Haunted tours of Starved Rock Country

Fall is officially here, and that means haunted tours are around the corner. Starved Rock Country’s past is packed with bone-chilling tales of terror and unexplained apparitions. Regardless of your belief in the supernatural, here are some great group tours sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.

‘The Mansion Is NOT Haunted’ Tour Returns

Hegeler Carus Mansion

1307 Seventh St., La Salle

hegelercarus.org

The Hegeler Carus Mansion’s fan-favorite “The Mansion is NOT Haunted” Tour is set to return in October. Dig up the history of the dead in this fully immersive experience, highlighting all the macabre customs of death in the Victorian era.

These adult-centric tours are an eerie trip back in time, featuring stationed and costumed guides who will entangle you in a web of customs and superstitions. Was being buried alive a real cause for fear? Who might you find lurking about in a Victorian cemetery and why? Victorian dress for guests is encouraged but not required (no glitter or spiked shoes permitted). This tour runs about one-hour, persons younger than 18 are allowed with an adult. Please note that the content is related to Victorian Funeral and Halloween traditions and may be a bit macabre for some audiences.

Tickets for both events are nonrefundable. Tour Dates: 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22, 23 and 25. To reserve your spot, visit: hegelercarus.org

Starved Rock Lodge’s Ghost Tours

Tour created by Follies Productions & Events

starvedrocklodge.com

815-220-7386

A fright night filled with ghost stories and eerie tales of hauntings and sightings is what you’ll enjoy if you book one of Starved Rock Lodge’s upcoming Ghost Tours. Choose between Friday, Saturday or Sunday night offerings, and get ready to experience a spooky adventure. Once you board the Starved Rock Lodge trolley, you’ll be escorted by a costumed guide to some local destinations known for their occult aura and haunted history.

This tour, created by Follies Productions & Events, is sure to provide you with all the spooky atmosphere you’re looking for this Halloween season. The tour is not recommended for children age 8 and younger. Tickets cost $30 a person. The tour is anticipated to last about 90 minutes to two hours. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2 through Oct. 31.

Preregistration is required, visit StarvedRockLodge.com/series/ghost-tours for more details.

Vice & Violence: Brothels, Bootleggers & Broken Lives

Awesome Ottawa Tours

awesomeottawatours.com

Sept. 26 - October 30, select dates

Embark on a chilling expedition through the annals of Starved Rock Country true crime history with Awesome Ottawa Tour’s “Vice & Violence: Brothels, Bootleggers & Broken Lives.” Ottawa serves as the backdrop for a journey into the world of organized crime, delving beyond the headlines to explore the life of infamous mob kingpin John Patrick Looney.

Born right in Ottawa’s working-class “Kerry Patch” neighborhood, Looney had a 33-year head start on Al Capone – building an empire of extortion, bootlegging and prostitution along the Mississippi while maintaining a quiet double-life in Ottawa as a devoted family man. His dual existence directly inspired the character of John Rooney (played by Paul Newman) in “Road to Perdition.”

If you’re looking to learn more about the region’s fascinating history, browse Awesome Ottawa Tours’ full selection of walks, driving tours, river boat tours and historical road-trips. Over the course of these tours, you’ll hear tales of crime, liberation and perseverance that all played a part in shaping this beautiful riverfront town.

To reserve your space on this tour and others, visit awesomeottawatours.comor call 815-343-4940.

Ottawa Downtown Association Presents: A Victorian Haunting - Escape from the Asylum

Oct. 24

facebook.com/OttawaDowntownAssociation

Don’t miss the return of one of Ottawa’s most anticipated events of the season! On Oct. 24, the Ottawa Downtown Association will be hosting “A Victorian Haunting: Escape from the Asylum” – a spellbinding evening filled with gourmet charcuterie, mystery, thrills and Victorian fun at the historic Reddick Mansion and picturesque downtown Ottawa.

In this immersive event, someone has escaped the asylum ... and they’re leaving clues throughout downtown Ottawa. Can you piece together the mystery before it’s too late? Your ticket unlocks an evening of eerie encounters, a citywide interactive game and chilling surprises around every corner. Experience Victorian parlor activities, historic tours and more fun themed activities. Don your finest Victorian attire and be entered to win a $100 Discover Ottawa gift card during the costume contest. The event is designed for guests 13 and older, so teens and adults alike can join in the mystery, thrills and fun.

For more information, and to reserve your tickets, visit: OttawaDowntownAssociation.org