Get ready for chills and thrills with these hauntingly good ghost tours in Wisconsin!
Not a lot of people know that I’m actually a huge fan of spooky stories.
Well, I’m not vocal about it.
But I can safely say that whenever I visit places rich in history like Wisconsin, I’ll be scouring tour review platforms for the best ghost tours near me!
Whenever I travel Wisconsin, I make sure to book at least one tour that will send shivers and goosebumps down my spine.
However, I just realized that I’ve maxed out the number of spooky Wisconsin trips I can join.
To avoid feeling too bummed about this, I was inspired to shortlist the best ghost tours in Wisconsin instead!
Each of these haunted tours is unique. Different stories. Different chills. Different mysteries.
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Table of Contents
Overview: Top Ghost Tours in Wisconsin
- Madison: Haunts and Terrors Walking Tour
- Milwaukee: Shakers Original Historical Ghost Tour
- Wisconsin Dells: Haunted History Trolley Tour
1. Madison: Haunts and Terrors Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Madison—Wisconsin’s capital city.
At first glance, this charming, ideal destination seems to be bursting with a vibrant art scene, scenic lakes, and parks.
A worthy choice for Wisconsin fall getaways.
But this hour-long tour will show you that even the city’s most iconic landmarks have haunted pasts!
This tour started at the Majestic Theater, where theatre staff reported hearing disembodied voices and many other unexplained sounds.
From there, we continued to the Capitol Building, which seemed very creepy during the tour. We also visited the Downtown area, where the guide shared too many spooky facts and stories.
Who knew cities by day could look like ghost towns of Wisconsin at night?
This tour doesn’t let you enter the haunted places in Wisconsin that it features.
But one thing’s for sure—you’d likely refuse to enter them at night even if you could!
2. Milwaukee: Macabre Milwaukee Haunted Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Wisconsin’s largest city also hides some of the darkest history.
In as little as an hour, this tour covers five notorious haunted sites that look harmless during the day.
The Milwaukee Riverwalk, for example, is a picturesque romantic spot.
But legend says people have heard whispering voices of restless spirits of the victims of Milwaukee’s painful atrocities in the past.
The Riverside Theater also has very creepy tales, with many witnesses saying they’ve seen a non-existent gentleman on the balcony.
With a lantern in his arm, our guide was good at spooking us out while sharing these stories.
I attended the tour with a friend who’s not superstitious, but by the end of the tour, she was gripping my arm due to the creepiness of the ghost stories in Wisconsin!
This was one of the best ghost tours in Wisconsin.
I can’t say this tour is one of the things to do in Milwaukee with kids due to the very dark details mentioned in some of the stories.
But if you’re visiting with friends or at your party, this is one of the haunted tours in Wisconsin you shouldn’t miss!
3. Lake Geneva: Ghost Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.6 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour & 30 minutes | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Let’s take a break from the very dark and heavy ghost tours in Wisconsin for now.
If you’re looking for things to do in Wisconsin with kids who aren’t into ghost stories, Lake Geneva’s horror stories offer the perfect balance of spooky and fun.
Here, you can learn about the Geneva Lake Monster, gangsters, and the Woman in Black who wander the park by the lake.
Yup! None of the terrifying stuff, but enough to still give children chills!
Apart from the horror, this tour also includes a tour of the most historic mansions in Lake Geneva. It’s a win-win for both adults and children, I must say.
So, if you’re with the family looking for top fall weekend getaways in Wisconsin, Lake Geneva’s ghost walking tour is a must-try!
4. Milwaukee: The Ghosts of Milwaukee & the Haunted Third Ward
⭐️ RATING: 5 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Here’s another tour that’ll make any day feel like Halloween in Milwaukee.
Don’t get me wrong, the first Milwaukee ghost tour mentioned above is great.
But the beauty of this tour is that you can visit Milwaukee’s most haunted places privately with your group!
Yup, there are no strangers. So you can be as expressive or reserved as you want to be in your circle.
This tour features the spooky stories in the Pfister Hotel, dubbed as the city’s most haunted place, the Third Ward’s devastating fires in the 1880s, and the apparitions that haunt certain pubs in the city.
I was especially surprised to hear the stories of baseball players who have seen the Pfister Hotel ghost, even more so since I’ve always considered this hotel the best.
5. Madison: Lost Souls of State Street Ghost Walk
⭐️ RATING: N/A | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Prefer longer ghost tours in Madison?
Well, this Madison Lost Souls of State Street Ghost Walk is going to be right up your alley.
It’s two hours long. Double the length of the other Madison tour I mentioned earlier.
You know what that means?
Also, double the number of spooky places to visit and haunting stories!
Near the start of the tour, we listened to the guide’s story about Orpheum Theatre’s Pete the Projectionist.
A mischievous ghost who loves to play pranks on the staff and visitors of the theatre.
Then, we explored the Wisconsin State Capitol while hearing the stories of the workers who lost their lives in an 1883 accident inside the Capitol itself.
Along the way, you’ll pass some infamous haunted houses in Madison and other notable locations.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. This is easily one of the longest ghost tours in Wisconsin!
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6. Madison: King Street Spirits Ghost Walk
⭐️ RATING: N/A | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Here’s another two-hour-long ghost tour in Madison.
This one starts at the iconic Great Dane Brewpub on King Street.
You’d think you’d just relax at a pub filled with Wisconsin’s best drinks, but nope.
According to our guide, a psychic has once felt the presence of an old man in the pub’s basement.
And, of course, you’re bound to hear the classic horror stories of the Wisconsin State Capitol and Majestic Theatre, along with other ghost sightings in Wisconsin.
In total, we enjoyed 10 stops during this tour. The stories were very spooky, but it wasn’t too scary overall!
Our guide was very kind and fun, and I was in an outgoing group, so we enjoyed a few giggles here and there.
This is one of the best longer ghost tours in Wisconsin.
7. Milwaukee: Shakers Original Historical Ghost Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.7 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
This tour has less walking involved. But that doesn’t translate to any less of spookiness.
You’ll be exploring one of the most haunted bars in America, the Shaker’s Cigar Bar, exploring every floor and horror story in this establishment.
So, why is it as haunted as it is? This bar used to be a cemetery, brothel, and speakeasy, so its history is not typical.
I remember getting goosebumps when I heard the stories about the cemetery and other gruesome tales about Jeffrey Dahmer’s presence in the bar.
Should you bring a camera?
Do so at your own risk.
You might never know what you catch on film.
The tour was generally fun and upbeat, but when we got to the basement, subtle noises suggested that the ghost stories of Wisconsin might not just be stories after all.
8. Milwaukee: Cream City Cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.3 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour & 30 minutes | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Speaking of Dahmer, let me introduce a tour that highlights Dahmer’s horrific crimes.
This tour was featured on Netflix and is considered one of the most unique adventure tours you can try worldwide.
Warning: this tour isn’t for the faint of heart.
You’ll be walking in the exact footsteps that serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer stepped in when he killed more than 5 of his victims.
Plus, the guide doesn’t hold back when telling the story of the killer’s cannibalism practices.
Rain or shine, this tour goes on.
When I went, it was raining pretty hard, but the atmosphere just added to the heavy feeling I was experiencing during this tour.
It’s not the most fun tour, but it is definitely one of the highest-quality ghost tours in Wisconsin.
9. Wisconsin Dells: Ghost Boat Tours
⭐️ RATING: XX | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour & 30 minutes | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
Still, looking for tours throughout Wisconsin’s supernatural and dark history?
Can’t blame you. Once you see the spookiness of these tours, there’s really no turning back.
In that case, I recommend trying a ghost boat tour in Wisconsin Dells.
Yup, visit a haunted boat ride down a pitch-black river, where you’ll hear the tales of the ghostly apparitions that wander the most remote places in the Dells.
After you cruise to your mysterious destination, you’ll also be hiking on foot in the confines of Cold Water Canyon.
In the middle of the night. Away from the city. Away from the crowd.
Be prepared to encounter the unknown. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
This tour is one of the most thrilling ghost adventures in Wisconsin.
10. Wisconsin Dells: Haunted History Trolley Tour
⭐️ RATING: 3.9 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour & 30 minutes | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
This haunted trolley tour will also give you a glimpse of the darker side of Wisconsin Dells.
More specifically, the side of the city that’s usually regarded as a lively and fun destination.
Hop into a vintage trolley, and with your group, stop over the spookiest places in town.
The first stop is a cemetery—a classic haunted stop.
This felt lighthearted, as it just shows the gravesite of Belle Boyd, a Confederate spy.
A short ghost-hunting activity was hosted at the cemetery before we moved to the next stop—a church-turned-restaurant that, rumor has it, has a little girl ghost that haunts the restroom.
You’ll be on a trolley, so it’s not too tiring of activity even for little ones.
11. Milwaukee: Private Ghost Tour
⭐️ RATING: XX | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | ⭐️ BOOK NOW
This is another tour that exclusively explores the haunted Shakers Cigar Bar.
It’s as creepy and spooky as the earlier tour of the bar, but here’s the catch: this private tour only allows 4 people per tour!
Act like ghost hunters in Wisconsin with your friends or family.
The fewer people in the bar’s basement, the more chances you have of encountering ghosts,… don’t you think so?
Well, all I can say about that is—just don’t invite any of your friends who fear ghosts.
While the 15-person tour of the bar didn’t feel like you were experiencing haunted events, this private tour will help you see more clearly why this bar is one of the most haunted establishments in Wisconsin.
The guide’s story feels more immersive, and it is easier to imagine past horrors with fewer people around.
12. Other Noteworthy Ghost Tours Across Wisconsin
Aside from all the tours mentioned above, why not try a self-guided ghost tour?
Yup, it’s a thing. We’ve tried this ourselves.
First, research haunted hotels in Wisconsin or the popular ghost towns in Wisconsin.
Ideally, each person should cover different sets of stories.
Create an itinerary for all those haunted locations.
You’ll be each other’s tour guides, so the tour will be private, more personal, and customized.
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My final thoughts on Ghost Tours in Wisconsin
Ghost tours are one of my favorite fall activities in Wisconsin.
Sure, sometimes they make me lose some sleep at night. But I’ve always been interested in the darkest secrets of cities I visit.
You get a good scare, meet new people, and try a new activity at night.
Ghost tours are consistently winning choices for me.
They’re one of my go-to things to do for Halloween in Wisconsin.
But any season, rain or shine, I just enjoy attending ghost tours in Wisconsin as a fan of horror films, stories, and thrills!
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
