Des Moines Ghost Tour
Beneath the charm of Iowa’s capital lies a dark world of restless spirits and chilling secrets waiting to be uncovered on a Des Moines ghost tour.
GET TICKETSExperience the haunted side of Des Moines with Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours, where tragedy, mystery, and restless souls come to life after dark.
Why You Need to Take a Des Moines Ghost Tour
Des Moines is a city with a historic charm, but beyond the day-to-day bustle lies a darker side—a world of restless spirits and tragic history. Venture on a Des Moines ghost tour through the haunted heart of Iowa and discover the eerie unsolved mysteries, untimely deaths, and lingering souls from the city’s tortured past. Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours takes you to the city’s most haunted locations where spirits are said to roam, and their stories await being told. Experience an unforgettable blend of history and hair-raising encounters on a Des Moines ghost tour with Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours.
Why is Des Moines So Haunted?
Des Moines’ haunted history is as rich as its cultural heritage, with spirits tied to its most iconic locations. Terrace Hill, the grand governor’s mansion built in 1869, is one of the city’s most haunted spots. This towering Gothic Revival estate has seen decades of history, with whispers of ghostly figures wandering its opulent halls. Visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a little girl, rumor has it she likes to play with the elevator. Some believe she’s former residents who remain tied to the home, unable to leave its storied walls.
The Cloud Room adds to the city’s eerie reputation. Once a bustling restaurant at the airport many have reported a ghostly flight attendant looking for a flight that never came. The spectral energy of the Cloud Room has left many visitors shaken, as if the past refuses to let go of those who once traveled here.
Drake Observatory, a site for both science and the supernatural, is another haunt of Des Moines. Built in 1921, the observatory is known for unexplained lights, cold drafts, and eerie sounds echoing through its halls. Visitors have reported seeing a ghostly man near the telescopes, only to vanish moments later. Some believe this is the spirit of a passed astronomer, his passion for the stars keeping them tied to the observatory even after death.
Des Moines’ haunting allure lies in its blend of history, tragedy, and mystery. From Terrace Hill’s ghostly whispers to the weary travelers of the Cloud Room and the lingering spirits at Drake Observatory, the city offers a chilling glimpse into its haunted past. These spirits remind us that the past is never truly gone—it’s just waiting to be rediscovered.
Why should you tour with us?
There’s nothing more Iowa than sinking your teeth into a massive, breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, but after all that delicious indulgence, you might need a walk. Why not spice things up with a ghost tour of Des Moines’ haunted downtown? Walk off your meal while uncovering the eerie and macabre stories that make this city a hotspot for the ghosts of those who lived through its vibrant—and sometimes tragic—history.
The Iowa State Fair is famous for butter sculptures and funnel cakes, but if you’re a history buff visiting the city for this renowned event, don’t miss a chance to dive into Des Moines’ spookier side. While the fair celebrates everything Iowa, our ghost tour reveals the haunted history lurking just beneath the surface, from restless spirits to eerie unexplained events. Trust us; there’s more to this city than meets the eye.
Des Moines sports fans are passionate, and there’s nothing like the thrill of a nail-biter at a baseball game! If you’re still buzzing from a walk-off win or need to shake off the disappointment of a narrow defeat, a Des Moines Drop Dead Ghost Tour is just what the doctor ordered. Dive into the chills and thrills of Des Moines’ most haunted sites, where you might just see something that’ll make you forget all about that last pitch!
Not everyone believes in ghosts, and that’s totally fine! But after hearing about the uncanny experiences of locals and visiting sites known for their spooky activity in the heart of Des Moines, you might just start to question everything you thought you knew. Prepare to be amazed by tales of strange happenings and ghostly encounters that even the most hardened skeptics find hard to dismiss. Join our tour and discover the chilling evidence of ghostly encounters that will leave you with a new perspective on what lurks in the shadows of Iowa’s Capital City!
So, it’s your turn to organize the company outing, and you want to spice things up a bit! Ditch the boring old activities and book a ghost tour with Des Moines Drop Dead Ghost Tours! Our tour caters to everyone—from those who love a good scare to history buffs who enjoy the spooky stories of the past. What better way to build team spirit and create unforgettable memories than by exploring the haunted history of Des Moines together? Plus, it’s a guaranteed conversation starter in the office for weeks to come!
Most Haunted Places in Des Moines
Iowa State Capitol
The Iowa State Capitol carries an eerie connection to the tragic 1982 disappearance of paperboy Johnny Gosch. Hauntingly, childlike voices on the Senate floor whisper pleas for help, tugging at visitors’ emotions.
Argonne Armory
The Argonne Armory, built in 1934, is said to be haunted by ghostly horses and cavalry soldiers. Visitors report hearing phantom hoofbeats, feeling breezes from invisible steeds, and encountering apparitions of soldiers in vintage uniforms.
Wooly’s
Wooly’s, Des Moines’ premier concert venue since 2012, is haunted by a mischievous ghost that rearranges glasses into intricate patterns overnight. Security footage shows unseen forces opening cabinets and moving glassware in a ghostly “dance.” Staff believe it might be a helpful ghostly bartender working overtime behind the scenes.
FAQs
View our Refund Policy on this page if you have any questions!
Please see your booking details for meeting location. There are neighboring parking garages and street parking that are available in the area.
Group size varies based on time of year and demand. We can keep everyone in your party in the same group. We’ve been doing this for years, and manage group size to ensure guests have a great experience. In the event you can’t hear your tour guide, let them know, or move closer to them.
Pets are welcome as long as they do not disrupt or distract from the tour
The arrival time will be listed on your confirmation email and in the available tour times when you click the book button
Please do not call us, the best way to reach us is by email using the contact form on this website
An extended tour takes you to a few additional locations when the regular tour ends. This adds about four new places and 30 minutes to your tour- highly recommended
Book a tour and check the +1 box for each person in your group where it says “Extended Tour” at checkout to add an extended Ghost tour.
Please contact us directly for pricing and availability. We do not do private tours under 30 persons. If you have a group under 30, please order directly from the website’s book now option.
Tours are held rain or shine. We will contact you if the tour is cancelled.
Please only attend the tour for the day and time you are booked, as another day or time may not be available. If you need to reschedule, please contact us by email first. There is a $10 per order (not person) rebooking fee for each schedule change.
As it is unfair to other guests, we do not wait for late or no show parties. Please remember to arrive to the correct location on time! We do not grant refunds to guests who fail to arrive to the appointed place on time and miss their tour.
No, but some of the locations you can visit during the day for free. We simply wouldn’t have the time to focus on as many stories as we do if we were to enter each one, and we wish to focus on the stories, and leave the exploring up to you!
15 minutes before the start of your tour
No.
No, this is a walking tour.
Most of the tour is not stroller or wheelchair accessible.
Yes, you are welcome to take photos of the locations we visit!
No, videos are not allowed
No, there is no smoking allowed on the tour
We do not allow intoxicated guests or drinking on the tour- we will promptly ask those in violation to leave
Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours
America’s most infamously haunted house delivers the most terrifying scares from all across the nation. We’ve compiled an extensive list of notoriously haunted locations and packaged them into spooky, entertaining tours available throughout the nation. Discover the true, unfiltered stories that created these hair-raising scares in only the unique and engaging way our expert guides can bring them to you. From the ghosts of unsolved murders and tragic accidents to disturbed spirits unable to find peace, there’s no limit to what we expose on our authentic ghost tours. Join us as we take you on an unforgettable, chilling journey through your city’s dark past and uncover the sinister secrets that put these places on the otherworldly map.
The Lizzie Borden House is home to the infamous murders that captivated the nation and made Lizzie Borden a macabre household name. Guests can explore the house via a variety of tours and, for those brave enough, stay in this notoriously haunted home. We aim to provide you with a memorable experience as well as deliver the best ghost tours, haunted pub crawls, and a variety of other experiences in over 100 cities.
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