niagara-on-the-Lake Things to Do list.

See above for Google & Facebook Reviews

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.

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.

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

The Niagara on the Lake tours are outdoors.  Featuring a walk of the tour and stop in the picturesque Gazebo.

Niagara on the Lake was Upper Canada’s first capital.  Home to many firsts for Ontario, like the library, courthouse, post office, pharmacy, newspaper and churches.

Colonel John Butler and his men settled in Niagara-on-the-Lake after leaving the United States post Revolution.  These Loyalists created the town.

The Capital of Canada

Five government sessions held over 3 years.  Included a greatest decision happening right here in Niagara on the Lake… when slavery was stopped.  Well, sort of.  Didn’t free current slaves, but stopped it for future generations.

Celebrations took place at The Harmonious Coach House. Now called The Olde Angel Inn. 

Niagara-on-the-Lake is Burned

On May 27 1813 as the War of 1812 raged, the Americans came to town. Took Queenston Heights, killing General Isaac Brock.  Then burning Fort George to the ground.

Seven months later a treasonous British Politician starting the burning of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Included every structure except the McFarland House, some of Brockamour Manor and Fort George’s Powder Magazine.  And small wooden houses left for citizens.

Canada’s Most Haunted Town

Heart of the only war fought on Canadian soil.  Death, violence, emotions and tragedy in a small place.  Spanning over 200 years.  This town has two Ghost Walks and a book about the ghosts.  It’s why Niagara on the Lake tours are in Canada’s Most Haunted Town

Ghosts Not on the Tour

Here are two stories not featured on the tour…

The Legend of Sobbing Sophia

Sophia Shaw was said to be the love of General Isaac Brock.

Captain Powell’s family lived in Brockamour Manor.  Sophia was Powell’s sister-in-law living with the family.

Legend says Brock met and fell in love with Sophia while at Fort George.  Their love grew fast, but Sophia’s father was against it because Brock was not noble blood.  He didn’t stop them.  That took a war.

In October 1812, Brock was summoned to Queenston Heights. If the British lost, Americans would take Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This is where General Isaac Brock died.

Sobbing Sophia

Sophia mourned.  It’s said she never married.  Then dying at a young age from a broken heart.

During her final years the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake didn’t see her, but instead heard her.  Cries from an open window on the second floor.  They called her “Sobbing Sophia” and she’s still heard today.

Reports of a woman crying in that room and even at night along Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Queen Street.

Legends are so for a reason.  What do you believe?  See Reference 1 | Reference 2 | Reference 3

Watcher of the Town

Many in Niagara on the Lake report a strange blue light.  Called an orb, it’s seen floating the streets at night near the modern Post Office.

Locals say it’s a former constable.  Hence being blue, like police.  It disappears when they get close.  No feeling or stories, just a simple blue light everyone calls “the watcher”.

Make it a themed day!  Before coming to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the Ghost Walks.  Take a road trip around one of the most haunted regions in Canada.

This is a quick list of tourist destinations easy spots.  For more places and details, read our Top 10 Haunted Places in the Niagara Region.

Here are some ghostly things to do in Niagara…

Laura Secord Homestead Tour

For an indoor thing to do, we highly recommend taking in some important Canadian history.

A tiny homestead hidden in the small, yet very historic, town of Queenston Heights.  This was the home of Laura Secord.  The Canadian heroine who made the difficult trek up the escarpment.  Walking many kilometres from Queenston to the Decew House in Thorold.

Her home survived over 200 years of history, including the Battle of Queenston Heights.  Today runs as a museum to her legacy.

One ghostly occurrence happened to a young couple who visited for a tour.  On the second floor they heard loud noises from the kitchen below.  Listening down the stairs, it sounded like people ransacking the kitchen, knocking things about. 

Slowly and carefully, they walked down.  And found the first floor empty.

The rest are self-tour and free things to do…

Visit the Screaming Tunnel

Located on the outskirts of Niagara-on-the-Lake at the end of a gravel road.  This is the legendary Screaming Tunnel.

A must-do for the youth of the Niagara Region.  Forced to come out and confront the ghost of a little girl burned alive by her father inside the tunnel.  A story never proven in history, but a spooky belief.

What you need to do…

1. Visit and walk to the middle of the tunnel.
2. Light a wooden match and hold it up over your head.

It’s said you may hear a scream as the wind whirls up and blows out the match.

Whether true or not, the legend has caught the attention of thousands over the years.  Including Canadian horror Director David Cronenberg.  He filmed a scene of his Stephen King adaptation, The Dead Zone, inside the Screaming Tunnel.

See Niagara Falls’ Custom House

The original Custom House for Ontario’s oldest port of entry currently sits abandoned and haunted in Niagara Falls’ Downtown core. 

Nicknamed the “Old Stone Jug”, this building served as Customs and a Police Station.  And a Morgue!  Well, that was for Hollywood.  When 1953’s Niagara filmed there, bringing with it the original Blonde Bombshell, Marilyn Monroe.

Another legendary woman haunts the building.  Over the years seen from the windows.  Walking about the empty structure in her white dress.

A rare, haunted cemetery at Drummond Hill

Looking for peaceful things to do.  Take a personal tour of a rare, haunted cemetery!

We’re don’t believe in haunted cemeteries.  An unpopular belief indeed.  But Drummond Hill is different!  Because of a violent history when trodden upon during the Battle of Lundy’s Lane.

Over 200 men lost their lives.  With almost 2,000 horribly injured.  The battle quickly got out of control.  They say the cannon smoke was so thick, confused soldiers fired on their friends.

It’s no surprise the soldiers remain.  Many have seen two Redcoats (British officers) stumbling through Drummond Hill Cemetery, as if confused and hurt.

Also, add to the road-trip theme.  See if you can find Laura Secord’s grave.

Discover the Secret Hamilton Family Graveyard

Not haunted but deserves to be on this Things to Do list!

More graveyards!  From the well-known Drummond Hill to a secret family plot long forgotten by everyone except the stewards of Willowbank Mansion. 

Located off the scenic route through Queenston Heights.  A rusted-out fence marks a pathway to the forgotten Hamilton Family Cemetery. 

Resting place of Robert Hamilton (an original merchant in Niagara), and one of his wives Catharine (namesake for St. Catharines).  Also, the family of George Hamilton (founder of the City of Hamilton).

And a temporary resting spot for General Isaac Brock.  After his monument was blown up during the Rebellion of 1837.  They moved his corpse to the Hamilton Family Cemetery.  Moved back when they put up the current monument.

GOOGLE MAP OF LOCATION (careful with parking if you visit)

Look Down the Haunted Queenston Hill

And speaking of Canada’s most famous General.  Isaac Brock’s grave rounds off the list with a bang (sorry, bad pun).

Located at the top of Queenston Heights.  You can visit it and look down on the hill.  Seeing where in 1812, while charging in the Battle of Queenston Heights, Brock was gunned down.  Dying on that hill. 

Another energetic battlefield in Niagara!  Drivers going up at night see a person cross the road.  Some catching the figure, to see a British soldier in their redcoat disappearing into the woods.

See a full Google Map in the Ghost Walks’ Article, Top 10 Most Haunted Places in Niagara, featuring the above spots.