Specters, Spirits, and Hauntings: A Guide to Florida Ghost Tours (2024)

By Lauren Tjaden

Whether you’re a bona fide ghost hunter, curious about the paranormal, or just looking for a cauldron of fun, Florida has a spooky expedition with your name on it. In the Sunshine State, you can commune with the so-called dead in legendary, eerie Cassadaga; experience a terrifying lockdown with Robert the Doll in Key West; or enjoy a spirited, air-conditioned jaunt on a trolley in Sarasota, an adults-only adventure complete with ghostly pickups.

Here's where you can uncover the supernatural secrets of Florida and dare to find the haunted tour that calls to you.

SOUTH FLORIDA | CENTRAL FLORIDA | NORTH FLORIDA

South Florida

Fort East Martello Ghost Tour and Robert the Doll Experience, Key West

A history that simmers with millionaires, pirates, shipwrecks, and civil war drama mean the Conch Republic is long on spirits, legends, and ghost hunters. A tour that’s high on the might-not-sleep-tonight list is the Fort East Martello Ghost Tour and Robert the Doll Experience, curated by David L. Sloan and featured on the Travel, Discovery +, History and BBC channels. Seriously spooky and not appropriate for kids under ten, this real-deal ghost hunt takes place inside a murky, dark, Civil War Fort, home to more than 42 spirits and the world’s most haunted doll. Utilizing tools like K-II electromagnetic field detectors, FLIR thermal imagers and REM pods, guests dynamically engage spirits and participate in paranormal experiments. Capping off the terror is a 25-minute lockdown with Robert the Doll, a life-sized, raggedy Ann-style doll infamous for its eerie behavior.
Other area offerings include the Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour, Key West Ghost and Mysteries Tour, and the Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl.

Haunted Sarasota Tour, Sarasota

Fun is the name of the game when you hop on board ‘Dolly The Trolley’ for the Haunted Sarasota Tour, an unforgettable 75-minute adventure where history and mystery collide in Sarasota’s macabre past. As you glide through the night on this air-conditioned tour, let the charismatic, costumed ghost hostess, Lady Melody, captivate you with chilling tales of infamous murders, haunted landmarks, and unsolved enigmas. Keep your eyes peeled for unexpected surprises along the way—and ghostly pickups. Before you embark, enjoy complimentary beer or wine at the Trolley Cottage Tiki Bar (if you’re 21+). This ride is exclusively for guests 18 and older.
Other Southwest Florida experiences include the Haunted History Tour in Fort Myers, a walk through the historic district that’s appropriate for ages seven and up; and the Fort Myers Beach Haunted History Tour and Pub Crawl, an adults-only exploration that’s full of spirits in more ways than one.

Deering Estate’s Miami Ghost Tour, Miami

Grand by any measure and encompassing 450 acres, the historic Deering Estate sets the stage for this ghost tour. Here, lights inexplicably flicker, shadows appear to move on their own, and unexplained noises are the norm. And then there’s this: a team of ghost hunters recorded 60 spirit voices while investigating the mansion, saying things that include, "Come home,” and “I want some of you." You can hear some of the recordings for yourself on Deering Estates Ghost Tour, navigating the same paths that Indigenous People, Miami’s early settlers, and Charles Deering once walked. Your guide will share historic tales, reveal the secrets of previous inhabitants and records of paranormal activity experienced by visitors and staff.
While some equipment used to detect paranormal activity – such as pendulums, dowsing rods, EMF meters are available- it’s limited. But you’re welcome to bring your own equipment as well as cameras. The Estate urges you to dress comfortably, wear closed toe shoes, and bring a flashlight and mosquito repellent. This program is for adults and youth ages 9+.

Central Florida

Walking Ghost Tour of Downtown Orlando by American Ghost Adventures, Orlando

Orlando is about theme parks filled with beloved princesses, dragons that bellow smoke, and thrill rides that defy gravity, all set to the music of laughter and happy screams. But the City Beautiful has a dark side, simmering with mysterious UFOs, shadowy clubs with ugly secrets, and blockbuster scandals. Take a stroll with American Ghost Adventures to learn the area’s shady history, hear ghost stories and investigate inside some of downtown’s most haunted buildings. On this two hour walking tour, you’ll be issued ghost hunting equipment and you’re urged to bring your own, as well. Cameras are a must have, because as Ghost Adventures says, here, “The paranormal is normal.”
Additional area escapades include Orlando Ghost Tour by Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours, a family-friendly outing; and the highly rated Orlando Haunts: Ghouls and Ghosts Tour.

The Donnelly House Paranormal Experience, Mount Dora

Step into the mysterious world of the Mount Dora Ghost Tours, where an unforgettable paranormal adventure awaits at The Donnelly House. The 2 ½ hour The Donnelly House Paranormal Experience leads you into the chilling corridors of a Steamboat Gothic Victorian style home, built in 1893, now a sacred lodge of the oldest secret society in the World, the Freemasons. As you enter, you become a ghost hunter, equipped with cutting-edge tools to uncover the restless spirit of Annie Donnelly and others. Your skills will be put to the test as you search for hidden “paranormal anomalies” crafted just for you. This immersive experience melds an authentic paranormal investigation with the excitement and elements of an escape room.
Alternatively, Mount Dora Ghost Tours features a ghost tour with “dead funny” hosts, as well as a haunted pub crawl with stops such as Tremain’s Tavern inside the historic Lakeside Inn, a haunted hotel built in 1883.

Encounter the Spirits Night Tour, Cassadaga (by Lake Helen)

They don’t call apparitions “ghosts” in Cassadaga; here, they’re referred to as the “so-called dead.” Lauded as the Psychic Capital of the World, Cassadaga was founded in 1894 by spiritualists and is populated by abundant mediums, psychics, and healers. The Cassadaga Spiritual Camp invites you to join in the mystical party on its two-hour, guided Encounter the Spirits Night Tour. You’ll explore the Victorian era neighborhood and inside two historic buildings while learning about Spiritualism, Mediumship and Physical Phenomena. Don’t forget your digital camera, because in energy hot spots, spirit energy is often captured in images in the form of energy orbs and other spirit manifestation. The Camp also offers group and private tours, as well as church services, Moon Circles, events, a bookshop and an information center.

Haunted History Ghost Tour by Silent Slayer Ghost Tours, Safety Harbor (Tampa Bay)

Tocobaga Indians, Spanish conquistadors and the legendary Espiritu Santo Springs are all players in Safety Harbor’s past, rich in intrigue, shadowy secrets and tragic tales. The Haunted History Ghost Tour beckons you into this world, where history and mystery collide, promising an unforgettable journey into the shrouded past. Ideal for both paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs, on this mile and a half long escapade, paranormal investigator Cynthia Dominick will captivate you with stories of spirits that still linger, unveiling the folklore and vivid history of downtown Safety Harbor. You’ll explore iconic sites like Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, the Tucker Mansion, and Hotel Frances. Armed with ghost-hunting equipment, you might even encounter Dominick’s spirit companion, Mike, who follows her throughout the town. This tour is appropriate for ages 13+ due to mature content.
Other area options include Tampa Terrors, offering a Ghost Tour as well as the oh-so-spirited Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl.

The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour, Ybor City

Settled in 1885, Ybor welcomed cigar workers from Cuba, Spain and Italy who sought new beginnings in the New World-- but it also became a haven for villains, pirates, and gangsters. Local legend says some still linger in the shadows, even after shedding their mortal forms. Want an introduction? The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour will hook you up. Touted for its historical accuracy, access to haunted buildings, and award-winning guides, this two-hour tour is rated #1 Haunted Tour in the US by US City Traveler. You’ll be outfitted with a spectrometer before exploring historic haunts like Ybor's Cuban Club-- which holds the bragging rights as the fourth most haunted building in the country— and enjoy an expedition that’s equal parts history lesson and ghost story.
Other tour choices include Ghost Party, delivering kid-friendly paranormal investigations; and Tampa Ghost Tours, a pub crawl that traces the footsteps of deceased rum runners.

Daytona Beach Ghost Tour and Paranormal Experience, Daytona Beach

Daytona’s history is a rich, fascinating tapestry resplendent with Timucuan Indians, rum runners, gangsters, the painted ladies of the Roaring Twenties and racing legends. Daytona Beach Ghost Tour invites you to encounter some of these deceased-but-still-lingering characters and hear their stories on a combination bus/walking tour led by an internationally rated Psychic Medium. Readied with ghost hunting tools, you’ll search for spirits on the beach as well as at historical sites and landmarks, including the Art Deco Streamline Hotel, a historic sanctuary for celebrities, race car drivers and moonshine gangsters. You’ll have special access to exclusive areas in the Hotel, divulging the dark catacombs and tunnels that once laced the ground under the city’s streets.
Make sure to wear comfy shoes and to have your phone fully charged for pictures.

North Florida

Ghostly Experience, St. Augustine

The nation’s oldest city has a tumultuous past, so naturally—or perhaps more accurately, supernaturally—it’s a favorite haunt of the undead. On Ghost Tours of St. Augustine’s 75-minute Ghostly Experience walking tour, you’ll follow the sheen of a lanternas you traverse haunted back alleys and ancient cemeteries searching for the supernatural. Licensed, professional guides will reveal the city’s blood-curdling history and its secrets, gleaned from historic libraries, church documents, diaries and personal accounts. Nothing is scripted or rehearsed, and whatever you see or feel-- shimmering lights, tendrils of fog and shadows that can be seen in the dark – is genuine. Ghost Tours also offers Haunted Pub Crawls, Paranormal Investigations, and private VIP tours. Too scary? Try the frightfully fun Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour or the wheelchair-accessible A Ghostly Encounter walking tour.

Amelia Island Ghost Tours, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach's history is a tumultuous saga of conquest, piracy, and revolution. Eight different flags have flown over its shores, and every cobblestone street harbors a ghostly tale, eager to be unearthed. Discover the ancient village’s dark side on Amelia Island Ghost Tours walking junket, which covers up to a mile. Armed with magnetic field detectors, and with only a lantern to light the path, you’ll traverse a haunted graveyard, take photos and videos (which often capture things that can’t be explained), and learn about Fernandina’s history and spirits from a passionate, knowledgeable guide.
Other options include Amelia Island Museum of History Ghost Tour, a one hour walking expedition through Fernandina Beach’s historic district; Ghost and History Tours of Fernandina, a family-friendly excursion; and Ghost Tours of Amelia Island, serving up a Haunted Bar Crawl, a Haunted Hike, and a Cemetery Tour.

Ghosts and Graveyard Tour by Go Retro, Pensacola

Live burial, fatal diseases and tortured prisoners combine to create a witch’s brew of hauntings that torment America’s First Settlement, making it a prime destination for ghost hunters. The Ghosts and Graveyard Tour beckons you to step aboard a 1930 Ford transit bus to explore the Flag City from Seville to Sanders Beach to the cemetery, revealing the area’s macabre past, with talking points that include bank robbery, embalming techniques, and hidden treasures. Complete with spell-binding stories, historical background and special effects, this fright-seeing tour combines fear and laughter, making for a deliciously scary evening for mature adults. Other options include Pensacola Ghosts, a one-hour walking tour, and Pensacola History and Hauntings, promising a vast array of spooky adventures.

Historic Monticello Ghost Tours, Monticello

You’ll find Monticello in Jefferson County, so rural it’s the only county in Florida with no stoplights whatsoever. Nevertheless, the tiny abode of about 2,500 has a claim to fame: it’s known as “the most haunted small town in the South.” Monticello has earned its spooky status from its innumerable historic, haunted buildings like the John Denham House Bed & Breakfast – home to the infamous Aunt Sarah, a spinster who haunts one of the mansion’s bedrooms- as well as its ancient ceremonial Indian Mounds. You can learn about and explore some of Monticello’s most shiver-worthy venues with Historic Monticello Ghost Tours, with an experienced guide to steer you through the eerie streets and share unsettling tales of paranormal encounters. Stops includethe Perkins Opera House (now the Monticello Opera House) and the Monticello Old Jail Museum.

Storied Paths’ Grim Tales and Ghosts Tour, Tallahassee

Visit Tallahassee rates the Grim Tales and Ghosts Tour a five out of five on the goosebumps scale, saying, “This one’s for the bravest of the brave. You’ll be … wondering if you’ll ever feel warm again.” On this two-hour walking escapade, you’ll uncover the chilling history of the Capitol City’s haunted buildings, hear tragic tales of the past, and visit the grave of Elizabeth Budd Graham, the "Tallahassee witch." While parents can use their own discretion, this tour is not recommended for young children. Comfortable shoes and a water bottle are recommended.

Apalach Ghost Tours, Apalachicola

Long and chaotic, Apalachicola’s history was shaped over the centuries by Native American inhabitants, European explorers dating back to the early 1500s, and its substantial role in the Civil War. So it’s hardly surprising the charming village is famed for its spooky spots, including Chestnut Street Cemetery, the Coombs Inn, and the Gibson Inn, where Captain Wood often reveals his presence in the wee hours with the sounds of a piano playing and unexplained footsteps.
When you embark on a spine-tingling adventure with Apalach Ghost Tours, local legends and haunted history are resurrected. Led by a costumed guide, you'll dive into the eerie past while using real ghost-hunting equipment to uncover the paranormal. This walking tour welcomes families and well-behaved pet on a leash, and it’s handicap accessible.