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Offered languages
- English
Murder, fire, scandal, and restless spirits shape this 90-minute adults-only walking tour through downtown Indianapolis. Designed for guests 16 and older, What They Took to the Grave uncovers the real crimes, tragedies, and unexplained events behind some of the city’s darkest stories.
Hear the disturbing story of Dr. Helen Knabe, whose brutal 1911 murder remains one of Indianapolis’ most enduring unsolved crimes. Explore the tragedy of the deadly Indianapolis Athletic Club fire and discover eerie reports tied to historic landmarks including the Athenaeum and Murat Theatre.
Rather than relying on generic ghost stories, each stop connects reported hauntings and local legends to the real people, places, and events behind them. This is an outdoor walking tour, and guests do not enter any buildings or tour stops. Expect true crime, historical tragedy, scandal, and paranormal accounts woven into an atmospheric walk through a side of Indianapolis that is easy to miss in daylight.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet outside the Athenaeum at 401 E. Michigan Street, on the public sidewalk near the corner of Michigan and New Jersey Streets. Do not enter the building.
The tour will conclude in this area.
Itinerary
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1
Travelers will begin at the historic Athenaeum, one of Indianapolis’s most distinctive landmarks and a former center of the city’s German-American community. As they admire the building’s grand architecture and learn about its cultural heritage, they will hear stories of unexplained footsteps, voices heard in empty rooms, doors moving on their own, and sightings of a mysterious woman wandering the halls. Guests will also discover the building’s connection to one of Indianapolis’s most notorious unsolved murder cases, adding another layer of intrigue to this historic site.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2The Murat Theatre at the Old National Centre
Travelers will visit the exterior of the iconic Murat Theatre, a spectacular former Shriners temple that has hosted generations of performances and events. While exploring its fascinating history and unique architecture, guests will hear reports of unexplained music echoing through empty spaces, shadowy figures moving through the theater, and a mysterious blue light seen drifting through the darkened halls. They will also learn about the famous portrait of longtime Murat leader Elias Jacoby, which has earned a reputation for appearing to change expression when no one is looking.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
At this stop, travelers will delve into one of Indianapolis’s most disturbing unsolved mysteries. Standing near the site where Dr. Helen Knabe lived, guests will hear the tragic story of the respected physician who was found murdered in her apartment in 1911. As they learn about the baffling details of the case, including the missing murder weapon, they will explore the botched investigation, sensational theories, and unanswered questions that have kept the mystery alive for more than a century.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Travelers will conclude this portion of the tour at the site of the former Indianapolis Athletic Club, once one of the city's most prestigious private institutions. As they learn about the building’s history, they will hear the chilling story of the devastating 1992 fire that claimed the lives of two firefighters and one guest. Guests will discover reports from later residents describing heavy footsteps, the smell of smoke with no apparent source, shadowy figures, and even a mysterious voice warning people to "get out." Some believe the spirit of a firefighter may still linger here, continuing the rescue effort that ended in tragedy.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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