Get Spooked

Category: Quick Stops

Abraham Lincoln history and the supernatural collide in Springfield, Bloomington, and Lincoln, where guided tours highlight the sites and spirits of Central Illinois.

Springfield Walks
Inspired by ghost walks he took through Europe, Illinois native Garrett Moffett began researching Illinois ghost lore. After developing Macomb’s first ghost walk, Moffett started Springfield Walks in 2006. On a given night, as many as 100 people may participate in the thoroughly researched Lincoln’s Ghost Walk tour—one of many Moffett offers.  
 
Lincoln’s Ghost Walk: Legends & Lore is a 90-minute, 12-block walking tour that combines Lincoln history with eerie stories about Lincoln’s spiritual beliefs, his prophetic visions, his ghost in the White House, Mary Todd Lincoln’s insanity trial, Lincoln’s funeral train, and his tomb. Despite talk of visions, dreams, séances, insanity, and ghosts, this tour is suitable for all ages. Try It: March 3 to May 30, Tuesday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; June 2 to August 30, Monday to Sunday at 7:30 p.m.; September 1 to October 31, Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ($12 adults, $8 kids ages 11–17, free for kids under 10 up to two kids then $5 per child, $10 seniors and military)

Kick the ghost hunting up a notch with Springfield’s Haunted Dead Walk, a 16-block, 2.5-hour walking tour that explores Springfield’s haunted history, including ghost sightings at Springfield High School, the Inn at 835, and the Governor’s Mansion. If the timing is right, you may even get to participate in a hands-on paranormal investigation. Try It: September 5 at 8 p.m., every Friday and Saturday in October at 7 p.m. (not suitable for kids under 12 years of age; $15 per person)

For an adults-only look at Springfield’s true-crime history, come along on the 90-minute, 12-block R-Rated Springfield walking tour. You’ll learn about keystone cops and brothel raids, prohibition and speakeasies, race and miner riots, lynchings, the mob and murder, and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre connection. Intrigued yet? Take the tour to learn more. Try It: June 6 to September 27, every Saturday at 8 p.m.; every Friday and Saturday in October at 7 p.m. (must be older than 16 years old for this tour; $15 adults, $13 seniors and military)

If spirits aren’t your thing, try the 90-minute Mr. Lincoln’s Bicentennial Springfield Walk, which highlights Lincoln’s life in Springfield before he was elected president, including his law practice, his wedding, and his famous farewell from Springfield. Try It: May 1 to September 26, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. ($12 adults, $8 kids ages 11–17, free for kids under 10 up to two kids then $5 per child, $10 seniors and military)

Spirits of Bloomington
For the past couple of years, Spirits of Tours guides Chris Hotz and Deborah Senger have donned the attire of a distinguished Abraham Lincoln and a graceful Mary Todd Lincoln to take interested souls on a tour of Bloomington’s place in Lincoln history, with intriguing tales, myths, and paranormal accounts of the area thrown in for good measure.

The carefully researched Spirits of Bloomington: Lincoln Legends & Lore relies on more than 50 references, countless personal interviews, and Deborah’s expertise as a historic and spiritual medium, certified paranormal investigator, and parapsychologist. Participants spend 90 minutes wandering a mile of downtown Bloomington with Abe and Mary, enjoying an entertaining and at times spooky account of Lincoln history, a little lost girl, murderous millionaires, and more. Try It: August 21 at 8 p.m., September 11 at 8 p.m. ($10 each; reservations required)

Come along with Frankie (Chris Hotz) and Sally (Deborah Senger) as they investigate the paranormal on the Route 66 Ghosts and Gangsters Tour. Your two Prohibition-era guides will take you on a short walk through downtown Bloomington, a hotspot during Prohibition and the gangster era. You’ll take a peek at former speakeasy sites and finish the tour with a paranormal investigation at the haunted Phoenix/Mid-City Hotel on Route 66. Try It: August 22 at 9:30 p.m., September 12 at 9:30 p.m. (ages 12 and older; $20 per person; reservations required)

Spirits of Lincoln
This summer, the Spirits of Tours from Bloomington have expanded to Lincoln, where guides Chris Hotz and Deborah Senger arrive dressed as Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln to guide participants around downtown.

The Lincoln Ghost Walk begins at the christening scene on the corner of Broadway and Chicago, then continues throughout the downtown historic district with stops at the Logan County Courthouse and other historical sites. Be prepared for a dose of the paranormal along with insights on Abe and Mary’s life from the actors who portray them. Try It: August 14 at 8 p.m., August 28 at 9 p.m. ($10 per person; reservations required)

If you’re clamoring for more spooky sightings in Central Illinois, join Chris and Deborah for a paranormal investigation at the Scully Mansion north of Lincoln. A portion of the proceeds from the investigation will be donated to The Mill on 66 Restoration Project. Try It: August 15 at 7:45 p.m. ($20; reservations required)

Tags: Quick Stops | Bloomington-Normal | Lincoln | Springfield | Walking Tours | Ghost Walks | Abraham Lincoln |

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