Written & Compiled by Hannah J. Ferguson & Karin Fabry
Amelia Island
1. The “Original” Ghost Tours of Amelia Island
A combination of history and the supernatural will give you a thrilling tour filled with historical facts. $15 for adults ages 12 and up, $5 for children ages 6-11. Private tours are $15 per person. (866) 446-7870. ghosttoursofameliaisland.com.
Daytona Beach
2. The Original Daytona Ghost Walk
Daytona’s newest attraction, this is the only ghost tour in the state of Florida that is owned and operated by a certified ghost hunter and active certified paranormal researcher. Hear historical tales of the founding fathers of Daytona Beach and Volusia County, along with haunting tales of spirit activity associated with the Main Street area of Daytona Beach. This tour leaves from the northwest corner of the Main Street and Peninsula intersection. Tickets are $8 per person and children under six are free. Group rates are available. (386) 253-6034. hauntsofdaytona.com.
Key West
3. The Original Ghost Tour
Discover the other side of beautiful Key West! Take this lantern-led stroll down historic Old Town’s shadowy lanes and discover the ghosts, ghouls, and legends that haunt this island paradise. $15 adults, $10 ages 4-12, under four are free. Visit hauntedtours.com to make reservations. (305) 294-WALK. hauntedtours.com.
4. Ghosts & Legends of Key West
Learn about haunted Victorian mansions, island pirate lore, voodoo superstitions and rituals, a count who lived with the corpse of his beloved, and other bizarre tales. $18 adults, $10 children 8-14, kids under eight are free. (866) 622-4467. keywestghosts.com.
St. Augustine
5. Historic Tours of America: Ghosts and Gravestones
Explore the darker side of the nation’s oldest city with your ghostly host and experience the historic haunted tales and legends found at every turn. Tales of murder, mayhem, ghostly apparitions, hauntings, hangings, and hilarious legends will have you dying for more. While hearing these ghost stories, the Trolley of the Doomed will transport you to three of St. Augustine’s most haunted places: the Old Drug Store, the Spanish Military Hospital, and the Old Jail. This tour is rated PG-13 and children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. $24 adults ages 13 and up, $12 children ages 6-12. Reservations are required; call for starting times (904) 826-3663. ghostsandgravestones.com.
6. St. Augustine Transfer Company: The Original Horsedrawn Ghost Ride
Do you believe? Have you ever seen? Join the spirits on an hour-long horsedrawn tour of the supernatural and macabre. On your journey through the moonlight streets of historic St. Augustine, licensed guides combine history and haunting tales on this fright-seeing adventure. $20 adults ages 12 and up, $10 children ages 5-11, $85 for a private carriage. (904) 829-2391. staugustinetransfer.com.
7. St. Augustine Transfer Company: Ghost Walk — Spirits of St. Augustine
This 90-minute walking tour takes you through the moonlit streets of St. Augustine, passing two cemeteries along the way. Every evening, a different ghost appears to share the stories surrounding one of the nation’s most haunted cities. $10 per person, ghosts and children under 6 free. Group rates available. (904) 829-2391. staugustinetransfer.com.
8. Ghost Tours of St. Augustine: Ghostly Express Riding Tour
Board the Ghostly Express tour bus for an unforgettable passage into the night. Your guide will share accounts of unsolved mysteries and murders, scandalous tales, and ghostly sightings, along with intimate details of America’s oldest city. Opportunities to disembark for an up-close and personal look will be provided during your adventure. $22 per person. (888) 461-1009. ghosttoursofstaugustine.com.
9. Ghost Tours of St. Augustine: Ghosts of the Mantanzas
Set sail aboard the magnificent 72-foot schooner Freedom for a one-hour theatrical cruise along the Mantanzas Bay. Grog and rations included on cruise (beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks). $35 per person. Group rates and private cruises available. By reservations only. (888) 461-1009. ghosttoursofstaugustine.com.
10. Ghost Tours of St. Augustine: A Ghostly Experience Walking Tour
The licensed professional guides in period dress will light your way with their lantern through the ancient strange and unusual tales of centuries past, legendary stories, folk lore, and ghostly experiences. $12 per person. Group rates and private tours available. (888) 461-1009. ghosttoursofstaugustine.com.
11. Ghost Augustine: Hearse Rides
Enjoy a ride in a real hearse and live to tell about it! This informative and creepy ride takes you to haunted houses, the lighthouse, and the site of the 1974 murder of the mayor’s wife. $20 per person. (866) 266-6641. ghostaugustine.com.
12. Ghost Augustine: Haunted Pub Tour
St. Augustine’s original pub tour — where spirits meet spirits! Your licensed tour guide will spin the intoxicating tales of these old haunts. $16 per person. (866) PUB-TOUR. ghostaugustine.com.
13. Sheriff’s Ghost Walk: A Ghostly Adventure
Hear the chilling tales and history of the long since dead! As told by the famous ghost himself, The Dead Sheriff, or one of his deputies. Sheriff Guy White was the sheriff of St. Augustine for 12 years. One tragic day in 1911 he was shot along with one of his deputies. You will hear bone-chilling tales of stories past but never forgotten. $10 adults, $5 children under 12. (904) 767-1950. sheriffsghostwalk.com.
14. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum: Ghost Train Adventure
Investigate historic sites and paranormal phenomena. Walk the darkened streets listening to stories of legends and lore searching for the “unexplainable.” Some walking is required, so wear comfortable shoes — plus, you may have to run for your life! Reservations are suggested. (904) 824-1606. staugustine-ripleys.com.
St. Petersburg
15. Downtown St. Petersburg Ghost Tour
From the historic 1880s hotel where the debonair “captain” still lurks to the beautiful waterfront resort, home to the shadowy “Lady in White,” costumed tour guides weave fascinating tales of ghostly hauntings and quirky characters from St. Pete’s past. $15 per person, $8 for children ages 4-12. Reservations required, (727) 894-4678. ghosttour.net.
16. Ghost Tour at Jungle Prada
Explore the secrets of a lost burial ground, hidden treasure, bootleggers, murder, mayhem, and ghostly sightings on the shore of Boca Ciega Bay. This two-hour tour includes a short stroll through “the jungle” followed by a gathering inside the haunted Capone Room at Saffron’s Caribbean restaurant for refreshments, ghost stories, and perhaps an encounter from the other side! $18 per person (includes refreshments). Reservations required (727) 894-4678. ghosttour.net.
Savannah
17. The Original Ghost Talk Ghost Walk Savannah Walking Tour
This is a tour that even the skeptics will enjoy. While leisurely walking through the enchanting squares of historic Savannah, your host will share stories based on Margaret DeBolt’s book Savannah Specters and Other Strange Tales. $10 adults and $5 children 12 and under. (800) 563-3896. savannahgeorgia.com/ghosttalk.
18. Ghosts and Legends Tour: The Ghosts of Savannah
The New York Times describes this tour as “especially worthwhile.”
Venture down shady streets where apparitions of murderous pirates still roam, where the firm woman in Georgia was hanged, and where unexpected sounds and sights will make your skin crawl. $18 adults, $10 children ages 8-14. Children under eight are free. (866) 264-8160. theghostsofsavannah.com.
19. Haunted History Tour
This unique candlelight tour takes believers through the streets and squares of haunted Savannah. You’ll hear enchanting and chilling tales of Savannah’s most famous ghosts, local folklore, and also the area’s rich history from Colonial Savannah right up through the present day. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children (age 5-12), under 5 is free. (912) 604-3007. ghostssavannah.com.
20. Ghost Tour
Meander through Savannah’s shadowy squares and beneath the moss covered trees as your guide shares tales of the old Gullah traditions and superstitions, some of which are still practiced today. $15 adults, $7 children. (888) SAV-WALK.
21. Ghosts & Gravestones
Savannah’s turbulent history has unleashed a fascination with the supernatural. Step aboard the “trolley of the doomed” as your guide shares tales of murder and mayhem, ghosts, ghouls, and other mysterious happenings and phenomena. For information and reservations, call (912) 233-0083. ghostsandgravestones.com.
22. Sixth Sense Savannah Ghost Tour
On this unique tour, hear startling-but-true tales of encounters with poltergeists, hags, shadowpeople, exorcism, and voodoo. Fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil will hear the story the way it was meant to be told — uncensored! $18 adults 16 and up, $10 ages 10-15, and $5 for children. Sixthsensesavannah.com.
23. Trolley Tales of Historic Haunts
Aboard the “Haunted Trolley,” you will shiver to the legends, myths, and hauntings that plague Savannah. During this frightfully fun experience, the guides will fill your imagination with ghoulish stories from the past and present. Priced from $20. (800) 517-9007.
Tips for Going on a Ghost Tour
Be sure to have:
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Bug spray (ghosts aren’t the only ones that come out at night!)
• Light-colored shirts or flashlights for the kiddos so they don’t get lost in the crowd.
• A brave buddy to protect you from the goblins!
