Florida might be famous for sunny beaches and theme parks, but it also hides a darker side filled with ghostly legends and mysterious happenings. From old forts to historic theaters, the Sunshine State offers plenty of spine-chilling spots where visitors can experience the paranormal firsthand.
Whether you’re a believer in ghosts or just love a good scare, these haunted locations promise unforgettable encounters with the unexplained. Get ready to explore ten real places where the past refuses to stay buried.
1. St. Augustine Lighthouse — St. Augustine, FL
Built in 1874, this striking black-and-white tower stands 165 feet tall and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors climbing its 219 steps often report hearing children’s laughter echoing through the stairwell, even when no kids are present. The spirits are believed to be the daughters of the lighthouse keeper who tragically drowned during construction.
Shadow figures have been spotted in the keeper’s house, and strange lights flicker in windows when the building is empty. Cold spots appear without warning, and the smell of cigar smoke drifts through rooms where no one is smoking.
Many ghost hunters consider this one of Florida’s most actively haunted locations, with paranormal activity documented on numerous investigations.
2. Castillo de San Marcos — St. Augustine, FL
America’s oldest masonry fort was completed in 1695 and has witnessed centuries of war, imprisonment, and death. The thick coquina walls have absorbed countless stories of suffering, and many believe the spirits of soldiers and prisoners still wander the dark dungeons.
One famous legend involves a Spanish colonel who discovered his wife’s affair and locked both her and her lover in a small room, sealing them inside forever. People claim to hear scratching sounds coming from the walls where they were entombed.
3. Miami Biltmore Hotel — Coral Gables, FL
This luxurious hotel opened in 1926 and quickly became a playground for wealthy guests and celebrities. During the 1940s, it served as a military hospital, and some patients never checked out—at least not in the traditional sense. The thirteenth floor is particularly active, with guests reporting phantom footsteps and doors that open by themselves.
The most famous ghost is Thomas “Fats” Walsh, a gangster who was murdered in the hotel’s speakeasy during Prohibition. His spirit allegedly roams the hallways and has been seen near the tower.
4. May-Stringer House — Brooksville, FL
This beautiful Victorian home was built in 1856 and has become famous for paranormal activity centered around a young girl named Jessie May. The child died tragically in the house, and her presence remains strong throughout the building.
Cold spots suddenly appear in various rooms, dropping the temperature by 15 degrees or more without explanation. Objects move on their own, and the sound of children giggling fills empty hallways.
The house now operates as a museum and hosts regular ghost tours where participants frequently experience unexplained phenomena. Many leave convinced that Jessie May is still very much at home.
5. Mount Dora Ghost Walk — Mount Dora, FL
Every weekend, brave souls gather for a theatrical walking tour through Mount Dora’s historic downtown district. Professional actors bring local ghost stories to life while guiding visitors past buildings where paranormal activity has been reported for decades. The tour blends history with spine-tingling tales of restless spirits who refuse to leave their earthly homes.
The experience combines entertainment with genuine folklore passed down through generations of Mount Dora residents. Whether the ghosts are real or not, the atmospheric streets and captivating storytelling create an unforgettable evening of chills and thrills.
6. Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail — Marianna, FL
Hidden among towering trees and Spanish moss, the ruins of Bellamy Bridge hold one of Florida’s most tragic love stories. According to legend, Elizabeth Jane Bellamy died in a carriage accident on her wedding day in 1837 when her dress caught fire. Her devastated husband searched frantically for her in the surrounding woods as she ran from the flames.
The trail remains a popular spot for paranormal investigators and those seeking encounters with Florida’s most romantic ghost.
7. Key West Cemetery — Key West, FL
Established in 1847, this quirky cemetery reflects Key West’s unique character with humorous epitaphs and above-ground tombs. The burial ground holds approximately 100,000 souls in just 19 acres, creating an incredibly dense concentration of the departed.
Tour guides point out hot spots where electronic equipment mysteriously malfunctions and cameras suddenly stop working. The most famous resident might be the spirit of a woman who died in the 1800s and allegedly pushes people who disrespect the graves.
8. Tampa Theatre — Tampa, FL
When this magnificent movie palace opened in 1926, it dazzled audiences with its elaborate Mediterranean Revival design and starlit ceiling. Nearly a century later, the theater still entertains the living—and apparently the dead.
Staff members and visitors frequently encounter a ghostly woman dressed in white who glides through the aisles and vanishes into thin air. The phantom lady is believed to be a former employee or patron who loved the theater so much she never left.
Equipment turns on by itself, and unexplained cold drafts sweep through the auditorium during screenings. Seats flip down as if someone invisible just sat down to enjoy the show. The theater embraces its haunted reputation and even hosts special ghost tours.
9. Fort East Martello Museum — Key West, FL
This Civil War-era fort now houses one of the world’s most terrifying artifacts: Robert the Doll. Created in the early 1900s, this life-sized doll allegedly tormented its owner, artist Robert Eugene Otto, throughout his life. Visitors must ask Robert’s permission before taking his photograph, or risk experiencing his legendary curse.
Those who mock or disrespect the doll report bizarre misfortunes—car accidents, job losses, and mysterious illnesses—until they write apology letters to Robert. The museum displays hundreds of these letters from frightened visitors seeking forgiveness.
10. Seville Quarter — Pensacola, FL
This popular entertainment complex occupies several historic buildings dating back to the 1800s, and the party atmosphere doesn’t scare away its ghostly residents. Patrons and employees regularly report hearing phantom laughter and music playing from empty rooms long after closing time.
The most active area is Rosie O’Grady’s, where a former madam named Rosie allegedly still oversees her establishment from the afterlife. Apparitions in Victorian-era clothing have been spotted on the balconies and staircases.
The combination of history, spirits, and nightlife creates a uniquely haunted experience where the dead and living mingle freely.
