As the sun sets behind the ancient walls of St. Augustine, the city begins to unfold the darker side of its storied past, turning into a hotspot for mystical happenings and mysterious souls that do not belong to this world. The haunted places in St. Augustine hide spine-tingling tales of restless spirits - those who lived, loved, and met their untimely ends here. Only the bravest dare to come closer to these spots, where the shadows linger right over their shoulders, following at every turn. So, hold yourself together as we discover the haunting secrets of America's Oldest City!
Most Haunted Places in St. Augustine for Diehard Horror Fans
St. Augustine, the former capital of Florida, is a treasure trove of haunted locations and horror stories. The spooky, and downright terrifying experiences that St. Augustine has been spoken about for many decades have resulted in its reputation among the most haunted cities in the United States. But the haunted places in St. Augustine are not just folklore, but true stories that have been passed over many generations. From historic landmarks and Spanish forts to ancient burial grounds and hotels, the list of haunted locations in the city is quite long. Whether you are seeking a ghost adventure or simply discovering the ghost stories in St. Augustine, here’s a listing of top nine haunted spots serving as a dwelling for the supernatural:
- Flagler College
- Don Pedro Horruytiner House
- Tolomato Cemetery
- Scarlett O’Hara’s
- St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
- St. Francis Inn
- The Old Jail Museum
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Spanish Military Hospital Museum
1. Flagler College
Founded in 1968 on the grounds of the Ponce de Leon Hotel, the Flagler College is the most popular and intriguing location for the best ghost tour in St. Augustine. Ponce Hall is the main spot for paranormal activities at the college. Students have claimed to have felt the presence of a paternal figure watching over them, who they believe to be Henry Morrison Flagler, the founder of the college. Henry's wife, known as The Gray Lady, also wanders the campus every night in her long gray cloak, anxiously searching for her partner. The Woman in Black, the mistress of Mr. Flagler, who committed suicide on the fourth floor also haunts the college. Other specters at the college campus include a 20th-century mustachioed man roaming in the rotunda and some former graduates who refuse to leave even after many decades.
Location: 74 King St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours:
9 AM to 6 PM - Monday to Friday
9 AM to 5 PM – Saturday & Sunday
Entry Fee: USD 13 Per Person
Nearby Attractions:
- Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel
- The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine Historic District
- Agustin Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Holiday Inn St. Augustine - Historic, an IHG Hotel
Nearby Hotels:
- Lightner Museum
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Colonial Quarter
- St. Augustine Amphitheatre
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Nearby Restaurants:
- Columbia Restaurant - St. Augustine
- Forgotten Tonic
- La Nouvelle
- Old City House
- Collage Restaurant
2. Don Pedro Horruytiner House
Constructed in the early 1600s, Don Pedro Horruytiner House is among the renowned haunted places in St. Augustine, which holds a chilling mystery within its walls. This house happens to be one of the first buildings built in the city, which served as a home to Spanish governors for over two generations. It was back in 1821 when a woman named Brigita Gomez reported a strange, paranormal experience at the house. One fine day, she encountered two translucent women while gardening and shared a heartfelt conversation with them. Brigita found them suspiciously familiar, only to realize later that they resembled the paintings of the former residents of Don Pedro Horruytiner House. She also bid them a wholehearted farewell with yellow roses from the garden. The next morning, Brigita found the same roses on her doorstep, leading to the house's reputation as a haunted site. Even today, these previous owners of Don Pedro Horruytiner House are spotted milling about the garden. There's a coffin stored in the attic that moves around by itself, and the lights start flickering suddenly.
Location: 214 Saint George Street, Saint Augustine, St. Johns County, FL
Visit Hours: N/A
Entry Fee: USD 15 Per Person
Nearby Attractions:
- St. Augustine Beach
- St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- St. Augustine Wild Reserve
- Medieval Torture Museum
Nearby Hotels:
- Days Inn by Wyndham St Augustine/Historic Downtown
- The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine Historic District
- Agustin Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Holiday Inn St. Augustine - Historic, an IHG Hotel
Nearby Restaurants:
- Prohibition Kitchen
- Augustine Seafood Company
- Sainte-George Restaurant
- Taberna del Caballo
- George's Corner Restaurant
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3. Tolomato Cemetery
Dating back to the 18th century, Tolomato Cemetery in St. Augustine is the oldest, planned cemetery in Florida. The reported hauntings and paranormal experiences within the wired fence of this burial ground have resulted in its reputation among the most haunted places in the world. The specters of Father Varela and Bishop Verot haunt the cemetery, although the mortuary chapel on the site no longer houses their remains. The visitors have seen them in priestly garb roaming close to the chapel looking as if mourning the disruption of their eternal slumber. People have also seen the Ghost Bride, Chief Tolomato, and spirits of those buried here.
Location: 14 Cordova St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours: 11 AM to 3 PM (Opens on the Month’s Third Saturday Only)
Entry Fee: Free
Nearby Attractions:
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Colonial Quarter
- Potter's Wax Museum
- Medieval Torture Museum
- Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
Nearby Hotels:
- The Old Powder House Inn and Breakfast
- Agustin Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Lions and Lanterns
- Carriage Way Inn Bed & Breakfast
- Southern Wind Inn
Nearby Restaurants:
- Beaches at Vilano
- Asado Life
- Little Margie's FA Café
- Catch 27
- Mikato Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar
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4. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Built in the year 1873, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is among the oldest and most haunted places in America and worldwide. The lighthouse is believed to be housing several otherworldly souls who have not found peace even after many centuries. During its construction, five children drowned in the Atlantic waters while playing on a rail car outside the lighthouse, out of which only two managed to survive. Those children who met an untimely death back then haunt the lighthouse to this day. Ever since this unfortunate accident, strange occurrences and sightings have been reported time and again. The Lighthouse Keeper has often heard the footsteps of the deceased and spotted a girl standing at the end of the house renter's bed. The best way to discover the ghost stories of St. Augustine Haunted Lighthouse and experience the paranormal at the tower is through the Dark of the Moon tour. You might as well spot the little girls playing a hide-and-seek game, so don't panic!
Location: 100 Red Cox Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32080, United States
Visit Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (Daily)
Entry Fee:
USD 14.95 Per Adult
USD 12.95 for Per Child/ Senior Citizen
Nearby Attractions:
- Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Old Jail Museum
- Lightner Museum
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
Nearby Hotels:
- The Saint Augustine Beach House
- Ocean Sands Beach Boutique Inn
- Hampton Inn St. Augustine Beach
- Hyatt Place St. Augustine Vilano Beach
- Hilton Garden Inn St Augustine
Nearby Restaurants:
- Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille
- Little Margie's FA Café
- Avilés Restaurant & Lounge
- Salt Life Food Shack
- The Conch House Restaurant
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5. St Francis Inn Bed and Breakfast
Located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, St. Francis Inn Bed and Breakfast offers guests more than just old-world charm and hospitality. Built in 1791, it is the city's oldest inn and secretes a 19th-century tragic tale of young lovers. Lily's Room on the third floor is the building's most haunted spot, where the nephew of the owner had a secret affair with a young Black servant named Lily. Upon discovering their affair, the owner fired Lily and warned his nephew never to meet her again. Hurt and depressed, the nephew took his own life in what is now known as Lily's Room. To this day, Lily and her beloved have not left the Inn, making St. Francis Inn among the well-known haunted hotels in St. Augustine. Dressed in white, Lily roams in the hallways. Several paranormal activities have been reported in the room, including flickering lights, objects moving on their own, changing radio stations, and locked doors found open. Guests have heard whispers, moaning sounds, and some have woken up under the bed, unable to get up again.
Location: 279 St George St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours: 7 AM to 9 PM (Daily)
Nearby Attractions:
- Lightner Museum
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
- Oldest House Museum Complex
- Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center
- Villa Zorayda Museum
Nearby Hotels:
- The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens
- 1894 House St Francis Inn
- Bayfront Marin House
- The Kenwood Inn
- Bayfront Westcott House Bed and Breakfast
Nearby Restaurants:
- Gaufres and Goods
- Café Alcazar
- George's Row Rendezvous Restaurant
- Pizzalley's on St. George
- Prohibition Kitchen
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6. The Old Jail Museum
Known as the St Johns County Jail until 1953, the Old Jail Museum is now home to several otherworldly residents and spooky happenings. The incarcerated prisoners, who were executed at the site, continue to haunt the place even today. The main haunting specter happens to be Charlie Powell, who died a slow death due to inefficient hanging on the gallows. Over the decades, visitors have claimed chilling experiences at this haunted jail in St. Augustine, from spotting apparitions suddenly vanish into the air to being grabbed by the ankles and banged against the walls. The solitary cell is the major spot of ghostly occurences, which can make even skeptics believe in the supernatural world. Ghost tours are available at the Old Jail, allowing visitors to join the paranormal investigation at the building.
Location: 167 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Wednesday)
Entry Fee:
USD 17.19 Per Adult
USD 9.09 for Child (4 to 12 years)
Nearby Attractions:
- The Old Senator Tree
- Planetarium
- Augustine Oak Canopy
- Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
- Our Lady de la Leche Shrine
Nearby Hotels:
- Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn St. Augustine Historic District
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Augustine
- The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel
- Holiday Inn St. Augustine - Historic, an IHG Hotel
Nearby Restaurants:
- Cortesse's Bistro
- Dunkin' Donuts
- The Spice & Tea Exchange
- Leroy's Express
- Fountain of Juice
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7. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
No St. Augustine haunted tour is complete Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a 16th-century fort that now is a significant U.S. National Park. Renowned for its rare coquina limestone structure, this seaside landmark has witnessed tragic events, including deadly conflicts and betrayals, which largely attributed to unmatched and unexplained paranormal activity here. Today, it is a famous name on the list of scary places in the world. The site is said to be haunted by hundreds of French Protestant soldiers who were brutally slaughtered here by Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain in 1565. The watchmen at Castillo have reported sightings of the disembodied head of Florida’s Chief Osceola along with apparitions of headless Spanish soldiers patrolling the grounds of the monument.
Location: 11 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (Daily)
Entry Fee: USD 15 Per Person
Nearby Attractions:
- Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
- Potter's Wax Museum
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
- Medieval Torture Museum
- Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
Nearby Hotels:
- Carriage Way - Centennial Bed and Breakfast
- The Old Powder House Inn and Breakfast
- Southern Wind Inn
- Agustin Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Casablanca Inn On the Bay
Nearby Restaurants:
- Raintree Restaurant
- The Oak Room Restaurant and Lounge
- River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge
- Borrillo's Pizza and Beer & Wine Garden
- The Floridian Restaurant
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8. Spanish Military Hospital Museum
One of the USA's oldest standing hospitals, the Spanish Military Hospital Museum is a replica of a building that served as a convalescent home until 1791. The original building was broken down in the 19th century with a new one built on the same site in 1965. The building is believed to be haunted by the vengeful spirits of the dead, who are often spotted roaming the ward by visitors and the staff. The Mourning Ward happens to be the prime spot of all spooky experiences, where people have heard cries, moans, and screams of the long-departed souls of patients. Moreover, the Fountain of Youth was discovered in 1934, which was a burial ground of the Timucuan people killed many centuries back. Today, it is among the most renowned haunted places in St. Augustine, which will give you a waking nightmare.
Location: 3 Aviles St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (Daily)
Entry Fee:
USD 16.95 Per Adult
USD 6.95 Per Child (6 to 12 years)
USD 14.95 for Per Senior Citizen (60 years and above)
Nearby Attractions:
- Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
- The Kenwood Inn
- Bayfront Westcott House Bed and Breakfast
- Casa de Solana Bed & Breakfast
- Old City House Inn & Restaurant
Nearby Hotels:
- Lightner Museum
- Oldest House Museum Complex
- Villa Zorayda Museum
- Augustine Scenic Cruise
- Augustine Foot Soldiers Monument
Nearby Restaurants:
- Prohibition Kitchen
- Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille
- La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs
- Avilés Restaurant & Lounge
- Agustin Inn Bed and Breakfast
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9. Scarlett O’Hara’s
When talking of the haunted places in Augustine, Scarlett O’Hara’s, a former bar and restaurant located in the historic downtown, cannot be missed. It has been a favorite spot for tourists and locals to spend a leisurely evening for many decades before finally shutting down in 2024. The restaurant is supposedly haunted by the spirit of Mr. Colee, who got one of the houses of the restaurants constructed in the year 1879. The guests have had encounters with him in the upstairs bathroom. Many have reported feeling his breath down their necks and sometimes being touched on their shoulders.
Location: 70 Hypolita St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
Visit Hours: 4 PM to 2 AM (Daily)
Entry Fee: USD 10 to USD 20 Per Person
Nearby Attractions:
- Acosta House
- Grace United Methodist Church
- Saint Augustine Church of God
- Micro Masterpieces Art Gallery
- Treasure Chest Hands on History Experience
Nearby Hotels:
- Carriage Way Inn Bed & Breakfast
- The Old Powder House Inn and Breakfast
- Carriage Way - Centennial Bed and Breakfast
- Southern Wind Inn
- 1870 victorian
Nearby Restaurants:
- Barefoot Bill's Island Grill
- The Drunken Horse St. Augustine
- Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille
- La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs
- Prohibition Kitchen
St. Augustine is not just a destination but a treat for those who enjoy history, natural beauty, and diverse food. However, the haunted places in St. Augustine are equally interesting. And if you are planning to visit St. Augustine, consider booking one of our US tour packages, designed to make your journey convenient and comfortable. The packages include flights to United States, luxurious accommodations, guided tours, daily breakfast, and a lot of leisure time to explore the city on your own. Also, don’t forget to indulge in the culinary and art scene of St. Augustine!
Haunted Places in St. Augustine - FAQ’s
The best time to visit St. Augustine in Florida is springtime from March to May. The city experiences pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and blooming flowers during this period, which is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine Wild Reserve, Lightner Museum, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, anD Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park are the most popular places to visit in St. Augustine.
To reach St. Augustine, fly to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), about 90 km north of the city center. You can take a bus, taxi, or an airport shuttle to get to your hotel.
Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel, Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront, Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort, and Cedar House Inn Victorian Bed & Breakfast are some of the best 4-star hotels to stay in St. Augustine.
Yes, St. Augustine has several kids-friendly locations such as Anastasia State Park, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, and Potter's Wax Museum.
St. George Street, Aviles Street, San Marco Antique Mall, Ponce de Leon Mall, and The Hype Section are some of the best places to visit in St. Augustine.
Different modes of transportation are available in St. Augustine, Florida, facilitating easy and convenient commute in the city. Scooters, golf carts, bikes, taxis, buses, and the local train are the various ways to travel around St. Augustine.
St. Augustine in Florida is best known for its vibrant culture and rich history as the USA’s oldest city inhabited by the humans.
Yes, the haunted places in St. Augustine are generally deemed safe to visit, however, it is advised to take caution at these sites. Consider going to these places with a guide in a group.
Postcards, Coquina, Gator Head, Seashell Art, and Pirates Creed of Ethics are the best souvenirs to buy in St. Augustine, Florida.