Open-Air Haunted Trolley

Ghosts and Gravestones Old Town Trolley Tour of St. Augustine runs through Historic Tours of America - St Augustine. Rated 4.2 across 1,190 reviews. Runs 1 hour. From $36.

Overview

The Trolley of the Doomed is St. Augustine's original frightseeing ride, a theatrical hour run by Historic Tours of America. A costumed host narrates from the trolley while it rolls past supposedly haunted spots, and the tour pauses twice so riders can climb down and step inside. The first stop is the Old Jail Museum, where admission is not part of your ticket. The second is Potter's Wax Museum, which is included.

Between stops, the guide keeps up stories of ghosts and ghouls said to wander the town, mixing local history with staged theatrics. Reviewers describe the experience as part comedy, part history lesson, and several note the actors and role players carry the evening. It is not a walking tour, but it is not fully seated either: you get off the trolley more than once, and one reviewer flagged stairs that had to be climbed at one of the stops.

Who it suits: travellers who want an entertaining, scripted overview of St. Augustine's darker history rather than a serious paranormal investigation. Families with older children do well here, though the operator warns the show is not recommended for under-13s, and children must be with an adult. If you want a quieter, more scholarly ghost walk, this is not it. The trolley departs from the New Welcome Center at 27 San Marco Avenue, check-in opens ahead of departure, and the ride finishes back where it began. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for whatever the evening brings. Gratuities and any food or drink are not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at New Welcome CenterThe tour departs from 27 San Marco Avenue. Guests must check in 20 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, and arriving 15 minutes early is required to secure a seat.
2. Board the Trolley of the DoomedRide through St. Augustine while the guide tells stories of the ghosts and ghouls believed to still wander the town's streets.
3. Old Jail Museum, 10 minutesA stop at the Old Jail Museum for 10 minutes. Admission is not included in the tour price, so budget for the entry separately if you want to go inside.
4. Potter's Wax Museum, 15 minutesA 15-minute visit to Potter's Wax Museum. Admission is included with the tour.
5. Return to meeting pointThe trolley loops back and the activity ends at the original meeting point on San Marco Avenue.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few things shape the evening, from check-in timing to the amount of getting on and off the trolley.

• Check in early. The listing asks guests to check in 20 minutes before departure and to arrive 15 minutes ahead to secure a seat. One reviewer reported missing the start because check-in happens indoors and they were not told. Build in the buffer.
• Some walking and stairs. This is not a fully seated ride. Reviews confirm you get off the trolley several times, and one reviewer mentioned stairs at a stop that were hard to avoid. Anyone with limited mobility should know that climbing is part of the route.
• Arrive ready to join in. Several reviewers said the actors and role players make the tour, and one specifically advised participating to get the most out of it.
• Dress for the weather. The operator states the tour runs in all conditions, so dress appropriately for whatever the forecast holds.
• Food and drink cost extra. Food and drink are not included, and gratuities are also listed as not included. Several reviewers praise the cast by name, so factor that in when budgeting for the evening.
• Manage scare expectations. Several reviewers said the tour is more informative and theatrical than frightening, and one called it light on genuine spookiness. Families with children loved it, and the operator itself warns the show is not recommended for under-13s, so judge your group accordingly.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, per the listing, and the on-and-off format with stairs at a stop makes it a poor fit for travellers who cannot climb. Old Jail admission is not included, which adds to the cost if you want to go inside. A few reviewers left lukewarm, saying the theatrics outweighed the ghost stories or that one guide spoke too quickly to follow. The tour runs in all weather, so an evening storm means riding through it.

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