Denver has ghosts. You just have to look up.

Mile High Hauntings is a 2.5-hour guided ghost tour that runs through Lower Downtown (LoDo), Denver’s historic core, with stories tied to specific streets and buildings. I like the balance here: history first, haunting second, so you leave with context—not just jumpy “boo” moments. One thing to keep in mind is that this kind of walking tour lives or dies by the weather, since it’s outdoors.

The biggest win is the storytelling. Guides like Josh get called out for history detail and pacing, and the tour style feels like spending an evening with a friend who knows Denver’s weird past. I also like that the group stays small—max 20 travelers—so you’re not lost in a loud crowd during the best parts.

If you’re expecting a purely paranormal show, you may find the focus leans more toward Denver’s past and local legends than heavy special effects or “proof.” Also, the route is city-walk length, so wear shoes you trust.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Small group (max 20): Easier to hear the stories and keep the pace comfortable.
• LoDo in focus: You’re walking Denver’s historic center, not just random stops.
• Story-driven tour guide energy (Josh): The history context is part of the fun.
• Real downtown landmarks: You’ll pass meaningful places tied to the area’s past.
• Easy finish point: The tour ends in the walkable lanes of Larimer Square.
• Mobile ticket: You don’t need paper tickets to get started.

LoDo Denver: Why this neighborhood makes ghost stories work

LoDo is Lower Downtown, and it’s a smart choice for a ghost tour because the area already feels like it has layers. You’re walking through a part of Denver where old street patterns, longtime addresses, and landmark buildings still do most of the storytelling for you.

What I like about basing a haunt walk here is that it naturally connects people to place. The spooky parts land better when you can picture the time and the setting. Instead of ghosts floating around without a map, you get the sense of how Denver grew, who lived nearby, and what kind of places people built—shops, hotels, transit hubs, and social spots that made the city feel alive.

Also, the LoDo area is a good fit for a night walk because it’s built for evening: you’re in the middle of downtown life, and the tour ends where you can continue exploring without hauling yourself across town.

Whiskey Row start and Larimer Square end (and why that matters)

The tour meets at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Denver, 1946 Market St. That’s a practical start point: it’s in the middle of where you want to be, and it’s easy to orient yourself around a well-known downtown address.

Ending at Larimer Square is another quiet win. Larimer Square is compact, walkable, and easy to turn into a second act after the tour. If you want a drink, a snack, or just a friendly post-tour stroll, you can do it without changing neighborhoods or solving transportation puzzles.

This start-to-finish setup also affects your mindset. You don’t feel like you’re trapped on a loop. You feel like you’re being led from one lively downtown pocket into another, with the spooky stories acting like guided commentary along the way.

The price question: is $38 worth it?

At $38 per person for about 2 hours 30 minutes, this sits in the “mid-priced” zone for a guided ghost experience in a major U.S. city. The key is what you’re buying besides the vibe.

You’re paying for:

• A guide who can connect multiple buildings and street corners to a coherent story (not random scares).
• Downtown pacing that lets you hear everything without sprinting between far-apart spots.
• A small group size that keeps the tour more personal.

If you enjoy city history, even a little, this price tends to make sense because you’re getting a walking-history lesson with supernatural flavor added. If you only want theatrical “haunting” moments, the value may feel thinner. But for a history-plus-legends night out, it’s the kind of cost that’s easy to justify compared with other guided experiences that mostly rely on sights alone.

What 2.5 hours feels like on your feet

The tour clocks in at about 2 hours 30 minutes, and it’s offered in English. That timing is long enough for a real story arc—where you start with setup, then move into the darker tales, then land in the finale with something memorable to think about afterward.

With tours in dense downtown, your walking can feel easy because you’re moving city blocks rather than crossing big stretches of “nothing.” Still, you’re outdoors for most of it, so plan for a night that matches the forecast. The experience also depends on good weather, meaning if conditions are poor, they may switch dates or offer a refund.

My practical tip: bring a layer. Denver weather can surprise you, especially when the sun goes down.

Stop-by-stop: LoDo streets, Market Street, and Union Station vibes

LoDo is where the tour concentrates, and you’ll spend time in the surrounding area that gives the whole experience its identity. This is where the streets themselves do a lot of work: you see the buildings, you feel the old downtown grid, and you begin to understand why certain locations became “legend magnets.”

A highlighted stretch in the tour experience is moving down Market Street and heading toward Union Station. That matters because Union Station isn’t just another stop—it’s a place where people constantly came and went. Any location that funnels crowds, schedules, and late-night arrivals naturally attracts stories, rumors, and local myths.

At Union Station, the stories lean into the “what would it have felt like back then” angle. You get the chilling part, but you also get a sense of how Denver’s daily rhythms could feed legends over time.

What to watch for: pay attention to how the guide anchors each tale to what’s around you right now. When the story is tied to the street corner you’re standing on, the spooky details feel less like a campfire act and more like a local folktale you can almost verify with your eyes.

Oxford Hotel: the spooky details with a real-world setting

Another standout location in the route is the Oxford Hotel. Hotels are perfect for ghost tours because they mix privacy with constant movement—guests come and go, staff work late, and the building collects memories whether it wants to or not.

This is where you’ll likely hear some of the more “jaw-dropping” style stories. One review highlights the guide sharing experiences tied to an elevator ghost, including personal testimony about what people have noticed there.

Even if you’re not a “paranormal believer,” I think this kind of story structure works. The guide isn’t just throwing names at you; the tale is built around a concrete feature of the building (like an elevator) so your brain can lock onto it.

Practical takeaway: at stops like this, listen for the little context details. They help you imagine the time period and explain why the legend stuck around long after the original events faded.

Speakeasy-style finale: why the scariest stories aren’t always about ghosts

The tour wraps near a speakeasy area, where the focus shifts to tragedy and human stakes. One of the most vivid moments in the tour experience involves a story of a mother’s tragic loss.

That’s an interesting tonal pivot. It reminds you that a lot of “hauntings” in old cities are really about grief—about what communities couldn’t fully process, so the stories turned into legends. When a ghost story is built on real sorrow, it often lands harder than a scary-only tale.

If you like spooky stories that have emotional weight, this finale is the kind that stays with you during your walk back to the busier streets around Larimer Square.

Guide quality is the whole product (Josh’s storytelling gets praised for a reason)

In a ghost tour, the guide can make or break everything. The standout pattern here is that Josh is praised for storytelling that mixes laughs, history context, and enough creepy beats to keep you paying attention the whole way.

You also see evidence that the tour isn’t just reading off a script. Multiple people describe it as not canned and more like a conversation with someone who truly knows the city’s past. That matters because it changes how the tour feels in real time: instead of waiting for the next stop, you’re tracking the story as it grows.

There’s also a mention of Gable as a driver who was awesome and served as a tour guide for that person’s experience. That suggests Smile High Tours keeps the energy high and the team comfortable in their roles—guide or driver—so the night stays smooth.

Your best move: stay present. This tour rewards people who listen closely, not people who treat it like background entertainment.

Who should book Mile High Hauntings

This tour is a good match if:

• You like urban history and want it delivered through stories.
• You enjoy the idea of a guided night walk with a clear ending at Larimer Square.
• You want a small-group vibe that keeps the experience from feeling chaotic.
• You’re traveling with friends or family who enjoy history-meets-spooky entertainment.

It may not be ideal if you’re expecting:

• A high-theatrical production with special effects.
• A tour focused only on “proof” of paranormal activity.
• A fully indoor experience.

Timing tips: when to go for the best atmosphere

Tours like this tend to hit best when the city feels like itself—downtown lit up, people out, and the streets looking their most atmospheric. Since one review specifically mentions loving Christmas decor, you might get extra holiday ambiance if your date lines up with seasonal decorations.

If it’s not holiday season, that’s fine. The core value is the history framing and the guide’s storytelling tied to real places. Decor can add mood, but it isn’t the foundation.

Also, plan ahead. This tour is commonly booked about 12 days in advance on average, so you’ll want to lock in your date if you’re traveling during a busy week.

Getting around Denver after the tour ends

Because the tour ends in Larimer Square, you get an immediate “what next” option. You can keep walking through the area, grab food nearby, or just enjoy the downtown energy without thinking too hard about transportation right away.

And since the tour is near public transportation, it also works well if you’re using transit for the night.

My practical suggestion: don’t schedule something rushed immediately after the tour. Give yourself time to transition out of story mode and into normal city mode.

The bottom line: should you book it?

I’d book Mile High Hauntings if you want a fun Denver night that mixes real places with guided storytelling, and if you’re the type who likes connecting a city’s history to the legends people still repeat. The small group size and the praise for guides like Josh point to a tour that stays engaging for the full 2.5 hours.

Skip it if you only want intense paranormal theatrics or if you’re not up for outdoor walking. But if you’re open to a history-forward ghost tour that ends in a great place to keep exploring, this one looks like a solid value play at $38.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Mile High Hauntings ghost tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $38.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Denver, 1946 Market St, Denver, CO 80202, and ends at Larimer Square, 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202.

What area does the tour cover?

The tour takes place in Denver’s Lower Downtown (LoDo) area.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is the tour near public transportation?

Yes, it is near public transportation.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What’s the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.