“We started with a Food & History Tour and over the years added a Haunted Tour and a Just the History Tour,” reminisces owner, Colette Astoria. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years!”
Keeping it going and growing has not been easy. “I think the hardest part of running this type of business is still where to spend my very limited advertising budget. It’s a seasonal business running May through October each year so it’s not anyone's source of income. I’ve been lucky over the years to find guides willing to work part time for the season. There was one season I was out of commission and my two guides, John and Tori, did all the tours! I was beyond grateful!”
One of the most enjoyable parts of giving tours is seeing Oswego through the eyes of newcomers. Sometimes we forget how beautiful our city is. When we walk along the river and someone says, “Wow! It's so lovely here!” I look and marvel at what we take for granted. At the end of a food tour many have commented, “ So many great places to eat in such a short distance!” or “how did downtown Oswego survive the Urban renewal that devastated so many other historic parts of cities?” I am grateful for what a true gem we have here.
This coming season we will be giving tours to the American Cruise Line guests when they are docked at Cahill Pier. “It was a joy to show off what Oswego has to offer tourists and pleasantly surprise the company representative that came to check us out,” commented Colette.
BOO! Do you enjoy a good scare? Would reappearing fingerprints on a window cause you to take pause? Colette Astoria and her costumed guides offer a spooky walking tour highlighting establishments and homes in the downtown area and historic Franklin Square that are host to unusual sightings and unexplainable occurrences. The first tour will be May 1st. The 1 ½ hour tour begins at 8:30pm and is guided by lantern light for approximately 1 mile. Family friendly? Yes! However, the tour will not take responsibility for any nightmares! Haunted Oswego tours are held Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday evenings May through October.
Do you have an appetite for adventure? Would you prefer to snack your way around town? Colette Astoria, owner and tour guide of Oswego Food & History Tours, has put together a progressive dinner that takes you to 8+ locally owned restaurants and businesses while entertaining you with tales of our city’s past and present.
There’s a no frills option — Just the History Tour, no food, no frights, a tour which includes stories of Oswego’s past and present in a short 1 ½ hr. walk. You can pick a Wednesday tour or call Colette to select a mutually agreed upon day and time.
For available days and times, please visit the website and click ‘book now.’ Book your tour in the months of May & June and get $10 off with the promo code: 10Anniv2026 at oswegotours.com or call 315-532-6471.
