TEAM BUILDING & CORPORATE EVENTS
Want to breathe new life into your team’s work routine?
What better excuse to get your team together than to explore Vancouver’s secrets? Our professional guides will take your crew on a journey into the strange, funny, mysterious, tragic, and bizarre histories of our city. With plenty of opportunity for discussion and Q&A along the way, it’s two hours of active, engaging, thought-provoking time together that will leave your team better connected to each other and the place they call home. Scroll down to find out more!
CHOOSE YOUR START TIME
TOURS RUN ~2HRS
AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND
FROM $30 PER PERSON
9 person minimum, or equivalent cost
MEET IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TOUR
Email us: [email protected]
Include your group size, preferred tour, date, and time. We’ll respond within one business day. And you can cancel your experience for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour start time. No questions asked!
Email us: [email protected]
Include your group size, preferred tour, date, and time. We’ll respond within one business day. And you can cancel your experience for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour start time. No questions asked!
WHO WE’VE WORKED WITH
CHOOSE YOUR PRIVATE WALKING TOUR
THE SINNERS & SWEETS WALKING TOUR
ICONIC BUILDINGS | SCANDALOUS TALES | SINFUL TREATS
Want to enjoy delectable sweet treats while your discover our city’s scandalous history? Then the Sinners & Sweets Tour is for you! You’ll visit downtown’s most famous heritage buildings and hear the stories of sin that lurk behind their walls…from tales of jealous lovers and fortunes won and lost, to outrageous dancers and irresistible glamour. You’ll enjoy delicacies at the city’s finest bakeries and chocolatiers and experience a private viewing inside Art Deco masterpiece, the Marine Building.
THE LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN WALKING TOUR
NIGHT TOUR | PROFESSIONAL ACTOR | THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
Step into the Granville Townsite with the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour, an immersive journey through Vancouver’s earliest and darkest history. Guided by a professional actor and storyteller, this one-of-a-kind performance-theatre experience takes your team through the cobblestone streets of Gastown under the soft glow of lamplight. Uncover chilling tales of Gaoler’s Mews, outrageous stories from the Gold Rush, and legends of unsolved murder. Blending gripping history with dramatic storytelling, this walking tour promises an unforgettable evening for you and your group!
THE FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER WALKING TOUR
PROHIBITION | RUM-RUNNING | RIOTS | GASTOWN
On the Forbidden Vancouver Tour you’ll explore prohibition-era Gastown, a time of bootlegging, rum-running, and speakeasies.
Stroll the city’s oldest cobblestone streets and hear the stories of legendary Vancouver mob kingpin Joe Celona, crooked prohibition commissioners, infamous riots, dry squad raids, and our city’s greatest smugglers.
THE DARK SECRETS OF STANLEY PARK WALKING TOUR
HISTORIC TOTEM POLES | NOTORIOUS CRIMES | DEADMAN’S ISLAND
On the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour you’ll discover the park you thought you knew has a remarkable – and oftentimes shocking – history.
Travel back in time through murky real estate deals, forced evictions, smallpox cemeteries, bizarre public artwork, and true crime scenes. You’ll never see the park the same way again.
THE REALLY GAY HISTORY WALKING TOUR
LGBTQ2+ PIONEERS | DRAG QUEENS & KINGS | BOOKSTORE BOMBS
On the Really Gay History Tour you’ll walk the city’s bustling West End with storyteller and tour creator Glenn Tkach as your guide.
Hear tales of gay struggle at the United Church, the myth of Patient Zero, our city’s very first PRIDE parade, Jim Deva Plaza, Vancouver’s secret gay village, and the transgender activist who blew the whistle on the biggest crime in Vancouver history. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and walk away inspired!
FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER PRIVATE TOUR REVIEWS
WE HAD AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE AS A PRIVATE TOUR!
“The tour itself is well organized and thought-out… It was fascinating learning about Vancouver’s seedy past. Our tour guide was amazing! An excellent storyteller, passionate, and engaging. He definitely made our night!”
-libbys525, Tripadvisor
AMAZING TOUR!
“I went with staff as a team bonding activity and it touched all of our hearts. So informative and wonderful. Highly recommend this tour!”
-ChristinaCVCS24, Tripadvisor
GREAT STORYTELLING
“Rob tells the stories of old Gastown so well, it is possible he is actually a time traveller who lived through it all. The information was not dry cut dates and events, but the interwoven stories of many individuals who played various roles during the time.”
-Gwchristie306, Tripadvisor
A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPEND A DAY
“One thing that really stood out to me was his awareness and cultural humility around indigenous people, history of two spirit people, and the land thru which he guided us.”
-M J, Tripadvisor
WHAT TO EXPECT ON A FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER PRIVATE TOUR
This shared experience will ignite conversation and create stronger bonds!
This isn’t a history lesson, it’s storytelling. Expect to laugh, learn, and be entertained.
Engage your team’s empathy & teamwork with real stories of Vancouver’s past heroes and villains.
Our tours are a low-barrier activity for those who may be shy to participate, and those more engaged can ask questions.
*Tours are accessible (with the exception of the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park) and are held at your group’s pace.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do we need to bring?
For the summer months we recommend a sun-hat, sunscreen, sun-glasses, and a bottle of water. For the cooler months, we recommend a rain jacket and sturdy footwear.
And do remember you to bring your smart phones fully charged, so you can capture photos of the amazing sites you’ll see and memories of your group’s experience!
How long is the walking tour?
That depends on which walking tour you choose, but generally speaking between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. We can stage a custom 1 hour version of our Sinners & Sweets Tour if you’re under a time crunch!
What is the cancellation policy?
We have a very flexible cancellation policy – provided you cancel more than 24 hours before your scheduled tour time, we’ll issue you a full refund.
If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you aren’t eligible for a refund, but we are happy to either reschedule you to a different day or issue you a store credit for the value of your booking. The rescheduling/store credit options are subject to a $100 processing fee.
Can we add or remove guests last minute?
You can add guests up to the time of your tour by emailing us at [email protected]. As long as we can fit them in then it’s no problem!
If your guests numbers fall, we can offer a refund up to 24 hours before your scheduled start time. Bear in mind we need a minimum of 9 guests, or the equivalent cost, to run a private tour.
Are your walking tours wheelchair accessible?
Every one of our walking tours is wheelchair accessible except for the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour. That experience includes trails and steps, so can’t accommodate wheelchairs unfortunately.
Does my group need to tip the guide?
We charge an automatic 18% gratuity on top of the cost of your walking tour. Your group doesn’t need to tip your guide on the day.
Can we finish at a bar or restaurant?
Our walking tours finish near to some of the city’s most loved entertainment districts, like Gastown, the Davie Street Village, or Granville Street. These neighbourhoods are packed with places to wine and dine after your tour. If you’re looking for recommendations, please drop us an email at [email protected].
Our Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour finishes near the Vancouver Aquarium, but your group can certainly drive, cab, or Uber from there to the West End or the Downtown Core for post-tour refreshments.
How much walking is involved?
Each of our walking tours is between around 1.5 km and 2 km in length. They stay largely on flat, even ground and your guide will walk at an easy pace. However, each member of your group does need to be comfortable on their feet or wheelchair for up to around 2 hours.
BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TOUR
Email us: [email protected]
Be sure to include:
Your group size
The tour you’re interested in
Your preferred date and time
The reason for your private tour
We’ll respond to your request within one business day. We look forward to hosting a private walking tour with your group!
BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TOUR
Email us: [email protected]
Be sure to include:
Your group size
The tour you’re interested in
Your preferred date and time
The reason for your private tour
We’ll respond to your request within one business day. We look forward to hosting a private walking tour with your group!