Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours — Attraction in Vancouver

TWO REVIEWS HERE - LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN & THE REALLY GAY HISTORY TOUR

LOST SOULS On our trip this May to Vancouver, my daughter and I chose to do the "Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tour". While we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, the weather could have been better. But, it is spring, and it is Canada., and we are Canadians, so we sucked it up and enjoyed the day anyhow. Still, the weather could have been better. The tour met up at a place in Gastown. Although we were on time, others had arrived earlier and another tour guide took half the group. Our party was nice and intimate. There were 10 including my daughter and I. The walk and talk took close to two hours, although the description said an hour. But, let me tell you, this was not a dragged out production. I found the pace of both the walking and the talking to be at a reasonable place for this 63 yr old gal. Our tour guide, Janet Goodford, was exquisite. She is a fine actor! Her characterization and recreation of her character from the late 1800's was fantastic. Truth be told, I kinda welled up with tears at one point. Her stories wandered around like the tour until they reached their climax somewhere else on the tour. Now it is true that not all of the things she told us were factual. Some were embellished or added to help the story flow. But the historical facts were true. And they and the story that Janet incorporates them into will astound you! And her telling of it will enthral you. I didn't notice until the end that we had come full circle and ended back where we started. It was a great time. And would have been just a tad better if the weather had been better. Unfortunately, we still haven't gotten into the habit of carrying cash with us. We were disappointed we could not give Janet a tip. She did an excellent job and we were appreciative. So remember to bring some so you can show your appreciation. Thanks again, Janet. We enjoyed ourselves and your story telling. We look forward to the "Really Gay Historical Tour" we booked for Sunday!!

THE REALLY GAY HISTORICAL TOUR

I am somewhat disappointed I could not write another separate review for this tour on Google because it really deserves to have its own review. Both tours were excellent and totally different. The Gastown tour was more of a storyline while the Gay tour is based on fact and events. Glenn Tkach, the tour's INSANELY AWESOME guide, is so knowledgeable about the history of LBGTQ2+, you will be gobstopped!! The reason he is so knowledgeable is because he personally did all the research for this tour which included interviewing some of the key players. His first hand knowledge is a rare gift he extends to his audience. He is also quite a wordsmith and spins a tale you can't help but get drawn into. There were several places Glenn's passion brought me to tears. The stories are very poignant. Being as old as I am, I remember these days and these events but the perspective Glenn brought to them was thought provoking and emotional. I learned so much about the LBGTQ2+ community history, my worldview shifted to a more grounded understanding. The day was dismal as it was pouring rain but the tour group all showed up to meet at the YMCA on Burrard. I was amazed that more than half of our group had already been on this tour and were doing it for the second time. I think that speaks volumes about Glenn and this amazing tour. This is a definite MUST...

A Truly Captivating Experience!

My partner Sonya and I recently had the pleasure of joining the Lost Souls of Gastown tour, and it was an experience we won't soon forget. From the moment we met our guide, dressed in period attire and radiating authenticity, we were transported back to a time when Vancouver was just a rugged frontier town.

The tour was a perfect blend of history and theatrical storytelling. Our guide was not just knowledgeable but also deeply engaging, bringing the stories of Gastown's eerie past to life with passion and drama. The tales of murder, mystery, and mayhem were told with such vivid detail that we felt like we were right there in the midst of it all.

What stood out to us was the way the guide connected with the audience, weaving through the streets and alleys with a lantern in hand, casting shadows and creating an atmosphere that was both thrilling and immersive. The small details, from the haunting legends of Gaoler’s Mews to the unsolved mysteries that still linger in the air, were delivered with a theatrical flair that kept us on the edge of our seats.

The walk through the cobblestone streets of Gastown, with its historic buildings and ghostly ambiance, was a journey back in time. It was evident that the tour was meticulously crafted, with a strong foundation in historical facts and a touch of gothic drama that made it all the more compelling.

We highly recommend the Lost Souls of Gastown tour to anyone looking for a unique and memorable experience in Vancouver. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of ghost stories, or just looking for something different to do, this tour has something for everyone. It's not just a tour; it's an adventure into the past, and one that Sonya and I will cherish for a long time.

To top it all off, our host, Amy Lee Newman, was exceptional. She made us feel like we were stepping back in time with her captivating storytelling and attention to detail. Amy’s ability to blend humor with the dark history she shared was simply beautiful, adding a unique and engaging twist to the experience. Her energy and passion for the stories of Gastown made the tour not just informative, but also deeply enjoyable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide to lead us through the eerie past of Vancouver....

Yesterday - after calling Vancouver home for the past 15 years - we finally decided to go onto one of the Vancouver Walking's tours and embarked on the "Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour" offered by Forbidden Vancouver. This experience turned out to be nothing short of unforgettable, from the first interaction with the office staff to the final moments of our extended tour with the incredibly knowledgeable and personable guide, Glenn.

The outstanding customer service we received from Forbidden Vancouver deserves a special mention. Chelsea T. was prompt and accommodating with all our booking inquiries. Even when we needed to reschedule our tour due to unforeseen circumstances, she handled it with grace and professionalism, providing us with various options to ensure our visit would be seamless.

Our tour began in front of the Vancouver Aquarium, where we met our guide, Glenn. From the outset, it was evident that we were in for something extraordinary. Glenn was not just a guide; he was a captivating storyteller with an undeniable passion for Vancouver's history. His ability to engage with the group, answer questions, and add more details as the tour unfolded was amazing.

The 2-hour tour exceeded our expectations by leaps and bounds. Glenn's dedication to providing an enriching experience meant that our tour went well beyond the allotted time, ensuring that we got more than our money's worth. His storytelling was not only informative but also entertaining, making history come alive.

The attention to detail by Forbidden Vancouver was also commendable. We received a reminder email ahead of the tour, along with a map and detailed instructions on how to get to the meeting point and where to park if using a car. The inclusion of photographs and proof of historical facts during our tour added a layer of authenticity and were much appreciated.

Exploring the dark secrets of Stanley Park, learning about hidden stories, and unraveling the mysteries of Vancouver's past was an eye-opening experience - one that I would...