Central Phoenix Screamix Ghost Tour

Downtown Phoenix gets a spooky makeover on this walking tour, where old hotels, a burned church, a former morgue, and a grand theater become settings for ghost stories and hands-on investigation. I like the mix of local history and lighthearted storytelling, plus the chance to use real ghost-hunting tools instead of only listening to a guide talk.

I also like the small group size, capped at 20, and the fact that solo visitors can join in easily. Guides Ryan and Jimbo are praised for their energy, clear storytelling, and ability to keep the group involved. The main drawback is simple: this is a two-hour city walk, so hot weather, uneven pavement, and a brisk pace may not suit everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven downtown stops: The route includes Hotel San Carlos, Westward Ho, the A. E. England Building, the Security Building, Monroe Street Abbey, Phoenix Municipal Court, and the Orpheum Theater.
• Hands-on ghost hunting: You can use an EMF detector, spirit box, and dowsing rods during the stops.
• Strong guides: Ryan and Jimbo are known for lively storytelling, local facts, and keeping solo visitors involved.
• Easy urban walk: The tour begins and ends at Chase Tower, with each stop lasting about 10 to 20 minutes.
• Small group format: The maximum is 20 people, which gives the guide room to include personal ghost stories and questions.
• Good value for fans of both subjects: At $45, you are paying for a guided evening walk, local context, and equipment, not just a string of spooky tales.

Why this Phoenix ghost walk works

The best thing about the Central Phoenix Screamix Ghost Tour is its balance. It is not presented as a serious paranormal investigation, and it is not only a theatrical ghost story show. Instead, you walk through central Phoenix while learning how older buildings were used, who passed through them, and why certain places gained a haunted reputation.

That balance helps the tour appeal to different kinds of people. If you believe in spirits, you get equipment and quiet moments to test a location. If you are skeptical, you still get a guided look at historic downtown buildings and the stories attached to them. If you simply want an entertaining night out, the guides bring enough humor and drama to keep the walk moving.

The tour is offered in English and lasts about two hours. That is long enough to visit seven places without turning the evening into an exhausting march. Most stops last 15 or 20 minutes, though Monroe Street Abbey gets about 10 minutes. You spend enough time at each place to hear its story and try the equipment, then move on before the pace drags.

The route starts at Chase Tower, at 241 N Central Ave, and ends at the same meeting point. Since this is a downtown walking experience, you do not need a sightseeing bus or a separate transfer between stops. You do need comfortable shoes, water, and a willingness to walk outdoors in conditions that can change quickly in Phoenix.

Hotel San Carlos begins the ghost stories

The first stop is Hotel San Carlos, one of the tour’s strongest openings. You hear about a woman who checked in but never checked out, a simple premise with the right amount of mystery for a ghost tour.

This stop works because the building gives the story a physical setting. You are not hearing about an unnamed haunted place somewhere outside the city. You are standing in central Phoenix, looking at an actual hotel with a long connection to the city’s past.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough time for the guide to establish the tone, explain the story, and begin using the ghost-hunting tools. I would pay attention to the guide’s framing here. The value is not proving anything beyond doubt. It is seeing how a place’s past, architecture, and stories combine to create its reputation.

Westward Ho adds famous names and the Lady in Red

The next stop, Westward Ho, brings in politicians and a well-known spectral figure, the Lady in Red. The building gives the guide a chance to connect Phoenix’s public history with its more mysterious side.

This is a good example of the tour’s wider approach. You are not visiting only sites that feel frightening. You are also learning about places where notable people stayed and how downtown buildings served the city over time. The ghost story gives the history a memorable hook.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes, making it one of the longer pauses. That extra time is useful for a group activity with the EMF detector, spirit box, or dowsing rods. You may also have a chance to share a personal ghost story. The social side matters here, especially if you arrive alone and do not know anyone in the group.

The A. E. England Building has a different kind of past

At the A. E. England Building, the story shifts away from hotels and public figures. The building once served as a car dealership and repair shop, and a young boy is said to be its resident ghost.

That change of setting keeps the tour from feeling repetitive. You move from a hotel connected with visitors and politicians to a place shaped by cars, repair work, and everyday business. The story of a young spirit also gives this stop a different emotional tone from the more scandalous or theatrical locations.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. This is another place where the equipment adds something useful. You do not simply hear that a ghost may be present. You can take part in the attempt to detect unusual activity, using the tools supplied by Get Ghosted Phoenix.

The Security Building brings Prohibition-era trouble

At 234 N Central Ave, the guide tells the story of the Security Building. During Prohibition, it was linked to bootleggers, scandal, and the sort of activity that makes an old building feel ready-made for a ghost tour.

The building’s appeal is not just the possibility of spirits. It is the story of what people did there and what may have been hidden behind respectable walls. The halls are said to retain whispers from Phoenix’s past, which gives the guide a strong setting for a more atmospheric section of the walk.

This stop takes about 20 minutes. You will want to listen closely to the historical details, since they give the ghost stories their shape. A haunted building is more interesting when you understand the people, risks, and secrets connected with it.

Monroe Street Abbey shows Phoenix after a devastating fire

Monroe Street Abbey offers the most visual change in the route. The site was once First Baptist Church, a striking 1929 landmark, before a major fire left it in ruins. The story says that the sounds of its congregation may still linger among the remains.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes, shorter than most of the others. That makes sense for a location where the atmosphere and visible remains do much of the work. The guide can explain the church’s former role, describe the fire, and give the group a moment to consider what the site once looked like.

This is also a reminder that the tour is about loss as much as fear. Fire, demolition, changing city blocks, and forgotten buildings all shape a city’s ghost stories. You get a stronger sense of Phoenix when you see how older places were altered or abandoned.

Phoenix Municipal Court has a grim former life

Phoenix Municipal Court is connected with a darker chapter. The location once served as a morgue, and spirits are said to remain behind.

This may be the most serious stop on the walk. A former morgue brings real weight to the story, even for someone who does not accept paranormal claims. The guide’s job here is to give context without turning the subject into cheap shock value.

The stop lasts around 20 minutes. That leaves time for the group to use the spirit box or EMF detector and discuss what the site means. If you are sensitive to stories involving death, this is worth keeping in mind before booking. The tour is intended to be fun, but not every story is playful.

The Orpheum Theater is the grand finale

The Orpheum Theater is the final stop and a highlight for many people. This historic venue has a strong visual presence, a long connection with entertainment, and its own resident ghost stories.

Ending here gives the walk a fitting finish. The theater feels more theatrical than the other stops, so it matches the storytelling style of guides such as Ryan and Jimbo. You get the sense that the route has moved from hotels and office buildings toward a place where performance, memory, and haunting naturally overlap.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. The guide can explain the Orpheum’s past, identify the reported spirits, and give you another chance to use the equipment. If you are choosing the tour mainly for atmosphere, this is likely to be the location you remember most.

Ghost-hunting equipment makes you part of the action

Get Ghosted Phoenix supplies an EMF detector, spirit box, and dowsing rods. The equipment matters because it changes your role. You are not only listening to a guide. You are also trying the same tools used during the group’s informal investigations.

An EMF detector is intended to identify changes in electromagnetic fields. A spirit box scans radio frequencies and is often used by paranormal groups in an attempt to capture stray sounds or voices. Dowsing rods are handheld rods that may move as you hold them. What you make of the results is up to you.

That open approach is important. The tour can be enjoyable without requiring you to become a believer. You might find the tools convincing, amusing, or simply a good way to keep children and curious adults involved. One participant described becoming more open to the idea of spirits after seeing the dowsing rods move, while another appreciated being able to try them for the first time.

The guide also uses an iPad with photographs to help explain parts of the story. Visual aids are useful in downtown Phoenix, where buildings may have changed, been damaged, or served several purposes over the years. A photograph can show you what is no longer visible from the sidewalk.

What the guides add to the evening

Ryan and Jimbo are the names to know. Both are described as lively, welcoming guides who combine Phoenix history with ghost stories. Jimbo’s style is theatrical and funny, while Ryan is praised for keeping the group engaged and moving at a good pace.

That personal style can make or break a ghost walk. The stories need energy, but the guide also has to keep the group together, explain the equipment, and make room for questions. Ryan and Jimbo appear to handle that mix well.

The tour also works for solo visitors. You are encouraged to take part in the activities, and the format does not require you to arrive with a group of friends. The family-owned company communicates directly by text, which can be useful if you need a human answer before the tour.

Families can consider it, too. The tour is described as kid-friendly, but parents should remember that several stories involve death, a morgue, fire, and haunted spirits. Children who enjoy spooky stories may have a great time. Younger or more sensitive children may find parts of the walk unsettling.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45 per person, the tour is priced above a casual self-guided walk but below the cost of many large-scale evening attractions. You are paying for about two hours with an English-speaking guide, seven stops, ghost-hunting equipment, and a small group capped at 20 people.

I think the price makes sense if you value participation. The EMF detector, spirit box, and dowsing rods give you something to do at each stop. The local history also adds value, especially if you are visiting Phoenix for the first time and want an introduction to central downtown.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick scare or a polished stage show. The route is outdoors, the walk is shared with other people, and paranormal activity cannot be guaranteed. You are buying a guided experience built around stories and experiments, not proof of the supernatural.

The small group limit helps protect the price. A group of 20 still has energy, but it is easier for the guide to answer questions and pass around equipment than it would be with a much larger crowd.

Practical details that affect your choice

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You will be walking between seven downtown locations, so wear supportive shoes and be ready to remain outdoors for roughly two hours. The provider warns about ordinary walking-tour risks, including trips, falls, and injuries.

The route is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. The activity begins and ends at Chase Tower, so you return to the original meeting point rather than finishing in another part of Phoenix.

The tour is weather dependent. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, so check your plans before the deadline.

Who should book the Screamix tour?

I would book this tour if you like city history but want a more playful way to encounter it. The route gives you old buildings, political connections, Prohibition-era stories, fire, theater, and a former morgue, all tied together by paranormal legends.

It is especially well suited to solo visitors, families with older children, couples, and small groups of friends. You do not need prior ghost-hunting experience, and you can remain skeptical while still enjoying the stories and equipment.

I would think twice if you dislike walking, hot outdoor conditions, or stories involving death. I would also skip it if you want a quiet, private investigation. The tour is social, interactive, and guide-led.

Final verdict

The Central Phoenix Screamix Ghost Tour earns its $45 price through variety and participation. You get seven distinct downtown locations, two engaging guide options in Ryan and Jimbo, and several tools that let you take part instead of simply following along.

Book it if you want Phoenix history with a spooky twist, a manageable two-hour walk, and a friendly group setting. Skip it only if you need guaranteed paranormal evidence or prefer indoor entertainment. For most curious visitors, it is a lively way to see central Phoenix after dark while hearing stories you would not get from a standard sightseeing route.

FAQ

Where does the Central Phoenix Screamix Ghost Tour start?

The tour starts at Chase Tower, 241 N Central Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Chase Tower meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $45 per person.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes an in-person English-speaking guide, an EMF detector, a spirit box, and dowsing rods.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 participants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.