The Best Haunted Tours in Key West, Florida
Spine Chilling Ghost Tours, Voodoo Tales and Macabre Stories
Nov 10, 2009
Haunted hotels, voodoo rituals, a man who lived with his dead and decaying ‘wife’ for seven years, and a doll that ages like a human are just a handful of the spooky stories Key West loves to share with tourists every night.
There’s no doubt that Key West has a rich history in more ways than one. At night, this history turns to the paranormal and macabre as a number of Key West Ghost Tours and Haunted Walking Tours lead visitors down dark streets and recount the city’s more bizarre tales.
Key West Walking Tours Embrace Ghosts, Voodoo and the Paranormal
Key West Ghost Tours take visitors on a trip down spooky lane, with tales of voodoo superstitions, haunted mansions, pirate lore, and black magic rituals.
One of the more spine chilling stories on the tour is that of Robert the Doll. Standing in front of the house where Robert first scared locals, it’s easy for people to feel the hairs on the back of their neck stand up as they are told about the doll that some locals swear is possessed.
As well as stories of Robert coming to life and terrorising young children, it is said that Robert has aged over the years as a human would, complete with greying hair and liver spots. Robert now spends most of his time in Key West’s East Martello Museum where, even in his old age, he is still known to scare staff late at night.
The Macabre Count Von Cosel and His Corpse Bride
While Count Carl Von Cosel’s bizarre story does not involve any ghosts, it still has the power to horrify visitors every night. The self-proclaimed Count was an x-ray technician who fell in love with a dying patient named Eleyna. When the 22 year old refused to marry the 54 year old Count he was not to be deterred, and when she died in 1931 he built a mausoleum for her.
Rather than allow Eleyna to rest in peace, however, around 18 months later the Count stole her from the mausoleum, ‘rebuilt’ her body out of wax, plaster of Paris and silk, and lived with her as though they were husband and wife for seven years. She was sitting up in bed, wearing a wedding dress when Eleyna’s sister made the gruesome discovery.
Key West made headlines around the world and almost 7,000 people came to see Eleyna’s body when she was placed on display in the local funeral home. Von Cosel was arrested but the case never went to trial. Eleyna’s body was cut into small pieces and reburied in a secret location.
Key West Ghost Tours Encourage Young Ghostbusters to Take Photos
Even though some of the tales on the tours are enough to scare some adults, the Key West ghost tours are billed as being family friendly, and children are welcome. Cameras are also encouraged, with the guides explaining that visitors can capture some curious images.
According to the Key West Ghost Tour guides, some people find their photos have strange glowing orbs, unexplained lights, and what they describe as ecto-plasmic bursts. For the true believers, such photos provide an unusual souvenir of their Key West adventures. Those who wish to test their luck further can book in to one of Key West’s haunted hotels for their stay.
Popular Key West Ghost Tours Take Place Every Night
Key West’s Original Ghost Tour has been scaring the tourists for more than ten years, and stakes its claim as being the original, and the best. Founded by David L. Sloan, the author of The Ghosts of Key West, in 1996, the tours have featured in a number of documentaries and television series, including programs on the History Channel, the Travel Channel and the BBC.
The tours depart every night, rain or shine, at 8pm and 9pm at the La Concha Hotel at 430 Duval Street. Tours last 90 minutes and are wheelchair friendly. Tickets cost $18 for adults, and $12 for children, with discounts for booking online. Space is limited so reservations are recommended through the Key West’s Original Ghost Tour’s website .
The Ghosts & Legends of Key West also takes tourists on a 90 minute tour of the city. While they may not have the cape and lantern, The Ghosts & Legends of Key West still proves popular, and takes tourists through the city’s haunted history.
The Ghosts & Mysteries Tour of Key West departs at 7pm and 8pm each night from the Porter House Mansion on the corner of Duval and Caroline Streets, and costs $15 for adults and $8 for children.
Key West Vacations Offers Variety of Activities Day and Night
A variety of other ghost tours and haunted walks can be found online, or through the local tourist information. Key West is also famous for a number of haunted hotels, which visitors can stay in to test their paranormal luck.
When the tours are over, visitors can steady their nerves in one of the many restaurants and bars, and remind themselves that the sun will soon rise. When it does, Key West will once again be a holiday spot they can embrace for its crystal blue skies, spectacular coral reefs, architectural treasures, and the best Key Lime Pie in the world. That is, until those stunning sunsets come again.
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