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Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime

4 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 4 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Birmingham, USA
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from $25 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime Image 1
Theater district encompassing most of the tour (promo image)
Meeting place for the start of the tour (promo image)
Where "The Human Fly" inspired a blockbuster (promo image)
Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.
1 hour (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Phantoms & Footlights: A Walking Tour of Vaudeville, Silent Film, and True Crime

Walking Tour Only - WE DO NOT ENTER BUILDINGS

Explore Birmingham's unique past on a captivating walking tour that delves into the city's chilling history of vaudeville stars and lingering spirits. Follow the path of a 1930s detective as tales of murder and mystery unfold, passing by grand theaters and ghostly hotels where shadows of the past still linger. Listen for echoes of applause in the night and the stern librarian who haunts the old library. This one-mile tour invites you to uncover the secrets that lie in the shadows of Birmingham's streets.

- Discover Birmingham’s haunted history on a one-mile walking tour
- Uncover tales of vaudeville stars, corruption, and ghostly spirits
- Walk past historic theaters and haunted hotels without entering buildings
- Perfect for history buffs and ghost enthusiasts alike.
- This is a walking tour only - WE DO NOT ENTER BUILDINGS

What's Included

  • We will bring along an EMV Ghost Detector

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    1800 3rd Avenue North
    Birmingham, AL 35203, USA

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
    Read more

    Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

    Lyric Theatre

    Outside the Lyric Theatre, we’ll relive the dazzling nights when legendary vaudeville acts brought the house roaring to life—and uncover the eerie tales of the spirits still waiting for their final encore. Though we won’t step inside, the echoes of applause and whispers from the wings will make you feel as if the show never truly ended..
    Read more

    10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Alabama Theatre

    Stand beneath the glowing marquee of the Alabama Theatre and hear chilling tales of its glamorous past, when vaudeville stars and silent film idols ruled the stage. From the sidewalk, you’ll learn why locals still whisper of phantom lights, unseen performers, and a restless usher who guards the theater long after the curtain fell.
    Read more

    10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Birmingham

    At the old Empire Building, gaze up the towering façade once scaled by daredevil Harry “The Human Fly” Gardner, whose final stunt ended in tragedy—and some say, left him clinging to the walls still. Just down the street, the Redmont Hotel sets the stage for a blazing 1930s shootout that pitted hard-nosed Detective A.C. McGuire against a ruthless gangster, the echoes of gunfire still said to rattle its windows. We’ll walk the block once gripped by terror, where the Axe Syndicate and Harry the Hacker carved their bloody legend into Birmingham’s darkest history. The tour ends at Eddie Kendricks Park, where the music of Motown’s golden voice rises above the shadows—a soulful reminder that even the city’s haunted past can’t silence its rhythm.
    Read more

    40 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Show 2 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-5614209P1

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    5.00
    4 reviews

    Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 4 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    4
    4 stars
    0
    3 stars
    0
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
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    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.
    Birmingham Tours
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    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    Activity name

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime?
    A:
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST).
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • We will bring along an EMV Ghost Detector.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime is as follows:

    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Spooks and Spotlights: A walking tour if vaudeville, film & crime will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024
    Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
    A:

    Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

    Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

    If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

    Oct 2026

    What's Included

    Activity name

    • We will bring along an EMV Ghost Detector

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

    Report Product Issue

    Activity name