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Board a vintage trolley at River Siren Brewery and ride through Stillwater’s haunted past with theatrical scares, bonfires, VIP lounge access, and local lore. Perfect for adults and older kids who want Halloween fun rooted in real small‑town history.
Board a vintage trolley at River Siren Brewery and ride through Stillwater’s haunted past with theatrical scares, bonfires, VIP lounge access, and local lore. Perfect for adults and older kids who want Halloween fun rooted in real small‑town history.
Book with The Zephyr Theatre
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by The Zephyr Theatre · Stillwater, Minnesota
The Haunted History Trolley Tour rolls through Stillwater, Minnesota, launching from River Siren Brewery at 225 Main St N and steering into the town’s shadowed streets and riverfront. For sixty minutes, a vintage trolley becomes a moving stage: costumed actors climb aboard, lights flicker, and local stories are amplified into staged scares that trace the city’s 19th‑century lumber‑town past and the ghosts that linger along the St. Croix River. Produced by The Zephyr Theatre in partnership with Stillwater Trolley, the event blends theatrical horror, local lore, and hands‑on Halloween fun.
The evening begins at River Siren Brewery, where ticket holders get access to a VIP lounge, exclusive drink pricing, and a program of pre‑show activities. Trolley departures run in five slots each night—7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.—and each ride seats roughly 34–38 people on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Organizers recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early to check in, enjoy the bonfire, roast a marshmallow, and take part in scavenger hunts and short spooky films screened on site.
What makes this tour stand out is how it uses place: Stillwater’s intact Victorian facades, brick storefronts, riverside bluffs and working waterfront lend authenticity to the storytelling. The St. Croix River—part of a protected National Scenic Riverway—cuts a dark, reflective silhouette beneath the trolley’s windows, and nocturnal wildlife such as bald eagles and river otters occasionally punctuate the scene. Actors and scripted scares leverage these elements, turning ordinary alleys and historic buildings into the kinds of set pieces you don’t get in a studio production.
Practical notes: tickets are non‑refundable but may be exchanged subject to availability; one special ADA‑accessible seat is offered per trolley for select time slots—contact [email protected] to arrange. Food is not permitted on the trolley, and outside alcohol is prohibited; beverages from River Siren are allowed onboard. The event runs on select nights in October and is best suited to older kids and adults who enjoy live theater with jump scares.
Beyond the jump scares, the Haunted History Trolley is also a reminder that small towns have long memories. The performance reactivates Stillwater’s past—its sawmills, waterfront commerce and late‑19th‑century characters—while funneling visitors into the present‑day craft brewery scene and public waterfront. It’s a tightly produced, locally rooted night out: theatrical, social and distinctly Stillwater.
Tickets start at $49 plus fees, and each evening includes five prize giveaways—one winner per ride across multiple departures. Seating is general admission and fills quickly; check-in opens at 6:00 p.m. for early arrivals who want the VIP lounge and pre-show games. The tour is now in its ninth year, and that longevity shows in tight staging and local casting—this is community theater leaning into Halloween with professional polish and small‑town grit.
The event is promoted for older kids and adults—typically recommended for ages 12 and up; please use discretion for younger children.
Check in at River Siren Brewery, 225 Main St N; the check-in booth opens at 6:00 p.m. on event nights.
Tickets are non‑refundable. Exchanges may be possible subject to availability—contact the box office to inquire.
ADA accessible tickets are available for select time slots (one accessible seat per trolley). Email [email protected] to arrange.
Food is not allowed on the trolley and outside alcohol is prohibited; beverages purchased at River Siren Brewery are permitted onboard.
The theatrical trolley tour runs about 60 minutes. Each trolley seats roughly 34–38 passengers, depending on the departure.
The Zephyr Theatre in Stillwater, Minnesota produces immersive theatrical experiences and seasonal events that spotlight local history and storytelling. For 2025 the theater presents the Haunted History Trolley Tour, a theatrical trolley tour that guides guests through Stillwater’s eerie streets while costumed, ghostly characters recount chilling tales from the town’s past. The experience includes pre-tour festivities at River Siren Brewery where attendees can watch classic horror films, enjoy drinks, and participate in a themed scavenger hunt. The Zephyr Theatre coordinates live performance, venue partnerships, and curated pre-show programming to deliver a cohesive audience experience. Performances are staged on a trolley to combine historical narrative with theatrical presentation, and actors portray period and spectral characters to animate local stories. The production is designed as a seasonal October event, with specific dates marketed for the 2025 run. The organization emphasizes clear event information, ticketed attendance, and partnered local venues to create predictable, public events for visitors and community members. By combining theatrical staging, site-specific storytelling, and on-site pre-show activities at an established local brewery, The Zephyr Theatre provides a distinctive way to explore Stillwater’s haunted history. Prospective guests should check official tickets and event listings for schedule, accessibility, and age guidance before attending. Ticketing information, start times, boarding locations, and safety policies are published with each 2025 performance. The Zephyr Theatre coordinates with River Siren Brewery and local partners to stage the Haunted History Trolley Tour, ensuring organized check-in, pre-tour entertainment, and a themed experience consistent with advertised programming for attendees, guests.
Book with The Zephyr Theatre