If you’re looking for a unique event that the entire family can enjoy (and get a little spooked by) then the latest Halloween attraction on the Toronto Islands is for you. Spooky Islands: Murder At The Lighthouse is very different than the usual haunted houses we have around town.

We boarded our Tiki Taxi in Queens Quay and were taken back in time through true island tales as told by 85 year island resident, Jimmy Jones, aka, the “Unofficial Mayor of Toronto Island”.

Jimmy Jones, The Unofficial Mayor of Toronto Island

Jimmy Jones – The Unofficial Mayor of Toronto Island

As we rode over to the island we listened to Jimmy’s tales as he took us back to when the islands had 10,000 summer residents. He also told us about a 107 year old sunken ship which you can ride today, yes, you read that right. About Babe Ruth playing baseball on the island, how hurricane Hazel shaped the island, diving horses, and decimation of a unique community.

After the short boat ride over to the island we stopped at a pier and was greeted by a storyteller holding a lantern. She led us up to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse while telling us about the island’s most famous ghost, John Paul Radelmüller, the first lighthouse keeper/moonshiner. Legend has it that he died a violent death at the hands of some drunken soldiers and his ghost haunts the lighthouse to this day.

The storyteller who met us at the pier.

The storyteller who met us at the pier.

We didn’t see his ghost that night but the enthralling storyteller, the eerie location and the moon lit night all came together to give us the chills and had us looking over our shoulders as we made our way back to the boat.

An added bonus to the night was the gorgeous view of Toronto all lit up. No matter how much time you spend roaming the streets of this city, you wont get as unique a view as to when you’re approach it from the lake.

The Toronto skyline at night

The Toronto skyline

Tickets to Toronto Island Stories: Murder at the Lighthouse, are $25 per person. The first boat leaves at 7:40PM and will run every 10 minutes, every weekend until the end of October. The ride is approximately 1 hour long and includes a portion on the island itself.

What: Toronto Island Stories: Murder at the Lighthouse
When: Oct. 5-8, 13-14, 20-21, 27-31
Where: 175 Queens Quay West

For tickets and more information please visit spookylagoon.com.

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I teamed up with the folks at Spooky Island to offer you a chance to win tickets for you and a guest to get to meet Jimmy Jones, hear his stories and possibly get a chance to meet John Paul Radelmüller’s ghost. Use the contest entry form below to enter the contest.

Spooky Island Ticket Giveaway

Disclaimer: I was not compensated monetarily for this post but was provided tickets to experience Spooky Islands and as a prize for the above contest.