I love learning about haunted places and going on road trips with friends for ghost tours. There are so many haunted places in Florida if you’re looking for a little fright this October. I think it’s fun and something different to do: who doesn’t love a good scare? Here are some of my favorite haunted areas to visit in Florida:
1. St. Augustine Lighthouse
This lighthouse was constructed in 1874. The story goes that the St. Augustine Lighthouse is the site where several people died mysteriously.
Why it’s spooky: The most famous story is that of the Pettee girls, who died in the summer of 1873. Their father helped build the lighthouse, but both of the teenage girls died while they were playing—they drowned in the Bay. Visitors report hearing people on the stairs and children’s laughter.
2. Tampa Theatre
This beautiful 1926 theater is still in use today and located on Franklin Street in downtown Tampa.
Why it’s spooky: Many employees have experienced paranormal happenings while alone in the theater. The projectionist, who worked there from 1930 to 1965, died of a heart attack in the projection booth. It’s supposedly his ghost that haunts moviegoers to this day.
3. Bellamy Bridge
Built in 1914, this steel-frame bridge is over 100 years old and located on the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail in Jackson County. It’s one of the oldest bridges in Florida. Elizabeth Bellamy died of a fever nearby in 1837. Her infant son died a week later from the same illness. Fifteen years after her death, her husband Samuel committed suicide at Chattahoochee Landing.
Why it’s spooky: A ghostly woman has been seen near the bridge since the late 1800s. Elizabeth and her son were laid to rest at the family cemetery, which is located near the bridge.
4. Cassadaga
This town is called the “Psychic Capital of the World” because of its many resident psychics and spiritualists. According to Week in Weird, George Colby established the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp in December 1894.
Why it’s spooky: Legend has it that this site has many different haunted areas. There’s a cemetery, a haunted hotel, and the “Devil’s Chair,” which is a bench in the cemetery that’s supposedly haunted by the Devil himself.
5. Castillo de San Marcos
St. Augustine is our nation’s oldest city, founded in September 1565 by the Spanish. It’s not surprising that it’s also rumored to be one of the most haunted cities in the U.S. The city has supernatural hotspots all over town, but the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is one of the most famous.
Why it’s spooky: The Castillo is the oldest fort in the U.S. Stories say a Seminole man and a woman in white haunt the area. The fort was featured on the television series Ghost Adventures and Monumental Mysteries.
These are just a few of many haunted areas in Florida. Have you visited any of them? Let me know in the comments!