First founded in September of 1565 by Spanish settlers, St. Augustine remains the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the United States nearly half a millennium later. Because the city predates even the founding of America itself by over 200 years, St. Augustine carries a great deal of historical significance and corresponding superstition. In fact, there are so may haunted places to explore throughout the city that ghost tours have become a renown part of St. Augustine’s contribution to Florida’s vibrant tourism industry.
Whether seeking a spooky lead-in to Halloween or merely weekend chills and thrills, Beacon Lake residents have the opportunity to embark on these ghost tours to try conjuring any spirits for themselves to see. There are no shortage of ghost services available for visitors across St. Augustine, but here are three that Beacon Lake would highly recommend to any visitors of the oldest city in the U.S.A.
Master storyteller Dion Moore will tell fascinating stories of people through San Agustín history on the Secrets of St. Augustine hour-plus tour through some of the most interesting and haunted sites in the city.
Groups will begin at the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse historical landmark before making their way to the iconic Old City Gates. Along the way, stops at the Hugenot and Tolomato cemetaries will offer plenty of chances for guests to interact with the spirits and learn more about the history of America’s oldest city.
Tours conclude at St. George Inn, and also feature a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Groups are kept to 15 people or less to help Mr. Moore maintain a spooky atmosphere.
The Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour offers a faster-paced experience for visitors to St. Augustine seeking a more leisurely ghost tour experience. Board the Trolley of the Doomed for a ride through the Old City Gates and Tolomato Cemetary, but also look forward to a visit to the St. Augustine Old Jail.
Because many local criminals spent their final days prior to execution here, the building is widely considered to be one of the most haunted locations in the area. Visitors are encouraged to use their phones to photograph spirits that may appear in the building’s infamous windows and share them with staff for potential paranormal investigation and sharing on social media.
Other spooky locations on the tour include Cromwell’s Parlour of Paranormal Curiosities for early arrivals to the meeting point and Potter’s Wax Museum at the tour’s conclusion.
For visitors to St. Augustine in search of a paranormal experience away from graveyards and gallows, the Old City Walking Tour provides an exclusive focus on the ghosts and spirits surround the iconic St. George Street in the city’s historical district.
Historians and tourists interested in the colonial era of the city will greatly appreciate the information and stories available on this tour. Tales of pirates, business spats, and revenge make up just some of the tales that have resulted in spirits continuing to inhabit the area.
For an even less frightening but equally thrilling experience, visitors can schedule a two and a half hour “Spirits with Spirits” Pub Crawl across four haunted locations throughout St. Augustine. These events often feature more chilled beverages than spines, but are only available from February through November.
Located close to a major Florida city such as Jacksonville and a charming coastal city such as St. Augustine, Beacon Lake offers families unparalleled access to all the best activities the Sunshine State has to offer. From beaches to ghost tours, there is no shortage of excitement in St. Augustine or anywhere else in St. Johns County. Call on Beacon Lake today for more information and to get started on building your new home in a charming Florida community.