1.5-Hour Haunted Stroll

St. Augustine Ghost Tour: A Ghostly Encounter runs through A Ghostly Encounter. Rated 4.7 across 2,491 reviews. Runs 1.5 hours. From $30.

Overview

A costumed guide meets a group of up to 25 travellers at 12 St. George Street, next door to the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, and leads a 90-minute walk through the darker corners of St. Augustine. The route creeps through two cemeteries, passes the ground of the Old Fort and the old city gates, and pauses at other spots with a reputation for hauntings. Along the way the guide mixes ghost sightings and local legends with the city's history, some of it the kind of detail that rarely shows up on other tours.

The tone is family friendly rather than gory. Frightening stories are balanced with light hearted fun, which makes the walk suitable for children as well as adults curious about the past. The tour ends back at the same central starting point, so there is no extra travel to plan at the finish.

It suits visitors who want a short, story-driven introduction to the city's haunted reputation without any ghost hunting equipment of their own. Tools can be rented for a small fee if anyone wants to try detecting something.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet your guideThe tour begins at a central location, 12 St. George Street, next door to the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, where the guide sets the spooky atmosphere.
2. Stroll the dim streetsFollowing the costumed guide, the group walks through dimly lit streets toward spots of reputed haunting.
3. Two cemeteriesThe route creeps through two cemeteries while the guide shares spine tingling tales of ghost sightings.
4. Old Fort and city gatesThe guide covers the haunted history of the Old Fort and the city gates.
5. Pass the Oldest Wooden School HouseThe group passes by the Oldest Wooden School House without stopping.
6. Pass Castillo de San MarcosThe Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is passed by on the walk.
7. Return to startThe tour ends back at the original meeting point on St. George Street.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details will help travellers get the most out of this walk.

• Bring water. One reviewer specifically warned about hot nights and advised bringing lots of water. Florida evenings can stay warm, and the tour runs rain or shine, so a bottle is a sensible addition.
• Wear walking shoes. This is a 90-minute walking tour with no transport between stops. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else packed.
• Go after sunset. One reviewer recommended booking a time after sunset for the best atmosphere. Checking the start time against local sunset is worthwhile before booking.
• Guides vary. Most reviewers praise their guides as funny, knowledgeable and passionate about the city's history. A few found their guide long winded or hard to follow, so the experience depends somewhat on who leads the group that night.
• Good for all ages. The listing calls the tour family friendly, and one reviewer said they would recommend it to all ages. Several reviewers also mentioned learning real history alongside the ghost stories, which keeps it interesting for people who are not chasing scares.
• Rent tools if curious. Ghost hunting tools are not included but can be rented for a small fee. Travellers who want to try detecting anything should plan for that rental cost in advance.

Common issues. The tour caps groups at 25 travellers, so it is not a small private walk, and the experience leans heavily on the guide's storytelling. One reviewer felt their guide was long winded and said several people left before the end, while another had the same complaint about pacing. Florida weather is unpredictable, and tours run rain or shine, though lightning can delay the start by 20 minutes or force a reschedule to another evening. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included, and ghost hunting tools cost extra to rent. The operator also requires a minimum number of travellers, and if that minimum is not met the tour may be cancelled with a different date or a full refund offered.

Questions To Settle Before Booking