Key West Ghost Tours to Haunted Houses, Hotels
Unusual Things to Do on Vacation in Florida, Walking Tour at Night
Two local ghost tour companies take visitors around central Key West Old Town after dark, searching for orbs and spirits near the haunted hotels, houses and spooky places in "Key Weird". The ghost stories are sometimes creepy, so be warned.
The Ghosts and Legends of Key West tour (305 294-1713) starts on Duval Street, at the Porter House Mansion (Duval and Caroline Streets) at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and goes for about 90 minutes, without the cape and lantern.
The Original Ghost Tours of Key West (305 294-WALK) leaves from the La Concha Hotel on Duval Street at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. for a 90-minute, half-mile, wheelchair-friendly walking tour led by a guide in a dashing black cape and top hat, carrying a lantern. The La Concha, where Tennessee Williams finished writing A Streetcar Named Desire, is said to be a haunted hotel, particularly on the upper floors.
The Spring 2009 posted prices are $15 per adult and $10 per child. As with everything in Key West, the guides expect a tip for good service.
The Dr. Joseph Yates Porter III House
It's claimed that Dr. Porter's spirit isstill waiting to care for his patients at the house where he was born and practiced. This elegant historic house is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. At night the stained glass in the front door shows up beautifully from outside. That's one of the pleasures of taking a walking tour after dark.
Orphaned by the age of 12 (his father died before he was born), Dr. Porter became the first State Officer of Health for Florida in 1889. A biography in the 1902 history book, Florida (Vol. II), by Rowland H. Rerick (Atlanta: The Southern Historical Association) describes Dr. Porter as an expert in controlling yellow fever epidemics.
Yellow fever in those days killed four out of five people who caught it. Dr. Porter saved hundreds of lives, maybe thousands. If his ghost is haunting Key West, the people there should feel lucky to have such a hero still among them.
This house has a grand staircase where orbs have apparently been caught in photos. Orbs are balls of glowing energy. Ghost hunters look for them.
Robert the Haunted Doll of Key West
Robert the Doll is a unique Key West visitor attraction. He lives at the Fort East Martello Tower Museum, away from the ghost tour route. The ghost tour guides tell many details of Robert's story in front of The Artist's House, a reputedly haunted hotel where, over 100 years ago, a young woman made Robert for a little boy.
A video on East Martello's website says that when Robert leaves the museum, things start to go wrong until he returns.
People treat Robert with respect. He is a doll, but definitely not a cute and cuddly one. He doesn't like to be touched, doesn't like his picture taken without people asking first, and has very intense eyes. He has his own Robert the Doll website and blog.
Ask Before Taking Children on the Ghost Tour
Some of the ghost stories and locations are definitely adult-only, but the tours can be family-friendly. Visitors should ask before reserving a ghost tour, to make sure children will be welcome. It's worth asking what the maximum group size will be before deciding which tour to take.
A ghost tour can add a fun history lesson to a Key West Florida vacation. The hour and a half of scariness is an unusual walking tour of Key West at night.
Dr. Porter's Haunted Home in Key West, Florida
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Stained Glass at Night on Key West Ghost Tour
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Duval Street at Night on Key West Ghost Tour
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Ghosts of Women at Captain Tony's, Key West
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Key Lime Pie Shop at Night, Key West, Florida
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