A Night with Ghosts: Haunted Adventures in NW Portland (A Tour You Might Want to Forget)

Paranormal happenings in historical NW Portland. Cartoon Image of wood pile flying at Oregonian Reporters on NW Mashall street.

Tour Details

A Night With Ghosts - The tour you might want to forget.

Tour Description

Explore Portland’s haunted past on this spine-chilling strolling tour through Slabtown and Nob Hill. Led by Dr. Tanya March—historian, urban folklorist, and local expert—this tour uncovers ghost stories grounded in primary source history, drawn from old medical records, newspaper archives, spiritualist writings, and oral traditions.

This is not your average ghost tour. You’ll encounter tales of restless spirits, eerie coincidences, and unexplained phenomena—some of which have left a lasting mark on the city’s memory.

Content Advisory:
This tour includes stories involving religion, racism, a serial killer, a case of school yard gun violence, prostitution, missing children, suicide, death, grief, loss and malevolent spirits. Some material may be distressing or inappropriate for younger or sensitive guests. If you are easily triggered or disturbed by these topics, please proceed with caution. Ages 12+ only.

Itinerary

  • Start Location: Northeast corner of NW Pettygrove St & NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209. Your guide will be holding a lantern, make sure to arrive early—spirits aren’t known for their patience.

  • Duration: Approximately 90 minutes (100% outdoors)

  • End Location: Northeast corner of NW Pettygrove St & NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209- The 21+ crowd often crosses the street to look for spirits. Guide is always willing to help guest seeking the nearest streetcar stop.

Local Highlights

  • The American Inn (1905):
    Once the site of a grand hotel during the Lewis & Clark Exposition, this building’s past is tied to a horrific event at the Chicago World's Fair.

  • Joe’s Cellar:
    This legendary dive bar has been around since 1909 but was moved to this site in 1911—and along with its long history, it’s gained a reputation for attracting more than just bar regulars.

  • Millionaires’ Row:
    Once the most elegant street in Portland, today only a handful of mansions remain. Discover the stories of wealth, power, and loss that still echo down these quiet streets.

  • John Callahan Memorial Garden:
    This garden celebrates Portland’s legendary cartoonist with a mix of humor and dark wit—perfect to shake off any lingering chills.

  • Ernest Harp’s Poltergeist:
    Learn about one of Dr. March’s favorite paranormal narratives—a strange tale of a poltergeist and a mysterious child’s ghost playmate that will make you think twice before you sleep.

Tour Details

  • Offered year-round: rain or shine

  • Gift Card holders: Please book at least 24 hours in advance

Pricing

  • Living Guests (ages 12+): starting at $30

  • Ghost Guests (with death certificate): Free

Policies

  • Waiver: Guests must sign a waiver prior to departure. Guardians must sign for guests ages 12-17.

  • Ages 12 & Up Only: This tour isn’t for the faint of heart.

  • Arrive 10 Minutes Early: Ghosts don’t wait—and neither does your guide.

  • Rain or Shine: Dress appropriately for the weather.

  • Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be strolling outdoors for 90 minutes.

  • Wheelchairs & Rollator Walkers: In the rainy season the street drains might clog; guides might encourage groups to cross from a driveway to avoid leading the group into a massive puddle.

  • Dogs Welcome: Leashed and friendly dogs are allowed.

  • Late Arrival: If you’re running late, reply to your guide’s text prior to tour start time. (Guide can share location with Apple users.)

  • No Refunds for No-Shows.

Parking and Transportation: 

Metered street parking (until 7pm) is available in the area. Public transit (bus & street car) options are nearby. Parking meters in Northwest Portland are generally not enforced on Sundays.

Photography:

Feel free to take photos—some guests have even caught orbs! Please note that our waiver only protects our historic image copyrights, not your photos of the paranormal.  We often take an image of the tour guests our intent is to create lasting memories for our guests, enhancing the guest experience, and potentially for marketing purposes. We can take a picture with your phone if you prefer- typically we text all reservation holders the group picture.