A night of chills, thrills, and zero-proof drinks in the Emerald City
Who says you need liquid courage to face the paranormal? Certainly not us. This sober squad recently hit the streets of downtown Seattle after dark for the Sinister Sins, Scandal, and Shadows: Seattle Ghost Tour from US Ghost Adventures, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
The Squad
Myself, fellow Sober Curator contributor Carolyn Bunn, and two of my sober allies and besties, Barbie Hull and Nina Feldman, linked up for an unconventional ladies’ night that turned out to be one of the most fun nights out we’ve had in a while. No cocktails required.
Pre-Game Prep: Goldfinch Tavern at the Four Seasons
Before the spooky stuff kicked off, we started the evening with non-alcoholic drinks, warm bread, and delicious cups of chowder at Goldfinch Tavern, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle. It was a celebration of sorts, and we lucked out with a cold but clear and dry evening in the city. If you’re looking for an upscale spot with solid NA options before a night out, Goldfinch delivers. Sober Curator Pro Tip: In addition to a variety of non-alcoholic cocktail options, they also offer a local favorite of mine, Jøyus Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine. You can purchase by the glass or by the bottle.
The Tour
The one-hour ghost tour starts right outside the Four Seasons, and we spotted our tour guide immediately thanks to the lantern he was carrying. Very on brand. Along with our crew, there were two other couples and one solo adventurer who had flown in all the way from Dallas to celebrate her birthday. Happy birthday to a fellow thrill-seeker!
For $7, you can add on an EMF Activity Detector, which measures electromagnetic field disturbances that some believe are linked to paranormal activity. The device has three LED lights that are easy to spot in the dark: green indicates little or no activity, yellow indicates moderate activity, and red indicates high activity. Let’s just say, we saw a LOT of red that night.
Our tour took us down the long flight of stairs from the Four Seasons into Pike Place Alley. Along the way, we heard stories about all the wild and sometimes dark things that had happened at various stops throughout the decades. We journeyed past the famous gum wall, the Ghost Alley Espresso shop, and wound our way up into Pike Place Market itself.
Because I am always down for a funny photo op, I packed two white sheets so Carolyn and I could take ghost selfies and dance to the Ghostbusters anthem. Yes, we are those people. And no, we have zero regrets.
My squad is very familiar with this neighborhood, but it was super fun to learn the history of events that happened there decades and decades before we ever set foot in the area. There’s something about hearing those stories while standing in the actual locations at night that hits different. Especially when your MF Activity Detector starts randomly beeping between yellow and red.
The Bonus Tour
We also opted for the extended bonus tour, which adds about 30 extra minutes and takes you to up to four additional haunted locations. It’s a short walking loop that uncovers even more of Seattle’s dark history, hauntings, and ghost sightings. If you’ve come this far, you might as well go all the way. Worth it. Sober Curator Pro Tip: Dress for the weather. In our case, it was cold, and we needed layers. Comfy shoes are a must on that cobblestone!
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a fun, interesting, and educational night out with friends that doesn’t revolve around a bar, I highly recommend checking out a ghost tour. It’s the kind of activity that proves yet again that sober nights out can be creative, memorable, and honestly way more fun when you actually remember every detail the next morning.
US Ghost Adventures offers tours in cities across the country, so find one near you at usghostadventures.com and gather your crew. If you are in the greater Seattle area, you might also want to check out Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours. Sober Curator Pro Tip: Both links also showcase other tour options worth checking out!
Catch our IG REEL of our Ghost Tour in action HERE.
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