The landmark Chicago Water Tower, which is supposed to be haunted by a worker who hung himself during the 1871 fire.

Chi-town claims great food, great sports (not including the Cubs) and great culture, but many people don’t realize that the city also boasts great ghosts.  When you figure in all the gangsters, disasters and crime kingpins, Chicago is steeped in weird and haunted history.

You could wear yourself out scouting all the scary landmarks from North, to West, to South, so the most effective way to view some of the city’s gruesome sights is to take a Weird Chicago bus tour.  The company offer a variety  of  scary tours, including Devil & The White City Tour of serial killer H.H. Holmes and the Chicago World’s Fair  murder castle he operated,  Blood, Guns & Valentines Al Capone Tour of  the gangster’s house, hangouts and death sites and the Red Light District Sex Tour of S & M dungeons, adults only toy shops and past sex industry spots.

The classic tour is the Weird & Haunted Tour, which explores America’s most haunted city including crime sites, ghost spots and guided walks through haunted buildings.  The tour features places famous for paranormal activities as well as famous landmarks like the Chicago Water Tower.  The limestone tower was the only structure standing after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871  and is reportedly haunted by the worker who stayed in the tower to man the pumps during the fire and hung himself rather than be consumed by flames. Most tours last about three hours and are not recommended for children under 10. The tours start at the Chicago Hard Rock Cafe, where participants get a voucher for a discounted meal. Try the hickory-smoked barbecue ribs and gaze at another haunted spot, Excalibur Nightclub, across the street.

Photo courtesy of  Weird Chicago