October 2, 2026
Spooky season is upon us and on an island that’s been under the dominion of eight different flags and whose history includes pirates, bootleggers and other ne’er-do-wells, you can bet that there’s a scary side to our storied coast. Get into the Halloween spirit with ghost tours, unique things to do, and creepy places to visit on and nearby Amelia Island. Read on … if you dare.
The Amelia Island Museum of History is Florida’s first spoken-word museum, housed in the former Nassau County Jailhouse. In 1817, pirate Luis Aury took control of Fernandina before eventually being caught and sentenced to hang. Legend has it that his ghost still lingers around the old jail, where visitors have reported hearing eerie moans and seeing his apparition.
233 S 3rd Street
The Williams House is one of Fernandina Beach’s oldest historic homes. Purchased by Marcellus A. Williams in 1858, the home later became a safe house for enslaved people escaping through the Underground Railroad. It’s rumored that a secret room near the dining room was used to hide them. Today, the antebellum mansion is also said to be haunted by friendly spirits. Guests have reported hearing laughter, seeing apparitions on the staircase, and spotting a ghostly woman in a mirror near the stairs.
103 S 9th Street
Appropriately named in Spanish, “Beautiful Woods”, Bosque Bello Cemetery is one of Florida’s oldest and most picturesque cemeteries. Its historic graves tell the stories of lighthouse keepers, sea captains, politicians, veterans, and some of Amelia Island’s earliest residents. After dark, folks claim that mysterious voices and laughter can be heard among the graves, while ghostly children have been spotted wandering beneath the moss-draped trees.
1321 N 14th Street
In the heart of the island, the Egans Creek Greenway is a 300-acre protected oasis with trails and abundant wildlife. It is said that a pirate once buried treasure here, marking the spot with a chain around an oak tree before meeting his own fate from a rattlesnake bite. If you spot an old rusty chain during your walk, you may have found the legendary “money tree”—but it’s best to leave it alone!
The Greenway may be accessed from behind the Atlantic Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Ave., Jasmine St., Sadler Rd., Jean Lafitte Blvd., and Citrona Drive from the extensions of Beech and Hickory Streets. Parking available behind the Atlantic Recreation Center, along the right-of-way on Jasmine Street, and at the Residence Inn on Sadler Road.
Built in 1857 as a boarding house for railroad employees, the Florida House later became a hotel that welcomed notable guests including Ulysses S. Grant, Henry Ford, and the Carnegies. Legend says “Miz Leddy,” the former owner’s wife, still lingers. Guests and staff have reported catching the scent of her lavender perfume and even finding antique shoes mysteriously moved from the display into guest rooms.
22 S 3rd Street
Fort Clinch is one of the best-preserved 19th-century forts in the country. Though it never saw an actual battle, it was garrisoned during both the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The fort is also the subject of several ghost stories, including a Civil War soldier whose spirit is apparently still waiting to reunite with his beloved. So, if you see a Confederate soldier somberly walking the grounds at dusk, you may want to turn the other way!
2601 Atlantic Avenue.
Before Europeans arrived, Fernandina’s Old Town was settled by the Timucua Indians more than 1,000 years ago. Over the centuries, it was part of the grim Middle Passage and became home to a Spanish fort, a reputed witch known for love potions, and the historic Captain’s House. Today, Old Town is home to Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park, where supposedly the ghost of a 16-year-old who drowned nearby appears to teenagers who visit on their 16th birthday.
Located off North 14th Street (from historic Centre Street, turn onto North 14th Street at the traffic light and follow until you see Old Town on the left, just before the 14th Street bridge.)
The Palace Saloon is Florida’s oldest bar and is said to be home to ghosts from its storied past. Visitors have reported hearing music, clinking glasses, and conversations when the bar is empty. Even the unplugged player piano has reportedly started playing on its own, while bartenders have felt an unexplained cold touch on their shoulders. Check out this video of Uncle Charlie’s Ghost!
117 Centre Street
Amelia Island Museum Of History – Graveside Chronicles: Tales of Life, Love, and Legacy returns for its 4th annual event on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with guided tours departing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 1½-hour tours explore the stories and lives of those buried at Bosque Bello Cemetery. Timed tickets go on sale September 1 at AmeliaMuseum.org. Please note that the cemetery terrain may not be suitable for wheelchairs or walkers.
Ghost Tours Of Amelia – Explore the paranormal and spooky stories here on the Island with your tour guide. Hear all about Amelia’s spooky haunted history on this informative .5-1 mile tour. You’ll hear chilling ghostly tales and the most famous haunted stories the city has to offer. Ending at St. Peter’s Cemetery! Ghost hunting equipment provided. Ghost Tour ($35) or Haunted Bar Crawl ($40. Must be over 21). Tours take place nightly and aren’t for the faint of heart. Reserve your space online.
Paddle Jax Amelia Haunted Halloween Paddle – Join the folks at Paddle Jax Amelia for a spooky guided kayak tour on Lofton Creek at dusk – Trick-or-treating at the docks along the way. This will be about a 3-mile round-trip paddle, estimated at 2 hours from start to finish. October 23 & 24 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm $65 per person for a single or $130 for a tandem kayak. Don’t forget to wear a costume! Reserve your space online.
13th Floor Haunted House – Experience the world famous 13th Floor Haunted House, Jacksonville’s legendary Halloween event where halloween lives! 9230 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Terror on the Timbre Farm – Every October, the Timber farm comes alive with something wicked! Choose your level of fright: Low Scare offers family-friendly fun on October 17 and 24 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. General Admission delivers the full haunted-trail experience, while Blackout takes the fear up a notch when the lights go out at 9 p.m. An Exclusive Blackout Night takes place Sunday, November 1. Amelia Shotgun Sports – 86300 Hotshot Trail, Yulee, FL 32097
Spooktacular – Dress up in family-friendly costumes to explore the winding pathways of themed decorations, mythical beings and sweet treats. Spooktacular features activities for all ages from trick-or-treating to scare zones. October 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-31. 5:30-9:30pm. Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218
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