Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gently Haunted Tours?
Gently Haunted Tours are guided ghost tours hosted by DeLand’s Haunted Antique Shop and Paranormal Museum. They’re based on stories from our new book, Gently Haunted: True Stories from the Haunted Antique Shop.
Will we get to see ghosts on the tours?
It’s possible! Ghosts often come forward when we say their names aloud and talk about their lives.
Can we go inside the places we visit?
That’s up to the owners. While businesses along our routes may be open to the public, our tours do not include admission to other venues, tours of the interiors, or access to private property.
How physically fit should I be to enjoy your walking tours?
While everyone has different ideas about what makes a walk challenging, we would describe our walking tours as leisurely strolls. Stops are frequent, and there are no hills or inclines to speak of. DeLand’s streets and sidewalks are accessible to people who use wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Will Gently Haunted Tours frighten my children?
We think our tours are spooky, not scary. We do talk about ghosts, of course. On our walking tour, we’ll see the spot where a convicted murderer was hanged in public, in front of schoolchildren. If your children might be troubled by imagining themselves in that scenario, you can skip that stop on the tour.
What should I bring?
Bring a fully charged phone or tablet with an internet connection so you can access the tours, along with the photos and images related to each site. You might also want to bring a regular camera. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. If you have infants or small children in your party, bring their strollers or wagons.
Who leads your Deaf-friendly tours?
We occasionally offer in-person guided tours with our guide Emily, a talented sign-language interpreter who works with students in Volusia County Schools. She’s fluent in American Sign Language. She has a theater background, so her ASL tours are fun for hearing people, too. If you have Deaf friends or family members, please tell them about our tours!
Where should we park?
Parking is free and plentiful in DeLand. If you’re heading downtown for a walking tour, we recommend parking in the old courthouse lot across the street from the Athens Theatre. The courthouse lot is on the southeast corner of Florida and Indiana Avenues. If you’re coming to the Haunted Antique Shop for a tour of our Paranormal Museum, you can park in front of the shop or behind the shop.
How did you choose each stop on the tour?
Gently Haunted Tours are based on our book, Gently Haunted: True Stories from the Haunted Antique Shop. Look for it wherever books are sold.
Are your ghost stories true?
Yes. We’ve fact-checked and researched all of the stories you’ll hear on our tours. They’re not just urban myths and legends.
Where did you do your research?
Our Gently Haunted Tours would not be possible without the generous research assistance and historical images we’ve received from the West Volusia Historical Society, the Stetson University Library, the Volusia County Library, and the State Library and Archives of Florida. Many thanks to all the historians and librarians who helped!
Do you offer refunds or exchanges?
We offer a satisfaction guarantee on all our tours.