THE LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN TOUR
THE LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN
WALKING TOUR
Follow the lamplight of your guide into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history. You’ll step inside a world of murder, revenge, and true grit in a dramatic retelling of Victorian Gastown’s earliest stories. Tales of deadly fire and smallpox emerge from the shadows as you venture through cobblestone streets to the shocking finale in this unique performance-theatre experience.
BOOK YOUR TOUR
ON THIS WALKING TOUR YOU’LL DISCOVER…
Gruesome stories of the Great Fire
The notorious ladies of the Gold Rush
A murder mystery unsolved to this day
The haunting legend of Gaoler’s Mews
The chilling history of George Vancouver
Stories of smallpox outbreaks & heartbreaks
Hotels and streets that haven’t changed from the 1800s
And more!
WHEN: NIGHTLY AT 7 PM
DURATION: 1.5 – 2 HOURS
PRICE: $32 ADULTS / $29 SENIORS AND YOUTH
BOOK YOUR TOUR
Our tours are designed for adult audiences and do contain some references to adult themes. Our age recommendation is 14+ but certainly children aged 10+ can attend and enjoy our walking tours if parents are comfortable with their children hearing mature subject matter.
FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION POLICY
You can cancel your experience for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour start time. Less than 24 hours before the start of your tour, you can receive a full credit for future use. No questions asked! Prices do not include fees and taxes. Student and senior pricing available on all tours. Contact us to arrange a private tour.
OUR AWARDS
WINNER TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2012 – 2022
WINNER LONELY PLANET “TOP CHOICE” 2022
WINNER CITY OF VANCOUVER HERITAGE MEDAL OF HONOUR
WINNER MUST DO CANADA FEATURED EXPERIENCES 2022
WATCH THE VIDEO
AS FEATURED ON
MEET OUR LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN WALKING TOUR GUIDES
TESTIMONIALS FROM TRIPADVISOR
“Eric was a fantastic storyteller and had so many awesome facts about the area. I was taken aback by his performance, at one point I actually thought I may cry because he conveyed such emotion and pain.”
– AMY B, VIA TRIPADVISOR
“This is a must if you are visiting or even living in Vancouver! The very talented actress took us back to the time period of late 1800s. It was so well done that it was hard to believe the ending. You need to go through the story…it was amazing.”
– JULIE P, VIA TRIPADVISOR
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
When you buy a ticket for this walking tour, two percent of the ticket cost goes to support the Vancouver Urban Native Youth Association. Since its founding in 1988, UNYA’s focus has been to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth (Aboriginal, Metis, Inuit, First Nations, Status, Non-Status) in the urban setting. Today, UNYA delivers 20+ programs, with 175+ volunteers, 100 staff, and more than 300 community partners.
TOUR DESCRIPTION
A GOTHIC ADVENTURE
Venture into Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour. You’ll discover a time when Vancouver was the Granville Townsite – the wild frontier town that suffered a devastating fire, smallpox outbreaks, and unsolved murders.
Designed for adult audiences, the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour is both a walking tour and a theatre piece. Created by Forbidden Vancouver’s Chief Storyteller Will Woods – and based on documented Vancouver history – the plot weaves through back streets and alleyways to a dramatic finale in the heart of Gastown’s Maple Tree Square.
THE GRUESOME MURDER OF JOHN BRAY
The year was 1898. After a night of whiskey and cards at the saloon, gold prospector John Bray staggered out onto the streets of Gastown. He never made it back to his hotel. Robbed and shot three times in the head, he spent two delirious weeks roaming the streets before the bullets finally killed him.
Relive the tale of John Bray and his mysterious death, along with stories of the people and events that shaped early Vancouver. The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour is not a ghost tour. It’s an interactive gothic theatre experience that pulls you so deep into the swirling lamplight and darkened alleys of Gastown’s murky past, you may have a hard time finding your way back out…
MEETING PLACE
Tours start at the corner of Water and Cordova Streets, beside Buro Coffee.
Tours end at Maple Tree Square in Gastown
