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.
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!
The Lost Souls of Gastown is our most popular tour and regularly sells out. To get your preferred date and avoid missing out, we highly recommend you book as soon as possible.
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 exclude fees and taxes.
INCREDIBLE!
“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
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
“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
TOP 20 EXPERIENCES IN CANADA, VIATOR 2024
WINNER TRIP ADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE 2012 – 2024
WINNER LONELY PLANET “TOP CHOICE” 2024
WINNER CITY OF VANCOUVER HERITAGE MEDAL OF HONOUR
WINNER MUST DO CANADA FEATURED EXPERIENCES 2024
There’s plenty of shade in Gastown, and by the evening the sun won’t be too hot. We recommend you bring a jacket and sturdy footwear during the cooler months.
You’ll definitely want your smartphone charged so you can take photos of the incredible sites and views!
We carefully crafted this experience to suit the interests and preferences of adults, making it an ideal choice for teenagers seeking engaging and thought-provoking content. However, due to its mature themes and potential for intense or sensitive content, we don’t recommended it for children under the age of 12.
There are several parking lots near the starting point at Monaco Cafe. The closest is at 450 W Cordova at Harbour Centre. There’s also one at 160 Water Street near Pourhouse.
The tour is a leisurely stroll through Gastown. There is one short hill right at the beginning of the tour. The total distance covered is about 1.5 km, or 1 mile.
Absolutely! Our guides accept cash or cards (via a portable Square device). If you enjoyed your guide’s performance then a tip is greatly appreciated.
The tour starts at the corner of Water and Cordova Streets, beside Monaco Cafe The end point is at Maple Tree Square in Gastown, nearby plenty of food and beverage options!
It’s super easy! The historic Waterfront Station is only a block from our starting point. Take any line to Waterfront Station and exit on Cordova Street. Turn left out of the exit and walk one block towards Monaco Cafe.
Hot tip: Use Translink’s online trip planner for more options.
The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour isn’t a ghost tour, it’s a live performance experience based on the city’s most gothic early history. You’ll follow the lamplight of your guide, a professional actor, as you discover the city’s past and stories of smallpox, fire, and murder.
You can, and Gastown is a lively neighbourhood full of shops, restaurants, and bars. But you’ll miss out on the historic neighbourhood’s roots and a unique performance theatre experience!
We guarantee our website has the lowest prices for our walking tours. Beware reseller sites that display their prices in $USD to appear cheaper than they really are.
Anyone aged 65 or older qualifies for a seniors ticket.
If you’re 18 or younger, or a full-time student of any age with valid photo ID, you qualify for a youth ticket.
All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
We do not permit guests on the tour who are, or appear to be, intoxicated. Guests who are intoxicated or disorderly will be asked to leave the tour and no refund will be issued.
While the tour is not strenuous, walking is involved and guests will be on their feet for the duration of the tour. Guests are responsible for making sure they are able to complete the tour.
You and your party knowingly and freely assume all the risks with participating in this experience. We are not responsible for illness or injury of guests during a tour. By participating in this experience you release and hold harmless Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours with respect to any injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property whether cause by the negligence of Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours or otherwise.
This tour is electric wheelchair accessible and is led on mostly flat terrain (with some historic cobblestones). The tour does start with a small hill, which may be more challenging for guests in a conventional/non-electric wheelchair.
There isn’t an official bathroom break on the tour. We recommend you visit the bathroom before the tour starts. However if you do need to go during the tour it’s no problem at all. Simply let your guide know and they will advise you of a nearby cafe or restaurant you can duck into.
I’m afraid we don’t permit dogs on our walking tours, as it might make other guests uncomfortable. Service dogs are OK though.
You can expect a shiver or two down your spine, but, don’t worry, definitely no nightmares! We don’t use cheap scare tactics, the drama is in the storytelling.
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.
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 Founder 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 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…
Tours start outside of Monaco Cafe – 356 Water St
Tours end at Maple Tree Square in Gastown
Book your Lost Souls of Gastown Tour today