This tour returns Fall of 2025

From the days of the French settlers and the ghouls who tormented them, to the grim realities of early factories and their gruesome death tolls, Detroit is a town with a devilishly scary past. Its citizens have long straddled the line between good and evil, and more than a few rules have been broken over the centuries. As Halloween approaches, we spare a nervous glance toward Detroit's spooky side. It’s never wise to travel alone through the storied corridors of history, so we willingly offer ourselves as your guides on this macabre journey through the Motor City’s darkest historical moments.

From the fish market murders of the 1930s to the ghosts of the river who have sailed for centuries, we'll explore the interior of a church whose priest passed away in the rectory but still attends to his flock decades later, and pop into a bar famed for its otherworldly encounters.

Together with your guide, you’ll learn the stories that have intrigued, scared, and delighted Motown’s residents for generations, including the tale of the Nain Rouge, Detroit’s own "Demon of the Strait," whose appearances warn of oncoming tragedy. Mobsters, soldiers, ghosts, social injustices, cemeteries, murders, pranks, Devil's Night, assassinations, hauntings, outbreaks of cholera, unexplained disappearances, wars, tricks, treats, and more await you on the all-new, 3-hour, Historically Haunted Detroit: The Dark Side of History Bus Tour.

THE DETAILS:

Departure Location: The Detroit History Club (a former funeral home turned history lovers' hangout), 3103 Commor, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Parking is on the street and may require guests to walk a short distance. Doors to the club open 30 minutes before the ticketed start time of the tour, at which time guests are invited to come inside, check into the tour, and relax until the departure time. Late arrivals will not be admitted; all Detroit History Tours start on time and depart without a grace period.

Because drinking and swearing come with the history, this public bus tour is strictly for those 21 years old and older.

It is our great and terrified pleasure to offer a historic refreshment stop during this tour. A small snack is included in the ticket price; however, alcoholic purchases are at the guests' own expense. The bar is cash-only but does offer an onsite ATM.

Drinking alcohol is not allowed on the bus. Coolers, flasks, and bottles of blood will NOT be permitted.

Complimentary bottled water is provided to all guests.

To best enjoy the tour, guests should be prepared to walk up to 100 yards at a leisurely pace over uneven terrain. We highly recommend comfortable, flat shoes.

Recreational photography is permitted (and encouraged) on this tour. Professional photography or videography of any kind is not permitted without written approval at least 15 days in advance.

We will disembark from the bus 2-3 times per tour, depending on weather conditions. The rest of the tour is conducted from our luxury motorcoach.

The difference between day and night tours? Simply put, it's how light it will be outside. The content is the same regardless of time. If you'd like to enjoy a tour with better visibility, daytime tours are a great fit. If you're looking for something a bit spookier, the nighttime tours offer the benefit of Detroit’s fall evenings in darkness.

Please note, this is not a ghost hunting tour, so we ask that you refrain from bringing any paranormal investigation equipment. This is a historical tour focused on the spooky, spine-tingling, and macabre aspects of the Hamtramck, Detroit, and Highland Parks pasts.

Your order confirmation email will serve as your only ticket—nothing will ship to your address. Please save your email and be prepared to show it on your phone or printed to board the bus. (We do this to avoid the ticketing fees that come along with ticketing systems. The price of your ticket will remain the same throughout checkout with no added fees or service charges.)All taxes and fees are included in the ticket price. Zero booking charges apply.

Transportation is provided via a luxury motor coach outfitted with leather captain’s chairs for each guest. The motor coach is equipped with an onboard bathroom.

Tour guide tips are always appreciated but never expected. The very best tip is always a positive review!

If you have a large group, consider booking any of our fabulous tours as a private charter. We can arrange to pick your group up from any location, on any day and at any time. Check out our Private Tours link for more information.

MEET YOUR GUIDE:

Bailey Sisoy - Moore

Bailey Sisoy-Moore is the owner of Detroit History Tours and the proprietress of the Detroit History Club. She is an author, humorist, workaholic, Faygo-loving tour guide from the great City of Detroit. A lover of city ephemera, her most prized possessions include her antique books about Detroit penned by Clarence M. Burton himself, her Library of Congress readers card, her collection of vintage jewelry, and signed pay stubs of Edsel Ford. A frequent essay contributor, her most recent work can be seen in The Detroit Neighborhood Guide Book. Her first children’s book, Rosie A Detroit Herstory, hit shelves in the fall of 2018 from Wayne State Press and is receiving rave reviews. She has appeared on television as a contributor on the Travel Channel’s Tough Boats and Globe Trekker series, is a common guest on history-themed podcasts, and has written op-eds for local papers. She also likes to think her mother is proud. When she isn’t tramping around Detroit giving tours, drinking at century-old bars, and talking history with anyone who’ll join her, she can be found at her home in Highland Park, “a little slice of heaven inside Detroit”. She is meticulous in her research and passionate about historical accuracy, yet she takes great joy in presenting history in the most exciting, playful, and accessible way possible. A passionate connoisseur of all things delicious, she adamantly argues the health benefits of coney dogs and Vernors floats.