This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Florida
Fall is here, and Halloween is right around the corner. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend Halloween, why not try a haunted road trip? We’ve got several of Florida’s most haunted spots mapped out for you, so gas up the car and get ready for some ghost hunting. Who knew all the most haunted places in Florida could be found in one spectacular road trip?
You can use this interactive map to help you along this road trip to the scary places in Florida.
Let's start our road trip to the most haunted places in Florida in the nation's oldest city, which is also one of its most haunted. Since the lighthouse was constructed in 1874, several people have passed away in or near the lighthouse. The most famous story is that of the Pettee girls. Their father was hired to work on the lighthouse, and the girls, one 13 and one 15, got in the construction cart and it rolled into the Bay. No one could reach them quickly enough, and they drowned. Children's laughter and footsteps on the stairs, among many other occurences, are often reported here.
Address: 81 Lighthouse Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32080
St. Augustine Lighthouse, 81 Lighthouse Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
Our next stop is a little town that has long drawn visitors who were fascinated with the paranormal. This town is called the "Psychic Capital of the World," because it has a large number of resident psychics and spiritualists. There are several places in Cassadaga that are rumored to be haunted, from the Cassadaga Hotel to the Devil's Chair in the Lake Helen-Cassadaga cemetery.
Address: 355 Cassadaga Road, Lake Helen, FL 32744
The third stop on our trip to the most haunted places in Florida is the site of a tragedy in space exploration. Complex 34 was envisioned as a major launch pad for NASA, until tragically, three astronauts died in a cabin fire here in 1967. The launch pad was shut down and stands as a memorial to the fallen astronauts. Paranormal activity has been reported here, from mysterious screaming to a sudden overwhelming sense of dread. It can be visited as part of a special tour offered through the Kennedy Space Center.
Address: Cape Canaveral, FL, 32920
You're probably hungry after all of that ghost hunting, so luckily, our next stop doubles as a pub. The main spirit here is tied to a one of the most gruesome Florida ghost stories. It has been verified by local reports from the time. A young woman, Ethel Allen, was last seen at the restaurant (then Jack's Tavern) before her body was found near the Indian River. Workers and visitors have reported being tapped or pushed, seeing objects move on their own, and a woman in period clothing.
Address: 1609 US-1, Rockledge, FL 32955
This road trip probably takes several days, so it's a good thing we have a couple of hotels on our route. The most famous legend at this historic hotel is of a mobster killed in a gambling dispute, who is said to remain here in spirit. Visitors and employees have seen lights turn on and off by themselves and the elevator repeatedly going to the wrong floor. This resident spirit has also been known to hold doors open for servers in the hotel's restaurant. It's one of the most haunted places in Florida.
Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Next, we'll head to this tiny town to check out this historic Opera House. This 1905 theater is currently occupied by an antique store and museum. The theater has been rumored to be haunted by a little girl who some say jumped out the second story window. Phantom footsteps and laughter have also been heard here.
Address: 106 W Oak Street, Arcadia, FL 34266
Then we'll head to Tampa to visit this beautiful 1926 theater that is still in use today. Many employees have experienced paranormal events when alone in the theater. It's supposedly haunted by the longtime projectionist who worked in the theater from 1930 to 1965 and died of a heart attack in the projection booth.
Address: 711 N Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602
711 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
May-Stringer House (Hernando Historical Museum Association), Brooksville
Last but not least, we'll head to the Victorian house that is often called Florida's most haunted. It's rumored to be occupied by past residents who passed away on the property. The historic house is now a museum displaying antiques and artifacts of the Victorian era. At night, it hosts adult-only haunted tours and groups of paranormal researchers.
Address: 601 Museum Court, Brooksville, FL 34601
601 Museum Ct, Brooksville, FL 34601, USA
So what do you think? Are you up for this road trip to the most haunted places in Florida? Let us know your thoughts!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Haunted Places in Florida
August 15, 2019
Marisa Roman
What is the most famous ghost story from Florida?
Ghosts in Florida are not anything to laugh at. In fact, there some scary places in Florida, not to mention Florida ghost stories that will scare even the bravest of residents. But perhaps the most famous ghost story comes out of St. Pete Beach at the Don CeSar hotel. The hotel was built by Thomas Rowe, a London student who happened to fall in love with a Spanish aristocrat named Lucinda. The relationship was clandestine as the pair continued to meet at a fountain within the city and planned to sail to America to be together. Lucinda’s parents did not approve of the romance and took her back to Spain. Rowe’s letters went returned and unopened, and yet only one of Lucinda’s arrived claiming to wait for him by their fountain. Legend has it, Lucinda died of a broken heart and Rowe went on to build the hotel which featured an exact replica of their fountain inside. It is said that Rowe’s ghost still wanders the hotel and the nearby beach, waiting for his love to join him at last.
What is the most haunted town in Florida?
When most people think about The Sunshine State, they probably don’t think about Florida hauntings or abandoned places in Florida. And yet, Florida is home to many different haunted towns that are worth paying a visit. For instance, Monticello, Florida has quite the reputation for being the most haunted town in the South. You don’t need to visit this Florida town during October to get in on the fun either as there are ghost tours and other spooky attractions featured all year long.
What is the creepiest abandoned place in Florida?
Abandoned places in Florida may be few and far between, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Actually, some of the creepiest places in Florida happen to be abandoned and many of them you can visit yourself. Castillo de San Marcos is a former military fortress in St. Augustine that tops the list of one of the most famous abandoned places in Florida. With plenty of ghost stories coming from this abandoned fortress, you can take a tour yourself and see if there is any paranormal activity that pops up on your radar.
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