You've driven past the Hampton Inn on Old Main Street more times than you can count. What you probably don't know is that back during Prohibition, that building had a very different life: a rooftop ballroom, bootleg liquor, and, according to local legend, a certain infamous Chicago mobster who liked to check in for the night. There's also a story about a man who fell to his death from that same roof.
A few blocks over, the old Manatee County Courthouse saw hangings back when Florida still carried out executions downtown. And then there’s the location of the Manatee Players Theatre, where more than one visitor has reported a glimpse of a little girl, seen skipping down the hallway like she's still got a part to play.
These are stops on Liz Reed's downtown Bradenton Ghost Tour, an experience that's part paranormal investigation, part local history lesson, and part something you can't quite explain until you've tried it yourself.
Interactive ghost tours based on real sightings
During each local ghost tour, participants get to use real EMF meters, the devices paranormal investigators use to detect shifts in electromagnetic fields. Liz teaches you how to ask questions of the spirits and watch for their replies. And whether you’re already a believer or a bit skeptical, the moment the devices start to light up is usually when everybody starts paying closer attention.
There are currently two different versions of Bradenton Ghost Walks, each offering a unique experience:
Downtown Bradenton Ghost Tour
Explore the side of downtown Bradenton that most people don’t know. Hear about documented and personal paranormal experiences and the chilling history behind locations you probably pass by every day. It’s the most history-rich tour of the three, and includes stories you won’t soon forget.
Beach Ghost Tour
Stroll down historic Bridge Street on Anna Maria Island, where the stories go back to the earliest days of the island itself. George Bean, one of the island's first residents, is said to still haunt the area. By most accounts, he’s a friendly, mischievous presence who's partial to charming the women on the tour and has been known to walk off with a small souvenir. Because Bridge Street gets busy during season, this walk is capped at a small group size, which makes it more intimate.
A fun and educational evening for ghost hunters of all ages
If interacting with ghosts sounds terrifying to you, you’re in luck. These tours actually aren’t meant to be scary at all. There are no costumes and no actors jumping out at you in the dark.
"I want people to learn, and I don't want them to be scared of the paranormal," Liz says. The tours are family-friendly and kids as young as six or seven typically enjoy the experience. In fact, they’re often the ones who are most engaged.
Liz recalls telling a group the story of a man who drowned in the river on horseback. The kids wanted to skip right past the ghost part, demanding to know the color of the horse and its name. There’s also a resident spirit who often comes out during the downtown Bradenton ghost tours. He’s a young boy, around eight years old, who loves chatting with the kids about “stickball.”
The walks are pet-friendly too. Liz says there’s one spot where dogs frequently freeze and stare, like they’re intently watching something nobody else can see.
What to know before you go
Both tours are $25 per person, with a minimum of two people to book. Groups of five or six or more can request a private, exclusive walk.
Downtown Bradenton: Meets at the Riverwalk across from Oak & Stone, at the corner of City Hall. Capacity 20.
Bradenton Beach: Meets at the paid parking lot on Bridge Street. Capacity 8.
October is the perfect time to plan a Ghost Tour, but they also run year-round, seven nights a week. They each start at 8 p.m. and last about 90 minutes. Walk-ups aren't an option, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
To get your tickets, call or text (941) 704-0621, email psobfl@gmail.com, or book online. Be sure to include your phone number. Same-day tickets must be purchased by 5 pm.
Real, local history from a lifelong paranormal enthusiast
Wondering what makes Liz Reed qualified to run Bradenton Ghost Tours? She has a long history with the paranormal and an in-depth knowledge of Manatee County history.
Liz saw her first ghost when she was six, inside her home. The spirit visited her regularly, and when she returned to the home many years later, he was still there. When she met her husband Ron, he shared that he also had ghostly experiences as a child. The two moved to the Bradenton area in 1993 and later founded the Paranormal Society of Bradenton. Together, they have been exploring the supernatural side of Manatee County for decades.
Prior to launching Bradenton Ghost Tours, Liz also spent three years working with a local history librarian, digging up the true stories buried in the archives. She's the author of Haunted Manatee County, and has been writing for Bradenton Magazine for the past five years.
All that research and expertise is what makes Bradenton Ghost Tours such an interesting experience. Liz doesn’t need performance scripts or jump scares. The area’s true history, plus whatever the meters happen to pick up, is enough to make it memorable.
By the end of the tour, most people aren’t thinking about whether they started out as a skeptic or a believer. They’re too busy talking about the stories they heard and what might have made their meters light up. So have some fun this fall. Book your tour, and when you do, be sure to tell Liz you heard about it on Discover Bradenton.
downtown
