Haunted History Walk

A 1.5-hour walking tour of Old Town's haunted spots, with a guide sharing ghost stories, strange history and local legends.

Overview

This is a 90-minute evening walk through Key West, starting at 8:00 PM at the corner of Duval and Eaton Streets, outside the gates of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. A Ghost City Tours guide leads the group from stop to stop, spending roughly 15 minutes at each, and the tour loops back to the same meeting point at the end.

The route takes in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Artist House Bed and Breakfast, the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, the La Concha hotel and Marrero's Guest Mansion, with a stop at River Street Sweets near the start. Guides tell haunted history and local legends, including stories connected to Robert the Doll, and point out spots with reported paranormal activity. Several reviewers say the mix of genuine island history and ghost stories is what makes it work. Note that no admission into any of the buildings is included.

The tour suits travellers who like walking at a moderate pace and don't mind a group of up to 30 people. It runs in the dark, so bring water, as one reviewer pointed out it stays hot even at 8 PM.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Duval and EatonMeet your guide outside the gates of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 401 Duval Street, across from River Street Sweets. Arrive 15 minutes early to check in.
2. River Street SweetsThe first stop sits right by the meeting point and lasts 15 minutes. No admission fee applies here.
3. St. Paul's Episcopal ChurchA 15-minute stop outside the church. Entry is not included.
4. The Artist HouseEntry is not included.
5. Audubon House & GardensAnother 15-minute stop, with stories about the property's past. Admission is not included.
6. La Concha hotelA 15-minute stop at the hotel on the route. Entry is not included.
7. Marrero's Guest MansionThe final 15-minute stop before the walk returns to the starting point at Duval and Eaton.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk.

• Bring water. One reviewer noted it stays hot even at 8 PM, so carry a water bottle. Nothing to drink is provided on the tour. Food and drinks are listed as not included.
• Walking pace. The tour lasts 90 minutes with about 15 minutes at each stop, so the walking is broken into short stretches. The listing says travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level. Several reviewers enjoyed the walking format because it let them immerse themselves in the stories.
• Group size. The tour caps at 30 travellers, so it is a group experience rather than something intimate. Reviewers mention guides answering questions along the way and after stops, which helps in a larger crowd.
• Guides vary. Reviews are mixed on guide quality. Many praise knowledgeable, lively guides, while a few describe inexperienced presenters. The experience can differ between nights.
• Photos at night. One reviewer found that pictures they expected to be clear came out blurred in the evening conditions. Bring a phone or camera that handles low light if photos matter to you.
• Kids welcome. The listing describes it as an all-ages tour, and one reviewer said the guide patiently answered their kids' questions. One reviewer mentioned profanities from a guide, so the tone may not always be strictly kid-oriented.

Common issues. The tour requires a minimum number of travellers, and several reviewers reported cancellations for low sign-ups, including one who says a tour was called off for being one person short and another who waited at the meeting point with no one showing up. Weather can also force a cancellation, in which case the operator offers a different date or a full refund. No entry into any of the stops is included, and food, drinks, transport and gratuities cost extra. Guide experience varies, with some reviewers describing rookie presenters. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What To Sort Out Before You Book