Your haunted journey begins and ends at the Conch Tour Train Depot, located at 501 Front Street on the corner of Front and Duval Streets. We recommend arriving early to find the booth. The tour concludes back at this central historic location, placing you within walking distance of many Old Town attractions and restaurants.
You must check in with your Ghost Host at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Because our tours are extremely popular and frequently sell out, checking in early ensures your seat on the Trolley of the Doomed.
While we do not have a private lot, there is metered street parking and several public lots near 501 Front Street. You can often find parking at the Opal Key Resort & Marina or other nearby Old Town parking garages. We suggest allowing extra time for parking, especially during the busy October season.
The Ghosts & Gravestones tour is approximately 60 minutes of terrifying storytelling and sightseeing through Old Town. This time includes your narrated trolley ride and a guided walking stop. Because we travel through narrow historic streets, the duration may vary slightly based on local traffic and the evening’s “paranormal” activity.
We run our tours on “dark and stormy nights,” so the experience typically proceeds rain or shine. Our trolleys are covered to keep you dry while you listen to chilling tales. If weather conditions become dangerously severe, we will notify you to reschedule your tour or provide a full refund for your tickets.
You are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks on board the Trolley of the Doomed. However, alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited at all times for the safety and comfort of all guests. We ask that you help us keep our trolleys clean by disposing of any trash after your haunted voyage.
Reasonable accommodations for all of our disabled guests will be made. Please call us at least 24 hours in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
Unfortunately, because our Ghosts & Gravestones vehicles do not have wheelchair lifts and a significant portion of our tour takes place in historic sites that do not have any accommodations for people with disabilities (as historic sites, they are exempt from such requirements), and include stairs, cobblestones, and other types of rough terrain, the tour is not recommended for guests who are unable to safely navigate such elements.
The San Diego ghost tour is rated PG-13 and is not recommended for young children. The experience uses a mix of historical facts and “haunted house” style moments to thrill and scare.
You will learn the history of Robert the Doll as we pass near the East Martello Museum, where he currently resides. While the tour stops at the Shipwreck Museum, your Ghost Host will share the terrifying legend of Robert’s mischief. To see him in person, you can visit his glass case at the fort.
Robert the Doll was a handmade gift given to young Gene Otto in the early 1900s at the Artist’s House. Legend says a disgruntled servant cursed the doll, which began moving on its own and giggling. Gene’s family reported seeing the doll perched in windows, seemingly watching and mocking the neighborhood children.
The cistern is a dark, underground water reservoir at the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum that is known for paranormal activity. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who worked the treacherous wrecks off the coast. During our stop, you will journey deep into this eerie space to hear their tales.
Daddy Long Legs is the ghost of a legendary wrecker said to haunt the upper floors of the Shipwreck Museum. His spirit is often linked to the cursed silver bar recovered from a 1656 shipwreck. Guests and staff have reported strange sightings and a heavy presence near the museum’s historic artifacts and lookout tower.
Captain Tony’s Saloon is haunted because the building previously served as the city morgue and a site for public executions. Spirits are said to linger near the hanging tree that still grows through the roof of the bar today. Patrons often report cold spots, whispering voices, and the feeling of being watched by past residents.
The “Hanging Tree” was used for public lynchings in the 1800s before the building became a saloon. One of its most famous victims was the “Lady in Blue,” a woman hanged for the murder of her family while wearing a blood-stained blue dress. Her apparition is frequently spotted wandering near the tree’s gnarled branches inside.
Enriquetta Marrero was the second wife of a wealthy cigar maker who was evicted from her home after his death. Upon leaving, she vowed to remain at the Marrero Guest Mansion in spirit forever. Guests today report seeing her ghostly figure in Room #18, often accompanied by the faint scent of lavender or the sound of crying.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church sits atop the remains of several previous structures and the graves of early Key West settlers. Local legends suggest that lost tombs and forgotten spirits reside beneath the church grounds. Visitors often report seeing a “Lady in White” wandering the cemetery, believed to be searching for a child lost in a hurricane.
The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was built by Sister Louis Gabriel in 1922 to protect the island from devastating storms. Legend holds that as long as the Grotto stands, a major hurricane will never directly strike Key West. For over a century, locals have credited this sacred shrine with keeping the island safe from natural disasters.
Yes, spirits of Civil War soldiers are said to haunt Fort Zachary Taylor, particularly the downstairs sections. Although no battles were fought there, thousands of soldiers died on-site from yellow fever and other diseases. Witnesses report seeing spectral figures in military formation and hearing the phantom sounds of gunfire and whistles echoing through the fort.
Every story told on our tour is rooted in documented Key West history and local folklore. We pride ourselves on the authenticity of our tales, covering real events like shipwrecks, yellow fever epidemics, and historic murders. Our tours are rated on a Ghost-Meter for historical accuracy, ensuring a balance of facts and frights.
Our tour focuses on storytelling and historic narration rather than technical paranormal investigation. While some walking stops may involve “ghost meters” or similar devices to detect spirits, the main experience is a guided theatrical journey. We encourage you to bring your own camera to capture potential anomalies, as many guests report spectral sightings.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for your nighttime adventure. Since the tour includes a walking portion at the Shipwreck Museum, you’ll want to be steady on your feet. Even in paradise, evenings can be breezy or “dark and stormy,” so a light jacket or raincoat is always a good idea.