Key takeaways
- Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental U.S.
- Classic haunts: the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Old Jail, the Huguenot Cemetery and the old Spanish quarter.
- The Castillo de San Marcos (completed 1695) is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S.
- Mild October weather and walkable streets make it great for families.
Long before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Spanish settlers founded St. Augustine on Florida's northeast coast. That was 1565, and the city has been continuously inhabited ever since. Four and a half centuries of sieges, pirate raids, fires, epidemics and shipwrecks have given St. Augustine a deep store of stories : and made it one of the South's favorite Halloween destinations.
A short history
- 1565 : Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founds St. Augustine.
- 1586 : English privateer Sir Francis Drake attacks and burns the town.
- 1672–1695 : The Spanish build the coquina-stone Castillo de San Marcos.
- 1763–1784 : Britain controls Florida, then returns it to Spain.
- 1821 : Florida becomes a U.S. territory.
- 1880s : Henry Flagler builds grand Gilded Age hotels and brings the railroad.
The result is a small city with Spanish colonial streets, British and American layers, and some of the oldest buildings in the country.
The Castillo de San Marcos
The Castillo de San Marcos, completed in 1695, is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Built of coquina : a soft stone made from compressed shells : it absorbed cannonballs rather than shattering. It was never taken by force. Today it's a National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Explore the gun deck, the vaulted rooms and the moat, and look out over Matanzas Bay. Its long history as a fort and prison has inspired its share of ghost stories.
Haunted sites
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The black-and-white striped lighthouse on Anastasia Island, completed in 1874, is one of the most visited lighthouses in America and a fixture of paranormal television. Local lore centers on the tragic deaths of children of the builder's superintendent during construction. The lighthouse museum offers nighttime ghost-themed tours during the season.
The Old Jail
Built in 1891 and used until 1953, the Old Jail housed prisoners and the sheriff's family under one roof. Costumed guides tell the stories of inmates and the notorious sheriff of the era.
Huguenot Cemetery
Opened in the 1820s as a Protestant burying ground during a yellow-fever epidemic, this small cemetery near the City Gate is a highlight of evening ghost walks.
Tolomato Cemetery
A historic Catholic cemetery on Cordova Street with roots in the Spanish colonial period; opened to visitors on certain days.
The Spanish Quarter and St. George Street
The pedestrian streets of the old town : lined with colonial houses, courtyards and balconies : are the backdrop for most walking ghost tours.
Flagler's hotels
The former Hotel Ponce de León, now Flagler College, is a stunning Spanish Renaissance Revival landmark with its own legends; campus tours run regularly.
Ghost tours
St. Augustine has an enormous range of ghost experiences:
| Format | Good for |
|---|---|
| Lantern walking tours | Classic storytelling through the old town |
| Trolley ghost tours | Covering more ground; families; anyone who'd rather not walk far |
| Lighthouse night tours | Paranormal-focused tours of a famous haunt |
| Old Jail tours | History with a dark side |
| Pub crawls | Adults who like a story with a drink |
| Investigation tours | Hands-on ghost hunting with equipment |
Many operators run family-friendly versions in the early evening and scarier adult tours later. Book ahead for Halloween weekend.
Halloween events
In October the city's streets, museums and attractions host Halloween programming, and families trick-or-treat in historic neighborhoods. Downtown shops along St. George Street often hand out candy to costumed kids. Check the city's visitor bureau for current-year events.
Beyond the ghosts
- Colonial Quarter living-history demonstrations
- St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
- The Cathedral Basilica facing the Plaza de la Constitución
- Lightner Museum, in the former Alcazar Hotel
- Beaches on Anastasia Island
- Fort Matanzas, a smaller Spanish watchtower fort south of town
Practical tips
- Weather: October is warm and pleasant, with lower humidity than summer : ideal for evening walks.
- Parking: Use the historic downtown parking facility and walk; the old town's streets are narrow.
- Comfort: Wear walking shoes and bring bug spray for twilight tours.
- Lodging: Historic inns and B&Bs fill quickly for Halloween; book early.
- Respect: Cemeteries and churches are active and fragile : follow posted rules.
Plan a southern swing
St. Augustine is about three hours by car from Savannah, making the two cities a natural pair. Add Charleston and New Orleans for the ultimate southern ghost trip : see Halloween in the American South and Savannah, Georgia at Halloween. If you'd rather mix history with screams, Orlando's theme-park events are about two hours away: Universal Halloween Horror Nights.
Questions & answers
Why is St. Augustine called America's oldest city?
St. Augustine was founded by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565 and has been continuously inhabited since, making it the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States.
Is St. Augustine haunted?
St. Augustine is known for ghost stories tied to its long history of colonial conflict, epidemics, shipwrecks and old burial grounds. Many tour companies offer ghost tours, and sites like the lighthouse and Old Jail feature in paranormal television shows.
What is there to do in St. Augustine for Halloween?
Popular activities include walking, trolley and lantern ghost tours, nighttime tours of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Old Jail tour, visiting the Castillo de San Marcos, exploring St. George Street, and family-friendly Halloween events around town.
Is St. Augustine good for kids at Halloween?
Yes. Many ghost tours offer family-friendly versions, the fort and lighthouse are fun to explore, and St. George Street's pedestrian lanes are easy to walk with children.
Tour schedules, prices and access to historic sites change seasonally. Confirm details with operators and the National Park Service before visiting.