The Historic Downtown tour is a fascinating deep-dive into Bayfield’s early history! Bayfield's tumultuous history will come to life as you learn about the daily lives of the early settlers and the massive changes of the late 1800s. View historic brownstone buildings and other sites, accompanied with colorful stories and vintage photographs from your costumed guide.

The (NEW!) Strange & Supernatural was created due to popular request; it is a quirky take on a classic ghost walk tour filled to the brim with spooky and bizarre stories! Your costumed guide will bring you into the dark side of this charming lakeside town.

Both tours include plenty of Bayfield history- the Strange & Supernatural tour just leans into the otherworldly realm as well!

The Historic Downtown tour covers about a half mile and includes a short incline section. The Strange & Supernatural tour covers ¾ mile and is entirely flat. Both tours are on sidewalks and paths (the Strange & Supernatural Tour includes some gravel paths).

Tours are $20 per person, payable online at the time of booking. Click here to book your tour!

You will meet your guide near the benches by the white gazebo in Memorial Park on the waterfront, at the end of Rittenhouse Avenue. Click here for the location on Google Maps

You MUST pre-book your tour online beforehand. Please click here to book your tour. Thank you!

This is a 1.5 hour walking & talking tour, with approximately 15 stops. Your guide, Liz, will tell you all about the early days of Bayfield, focusing on the mid 1800s through early 1900s. This is a fascinating era of Bayfield’s history, with booming local industries, a huge increase in population, rapid development of the town and transportation, all set against the dramatically changing times of the country as a whole. In addition to verbally sharing well-researched facts, Liz will display vintage photographs at many of the stops. Photographs are courtesy of the Bayfield Heritage Association.

Historic Downtown Loop: The route covers approximately ½ mile. There is some incline and decline. We will mostly be on sidewalks but will have several road crossings. It is a loop.

Strange & Supernatural Tour: We will cover approximately ¾ mile. We will mostly be on sidewalks but will have several road crossings. The route is totally flat. It is a loop.

Probably! The tours range from between 3-12 people.

There aren’t any public bathrooms on the tour until almost the end, so we recommend taking care of business before the tour!

There is some street parking near our meeting spot (Memorial Park near the gazebo by the waterfront at the foot of Rittenhouse Avenue), but it can be limited depending on how busy things are in town. We recommend arriving to the area early in case you need to find a parking spot and walk a few blocks. There is a free public parking lot about 2 blocks away (see map below FAQ list).

Kids are absolutely allowed on the tour, but of course, it is designed to be most interesting to adults. I do have a specially-created “Bayfield Bingo” scavenger hunt that kids can enjoy doing along the way!

It’s easier if dogs do not join the tours, in case the downtown streets are busy, but I understand not wanting to leave a dog in a hot car. If you are hoping to bring your dog, please text me beforehand (847)951-9752. Dogs must be on-leash.

Bayfield’s weather varies widely, so this can be a tough call to make. Generally, if steady rain seems very likely during your tour, I will cancel the tour and give you an option of a refund or reschedule. If there is just a chance of light drizzle, I will likely still run the tour, but please bring an umbrella and/or rain jacket, as there is no shelter on the tour. Please check the weather before your tour and come prepared with a sun hat, sunscreen, water, umbrella, etc, as needed.

The tour is all outdoors. However, many of the buildings highlighted on the tour are public buildings, retail stores, or restaurants, and you will likely feel inspired to visit them after the tour!

If you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour, you will receive a refund. Within the 48 hour window, the system is no longer able to process a refund. Thank you for understanding!

I am happy to offer private tours outside of normal tour hours, as my schedule allows. Please email Liz@BayfieldHistoricWalkingTours.com for pricing information.

I sure do! Email me at Liz@BayfieldHistoricWalkingTours.com for special large group pricing options and opportunities.