Florida is packed with haunted sites, bizarre legends, and dark tourism spots perfect for those who crave the eerie and unsettling. Here are ten places across the Sunshine State that will send chills down your spine.
1. St. Augustine Lighthouse (St. Augustine)
The historic St. Augustine Lighthouse is often cited as one of the state’s most haunted locations. Visitors report hearing children’s laughter, footsteps, voices, and even spotting shadowy figures. Ghost tours are offered for those who want an after-dark thrill.
2. The Devil’s Chair (Cassadaga)
Located in the Lake Helen-Cassadaga Cemetery, the Devil’s Chair is a brick bench shrouded in myth. Legend says if you sit there at midnight, the devil might appear—or finish any beer left on the seat by morning.
3. Greenwood Cemetery (Orlando)
This historic cemetery is known for its nocturnal ghost tours. Visitors have reported seeing ghost children, Civil War soldiers, and unexplained lights and sounds among the tombstones.
4. The Devil’s School (Jacksonville)
The old, abandoned Annie Lytle Elementary is infamous for tales of gruesome events including fires, sinister figures, and haunted happenings. The building is off-limits but remains a magnet for urban legend seekers.
5. Key West Cemetery (Key West)
Besides its odd and humorous gravestone inscriptions, this cemetery is filled with ghost stories such as the spirit of a protective Bahamian woman, who allegedly chases away disrespectful visitors.
6. Robert the Doll (Key West)
This notorious, supposedly cursed doll is housed in the East Martello Museum. Visitors claim that misfortune befalls those who disrespect Robert or forget to ask for his permission before taking a photo.
7. Coral Castle (Homestead)
An enigmatic limestone structure built by a single man, Ed Leedskalnin, under mysterious circumstances. Some visitors and paranormal investigators claim to sense energies or see the builder’s ghost on the grounds.
8. The Devil Tree (Port St. Lucie)
A large oak in Oak Hammock Park, reputed to be the site of grisly 1970s murders. Locals warn of strange sounds and unexplained phenomena, especially after dark.
9. Biltmore Hotel (Coral Gables)
The grand Biltmore Hotel is renowned for spectral sightings, especially that of gangster Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, who was killed there in the 1920s. Reports include odd noises, flickering lights, and mysterious messages on mirrors.
10. The May-Stringer House (Brooksville)
Dubbed one of Florida’s most haunted houses, this Victorian home and museum features tales of ghosts—especially in its attic. Visitors describe voices, cold spots, eerie shadows, and a “Mr. Nasty” haunting the upper floors.
Table: Creepy & Macabre Spots in Florida
Whether you’re seeking ghost encounters, dark legends, or simply love exploring the morbid side of travel, these Floridian spots guarantee an experience you won’t soon forgetoon forget.
Sources
[1] https://traveltriangle.com/blog/haunted-places-in-florida/
[2] https://www.aaa.com/tripcanvas/article/creepy-places-to-visit-in-florida-CM868
[3] https://www.westgateresorts.com/blog/10-haunted-places-florida/
[4] https://nextstopadventures.com/haunted-places-in-florida
[5] https://listverse.com/2020/01/03/top-10-truly-creepy-things-in-florida/
[6] https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/10-central-florida-urban-legends-haunted-places-just-in-time-for-spooky-season
