REVIEW · DENVER
Mile High Hauntings: Guided Ghost Tour in Downtown Denver
Book on Viator →Operated by Smile High Tours · Bookable on Viator
Ghost stories meet real Denver streets. Mile High Hauntings threads the supernatural through LoDo, the city’s Lower Downtown core, and then walks you out into the lively, walkable finish at Larimer Square.
I especially like two things: the way the guide, Josh, mixes story pace with solid local context, and the small-group feel (up to 20 people), which makes the whole evening feel personal instead of scripted. Plus, you end up covering big-name landmarks that you might otherwise only rush past.
One thing to consider: this tour depends on good weather, so if conditions turn rough you’ll need a little flexibility for rescheduling.
In This Review
- Key tour takeaways
- LoDo after dark: starting at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row
- What 2.5 hours of guided wandering really feels like
- Market Street to Union Station: where the chill gets specific
- The Oxford Hotel and the speakeasy finale: stories with real emotional weight
- Why the history-first approach pays off
- Price and value: is $38 a fair deal?
- Logistics that matter: timing, transit, and the weather switch
- Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)
- Should you book Mile High Hauntings?
- FAQ
- How long is the Mile High Hauntings guided ghost tour?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Where does the tour start?
- Where does the tour end?
- Is admission included?
- Do I get a mobile ticket?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- What’s the maximum group size?
- Does the tour run in all weather?
- Are service animals allowed?
Key tour takeaways

- LoDo is the star: Lower Downtown is where the history-and-ghosts focus stays anchored.
- Josh’s storytelling: lively characters, clear context, and laughs alongside the chills.
- Landmarks on the route: Market Street, Union Station, the Oxford Hotel, and a speakeasy-style stop show up in the story flow.
- Small groups help: a maximum of 20 people, with some departures feeling especially intimate.
- Larimer Square finish: you’re done in a spot that’s easy to keep exploring right away.
LoDo after dark: starting at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

The tour begins at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Denver, 1946 Market St. That’s a smart starting point. You’re not wandering into Denver’s spooky stuff blind; you’re meeting right in the historic Lower Downtown area, where the streets already feel like they’re holding onto old stories.
From there, you’re set up for a walking experience that stays concentrated in LoDo. You get the sense that the guide isn’t just chasing ghosts for shock value. Instead, you’re learning how Denver’s growth, architecture, and famous addresses create the perfect backdrop for a ghost tour that feels grounded in place.
The other practical win is orientation. If you’re new to downtown, starting in Whiskey Row helps you learn the lay of the land fast. And if you already know Denver, it still works because you’re watching familiar streets through a different lens: who lived here, what happened here, and why these spots still matter.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Denver.
What 2.5 hours of guided wandering really feels like
Mile High Hauntings runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. For a ghost tour, that’s a good length. It’s long enough to hear a full string of stories, but not so long that you feel like you’re stuck in the same moment hour after hour.
The group size caps at 20 travelers, and that limit matters. It makes it easier for the guide to keep the pace moving and for the stories to land. One of the strongest compliments in the feedback is that even with a small group, the energy stays high and the storytelling doesn’t feel templated.
You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which keeps things simple on the day. And because it’s offered in English, it’s an easy pick if you want the stories delivered clearly without translation lag.
One note from the vibe of the tour: you’re not only collecting chills. You’re also getting laughs, plus enough history to make the whole route feel logical. That mix tends to work best when you’re okay with a guide talking for short stretches while you walk, then taking in a location, then moving again.
Market Street to Union Station: where the chill gets specific

LoDo is the base, but the story flow carries you down key downtown streets. Market Street shows up as a central thread in the tour experience, and it’s a great choice for this style of evening. It connects major points without requiring you to jump around the city.
Union Station is one of the standout stops mentioned in the experience: you get chilling stories associated with that location, and the way they’re told makes the station feel more than a transit hub. You’re basically learning to see it as a place where lots of lives crossed paths, and where that kind of movement can leave a lingering “presence” in local legend.
What I like about including Union Station in a ghost tour is that it’s familiar, even if you’ve only passed it. The stories land harder when the setting is real and you can see the details around you. Even if you’re not fully buying into the paranormal angle, you’ll probably enjoy the human side: the people, the timing, the drama, and the way the past keeps showing up in the physical details.
Also, if your goal is to understand why Denver feels the way it does downtown, Union Station gives you a built-in shortcut. It helps explain the city’s story without needing a museum schedule.
The Oxford Hotel and the speakeasy finale: stories with real emotional weight

The route continues toward the Oxford Hotel, another place that Denver fans recognize. In the best-rated moments, the Oxford Hotel comes with a colorful cast of spirits of its own, and the guide keeps the stories moving like a mini performance.
One of the most talked-about elements is an elevator-related ghost. The guide adds personal testimony to the legend, which gives the story an extra layer of immediacy. I like this approach when it’s done well: you’re not just hearing a generic rumor. You’re getting a narrative that feels stitched together, with the guide treating the location like part of the story rather than just a backdrop.
The tour then ends with a speakeasy-style story. The detail that stands out here is that it involves a mother’s tragic loss. That’s an important tonal note. Good ghost tours don’t all have to be jump-scare scary. Sometimes the best chilling moments come from sorrow, timing, and the lingering sense that something was never resolved.
And because your tour concludes at Larimer Square, you can step out of the spooky mode and immediately switch into easy evening logistics: grab a bite, look around, or just keep walking the area that feels built for wandering.
Why the history-first approach pays off

Here’s the secret sauce in a tour like this: the ghost stories work best when they’re not floating in space. Mile High Hauntings tends to earn top marks because the guide gives you context before the chills roll in.
That context starts right from your first location in LoDo. You hear about the history of the places you’re standing in, with lively characters and enough street-level detail to make the stories feel like they belong to Denver. Then the paranormal tales layer on top.
I also appreciate the mix of humor and spooky. It keeps the experience from getting too heavy. One compliment highlighted laughs alongside spine tingles, and that balance is exactly what I’d look for if you want the evening to feel fun instead of gloomy.
There’s also a seasonal bonus if your dates overlap with holiday light decor. One person loved the Christmas decor around the city during the tour, and that’s the kind of detail that can make the whole walk feel more atmospheric without changing what the tour actually is.
In short: you’re not just hunting ghosts. You’re learning how downtown Denver became downtown Denver, and then you’re watching local legend try to take a seat at the table.
Price and value: is $38 a fair deal?

At $38 per person for about 2 hours 30 minutes, this tour sits in the middle of what you’ll expect for a guided, story-driven experience in a major city. The value isn’t just the length, though.
A big part is that you get an admission ticket included in the experience, plus a route that focuses on multiple iconic stops instead of one area that feels repetitive. With a maximum group size of 20, you’re also paying for a guided format, not just a meetup where everyone wanders on their own.
You should also think about what you’ll spend instead if you skip a tour. If you’re staying only a short time in Denver, you might otherwise spend time researching what to see, where to walk, and what to learn. This tour compresses that decision-making into one guided storyline across Lower Downtown and beyond.
Bottom line: if you like history that’s tied to streets and you enjoy ghost stories told with energy, $38 can feel like a reasonable night out. If you hate walking, or you’re looking for a fully silent, museum-style experience, this might feel like more performance than you want.
Logistics that matter: timing, transit, and the weather switch

This is a walking tour that takes place in downtown Denver. It runs in English and uses a mobile ticket, so you can keep things pretty paper-light. It’s also near public transportation, which helps if you’re not driving or you want an easier arrival and departure.
The tour does require good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s worth taking seriously in Colorado, where plans can change fast. If you book during a week with iffy forecasts, plan for layers, comfy shoes, and a calm mindset about rescheduling.
One more planning detail: it’s commonly booked about 12 days in advance on average. So if you have a tight itinerary, don’t wait until the last second to lock it in.
Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This tour fits you well if:
- You want LoDo Denver context without doing a self-guided research project.
- You like ghost stories that lean into place-based history, not vague folklore.
- You enjoy a guide with strong storytelling energy, like Josh is known for in the feedback.
- You want a small-group evening that finishes in a walkable, fun downtown area.
You might skip it if:
- You need minimal walking and can’t handle a 2.5-hour downtown loop style experience.
- You strongly prefer your entertainment to be either strictly spooky or strictly factual. This one blends both.
Should you book Mile High Hauntings?
I’d book it if your idea of a great Denver night includes walking historic streets, hearing a guide tie the past to what you’re seeing, and ending in Larimer Square with an easy option to keep the evening going. The strongest praise centers on the guide’s storytelling, the history context, and the mix of laughs with chills. That combo is exactly what tends to make ghost tours either great or forgettable.
If you’re price-conscious, $38 feels more justified when you’re likely to stay downtown and walk anyway. If you’re only passing through and want a guided way to connect the dots between LoDo, Union Station, the Oxford Hotel, and the speakeasy-style story finale, this gives you that connection in one neat package.
FAQ
How long is the Mile High Hauntings guided ghost tour?
The tour runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.
How much does the tour cost?
It costs $38.00 per person.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Denver, 1946 Market St, Denver, CO 80202.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends at Larimer Square, 1430 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202.
Is admission included?
Yes, an admission ticket is included.
Do I get a mobile ticket?
Yes, it’s a mobile ticket.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
What’s the maximum group size?
The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.
Does the tour run in all weather?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed.

















