St. Augustine: Ghosts and Gravestones Old Town Trolley Tour

Exploring St. Augustine’s dark history becomes an unforgettable experience with the Ghosts and Gravestones Old Town Trolley Tour. Priced at $36 per person and lasting 80 minutes, this tour offers a unique combination of spooky storytelling, historic sites, and inside access to some of the city’s most haunted buildings. Departing from the San Marco Welcome Center, the tour features a lively live guide and a spirited ghost host who lead guests through the mysterious and sometimes chilling tales of Florida’s oldest city.

What makes this experience stand out is the inclusion of visits inside two of St. Augustine’s most haunted locations: the Old Jail and the Potter’s Wax Museum. The tour is highly rated with a 4.4 out of 5 from 334 reviews, with many praising the guides for their humor and knowledge. It’s a balanced mix of history, ghost stories, and fun, making it suitable for a wide range of visitors—though, with a PG-13 rating, it’s best for older children and adults.

Key Points

• Price and Duration: This 80-minute trolley tour costs $36 per person, offering a quick yet immersive spooky experience.
• Starting Point: Tours depart from the San Marco Welcome Center at 27 San Marco Ave.
• Inside Access: It’s the only ghost tour to include inside visits to the Old Jail and Potter’s Wax Museum.
• Haunted Sites: The tour highlights the Old Jail, Huguenot Cemetery, and Tolomato Cemetery, with stories of paranormal activity and local legends.
• Engaging Guides: Expect knowledgeable, lively guides who deliver stories with humor and insight, often in character.
• Family Friendly: Rated PG-13, suitable for children over 12 with adult supervision, but not recommended for those with mobility issues or wheelchair users.

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The Starting Point and Meeting Details

This haunted tour begins at the San Marco Welcome Center, located at 27 San Marco Ave. The departure involves transportation—a trolley that takes guests around the city’s historic streets while the guide and ghost host narrate tales. The meeting point is straightforward, and tours usually run in the evening or night, adding to the spooky atmosphere.

Given the live guide speaks only in English, travelers should bring comfortable shoes for the walking portions and prepare for a PG-13 experience with stories of violence, murder, hangings, and paranormal activity.

Inside the Old Jail: The Most Haunted Location

The Old Jail is a highlight of the tour, renowned for documented paranormal experiences. This site is listed on both the Florida and National Register of Haunted Places, emphasizing its reputation as the most haunted building in the city. Inside, guests encounter a scary stop where actors recreate murder and mayhem stories. Many reviews praise the acting professionals who bring this location’s dark history to life with authenticity and humor.

Guests are often struck by the atmosphere of the Old Jail, and some mention that the experience is truly terrifying. This stop provides an immersive glimpse into the darker side of St. Augustine’s past, blending genuine history with theatrical storytelling.

Exploring the Haunted Cemeteries

The Huguenot Cemetery and Tolomato Cemetery serve as key stops on the tour, with the guide sharing true stories of paranormal activity and local legends. Guests hear tales of murder, executions, and restless spirits that are said to still linger in these historic burial grounds.

The cemeteries add a somber, eerie dimension to the experience, and the stories are delivered with a mix of respect and theatrical flair. Many reviews mention the engagement and charisma of the guides at these sites, making the ghostly tales both compelling and entertaining.

Potter’s Wax Museum: A Unique Haunted Stop

A distinctive feature of this tour is the exclusive inside visit to Potter’s Wax Museum, the only location on the tour that offers interior access. Visitors can see the wax figures, which are part of the spooky ambiance, and experience a scary stop that enhances the haunted theme.

Guests often find the acting at the museum excellent, with hilarious and chilling moments created by the performers. This stop provides a fun interlude, blending history, creepy stories, and entertainment in a way that appeals to both kids and adults.

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The Role of the Ghost Host and Guides

The Ghost Host is central to the tour’s success, delivering true stories of paranormal activity, murder, and mystery. Many guides are praised for their knowledgeability, witty humor, and ability to bring characters to life.

Tour reviews often specifically mention guides like Cersei, Ivy, Luna, and Samara, who are noted for their entertaining performances and ability to keep audiences engaged. The driver also plays a vital role, ensuring a safe, smooth ride around the city.

Timing and Atmosphere

The tour is usually offered in the evening or at night, which heightens the creepy vibe of the stories and sites. The nighttime setting makes the stops at cemeteries and the jail more atmospheric, adding an extra layer of spookiness.

Most reviews recommend doing the late tour to maximize the haunting ambiance. The 80-minute duration keeps the experience lively without dragging, making it suitable for those who want a quick but memorable ghostly adventure.

Accessibility and Practical Tips

This tour is not suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, as it involves walking and some uneven surfaces at historic sites. Guests should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for ghostly tales that include references to hangings, murders, and paranormal phenomena.

Other restrictions include pets, smoking, luggage, alcohol, drugs, and unaccompanied minors, which are not permitted for safety and preservation reasons.

Overall Value and Experience

The Ghosts and Gravestones Old Town Trolley Tour offers excellent value for its $36 price point, combining history, entertainment, and haunted sites within a compact 80-minute experience. The inclusion of inside access to two haunted buildings is a rare feature among ghost tours in the area.

Guests consistently praise the knowledgeable guides, engaging storytelling, and entertaining performances. While the tour is not guaranteed to see actual ghosts, the theatrical reenactments and haunted sites create a spooky, fun atmosphere that appeals to a broad audience—particularly those interested in history with a ghostly twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children?
It is rated PG-13, making it suitable for children over 12 years old with adult supervision. The stories include references to hangings and murders, which may be disturbing for younger children.

Does the tour include inside visits?
Yes, it features inside visits to the Old Jail and Potter’s Wax Museum, providing a more immersive experience compared to typical ghost tours.

What should I wear?
Guests should wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves walking and standing at various historic sites.

Are there any restrictions?
Yes, the tour does not permit pets, smoking, large luggage, alcohol, drugs, or unaccompanied minors. It’s also not accessible for those with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

The St. Augustine: Ghosts and Gravestones Old Town Trolley Tour delivers a unique blend of spooky stories, historic sites, and theatrical performances. Its inside access, lively guides, and nighttime ambiance make it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a ghostly adventure in Florida’s oldest city.

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