Known for white-sand beaches, year-long sunshine, and theme park attractions, Florida is America’s tropical paradise. However, there is a darker side to the Sunshine State. Lurking beyond Florida’s sunny skies are reoccurring ghostly encounters and lingering apparitions that will creep out even the biggest paranormal enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a truly hair-raising and thrilling experience, take a ghost hunting tour around Florida’s top historical hotspots for paranormal activity.
East Martello Fort, Robert The Doll - Key West
The top spot for paranormal creepiness in Florida is Robert The Doll in Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, as it was the inspiration behind one of the most terrifying film franchises to date – Chucky. Like the movie, the doll is said to be cursed and possessed by evil spirits. Once owned by Gene Otto in the 1900s, the young boy claims the doll would terrorize him and laugh maniacally while neighbors spotted the doll pacing in front of the windows when the family was away.
3501 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA— +1 305-395-1435
The Old Jail - St. Augustine
Built in 1891, this historic prison inhabited prisoners for over 60 years and is said to remain an active hub for tortured souls, as many claims that the conditions the prisoners lived through were inhumane. There were eight hangings of prisoners on death row, as some of the most dangerous criminals were housed in the maximum-security area. If you visit this top historic site in St. Augustine, you can even see an actual collection of weapons used in crimes. Shadowy figures, shuffling feet, and orb sightings are common in this haunted location.
167 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA— +1 904-829-3800
Grave of Elizabeth Budd-Graham - Tallahassee
You can visit Tallahassee’s oldest public cemetery to see the grave of Elizabeth “Bessie” Budd-Graham. This unique memorial is for a woman some believe was a kind “white witch.” Get up close to the towering ornate obelisk, which is one of the most visited sites in the cemetery, to see the strange epitaph chiseled on the front (which historians have translated to have many dark, witch references). Those brave enough can take a self-guided walking tour of The Old City Cemetery and the presumed witch’s grave.
May-Stringer House - Brooksville
Home to a large collection of war collectibles from the 1800s and 1900s, the May-Stringer House, home of the Hernando Heritage Museum, welcomes visitors to explore its Victorian halls and rooms. The house dates back to 1856 and is said to be haunted by a father, mother, and daughter who passed in the house. The museum offers adult-only night tours where visitors claim to see strange streaks of light, unexplained blackness, and pictures with orbs.
Coombs Inn & Suites - Apalachicola
Located in Florida’s Forgotten Coast, the Coombs Inn & Suites in Apalachicola features a collection of historic Victorian mansions rumored to be watched over by the original owners. The hotel dates back to 1905 and was once the private home of Mr. and Mrs. James N. Coombs, but a fire damaged the property in 1911. They were forced to move into a hotel while the house was being repaired but died before it was complete. Buried side by side across the street from the inn, it’s said that guests have reported seeing the married couple on the property smiling and strolling hand in hand. You can also join a Historic Ghost Walk through Chestnut Street Cemetery, which is the final resting place of the Coombs.
Spanish Military Hospital - St. Augustine
An immensely historic building, the Spanish Military Hospital served thousands of military soldiers through several wars. From around 1784 to 1821, deaths, amputations, and yellow fever were common. In 1821, a renovation revealed human bones, which led to the discovery that the hospital was most likely built over a Timucuan Indian Tribe burial site. Sounds of moaning, screaming, beds sliding across floors and sights of patients in hospital gowns are all common.
Ashley's of Rockledge - Rockledge
In 1934, the murdered body of Ethel Allen was found on the shores of the Indian River close to Ashley’s. Historians claim that Ethel was either a regular patron or a former employee, and many claim she still lingers around the property. Strange events have been reported in the women’s bathroom with unexplained whispering and a movement of objects.
Ma Barker House - Ocklawaha
Kate “Ma” Barker and her son were gunned down by FBI agents in 1935 in what is referred to as the “longest FBI battle in history” when she was listed as a fugitive and Public Enemy #1 in the United States. There is an annual re-enactment of the shootout to salute law enforcement, and many claim that their spirits still haunt the former house. Even creepier, the house of this infamous event has been kept as it was back in 1935, with visible bullet holes on its exterior.
13279 SE 115th Ave, Ocklawaha, FL 32179, USA— +1 352-671-8560
St. Augustine Lighthouse - St. Augustine
One of the oldest landmarks in Florida, The St. Augustine Lighthouse, was built in the 1600s by Spanish settlers and rebuilt in 1874. Several tragic events have occurred at the lighthouse, making it a hotbed of paranormal activity. There are reported sightings of the former lightkeeper who fell to his death while painting the tower and sounds of children’s laughter, who many claim is three young girls who drowned while playing in the area.
100 Red Cox Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA— +1 904-829-0745
Biltmore Hotel - Coral Gables
Biltmore Hotel is a National Historic Landmark that opened its doors in 1926, with former guests such as President Roosevelt and Al “Scarface” Capone. It later served as a military hospital during World War II, then a VA hospital after the war, and the University of Miami medical school before it reverted back to a hotel in 1987. One of the ghosts reportedly haunting the hotel is notorious gangster Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, who was murdered on the 13th floor in 1929 over a gambling dispute. Guests have experienced lights switching on and off, elevators taking them to the wrong floors and cryptic messages discovered scrawled on mirrors.
1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA— +1 855-969-3080
Hamburger Mary's - Orlando
Now a full-service restaurant and bar known for its Broadway Brunch and Cabaret Dinners, Hamburger Mary’s was originally a hardware store built in 1880. Patrons and former employees of the restaurant claim to have witnessed a young girl dressed in Victorian clothing tapping on the windows, waving, and skipping down the street at night.
Church Street Station, 110 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801, USA— +1 321-319-0600
Fort Cooper State Park - Inverness
A historically important site, Fort Cooper State Park in Inverness, is where many tragedies occurred, and lives were brutally lost in the throws of the Second Seminole War. Many visitors claim to see a powerful-looking Seminole chief lingering and keeping watch of the area.
3100 Old Floral City Rd, Inverness, FL 34450, USA— +1 352-726-0315
Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore
Located on Pensacola Beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens. Completed in 1834, it was later used as a prison for legendary Apache Chief Geronimo and his confederates. Visitors have reported seeing mysterious lights, hearing footsteps and viewing the ghosts of soldiers, as well as the spirit of Geronimo.
1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561, USA— +1 850-934-2600
Spook Hill - Lake Wales
Spook Hill is a mysterious phenomenon on Florida’s Ridge Scenic Byway. The legend behind the mystery of Spook Hill includes a prominent Native American chief and a massive Florida alligator. The leader of the tribe decided to take on the gator to protect his village and won. When the Native Americans eventually lost their land to settlers, the pioneer mail riders noticed their horses laboring downhill, which led to them nicknaming the spot “Spook Hill.” The road was later paved over, but still, cars would find themselves coasting uphill without any explanation. Legend has it that either the gator is seeking revenge for its loss at the legendary battle or the Chief is still trying to protect his land.
