viator walking ghost tour

Welcome to Your Gaslamp Walking Tour by Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours

Special event:.

Beware. This tour is 70% haunted locations/stories and 30% true crime (serial killers, murders, and bizarre history).

Consider. There have been many brothels in San Diego Gaslamp history which is in some of our stories, it's not graphic, but it is there. Try to guess which spots were brothels.

Meet by the Gaslamp Quarter Arch near Starbucks and the Hardrock | 209 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 Questions? Call/Text us! 619.255.6170

You are going to over 30 Haunted/True Crime Places in San Diego's Downtown/Gaslamp District - Bring Your Camera, Courage and Running Shoes!

• Where Wyatt Earp Lived, Gambled and Drank
• San Diego’s Bizarre Zoo downtown
• An Active Haunted Hotel & Hospital
• The Secrets of the Glass Marble Exchange
• A German Spy Hideout
• The Raids of the downtown Stingaree
• A musician who committed suicide, TWICE!
• The location of the Death Zone downtown
• Two Serial Killers of San Diego
• The Death Museum of the past in a likely location
• Canine Celebrities
• And more, you’ll visit over 30 locations!

Our Historic Downtown/Gaslamp Tour is an Experience You'll Never Forget.

Join us, we’ve been dying to have you….

Ghostly Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)

Considering taking a look at some of these if you are serious about the tour.

How Much Walking?

Bathrooms drinking/food/smoking.

Bathrooms Perhaps the scariest part of the tour is there are no bathrooms! Please use the restroom in the Hard Rock or Starbucks before the tour. We move at a brisk pace and if we want to cover all the locations properly bathrooms are out.

If you have a medical need please alert us to that immediately after booking so we can make arrangements.

Drinking/Food/Smoking? Please don't bring food or drink on the tour . If you stop during the tour to get a drink or food you will be left behind , we have to keep moving to fit it all in.

Please don't smoke or vape during the tour as courtesy to others. Deep graitude.

Do things Happen / Is it Scary?

I would call it more spooky than scary . We do not use jump scares, though the environments themselves do have a very strong vibe most can sense. Some people do come out of it with a scare(s), it just depends on your personal tolerance level. Creepy is another good word for parts of the experience.

This Gaslamp Tour is a bit Risqué San Diego's Gaslamp/Downtown area you'll tour once was filled with brothels. As such prostitution is a part of the stories . Now this may go over your kids head, so that a consideration, still it is a risk. With that said we won't stop you from bringing your child just, it's really up to you .

Scary? We call the tour spooky . With that said, we will be talking about death, murder and all those dark events, that is the subject matter and it can be disturbing as well as graphic . The place themselves have an energy that can have an affect on children that watching a movie does not. So again at your own risk .

Should I Tip?

Booking questions.

Do you have to book in advance with a credit card or Debit Card? Yes. There are a limited number of spots for each of our tours and we often sell out well in advance. To ensure that you are able to join us, reservations and payment are required ahead of time. You can book online or over the phone. If you prefer to pay cash, your only option is to show up at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch meeting location at least 20 min prior to the tour departure . If we have spots available, you can pay cash at that time. PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are highly recommended as empty spots are rare as the tour time approaches.

Process When you book online, you will get an email saying your spot(s) have been reserved. If the tour minimum has been met, your card will be charged and you will get another email with details about the tour, where to meet and so on. We meet at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch, please make sure to be there 20 minutes before departure time . Enjoy the tour and happy hauntings!

Waitlist We do not have a waitlist . If you are trying to book a full tour, your best bet is to show up at the Gaslamp Quarter Arch at least 20 min prior to the tour departure. If there has been a cancellation, we will know by the time the tour starts and will get you in. Cancellations are extremely rare; only a couple a month, so this is a long shot option. Don't miss out - order now !

Tour Minimum?

Our Haunted Guided Tour is small to ensure personal attention to you, our guests. We have only 20 spots available per tour. We require an 8 person minimum in order for us to do a tour. When you reserve a spot you will get an email confirming that your spot has been reserved. Once 8 people are confirmed on the tour, we'll send another email so you know that the tour is on.

Your credit card is not charged until we hit the 8 minimum.

If the tour already has 8 people you will get the email immediately, and your card will be charged immediately.

It is rare, but occasionally if it appears that the tour will not go on. We will personally call and/or text you with a tour update 3-5 hours before your tour departure time. Please give us a legit working phone number you'll have on you for calls/texts . You will not be charged. Your credit card is not processed if the tour does not meet the 8 person minimum.

If you book well in advance, bless you. Most people will book the day of their tour, so please be patient and remember: 90% of the time the tour fills the day of. Your confirmation will likely come sometime that day.

Please call or text us 619.255.6170 if you have questions.

Cancel? Not Satisfied?

Cancellation Policy If we cancel on you due to flooding, unforeseen incident or the tour minimum is not met know that you will be fully and promptly refunded . In the case of the minimum, you will not be charge as your card is not processed unless the minimum is hit. If you book us through someone else, Viator, Expedia, and so on - we will reach out to them and get you refunded.

If you cancel and let us know 24 or more hours before the tour, you will be refunded in full. If 24 hours or under - all sales are final. There are no tour date exchanges or refunds. Just like a concert or theater performance, once the tickets are purchased, the seats are considered sold. We do not offer refunds, nor can we change your booking to a different night or time if you miss the tour. This is our official policy.

Even so, we are human too, and know things happen. At our discretion and circumstances permitting, if you must cancel within 24 hours , we will do our best to make things work for you. You must contact us via text or call 619.255.6170 , and if we can sell your spots before the tour, we will happily refund your purchase . So, the sooner you contact us, the better chance we have to sell your spot(s) and then get you your money back.

Do you offer discounts for Seniors, Military or anything else? Sometimes we will have a discount on our site. If you don’t see it, call or text us 619.255.6170 , and we will set something custom up for you. Click the "Book Now", button for pricing and schedule please.

Group Discounts If you have a group of more than 8 individuals, please call our reservation line to discuss potential discounted options – 619.255.6170 .

Parking? Arrival?

Consider using the SpotHero app to reserve a parking spot ahead of time and at the best price. We use it and get great results it does make parking easier.

There are tons of parking garages and lots around, most do charge though. If you can Lyft, Cab or Uber you might consider that too.

Arrival Our tour meets and leaves from the Gaslamp Quarter Arch near Starbucks | 209 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Please make sure to be at the arch 20 minutes before your tour embarks. When you get there you will see our ghost host dressed in Victorian attire or in black with a bell, they will be pretty obvious. Please introduce yourself to the host, have the ticket buyer give their name, and you are good to go. There is no ticket or phone app needed just your name. We go by a roster.

There are rare cases where the earlier tour may have gone over. In that case please be patient, they will materialize.

Use the bathroom first! There are no bathrooms on the tour. You can find one at Starbucks or Hard Rock.

If we are still under stupid COVID, please wear a mask and make sure to social distance 6 feet from anyone you don't know. We deeply appreciate that.

Once confirmed with the host hang out until the tour starts. If everyone shows up a bit early we may be able to leave early and fit in some additional content.

It's going to be disturbing and we will see you soon...

Locations / What do We Enter?

Looking for our other tours, locations list for our gaslamp ghost tour.

This is a combination of San Diego's downtown authentic haunted/ghost/dark history/true crime locations. We will also tell you some stories that are interesting and bizare in this location list. Keep in mind, we are dealing with ghosts and some of these places have long since vanished and you'll visit the places where they once stood.

After talking to our business advisor many of the locations have now been turned back to secret. What you see below now is only a taste.

Our tour meets by the gaslamp quarter arch near starbucks | 209 fifth ave, san diego, ca 92101 questions call/text us 619.255.6170.

Never Been On A Ghost Tour?

Our tours are looking really dreadful! If you want to be alerted to when we have news or offer discounts sign up below.

Haunted SD Bus/Gaslamp/Old Town Ghost Tours - Discounts and News

New Orleans Premier Ghost & Cemetery Tours

Top 10% of Viator attractions worldwide

The New Orleans Haunted Ghost, Vodou, and Vampire Tour

On this tour you will learn that truth can be stranger than fiction. Learn all about hauntings, spirits, and well-documented paranormal activity over New Orleans 300+ years.

The Witchpack: Tour Combo Pack

Can’t decide which tour to take? Take two! For only $50 per person, you will get admission to both the New Orleans Vodou & French Quarter Cultural Experience and the New Orleans Haunted Ghost, Vodou, & Vampire Tour.

Ready for a Tour?

We specialize in cemetery, haunted, and historical tours featuring ghosts, vampires, voodoo, and other paranormal history, offering the best-haunted tours of New Orleans. We highly recommend taking multiple tours for the full New Orleans experience!

Eras of New Orleans: A History Lovers Walking Tour

Prepare to be transported through time and find out what life was like during different eras of New Orleans history. History lovers unite for this truly unique experience!

Drunk Spirits: New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl

As you imbibe spirits at some of our city’s most famous bars, our uniquely qualified and experienced tour guides will unearth for you what only the locals know but dare not speak.

New Orleans Vodou & French Quarter Cultural Experience

On this magical walk through the French Quarter, your guide will tell you the tales of the dead outside of St. Louis Cemetery #1, weave the story of our Voodoo Queen near her original home, and explore the famous Jackson Square in all its incredible history! 

VIP Small Group Tour

If you enjoy having a more exclusive tour with your friends, we have an offer for you. It’s called the VIP Small Group Ghost Tour. It is the same as the 4-in-1 tour, but the group size is limited to 15 people versus the normal tour of 28 people.

Adults Only Haunted Ghost Tour (21+ONLY)

Join us for a journey through the enigma of New Orleans and all of its darkness. Hear stories of the paranormal and how our ghosts came to haunt our streets on this 21+-only tour.

New Orleans Cemetery Experience: Secrets, Death, and Exploration

Join us on a journey through three of New Orleans’ hallowed historical cemeteries with a masterful storyteller.

Haunted Plantation

Destrehan Plantation serves as the backdrop for exploring the stories of people such as enslaved Africans, free creoles of color, Acadians and native Americans who shaped the unique landscape and cultural “gumbo” of Louisiana during it’s first 100 years.

Why take a Witches Brew Tour?

We specialize in cemetery, haunted, and historical tours featuring ghosts, vampires, voodoo, and other paranormal history , offering the best haunted tours of New Orleans . Hear chilling stories told by our 5-star tour guides of horror and of the history of the ghosts that linger here , exploring haunted attractions and more . You will be entertained with vampire lore and legend, listen to the truth about voodoo and hear the incredible story of our Voodoo Queen , and be spooked by spirits on our ghost haunting tours . Choose if you must, but we highly recommend taking multiple tours for the full New Orleans experience!  

Bring home a haunted memory ...visit our online store...

...from local artists to voodoo earrings....

witchesbrewneworleans

New Orleans' Premier Tours #followusifyoudare Witches Brew Gallery & Haunted Sanctuary at 311 Exchange Place. #shopwithusifyoudare

We are in the TOP 10% of Attractions Worldwide!

How Did We Become #1

By Our Excellent Tours!

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• Call us at: 504 454 3939
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Annual Victorian Ghost Walk

Join us for a theatrical experience from beyond the grave as the porches and parlors of old louisville come alive with spirits from the past.

*** UPDATE for 2023 – TICKETS ON SALE NOW ***

Three Days Only.  October 20th, 21st, and 22nd of 2023 .

(For our daily Louisville Ghost Tour tickets, please click here. )

David Dominé’s Victorian Ghost Walk® celebrates America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood  with a cast of real-life characters who return from the grave to tell their stories.

Simon Kracht, the infamous resurrectionist who stole just-buried corpses for the city medical college; millionaire Alfred Victor DuPont, who died at the hands of a scorned mistress, at least according to legend; Lucinda, the grief-stricken lunatic who proclaimed herself “Queen of America” in 1885 – these are just some of the ghosts waiting to entertain you this year.

“My family and I had a ball on David Dominé’s Victorian Ghost Walk ® through Old Louisville in October! With fascinating historical info about the neighborhood, creepy stories, and humor, it was a spooky-good time on a lovely autumn evening. We’ll definitely be back!” ~  Matt   Wallace , Producing Artistic Director, Kentucky Shakespeare

Tours start at 6PM and depart every 15 minutes, lasting for two-hours.

Part walking tour, part porch play, David Dominé’s Victorian Ghost Walk® brings together local acting talent to showcase the Old Louisville Preservation District and raise funds for neighborhood organizations.

Tours last under two hours and start and end at the  Conrad-Caldwell House Museum  on St. James Court at Magnolia Ave.

When purchasing tickets please pay attention to the  time slot you are choosing and treat your tour tickets as you would theater or concert tickets. IF YOU MISS YOUR TOUR, THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. If you arrive late and the group has already departed, it is up to you to find your guide. This is a rain or shine event.

If you are looking for a dinner spot before or after your tour, consider  Buck’s Restaurant or Old Louisville Tavern , both are just a couple of blocks away. If you’re looking for accommodations in Old Louisville, please book a room at the  Dupont Mansion  bed and breakfast, the  Louisville Bourbon Inn , or the  Central Park Bed & Breakfast .

This year’s tour is directed by Keith McGill and benefits the South Fourth Street Association.

The Victorian Ghost Walk is an annual production of outdoor theater that celebrates the ghostly past of “America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood” amidst a stunning backdrop of gas-lit walkways and beautiful mansions. Written by David Dominé, this progressive porch play brings together a wide variety of talent and visitors every year in October as the Old Louisville historic district becomes a stage where haunted history comes to life.

Along the way you’ll meet goblins and the Witch at the Witches’ Tree, were a neighborhood witch from the 1800s shares the tale of how a curse led to its gnarled and twisted appearance; The Stick Witch, a crazed old hags jealously guards a cart full of sticks in the park; Jennie Bowman, a ghost of a young Irish woman who returns to tell the sad tale of a deadly encounter; Annie Whipple, who’s spirit returns to the mansion to warn against the dangers of trying to communicate with the dead; Lady Ross, a phantom who returns to her childhood home to recount the details of her unhappy marriage to an aristocrat.

Call or text: (502) 718-2764 for more information.

Victorian ghost walk.

October 20th, 21st, & 22nd 2023 6:00-11:00 pm EST

Last-minute reservations are not a problem. Light rain? Bring an umbrella and we’ll still do the tour! Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

March 15 – November 15 Daily Walking Tours 11 am, 1 & 7:30 pm Private Tours Available for small groups Step-on Services Available for your coach

Interested in a walking tour during the off-season?

Call and we’ll try to set something up for you.

Phone: (502) 718-2764 or  email  us

Protect Your Trip »

The 7 spookiest charleston ghost tours.

Experience the Holy City's history and haunts on one of these excursions.

Spooky Charleston Ghost Tours

Getty Images

Though many tourists travel to Charleston, South Carolina , to see attractions like the Battery or Rainbow Row, or to sample the city's Lowcountry cuisine, others visit to learn about the dearly departed. Thanks to its pre-Revolutionary heritage, its wealth of ancient tombstones and its ghost-centric folklore, Charleston is often considered one of America's most haunted cities. With that in mind, U.S. News gathered a selection of the top ghost tours using both expert opinion and ghost hunter sentiment. Whether you choose to venture out in the twilight hours or well after dark, Charleston's ghosts are not to be missed.

Tour Charleston at Buxton Books – Ghosts of Charleston Tour

Price: Adults from $35 Duration: 1.5 hours

This jaunt takes you through the city's most historic (and haunted) areas, including the Unitarian Church graveyard, to which this tour has exclusive after-hours access. Many tourgoers report local spirits reaching out to them during the tour while guides regaled them with stories. Reviewers also applaud the amount of history shared and appreciate that the tour isn't too frightening.

This tour departs every day at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Discounts are available for seniors, students and children. Tour Charleston also offers several historical tours that highlight the city's heritage.

Check prices & availability on:

Bulldog Tours – Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Walking Tour

Price: Adults from $37; kids from $27 Duration: 1.5 hours

This unique walking tour takes you to one of the city's oldest graveyards after dark. As you traipse through the cemetery, your expert tour guide will tell you about notable graves and explain some of the town's spookiest paranormal stories. You'll even hear how past Charleston residents may have been buried alive. Travelers call this tour captivating and spooky. They especially enjoy seeing the picturesque cemetery at night.

The tour departs daily at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Bulldog Tours offers a variety of other walking tours focusing on history and food, among other topics.

Courtesy of Old Charleston Walking Tours

Old Charleston Walking Tours – Pleasing Terrors Ghost Tour

Price: Adults from $28; kids from $15 Duration: 1.5 hours

This tour starts in Charleston's Washington Square Park, taking ghost seekers on an alluring stroll through the historic city to learn about its otherworldly – and often gruesome – past. Tourgoers call the experience thought-provoking, excellent and a must-do in Charleston thanks to the thorough guide.

Tours start at 7:30 or 9:30 p.m. every day.

Ghost City Tours – The Ghosts of Liberty Tour

Price: Adults from $25; kids from $10 Duration: 1.5 hours

The Ghosts of Liberty Tour focuses solely on stories about patriotic men and women who fought for America before their demise. You'll learn about these patriots and their hard-fought battles, as well as Charleston's unique history and its famous churches. Patrons say this excursion is wonderful and enthralling.

Tours depart at 8 p.m. daily. For even more thrills, consider the company's Death and Depravity Tour, which explores famous sites associated with the city's seedier history.

Sandlapper Water Tours – Haunted Ghost Tour and Cruise of Charleston Harbor

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $35 Duration: 1.5 hours

This boat tour aboard a 45-foot catamaran takes you to corners of the city that are unreachable on foot to share ghostly tales of pirates, wars and the many ships lost in Charleston's harbor and just off its coast. Most reviewers recommend this tour and give it high marks, calling it fun and insightful.

These haunted ghost tours depart at 6:30 or 8:15 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and at 8:15 p.m. on Saturdays. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed. Not a fan of the supernatural? Consider Sandlapper's other tours, including its sunset cruises.

Charleston Pirate Tours – Charleston Ghost & Pirate Tour

Price:  Adults from $28; kids from $15 Duration: 1.5 hours

Learn about the Holy City's pirate folklore, legendary ghost stories and Gullah culture on this tour, led by a costumed guide. Visitors call this tour informative and a great experience for all ages, especially kids.

Tours depart daily at 7:30 p.m. Charleston Pirate Tours also offers a daytime pirate tour, as well as a treasure hunt tour for kids.

Old South Carriage Co. – Haunted Carriage Tour

Price: Adults from $50; kids from $40 Duration: 40 minutes

This carriage ride takes you on a tour of one of the most haunted cities in the U.S. Visitors can learn about ghosts, pirates and patriots from Charleston's history. During the tour, guides will share information and local lore as guests visit alleys, graveyards, hotels and the historical Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. Past tourgoers say the ride was entertaining and educational.

The carriage ghost tours depart several times daily, starting around 5:30 p.m. Old South Carriage Co. offers a variety of other historical carriage tours as well.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Charleston Tours
• The Best Charleston Walking Tours
• The Best Hotels in Charleston

Tags: Tours , Charleston, South Carolina , Travel , Vacations , South Carolina Vacations , Southeast Vacations , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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GHOST + VAMPIRE TOUR

Pick A Tour

Pick from our wide range of walking New Orleans tours below. 

Book Online

INTERNET SPECIAL - ONLY $22.00! 

Pick Up Tickets

No need to print - your tickets will be at our box office inside the Voodoo Lounge. 

GHOST AND VAMPIRE WALKING TOUR

Join us for the #1 haunted tour in new orleans.

Disease, disaster, sinister spirits, and murder most foul: French Quarter Phantoms’ New Orle ans Ghost tour and Vampire Tour combo is spooky fun! Join us on our walking tour for histo rically accurate tales of local hauntings and vampire lore. Hear the real story of Madame LaLaurie and the LaLaurie Mansion . Your Ghost and Vampire walking tours are guided by Master Storytellers who are fully licensed by the City of New Orleans. It’s the French Quarter you want to know, as only we can show it to you! Tours begin at 6 pm and 8 pm Nightly.

French Quarter Phantoms Ghost and Vampire combo tour are about one hour and forty-five minutes in length with a walking distance of just under one mile.

Walk with us while we share the dark side of New Orleans’ history! Buy one get one Free Hurricanes for our Adult guests the hour prior to each tour. Grab your beverage of choice and bring it along with you (as long as it's in plastic please - no glass allowed) It's fun - historically accurate ghost and vampire tales with a lot of good laughs and scary enough to give you the chills!

Points of Interests

On your Ghost and Vampire Walking Tour, you will enjoy viewing these locations: 

DETAILS FOR THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER HAUNTED TOUR

New Orleans is a city with a magical feel, and the character and traditions of the historic French Quarter make walking tours a popular and affordable way for visitors to enjoy the city . French Quarter Phantoms’ Master Storytellers have been described as “the strangest bunch of real historians you’ll ever have the pleasure of spending time with!” What is important to you is important to us: quality content and reliable, educated, FUN guides with a passion for making sure our guests have a great experience. Our tours  are highly recommended by members of the New Orleans Concierge Association ; our Ghost and Vampire tour was voted New Orleans’ #1 Haunted Tour 8 years in a row. It has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor Hall of Fame, People Love Us On Yelp Badge, and Top Rated on Viator. French Quarter Phantoms are also the Discovery Channel's Official Best of Louisiana.

French Quarter Phantoms Ghost tour & Vampire tour combo is our signature tour. Haunted by phantoms and the hovering mysteries of past tragedies, the French Quarter is a place where the spirits often find the coffin too confining. Master Storytellers guide groups through darkened streets for a historically accurate fun-filled tour full of New Orleans ghost stories and tales of Vampires. We’ll thrill guests with a lot of good laughs and a chill up their spine, BUT nobody jumps out to pinch them!

This is our most popular tour, reserve your tickets now! The #1 Haunted New Orleans Walking Tour.

Yes, you have seen us on A&E, The Travel Channel, Sci Fi, The Discovery Channel, BBC World, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel and in Southern Living Magazine!

Receive our two-for-one Hurricane Drink Special at the bar with your ticket!

INTERNET SPECIAL - ONLY $22.00!

Regular $25.00

Adult participants aged 21 years and older will have the chance to purchase one Hurricane drink and receive another one for free, served in a complimentary souvenir cup, prior to the tour.

Tour Information

   WHEN :  6:00PM and 8:00PM nightly.  

 LENGTH:  1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how many questions our guests ask. There is a 10 minute "comfort break" at the halfway point.   

 STARTS FROM:  The Voodoo Lounge, 718 North Rampart Street (On the corner of Orleans Street and Rampart Street)   

 ENDS AT:  Near Jackson Square

 DISTANCE:  Under 1 mile

 INTERNET SPECIAL: $22

Last Podcast on the Left

Madame lalaurie mansion.

French Quarter Phantoms was featured in Ep 552 of “ Last Podcast on the Left .” Enjoy this episode that goes into great detail about the infamous haunted Madame LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans and check out their other episodes. For more information about our New Orleans Ghost Tours , contact us today!

Over 20 Years of Excellence!

Worth the trip to new orleans by itself, luke is great, charm, professionalism, knowledge & fun, it was amazing and very informative, great start tge trip, enjoyed it so much we booked another tour, great tour, best walking tour ever.

Not Just Your Ordinary Cheap Thrill!

Fun French Quarter Walking tours led by Master Storytellers. Choose from our Ghost & Vampire walking tour, Garden District walking tour, Tour Tremé or Saints and Sinners: a Dirty little French Quarter History tour. Who knew history could be so much fun? All tours are about one hour forty-five minutes, walking distance is just under one mile. Bring your camera (and your friends), wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to have fun! Established in 2006. Locally owned and operated. We love entertaining you and it shows. Join us for the best walking tours New Orleans has to offer. Book online for $22 per person and you receive a discount of $3 per ticket! (Regularly $25 per person).

THE VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N RAMPART STREET, NEW ORLEANS LA 70116 504-666-8300 | PRIVACY POLICY

New augmented reality walking tour reveals what Third Ward ghost signs used to look like

Mike Roe, the executive creative director for Milwaukee marketing agency Hoffman York , got interested in ghost signs when he noticed one outside his office window in the Third Ward, and then started noticing them everywhere in the neighborhood.

Ghost signs are faded advertisements that were painted on the outside of buildings decades ago, the remnants of which can still be seen.

"These signs were like the original out-of-home advertisements before TV, before social media, when you'd paint a big message on the side of your building to say, 'These are things we sell,'" Roe said. "And now it's like this art form of a part of history."

As his interest in the ghost signs grew, Roe started talking to people at the Historic Third Ward Association and learned about some of the factors that make the old, faded signs so prevalent in the Third Ward — including the fact that the area is a federally protected historic district and that it has a concentration of brick buildings built after a fire in 1892 destroyed hundreds of wooden buildings .

Roe wondered if there was a noninvasive way to preserve the signs before they completely fade away so people can see what they looked like in their glory days. With the help of augmented reality technology, he and some coworkers created a ghost sign tour of 13 signs on 10 buildings in the Third Ward. Now people can scan a QR code on a paper map or a mobile link, hold up their phone to a building, and see what the ghost sign used to look like.

Here's what Roe had to say about the tour and his fascination with ghost signs.

How did you learn what the ghost signs used to look like?

Most of the signs are now illegible so I had to find old photographs, some of them century-old. And when you look for those photos, they're usually of other things. So you're sifting through all these old photographs to try to catch these buildings in the background.

I found all these photos at the Milwaukee Public Library and the Milwaukee County Historical Society and the Wisconsin Historical Society . I've never had an excuse to really explore those places before, but whenever I would tell the staff there what I was looking to do, everyone was so friendly and excited and happy to help.

Once we found enough photos for reference, our designers and art directors re-created the signs. The augmented reality work was challenging because that type of technology works really well for closer stuff, like when you go to a furniture store website and they show you what your furniture would look like in your living room. But we were trying to use the technology on a much bigger scale, to show what something would look like on the side of a whole building. The developers used geolocation and got it worked out so when you use your phone to look at the side of the building, the sign will sit there and when you move, it stays anchored and doesn't float around.

What can people expect when they go on the tour?

People can go to the Historic Third Ward Association, 525 E. Chicago St., to get a copy of the map. We're also hoping to partner with other places in the Third Ward, like the Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St., so people spending time in the Third Ward can pick up a map to either take a walking tour of the signs or use the mobile link ( augmentedhistory.org ) when they come across the buildings.

Then, as you come up to one of the buildings on the map, you use your phone to scan the QR code for that building, and hold up your phone to the ghost sign, and it will overlay the image of what the sign used to look like.

Will there be more ghost sign tours in the future?

What's great about having this tour in the Third Ward is, in addition to so many ghost signs, people can get something to eat, go to the shops and the galleries, spend some time walking around and have a fun adventure.

We've had kind of tunnel vision on creating this experience and making it live, and now, after doing a soft launch, we're realizing how many people are really enthusiastic about this. A lot of people have told me about their passion for this art form, so we'd love to feed that passion as much as we can. And I've noticed there are a lot of ghost signs in the Fifth Ward as well. A part of me would love to expand the tour, and I do love the idea of finding other ghost signs in Milwaukee.

How do you explain your fascination with ghost signs?

I would never have called myself a history buff, but there's something about these signs. I look at them and then when I see what they used to look like, I think about that company and what they used to sell and what it used to be like.

Like one of the buildings had these two Rex Chocolates signs, which was this big chocolate manufacturer. When I was researching them, I found magazine and newspaper articles about them, then on eBay, I found some of their old candy tins. I love to see that there was this whole experience, this whole brand that few people know about now that used to be this giant of Milwaukee industry.

I've got to watch out. It's definitely a rabbit hole.