PRIVATE GROUP WALKING TOURS
Team Building | Student Groups | Friends & Family | Retirement Home Talks
PLANNING A GROUP EXPERIENCE IN VANCOUVER?
Our private walking tours are perfect for celebrations, family and friends get-togethers, team-building events, corporate groups, and school field trips. You pick the date, and we’ll bring the stories. We also offer in-house history talks for retirement communities—no walking shoes needed. However your group rolls, we’ll make it a great time.
CHOOSE YOUR START TIME
TOURS RUN ~2HRS
AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND
FROM $37.50 PER PERSON
9 person minimum, or equivalent cost
Student Pricing Available
MEET IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
PRIVATE WALKING TOURS FOR ANY OCCASION
There are so many reasons to take a private walking tour with us, from family celebrations to team building to school field trips. Click below to find out more or complete the form to get your quote today.
GET YOUR PRIVATE TOUR QUOTE
Please fill the form below and we’ll respond to your request within one business day.
If you prefer to email us: [email protected]
Include your group size, preferred tour, date, and time. We’ll respond within one business day.
WHO WE’VE WORKED WITH
CHOOSE YOUR PRIVATE WALKING TOUR
THE FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER 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 REALLY GAY HISTORY 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, you’ll walk away inspired!
THE DARK SECRETS OF STANLEY PARK 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 SINNERS & SWEETS TOUR
ICONIC BUILDINGS | SCANDALOUS TALES | SINFUL TREATS
On the Sinners & Sweets Tour you’ll explore Vancouver’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 TOUR
NIGHT TOUR | PROFESSIONAL ACTOR | THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
Gather your group under the glow of the lamplight as you’re transported to Vancouver’s earliest and most gruesome history on the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour. Venture through Gastown’s cobblestone streets in this unique performance-theatre experience, led by a professional actor-storyteller. Hear the haunting legend of Gaoler’s Mews, the salacious stories of the Ladies of the Gold Rush, and legends of unsolved murder. This history walking tour combines a healthy dose of theatre and drama for an unforgettable night for you and your crew!
FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER PRIVATE TOUR REVIEWS
WHAT TO EXPECT ON A PRIVATE FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER TOUR
Explore Vancouver’s streets with a friendly storyteller who brings history to life. Discover the secrets of iconic landmarks and striking architecture, and hear the stories of the people who shaped the city.
Dive into tales of heroes and villains that spark curiosity and lively conversation. Share a laugh, ask questions, or simply enjoy the journey as your group connects over fascinating hidden history.
Every stop offers something unexpected, leaving you with a deeper connection to the city’s past—and a fresh perspective on the Vancouver you see today.
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!
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.
What are the minimum and maximum group sizes?
We can run a private walking tour for a group as small as 2 people (although our minimum cost is for 9 people).
With our team of guides we can easily run tours for groups of 60 people or more. Let us know your group size and we’ll help you with the arrangements!
Can we take the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour as a private tour?
We typically recommend one of our other walking tours for private groups. We’ve found one of the features of private tours is that since in most cases the group all know each other, you can get into some really interesting conversation with your guide about Vancouver and its history. On the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour – which is a roving one-person play with your guide in character – it’s not possible to get to know your guide in the same way.
But if you want to book the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour as a private tour, you certainly can!
Does my group need to tip the guide?
Our private tour prices include an automatic 18% gratuity for your guide. No hidden fees and 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.
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 hrs 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.
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.