Ghosts & Gravestones Tour St. Augustine — Attraction in Florida

I am writing to formally express my extreme disappointment with the experience my family had on the Ghosts and Graveyard tour.

Months ago, I called specifically to ask which tour would be appropriate for my two young children. I explained that my son is 7 years old and asked in detail whether this tour would be appropriate for young children, especially whether there were any jump scares, graphic content, or frightening elements beyond general ghost stories. I was assured multiple times that the tour was family friendly, that children do very well, and that no one complains.

On the day of the tour, because my son was nervous, I called again to confirm there would be no jump scares or loud sudden noises, and I was again reassured that it was simply storytelling.

Unfortunately, this was completely inaccurate. After only 15 minutes, the content escalated to extremely graphic stories describing bodies exploding and flesh being thrown everywhere as well as the gruesome death of a 5 year old boy. This alone caused my children considerable distress, and we had the thought of leaving but figured we would try the next stop and see if things improved.

At the wax museum portion, the next stop, my husband—who was holding our terrified 7 year-old in his arms—was selected by the guide to participate in a demonstration where a rope was placed around his neck and tightened while detailed descriptions were given about gruesome methods of him dying and being buried alive. My young son was sobbing watching this happen to his father and thought his father was going to die.

This experience was deeply traumatizing for my children. My husband had to leave immediately after getting out of the wax museum and walk two miles back to our car to remove him from the situation. We shared our distress with the guide, Jeanie, who was entirely dismissive and did not seem to care at all let alone even realize my husband and son left.

This tour is absolutely not appropriate for children and should never be marketed or recommended as family friendly. I am shocked we were repeatedly told otherwise.

This experience was not only a complete waste of time and money but has left my children genuinely fearful and...

Prepare yourself for a Frightseeing Adventure like none other!

After purchasing our tickets, while awaiting the start of the ghost tour, we enjoyed examining the creepy exhibits in Cromwell’s Parlour of Paranormal Curiosities.

From the moment our Conductress, Marilyn, called, “All Aboard!” to when we took our leave, our group of friends had a frightfully grand time.

Never mind that it was a cold January night and the city was beautifully illuminated with the Nights of Lights, in our hearts it was All Hallow’s Eve and spooky spirits were around!

Marilyn covered a few safety rules. Keep your arms inside the trolly. Hold on to your camera. And no smoking … “Unless you’re Smokin’ Hot! Then you come see Marilyn! Umm hmm!”

Marilyn’s tales - true and truly unnerving - gave us a look into St. Augustine’s tumultuous past.

We wondered about the secrets the Tolomoto Cemetery may yet hide as we learned of and searched for the apparition that may be seen playing on the sacred grounds after dark. Could this be the spirit of five-year old James or perhaps the Ghost Bride, still waiting to meet her groom at the altar.

There’s the Old Drug Store. Unexplained cold spots, noises, and shadows moving without any other movements or changes in lighting are a few of the hundreds of documented supernatural occurrences.

We spent some time outside the Old Jailhouse, which long (2891-1953) housed the most hardened, violent and infamous of criminals. And where executions were conducted. The company that built Alcatraz in San Francisco was contracted to construct this prison. I wondered about the possibly staged flickering lights inside. My friend Alex said that those lights are actually from people touring that building (but not part of this tour).

Gasp! Is that Elizabeth at the old City Gates? She was a child victim of the yellow fever epidemic, and may be seen waving to passersby.

A good time...

Do not recommend, especially if your driver is “ice pick”. He reprimanded the guests for chatting and was a bit degrading in his comment about “people paid for this tour”. I think the tour had some very entertaining spots and the “cast” was quite into their roles, which I do compliment. However, in my humble opinion, it didn’t seem realistic enough to believe the stories. Perhaps the driver yelling at us, just sour’d the experience that it just seemed too cheeky because he put our group in a serious mood.

Again, the group got on the tour laughing but being told to stay quiet, we ALL walked around quiet because we didn’t know if we could talk or interact with the “cast” or move around at each of the spots.

Our primary tour guide was okay, she was very monotone but not in the Haunted Mansion good way. She too, did present a bit of an attitude to a few guests that were taken aback by the tone of the driver. Even when she asked for feedback, the group was quiet because of the before mentioned issues.

Other comments:

If you do take the tour try to get on the bus first and sit in the front seats. On the left side of the bus in the back you smell the exhaust and have the residual heat, really fun in Florida heat.

Two sets of seats have the wheel well, so make sure your have a shorter person sitting there.

Stickers were a joke, they didn’t really stick, so don’t fret over them.

Check in is in the welcome center.

Even though we were told to be quiet, do be interactive, it will make it the experience more fun.

Probably better for families with/and/or for kids.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee pending??? Edit* They do stand behind their Guarantee. This doesn't really change my review, as I would have started with a 1 star, but gave them 2 stars believing they would do the right thing. I still didn't enjoy getting yelled at and upsetting part...