Entry No. 82 — the Des Moines file — filed under: haunted
Sherman Hill Historic Gaslight Ghost Tour
A nighttime walking tour through Des Moines' oldest neighborhood, lit by gaslight, that strings together roughly twenty haunted Victorian sites and the location of the city's most infamous unsolved 'Jack the Ripper'-style murder. It leans into real local hauntings rather than generic jump-scares. The walk ends inside an 1873 Victorian house said to be home to at least four ghosts, with hot tea or apple cider.
The story
Sherman Hill is Des Moines' oldest residential neighborhood, a grid of Victorian gingerbread facades, brick paving, and flickering street lanterns that look cozy until you realize how many strange things happened behind those ornate front doors. The Gaslight Ghost Tour ignores theatrical jump-scares in favor of the district's actual dark history, guiding you past roughly twenty sites across the neighborhood. Among the stops is the gruesome location of an unsolved 'Jack the Ripper'-style murder that local police never managed to close.
Rather than relying on actors in rubber masks, the walk leans heavily into documented hauntings, architectural quirks, and true-crime lore preserved by local residents who know the neighborhood's walls a little too well. The walk doesn't end on the sidewalk, either. You're brought straight inside a preserved 1873 Victorian home—a house local lore claims is currently inhabited by at least four spirits—where you can warm up with hot apple cider or tea while checking the corners of the room.
What it's like
Expect a atmospheric, low-tech night walk behind a guide who knows every dark corner of the neighborhood. You'll stick to dimly lit gaslamp streets and old sidewalks for roughly twenty quick stops, so wear sensible shoes. The tone is more unsettling true-history than screaming haunted-house thrill ride, though stepping into the close air of the 1873 house at the end has a way of resetting everyone's posture. Book ahead and double-check timing before you show up.
The move: Take the gaslit evening walk together, trade nervous glances through the haunted-site stories, and warm up with cider inside the 1873 house at the end.
📍 Before you go Reported to run Fri/Sat/Sun at 7:00 p.m., March through October, around $10/person; confirm current schedule before going. Children under 12 must be with an adult.
- 📍 Sherman Hill, Des Moines
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Sherman Hill Historic District, Des Moines, IA
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Woodland Cemetery — City Receiving Vault & Baby Hill — Des Moines' oldest cemetery sits less than half a mile away in Woodland Heights, offering an ideal daytime precursor to a night of Victorian crime stories.
- In Confidence — Head straight to this hidden basement speakeasy inside the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines after the walk to shake off the gaslit chills with a craft drink.
- Inner Space — ZeroBody Dry Float & Salt Lounge — Located on the northern edge of Sherman Hill along Keosauqua Way, this clinical dry-float lounge is the place to decompress after strolling past haunted Victorian sites.
Good to know
When does the ghost tour operate?
It typically runs Friday through Sunday at 7:00 p.m. from March through October, though operating windows can change so you should confirm before heading out.
How much does it cost and are children allowed?
Tickets are around $10 per person. Children under 12 are permitted but must be accompanied by an adult.
Is this a jump-scare haunted house style event?
No. It is a historical walking tour focused on authentic local hauntings, Victorian neighborhood history, true crime, and gaslit atmosphere without staged jump-scares.
Where does the tour wrap up?
The tour concludes indoors inside an 1873 Victorian residence reported to house four ghosts, where guests are served warm cider or tea.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: urbandsm.com · iowapublicradio.org · Official site · eventvesta.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23