Walking tours explore intriguing surroundings at a leisurely pace, much like a photography class held in a thick bog of quicksand. Let it all sink in with today's Groupon: for $26, you get a 90-minute Murder, Mystery & Mayhem walking tour for two people from Tour Guys Vancouver (a $52 value). Tours run through October 31 and take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Additional dates may be added.
Tour Guys' crew of local historians, pulp culture experts, and architecture gurus guide nocturnal sightseers on walking tours to discover sites of unsolved murders and sinister events. Tours kick off at Centennial Fountain in front of the Vancouver Gallery, where an expert raconteur brings life to the tale of the building's ill-fated architect and a cursed drafting compass that couldn't draw a symmetrical circle. Couples stretch their toes under the night's sky as they journey to the scenes of uncontrollable riots and crimes committed by the city's most notorious gangsters. Meanwhile, offbeat stories add a dash of laughter to the evening's wicked events. Ninety-minute treks end in Gastown near the supposedly haunted Blood Alley, where walking duos can ask guides for directions or which brand of vacuum works best for busting ghosts. While there are no age restrictions for the Murder, Mystery & Mayhem walking tour, Tour Guys advises that it is best enjoyed by those ages 12 and up.
Tour Guys Vancouver
Seasoned tour guides Jason Kucherawy and Steve Woodall and their team of charismatic history buffs, storytellers, and pop-culture enthusiasts lead inventive walking tours that have been lauded by the Vancouver Sun, MSNBC, and the Washington Post. Although they live at opposite ends of the country—Steve in Vancouver, Jason in Toronto—the two self-professed “tour guys” stay true to their company’s mission: to have fun, meet people from around the world, and educate tourists on a city's hidden gems. To realize their mission, Jason and Steve host a barrage of free tours to bring these educational city romps to as many people as possible.
In Vancouver, these knowledgeable guides pilot tours that explore the city's vibrant culture, culinary hotspots, and local breweries. They also shed a light on the city’s dark past, delving into a gruesome history of unsolved murders, infamous riots, dangerous gangsters, and vampire mayors. These immersive tours landed Tour Guys Vancouver a high ranking on TripAdvisor's list of Vancouver's best tours.