Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour

REVIEW · DENVER

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour

  • 5.034 reviews
  • From $99.00
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Operated by Best Tours of Denver LLC · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (34)Price from$99.00Operated byBest Tours of Denver LLCBook viaViator

Ghosts have a way of making old neighborhoods feel new. This Capitol Hill history and ghost walk strings together Denver’s Victorian-era side with spooky stories and scandal-level gossip tied to real addresses. I especially like the professional guide who keeps the pace easy while still packing in details, and I’d note one consideration: it’s still a walking tour, so comfy shoes matter.

I also love the photo-friendly route, especially the jump to the Sherman Towers Penthouse for wide views up at the Rockies and the peaks you can spot on a clear day. There’s a short mid-tour coffee shop break too, which helps you reset before the next stretch of mansions.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

  • Crawford Hill Mansion: a strong start that sets the tone for Denver’s Victorian grandeur
  • Poets Row in the Historic Sherman District: a great area to slow down and look closely
  • Colorado State Capitol: a major landmark that helps the stories feel grounded in the city itself
  • A mid-tour coffee shop stop: a quick break without turning the tour into a bus day
  • Multiple haunted mansion exteriors: plenty of stops for photos, urban legends, and architectural eye-candy
  • Sherman Towers Penthouse: 15 stories up with big-sky views toward Pikes Peak and Longs Peak

Capitol Hill Ghosts Start at 901 Sherman St: The Walk You Can Actually Manage

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Capitol Hill Ghosts Start at 901 Sherman St: The Walk You Can Actually Manage
The tour meets at 901 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203, starting at 10:00am, and it ends back at the same spot. It’s listed as about 2 hours, but it can run longer depending on questions and how the group moves, so plan for a relaxed morning rather than a tight schedule.

The format is friendly for people who don’t want to overthink it. You get a tour escort/host, you stay with your group at a comfortable walking pace, and you get a few planned moments to catch your breath—most importantly, a short break at a trendy Capitol Hill coffee shop in the middle of the experience.

One smart detail for logistics: you’ll have a mobile ticket, and the tour is set near public transportation. That matters if you’re mixing the ghost walk with other Capitol Hill plans. And since it’s a private tour for your group only, you’re not packed in with strangers at every stop.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour notes that most travelers can participate—it’s not described as extreme, but it is on your feet.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Denver.

Crawford Hill Mansion and Poets Row: Victorian Looks That Make the Stories Easier to Believe

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Crawford Hill Mansion and Poets Row: Victorian Looks That Make the Stories Easier to Believe
You’ll begin with Crawford Hill Mansion, and it works as a mood-setter. Even if you’re not a die-hard architecture fan, this kind of starting point gives you something solid to look at while the ghost stories start flying. You’re not just hearing tales in the abstract—you’re seeing the kind of grand exterior that helps these stories stick.

From there, you’ll head into Poets Row in the Historic Sherman District. This stop is a gift if you love walking slower for visual details. Streets like this tend to reward you for noticing textures, shapes, and the way the neighborhood reads as “lived-in history,” not a museum set.

Practical tip: bring your photo patience. These early stops are where you’ll want to experiment with angles—low and tall shots both matter when you’re photographing Victorian-style facades.

Colorado State Capitol and 13th Street: Landmarks Meet Local Legends

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Colorado State Capitol and 13th Street: Landmarks Meet Local Legends
A highlight is the walk that brings you to the Colorado State Capitol. Even if you’ve seen it before, it adds weight to the tour. It’s hard for ghost stories to feel totally random when you’ve got a major real-world landmark in your view.

Then the tour shifts back into neighborhood mode with 13th Street, described as eclectic and diverse. This part helps the stories feel like they belong to everyday Denver, not only to a single “haunted district” bubble. It’s also where you get a nice contrast: big official presence near the Capitol, then street life and personality in between the historic addresses.

If you’re the type who likes context, this middle stretch is where your guide’s Denver talk starts connecting the dots—how people lived, what was scandalous, and why certain houses became conversation starters over time.

Haunted Sheedy, Peabody Whitehead, and the Big Mansion Stretch

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Haunted Sheedy, Peabody Whitehead, and the Big Mansion Stretch
This is the section where the tour earns its ghost name. You’ll move through a series of stops tied to specific haunted homes, including:

  • Haunted Sheedy Mansion
  • Haunted Peabody Whitehead Mansion
  • Creswell Mansion
  • Haunted Molly Brown House
  • Haunted Dunning Benedict Mansion
  • Haunted Keating Mansion
  • Haunted Dodge Gregory House
  • Haunted Crooke Patterson Mansion

The best part is how the guide frames each stop. It’s not just name-drops. You’ll get the kind of storytelling that mixes spooky mood with local neighborhood scandal and the personalities behind the buildings. That approach makes the tour feel more like a guided walk through Denver’s past than a generic “boo” experience.

Photo lovers will also enjoy this stretch. These stops are set up for exterior views—think stoops, facades, and the classic “how did someone build this?” energy. Even if you keep your camera mostly locked on wide shots, you’ll find plenty to frame.

One thing to keep in mind: because you’re doing several mansion exteriors back-to-back, the tour works best when you’re ready to keep your eyes up. If you tend to zone out on street-level details, you might want to check in with your guide. Ask a question when something catches your interest. People who enjoy dialogue tend to get the most out of this part.

Sherman Towers Penthouse: 15 Stories Up With Rocky Mountain Views

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Sherman Towers Penthouse: 15 Stories Up With Rocky Mountain Views
The tour’s view payoff comes at Sherman Towers Penthouse—described as 15 Stories Above the City of Denver. This is where the walk turns into a mini “look at what you’re standing on” moment.

The view is listed as spectacular, including sights toward the Rocky Mountains and peaks such as Pikes Peak and Longs Peak. On a clear day, this stop can be a real highlight because it gives you a sense of how Capitol Hill sits in the larger Denver picture.

If you care about photos, this is where your pictures go from “cool street” to “wow, I’m really in Colorado.” Even if you’re not planning to buy a tripod or become a photography hobbyist overnight, take a few seconds to step back from the building lines and grab a broad view.

The Guides Make It: Bill, Sheila, and Kim-Style Storytelling

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - The Guides Make It: Bill, Sheila, and Kim-Style Storytelling
The biggest praise centers on the guide experience. People call out guides who are engaging, answer questions, and don’t rush the group along like it’s a timed checklist.

In particular, names that come up in standout feedback include Sheila and Kim—both described as fun, interactive, and attentive to questions. There’s also mention of the tour host Bill in positive feedback, and the common thread is the same: the guide sets a playful tone, shares history in story form, and keeps you feeling like your group is the priority.

Here’s why that matters for value. A ghost tour can fall flat if the guide reads from a script or treats the neighborhood like scenery. In this case, the best reviews point to a guide who listens, responds, and adjusts to the group. If you’re curious—about the houses, the people who lived there, or why certain stories stuck—you’re likely to feel heard.

It’s also a good sign that the tour can feel unhurried. One comment notes the experience lasted closer to almost 3 hours, with the group not feeling rushed. That suggests you won’t be steamrolled through your own questions.

Price and Value at $99: What You’re Really Buying

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Price and Value at $99: What You’re Really Buying
At $99 per person, you’re not paying for a cheap stroll. You’re paying for a guided experience with multiple planned stops, a coffee shop break, and the big ticket view moment at Sherman Towers Penthouse.

What makes the price feel more reasonable is the mix of stops:

  • several recognizable mansion exteriors (with built-in photo chances),
  • a major landmark visit at the Colorado State Capitol,
  • and an elevated viewpoint stop with Rocky Mountain/peak views.

Also, this is set up as private for your group, and the tour mentions group discounts. So if you’re traveling as a small group—friends, a couple with another couple—it can shift from “okay, pricey” to “this is a fun way to do Capitol Hill without hours of planning.”

Tips aren’t required. Still, the tour notes that if you feel your guide did an excellent job, you can tip. That’s a nice fit with the style of guiding people are praising—engaging, question-friendly, and worth rewarding.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip the Spooky Part)

Tip Based: Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour - Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip the Spooky Part)
This is a strong match if you:

  • like ghost stories but also want them tied to real places,
  • want a relaxed walking pace with a guide doing the heavy lifting,
  • enjoy neighborhoods where architecture and street personality both matter,
  • and want a view stop that’s more than just “stand here and look.”

It may not be your best pick if you:

  • hate walking or want a totally low-movement experience,
  • dislike spooky tone altogether (this is a ghost-themed tour even though it’s history-heavy),
  • or you’re the type who needs lots of indoor time. Most stops are built around exteriors.

If you’re visiting Denver for the first time and want one morning that mixes famous landmarks with neighborhood atmosphere, this tour hits a useful sweet spot.

Should You Book the Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour?

Yes—if you want your Denver morning to feel like a story you can walk through. The combination of haunted-mansion stops, the Colorado State Capitol, and the big Sherman Towers Penthouse view makes it more than a novelty ghost walk.

I’d book it especially if you care about the guide experience. The strongest feedback centers on guides like Sheila and Kim keeping things engaging, answering questions, and making the group feel un-rushed. If you like that kind of interaction, this tour is likely to click.

If you’re unsure, ask yourself one question: do you want Denver’s Capitol Hill to be more than a quick photo stop? If yes, this is an efficient way to get both spooky and practical in about half a morning.

FAQ

How long is the Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour?

It runs for about 2 hours (approximately). Some tours may take longer depending on the group and pace.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $99.00 per person.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 901 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203, USA.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time listed is 10:00am.

Is the tour a private experience?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group will participate.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The tour includes a tour escort/host.

Is there a break during the tour?

Yes. There is a short break in the middle at one of Capitol Hill’s trendy coffee shops.

Do I need to tip?

A tip is never required, but it’s encouraged if you feel your guide did an excellent job.

Is it easy to get to the meeting point?

The meeting area is near public transportation.

What if the minimum number of travelers isn’t met?

If the experience is canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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