Flagstaff’s darker side is served with a drink. This guided haunted pub crawl pairs downtown walking with stories of robberies, murders, suicides, and the town’s eerie, old-school legends. You’ll move through preserved blocks and recognizable landmarks while stopping for a drink at historic bars.

I especially liked the way the guide, Steve, makes the tales feel personal and vivid, not just recited. I also like that you’re not only hearing ghost talk—you’re learning who built what, like John Weatherford and Dr. Raymond, and why certain places carry a reputation. One drawback: you’re on your feet for about 2.5 hours, so if you prefer long periods sitting, this may feel a bit too active.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Remember

• A guide with story-time energy (Steve) who brings Flagstaff’s odd history to life
• Weatherford Hotel + Zane Gray Bar as a themed anchor stop
• Three downtown pub stops so the walk stays varied, not repetitive
• Outdoor patio storytelling that leans into the seedy, old-town vibe
• Orpheum Theatre sightings on the route past a well-known haunted landmark

Meeting at Flagstaff’s Train Station, Then Walking Into the Past

The tour starts at the south side of the train station, on the track side. Your guide wears southwestern gothic attire, so it’s designed to be easy to spot even if you arrive a few minutes early and are still figuring out where you’re headed. From there, you’re set loose on downtown Flagstaff’s historic district—an area built around preserved buildings and old connections between hotels, shops, and the people who worked there.

The “haunted pub crawl” format matters. It’s not a quiet cemetery-style tour where you mostly listen in place. Instead, you’ll walk, stop, and keep moving while the guide threads the stories together. That pacing can be a win because the setting keeps changing: storefront to theater, hotel to bar, then back out into the street. It helps the legends feel rooted in real geography rather than floating around as pure spooky talk.

It’s also live and in English, and the route is marked as wheelchair accessible. If you use a mobility aid, this is an important plus because you’re not stuck with a tour that assumes everyone can do uneven old-downtown walking. You will want to bring an ID or passport, since that’s specifically required.

Why Flagstaff’s Haunted Stories Make Sense (Not Just Shock Value)

Flagstaff’s haunted reputation isn’t random. This tour leans into how the town grew from a small railroad settlement into a place where people lived, worked, and sometimes suffered intensely. As you walk, you’ll hear about early town characters and the places tied to them—hotels, offices, and businesses that shaped everyday life.

You’ll also get a mix of legend and tragedy: robberies and murders, yes, but also suicides, plus a specific, chilling storyline connected to the 1930s—Marie Walkup and her murdered children. Hearing that kind of story in the context of where it happened (instead of as a standalone tale) changes how you process it. It stops being “spooky content” and turns into a real reminder that these were ordinary streets before they were tourist-worthy.

And the guide doesn’t just toss out ghost names. You’ll learn context around the buildings themselves. John Weatherford, for example, is tied to the Weatherford Hotel and the nearby Orpheum Theatre—the kind of detail that makes you look at architecture differently. You start noticing corners, facades, and how a hotel and theater can sit side by side and still feel separate, like different chapters of the same town book.

Weatherford Hotel and Zane Gray Bar: The Themed Anchor Stop

One of the most satisfying parts of this tour is how it uses the Weatherford Hotel as a natural centerpiece. You’ll explore the area and then enjoy a drink at the historic Zane Gray Bar. Even if you’re not a bar-hopper by nature, the setup works because the location is part of the storytelling. It’s a place where the past feels present, and you’re not interrupting the tour to “just grab a drink.” The stop is written into the experience.

Here’s what I like about anchor stops like this: they give you a clear “midpoint” you can orient around. You’re not only walking and listening; you also have a pause where the tour’s theme can land. The guide can slow down, build the mood, and connect the surrounding landmarks to the stories being told.

You’ll also get a hint of what the tour is really aiming for: eerie atmosphere with old-town details. The highlights mention sitting outside on a patio and listening to seedy tales. That outdoor setting matters because it changes the energy. Indoors, stories can feel theatrical; outdoors, they start to feel like something you might overhear after hours.

Patio Storytelling and Three Historic Pub Stops

This tour is structured around breaks at historic downtown pubs—three different locations across the route. Each stop gives you a chance to reset your senses while still keeping the walking momentum. You’re essentially getting a guided walk plus a mini “bar history” tour.

The patio element is one of the stronger mood choices. When you sit outside and sip something while the guide tells darker anecdotes, the whole thing feels more like hanging out with a local storyteller than attending a staged performance. The highlights point out the seedy vibe, and that fits the theme: robberies, murders, suicides, and tragedies wrapped into a story format.

Practical note: the tour is built around ordering a drink at these places. The data doesn’t say the drinks are included, so I’d plan on paying whatever the bar charges. If you’re watching your budget, treat the tour price as the guide and experience fee, then budget separately for your drink choices.

This “repeatable stop” style also helps if you’re traveling with people who don’t want a single long chunk of walking. The tour gives you regular moments to stand, listen, and shift your focus. It’s one reason the time tends to feel faster than the official duration.

The Orpheum Theatre and the Buildings You Walk Past

One of the fun parts is that the route doesn’t only stop at bars and hotels. You’ll also walk past haunted historic buildings, including the Orpheum Theatre. The theater’s presence near the Weatherford Hotel gives you that street-level sense that downtown Flagstaff is layered—different eras sitting almost side by side.

The tour also connects several “supernatural hotspot” type locations. It points to the 1926 train depot and Hotel Monte Vista as known supernatural hotspots. Whether you fully buy into hauntings or you’re more of a skeptic, this is useful travel listening. It pushes you to look at a town like a chain of stories rather than a list of sights.

And you’ll get names that make the city feel specific, not generic. The guide brings in figures like Kindly Dr. Raymond, tied to offices on Leroux St., and the Weatherford-linked buildings built from John Weatherford’s imagination. That matters because it gives the legends a backbone: people did things, buildings were used for work and lodging, and tragedy can become part of place over time.

The Value Question: What $50 Gets You in 2.5 Hours

At $50 per person for about 2.5 hours, you’re paying for three things: a guided walking experience, structured stops at historic downtown pubs, and a guide who has enough command of the material to connect the dots while you’re moving.

This is usually where haunted tours can go wrong—either the stories feel random, or the stops feel like a sales pitch. Here, the reviews help clarify why it feels worth it. The tour earns strong marks for Steve’s delivery and the way he brings the stories to life. In fact, the reviews highlight that the time flew by and the group had a blast, which tells me the format keeps energy up rather than dragging.

Also, the price-to-time ratio is fairly reasonable for a guided downtown route. You’re not getting a short photo stop with a quick narration. You’re getting a planned sequence with real place-based stops—Weatherford Hotel and Zane Gray Bar being the big “pay attention” moment, plus two other historic pub stops and a route that includes the Orpheum Theatre.

If you like history that’s a little spooky and you’ll enjoy listening while you walk, you’ll likely feel it’s money well spent. If you hate walking or you want a strictly academic tone, you might find the haunted edge a bit too playful.

Who Should Book This Pub Crawl (And Who Might Skip It)

This is a great match if you want:

• A guided way to see downtown Flagstaff that doesn’t feel like a self-guided checklist
• A tour where the guide’s personality matters as much as the facts
• A history-and-story format that includes serious tragedy alongside folklore-style haunted talk

It’s also a solid choice for people who like “place-based” storytelling. You’re not just hearing about a haunting in the abstract. You’re connected to locations like the Weatherford Hotel, Zane Gray Bar, the Orpheum Theatre, and sites tied to the 1926 train depot and Hotel Monte Vista.

One fit question: age. The tour is not suitable for people under 21. If you’re booking for a mixed-age group, double-check everyone’s eligibility before you commit.

Should You Book Spirits With The Spirits?

I’d book it if you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys history with attitude—especially when the setting is already built for it. The strongest selling points are Steve’s delivery and the structure: walking downtown, hitting the Weatherford Hotel and Zane Gray Bar, then working through multiple historic pub stops while the guide strings the eerie stories together.

I wouldn’t book it if you want a quiet, gentle tour with minimal motion and minimal dark subject matter. This one leans into robberies, murders, suicides, and the heavy story tied to Marie Walkup.

If you’re deciding between “watching haunted stuff online” and actually stepping into a historic district with a live guide, this is the pick that turns the spooky theme into a real afternoon in Flagstaff.

FAQ

How long is the Spirits With The Spirits haunted pub crawl?

It lasts about 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll need to check availability for the schedule.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $50 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet your guide on the south side of the train station on the track side. Look for a guide dressed in southwestern gothic attire.

What stops are included on the route?

You’ll explore historic downtown Flagstaff and stop for drinks at three different downtown pubs, including the Zane Gray Bar at the Weatherford Hotel. You’ll also walk past landmarks like the Orpheum Theatre.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for people under 21.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is in English.

Do I need ID?

Yes. Bring a passport or an ID card.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s listed as wheelchair accessible.

FAQ

What kind of stories will the guide cover?

The tour focuses on Flagstaff’s haunted past, including robberies, murders, suicides, and a tragic 1930s story involving Marie Walkup and her murdered children.

Will I have to order drinks during the tour?

The experience includes stops where you can enjoy a drink at historic downtown bars, so you should expect to order drinks at the stops.

Does the tour end back where it starts?

Yes. It ends back at the meeting point.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes—free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour.

Are starting times fixed?

No. Starting times vary, so check availability to choose a departure time that fits your day.

Can I book without paying right away?

Yes. It’s offered as reserve now & pay later, so you can book a spot and pay nothing today.