now offering
private tours
and gift cards

now offering private tours and gift cardsnow offering private tours and gift cardsnow offering private tours and gift cards

WELCOME TO GR CRIME TOURS

 Travel back in time through the streets of Grand Rapids as your comedic tour guide tells you true stories of local crime. This 2-hour walking tour takes you through the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area during the months of May - Early November. Private tours can be booked at any time of the year!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REFRESHMENT AREAS

GIVE THE GIFT OF TRUE CRIME!

About Us

A UNIQUE TOUR

a welcoming space

a welcoming space

The hosts at GR Crime Tours bring both history and comedy to their storytelling, making for a walking tour unlike any other! We offer public tours and can also customize a private group tour. Book your private tour by contacting us at grcrimetours@gmail.com

a welcoming space

a welcoming space

a welcoming space

We are an open and affirming establishment and work to celebrate each individual that attends and hosts the tour. 

Learn more about our mission, vision, and policies

A safe experience

a welcoming space

A safe experience

GR Crime Tours is committed to providing a safe environment, especially during the current pandemic, and we ask that our guests share the same respect.

Find out more about how we are keeping you safe

TOUR OPTIONS

PRIVATE TOURS (RUNS ALL YEAR-ROUND)

GR Crime Tours offers quality private tours for a fair price. These specialty tours take place downtown and can be booked during any month of the year. Tours run about 2 hours, and time and day of the week can be arranged to fit your group's schedule. Email grcrimetours@gmail.com to book yours today!

4 Participants

$100

5-8 Participants

$150

9-15 Participants

$250

GR CRIME TOURS: DOWNTOWN (RUNS LATE MAY- EARLY NOVEMBER)

This 2-hour walking tour brings guests through the Downtown Grand Rapids Refreshment Area. Featuring over a dozen stories of crime, mystery, and urban legends, guests will be transported back in time to a buzzing River City whose brick streets cover some ominous secrets.

Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:00pm

$20

Late May-Early November

OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE AND SAFETY MEASURES

We want to keep you safe from crime...and Covid.

We are dedicated to the safety of our guests and hosts, and are following the guidelines set out by the CDC.


  • As of June 1st, masks will no longer be required on the tour for vaccinated guests. 
  • The entire tour will take place outdoors. (Some establishments that offer to-go drinks may have indoor ordering)
  • We ask that if guests are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in extended contact with someone who has, that they refrain from joining the tour and reschedule with us at no extra charge.

MORE THAN JUST A TOUR

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A SAFE AND AFFIRMING SPACE

MISSION

GR Crime Tours will provide guests with a safe and professional walking tour of Grand Rapids Outdoor Refreshment Areas while providing comedic stories of history, crime, and urban legends. 

VISION

GR Crime Tours continues to seek ways to support and connect local artists, businesses, and individuals. 

STATEMENT OF EQUITY

We celebrate the diversity of our tour guides and guests, and work to find ways to continually celebrate and support  LGBTQ+ individuals, POC and indigenous peoples, immigrants, and individuals with disabilities

FAQs

Do tours get cancelled?

We hate to say it, but sometimes....


They do. We require a minimum of four attendees for each tour in order to respect our guides' time. We will also cancel in the event of severe weather (because Michigan). 

What if I need to cancel?

In the case that you need to cancel, there are three options: 

1. We can transfer your ticket (one time, free of charge) to a future date. 

2. We can transfer your funds to a Gift Card to be used on a date of your choosing. 

3. You can request a refund through Eventbrite. Eventbrite will keep your processing fees. 


Cancellations must be made before 7 pm on the day of your tour or your funds will be processed. No refunds will be available after the tour has started. 

What can I expect on the tour?

The Downtown walking tour spans about 2 miles and takes approximately 2 hours. All paths are accessible for a variety of physical abilities, but please let us know if you have any concerns that we can help to accommodate. 


Tour guides will make frequent stops to tell stories as you explore the Downtown area. 

What happens if I can't finish the tour?

Please let us know during the tour if you need to leave for any reason (we won't judge!) so that we don't worry that the next crime story will be about you!

Are there bathrooms on the tour?

The tour passes by one public restroom, and some of the drink stop establishments will have restrooms available for customers. All the more reason to grab a drink!

Can I really drink on the tour?

Yes! If you're 21! Learn more about the Grand Rapids Downtown Refreshment Area here. 

Are the stories appropriate for children?

Our public tours are 21+, but we offer specialty private tours that cater to all ages. For more information, email grcrimetours@gmail.com. 

What is your weather policy?

Please feel free to email us at any point if you are uncomfortable with attending the tour based on weather conditions. We ask that you email as early as possible. However, we will do our best to cancel any tours due to unsafe weather conditions 12-24 hours in advance and notify you through email. Tours could be cancelled due to winter storm warnings, dangerous cold conditions (temperature, wind chill, etc.), high wind speeds, or pouring rain. 

Are you hiring guides?

While we aren't currently actively hiring, we're always open to adding unique guides to our team! 

Click HERE to apply

MEET YOUR TOUR GUIDES

EIRANN BETKA-POPE (THEY/THEM)

EIRANN BETKA-POPE (THEY/THEM)

EIRANN BETKA-POPE (THEY/THEM)

Beyond being a true-crime lover, Eirann Betka-Pope is a producer, director, performer, teacher, writer, improviser, artist and activist in Grand Rapids. They are the founder and president of Funny Girls and former owner of The Fuse Box, and represent one-half of Betka-Pope Productions. They teach classes at both The Comedy Project Training Center, and The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School for Theatre Arts. In their spare time, they enjoy travel, being outdoors, hunting for ghosts, and cooking. Eirann brings a passionate love for both history and dad jokes to each walking tour.

MIKE LOGAN (HE/HIM)

EIRANN BETKA-POPE (THEY/THEM)

EIRANN BETKA-POPE (THEY/THEM)

 Mike Logan WAS a nationally touring comedian before the world went upside down, now he produces comedy shows all over Grand Rapids while being master of all social media with @Icecoldcomedian. He is co host of the popular movie review podcast called This Better Be Good with fellow Grand Rapids comedian Gerrit Elzinga. Mike has always been a huge fan of history and what better way to share that love than by putting a funny and unique spin on Grand Rapids rich, crime-filled past! 

AJ POWELL (HE/HIM)

EIRANN BETKA-POPE (THEY/THEM)

AJ POWELL (HE/HIM)

AJ Powell loves a scary story, especially when it takes place in Grand Rapids and it's true. When he's not guiding guests to the bloodiest corners of the city he loves, AJ is a writer, director, and sometimes-performing magician. AJ originated a branch of magic called improvised illusion and has performed on many stages in Michigan and across the US. AJ's a bit of a history buff, so don't be surprised if he's ready for your questions ... and ready to tell you more than you care to know about the Voigt family and the early days of the city of Grand Rapids. AJ claims to be the grandson of Indiana Jones, but this is not a proven fact.

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    WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US

    "Amazing, amazing, amazing!

    I booked a private tour for 4...  I highly recommend GR Crime Tours. Customer service was perfect and the tour itself is an experience you don't want to miss."

    -Rachel C. 

    "Walking around the city with your friends and a drinks while learning and laughing can’t be beat...

     This is the BEST balance of laughter and thought-provoking (true) story-telling."

    -Gabrielle S.

    "This experience far exceeded our expectations....

    ... We cannot recommend GR Crime Tours enough!  Book now!"

    -Bethany S

    "Do better. Your other reviews lead me to believe you are capable of it...

    This was our third stop on our walking tour and we were already told no less then 3 times how white men were the cause of so many troubles in our community..."

    -Steve M. 

    BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY!

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