St Augustine ghosts, served with a cold beer. This Ghosts and Spirits pub crawl is a smart way to tap into the Old City’s spook factor without spending the night on foot, thanks to an open-cabin electric vehicle. I especially love that your first beer is on us, so the tour starts with something warm, casual, and ready to pair with the tales.

I also like the small group feel and the comedy-meets-history style you get from the guide. In particular, I’m a fan of Chance, who comes across as both entertaining and plugged into the local stories, keeping the mood light even when the subject turns dark.

One possible drawback: the tour depends on good weather, so if storms roll in, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• First beer on us at Ancient City Brewing right at the start
• Open-cabin electric cart keeps you moving through more of the Old City with less walking
• City-certified ghost storytelling from Chance-style humor and pacing
• Flagler-era stops around the Ponce de Leon Hotel area, including well-known nearby landmarks
• Bridge of Lions / Former Surprise Store area tied to a 1702 church fire and the Spanish Military Hospital
• City Gates orbs and Tolomato Cemetery as standouts for the paranormal-minded

Why This Cart-Based Ghost Crawl Works in St Augustine

St Augustine’s Old City is charming, but it can also wear you out fast. Most ghost tours are heavy on walking, which limits how much ground you can cover—especially if you want time for drinks, photos, and the stops that actually shape the stories.

This is built around an open-cabin electric cart. That means you can cover more locations than a classic walking tour, while still having the “out and about” feeling that makes the stories land. You also get to see the layout of the town as you go, rather than just bouncing between a couple of dark corners.

There’s also a built-in comfort factor: the tour runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes, with short timed stops. The pacing feels designed for an evening out, not an all-night marathon. For me, that’s the biggest value—fewer logistics headaches, more time actually enjoying the experience.

The alcohol part is straightforward: beer is included, and you’ll have additional chances to order something at the bars during the route. A designated driver is part of the setup, which is exactly what you want when you’re planning to sip more than water.

Price, Timing, and What You’re Paying For

The price is $39 per person for an evening tour that starts at 7:30 pm. You’re paying for a combination that’s easy to overlook if you compare only “ticket price” numbers: a city-certified guide who tells the stories, a designated driver, and transportation that lets you hit multiple haunted zones without turning it into a walking test.

You also get a clear “start moment” with the first beer on us at stop 1. Then the tour keeps giving you chances to cool down with another drink at later stops. If you’re the type who likes your nightlife to have structure, the timed stops and short transfers help.

The tour runs with a maximum of 10 travelers, which matters more than people think. Smaller groups tend to stay on schedule and make it easier for the guide to keep the energy up for everyone.

Plan on a light physical requirement: you’ll need to be able to climb on and off the electric cart (one step). If you can handle that kind of step, you’ll likely be fine for the whole evening. If not, you’ll want to think ahead before booking.

Stop 1: Plaza de la Constitucion and Ancient City Brewing

You begin at 38 Cathedral Pl, St. Augustine, right by the Plaza de la Constitucion. After a quick intro, the guide takes you across the street to Ancient City Brewing for a taste of an artisanal draft. This is more than a perk. It sets the tone fast: you’re already in a local place, already holding a drink, and the ghost talk can start with people relaxed rather than stiff.

Once you finish at the brewery, you cross back to the Plaza to continue the ghosty part of the experience before boarding the cart. That jump—from story to drink to story—helps the tour feel like an evening out instead of a lecture.

A solid advantage here is proximity. The Plaza is a natural gathering spot, so you’re not spending your first minutes wandering around trying to find where the fun starts. It also keeps the tour “centered” in the Old City right from the beginning.

Drawback to know: since stop 1 is tied to getting a beer right at the start, it helps to arrive on time and in the right mindset. If you’re late, you may miss the easiest, calmest start of the night.

Stop 2: Ponce de Leon Hotel Area and Flagler-Era Occult Tales

From the Plaza zone, the cart moves you into the Flagler-era orbit. Here the guide drives you around the former Ponce de Leon Hotel, sharing occult-leaning tales connected to that history. The big win is that you’re seeing the area’s “ghost story map” without having to walk between each point.

On the route, the cart passes well-known nearby landmarks: the former Alcazar, The Murat House, and St Francis Inn. Even if you don’t stop to explore inside those buildings, riding past them gives you visual context—shapes, streets, and corners that fit the stories the guide tells.

Then you roll onward to the Former Surprise Store, where you get another chance to quench your thirst. This stop is shorter—about 10 minutes—so it’s not meant for a deep hangout. It’s more like a refuel point, keeping you moving through the night while still building in enough time to keep the drinks part of the fun.

One practical thing I like about this segment: it’s ideal if you’ve already seen some of the big sights and want the “why it matters” version instead of another photo stop. The guide’s angle gives you a different way to connect the buildings to the stories.

Stop 3: Bridge of Lions, the 1702 Church Fire, and Two Bar Choices

This is the segment where the tour gets extra specific—and the stories get extra human. The cart gets parked near the municipal marina, and you enter the Former Surprise Store area during the Flagler-era portion of the route.

Here’s the historical hook you’re given: the location was the very first Catholic church in the US that burned in 1702. Next to that site was the Spanish Military Hospital. When you hear that pairing, the ghost talk feels less like generic folklore and more like the uncomfortable echo of real events.

After that story moment, you’ll have a chance to choose from two bars at this location. That matters because not everyone wants the same vibe. You can pick what fits your mood—then the tour continues with another chance to experience a different type of spirit.

This stop is about 25 minutes, which is long enough to settle into the bar choice without feeling rushed. Also, because you’re not trekking uphill or down long blocks, it’s a comfortable pause in the evening.

One consideration: because this area involves the most active paranormal storytelling on the route, it can feel intense. If you’re there for spooky fun but not for heavy-handed vibes, pace yourself with your drink choices so you’re comfortable when the guide ramps up the story tone.

Stop 4: Castillo de San Marcos, Ghost Ships, and Yellow Fever Impact

After the Bridge of Lions segment, the tour moves north on Menendez Avenue for a stop at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. You get about 10 minutes here, and the guide shares what makes this place so story-friendly—especially in a city known for layered history.

The fort is described as the oldest masonry fort built in the United States. That’s a big deal in its own right, but the stories go further with talk of ghost ships and the effects of yellow fever, including the fact that the disease killed a third of the population in 1821.

This stop also flows toward what the guide frames as cemetery territory next. Even without a long walking break, the tour gives you enough time to absorb the mood shift: you’re moving from bar-light ghost legends into a darker, more solemn historical tone.

I like that the tour doesn’t pretend the scariest part is just specters. It connects the supernatural to the way disease, death, and fear shaped the town. That grounding makes the ghost talk feel less like gimmick and more like story interpretation.

If you’re someone who wants time for museum details, keep your expectations realistic. This segment is brief by design. You’re here for the story, not for a full fort exploration.

City Gates and the Tolomato Cemetery Story Chain

Right after the Castillo area, the tour includes a stop described as the center of most paranormal activity in St Augustine. The exact named location isn’t specified in the route details you’re given, but you should know it’s framed as a peak moment for spooky energy.

Then you get a specific location: City Gates. This is famous for orbs showing on pictures taken at the site. If you’re into photos, bring your camera habits into this part of the night. You’ll be standing where the guide expects the story to show up visually.

From there, you head to Tolomato Cemetery. This is labeled as the oldest planned cemetery in the US, and the guide keeps the focus on why that kind of age and planned burial landscape tends to attract paranormal attention.

This stop also includes a block of time—about 20 minutes—which is enough for you to do two things at once: listen to the explanation and look around with your own eyes. I find cemeteries work best when you pause. The cart keeps you from feeling rushed, so you can let the atmosphere build.

A practical note: cemeteries and low-light photo moments can be tricky, especially if it’s humid or windy. If you want good pictures, don’t wait until the last two minutes to take them.

White Lion Bar and the End-of-Night Spooky Toast

After Tolomato Cemetery, the tour heads to the White Lion Bar, described as one of the most haunted bars in the city. This is your final “spirits and stories” landing zone.

The timing here is about 20 minutes, which gives you a little breathing room to wind down after the heavier cemetery segment. It also creates a nice rhythm: history-and-horror stops earlier, then a bar ending that keeps the energy from turning too solemn.

For many people, this is where the tour feels most like a night out. You’re already in the mindset of spooky stories, so the bar atmosphere feels like the logical finale—an echo chamber for whatever haunted idea stuck with you during the earlier stops.

If you’re traveling with friends who want different things—some into ghost stories, some into local bars—this ending gives both groups something. The bar gives you social time; the ghost label keeps the theme consistent.

The Guide Energy: Why Chance’s Style Matters

A pub crawl can be just a transport-and-drinks deal. This one stands or falls on the guide, and the reviews you’ll hear about the experience make one thing clear: the storytelling style is a major part of the value.

Chance is specifically highlighted as an amazing guide who mixes historical ghost stories with real humor. That balance matters because St Augustine’s haunted side can go two ways: it can become too grim, or it can become too silly. The goal here is that you laugh while still learning the local context behind the spooks.

That’s why you’ll want to listen even when you think you’ve already heard a version of the story somewhere else. The same landmark can feel totally different depending on how it’s framed—especially when the guide ties it to specific eras like the Flagler period and the early Catholic history tied to 1702.

Also, with a group size capped at 10, you’re more likely to get a guide who can keep attention moving. If you’re the kind of person who gets bored on long tours, the guide’s pacing is part of what keeps things fun.

Who Should Book This Tour

This is a great match if you want a haunted experience that still feels like a social night out. I think it works especially well for:

• People who want less walking in the Old City
• Groups that enjoy pub culture plus a guided story thread
• Visitors who want the town’s ghost lore connected to specific places like Castillo de San Marcos and City Gates
• Anyone who likes humor in their history (Chance-style pacing helps a lot)

You might rethink booking if you want a long, museum-style experience at the fort or if you’re not comfortable with an evening that includes alcohol as part of the flow.

And if you’re coming for the photo element, City Gates and the orb talk are a clear reason to be there on the night. Just go in knowing the tour is short at each stop, so you won’t have unlimited time to wander.

Should You Book Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine?

If you’re torn between doing a standard walking ghost tour and trying something different, I’d lean toward this one. For $39, you get a city-certified guide, a designated driver, an electric cart that expands how much of the Old City you can cover, and a clear drink flow anchored by a first beer on us.

Book it if you want spooky fun with practical pacing. It’s especially good for your first evening in St Augustine when you want quick orientation and a set of places to remember.

Just keep one thing in mind: it’s weather dependent. If storms are in the forecast, check in and be ready to adjust plans if the tour is canceled or moved.

If you like the idea of ghosts tied to real locations—Plaza de la Constitucion, the former Surprise Store area, Castillo de San Marcos, City Gates, Tolomato Cemetery, and the White Lion Bar—this is one of the more efficient ways to do it.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at 38 Cathedral Pl, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 pm.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What does the $39 price include?

The tour includes alcoholic beverages, specifically beer, and a certified tour guide/ghost story teller. Admission tickets are listed as free.

Do I get a free beer?

Yes. Your first beer is on us at the first stop.

What transportation does the tour use?

You ride on an open cabin electric vehicle/cart.

Is there much walking?

The tour is designed to limit walking by using the electric cart. You will still need to be able to climb on and off the cart (one step).

What places do you visit?

The tour includes stops around Plaza de la Constitucion, Ancient City Brewing, the Flagler College area/former Ponce de Leon Hotel, the Bridge of Lions and former Surprise Store area, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, City Gates, Tolomato Cemetery, and the White Lion Bar.

Is the group size limited?

Yes. The maximum group size is 10 travelers.

Can I bring a service animal?

Service animals are allowed.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.