Review: Historic Ghost Tour

We had the perfect ambiance Friday night for our ghost tour with Haunted Indiana: lightning, thunder, wind and a drizzle of rain. We started our tour at Monument Circle, then took a 90-minute stroll through downtown, hearing stories of hauntings and grizzly murders along the way.

Among other sites, we visited Rock Bottom (haunted by firefighters), the former L.S. Ayres (haunted by two former workers) and the Slippery Noodle (haunted by lots of people).

The focus, of course, was on ghostly activity, but there was some interesting history mixed in. It was nice to know the history of some of the buildings we see every day, and to learn about the growth of the city over time.

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Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and he started out the tour just right: by explaining his own personal encounter with a ghost.

I'll admit that the tour leaned more toward entertainment than education, but that's okay. It's better for your brain than another weekend evening at the movies.

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The next ghost walk in downtown Indianapolis is June 27, but the company also offers walking and bus tours of Noblesville, Westfield and Hamilton County. Reservations required.

Historic Ghost Walks in Indianapolis

Looking for a fun way to learn more about the history of our wonderful city? I think a ghost tour is in order. Sure, some of it will be cheesy, but there's bound to be lots of great history and trivia mixed in with the rest.

Historic Indiana is offering walking ghost tours of downtown Indy at 8:30 p.m. on May 30, June 6 and June 27. According to the company's Web site, the tour focuses on "a midwest serial killer, local early 1900 gangs and ladies of the evening." The tour is about 1.5 miles long and lasts about 90 minutes. Cost is $15 per person, and reservations are required.

The company's other walking tours focus on the Chatham Arch/Lockerbie area, Noblesville and Westfield. Bus tours are also available -- but why waste this lovely weather?