MomSkoop
Florida is famous for sunshine and beaches, but beneath its cheerful surface lies a collection of places that feel anything but ordinary. From sinkholes that whisper ancient secrets to Victorian homes haunted by restless spirits, the Sunshine State has its share of eerie mysteries.
Whether you believe in ghosts, curses, or just good old-fashioned spooky vibes, these locations will make you wonder what really lurks in Florida’s shadows.
1. The Devil’s Millhopper – Gainesville
Imagine standing at the edge of a giant pit that looks like something from a dinosaur movie. The Devil’s Millhopper is a 120-foot-deep sinkhole where waterfalls trickle down moss-covered walls and strange plants thrive in the cool darkness below.
Early settlers believed the bones and fossils scattered at the bottom were victims fed to the devil himself. Even today, hikers report hearing unexplained screams echoing from deep within the crater, especially at dusk.
Scientists say it formed naturally thousands of years ago, but the eerie atmosphere makes you wonder if there’s more to the story.
2. St. Augustine Lighthouse – St. Augustine
By daylight, this iconic black-and-white tower stands proudly against the Florida sky, a beautiful piece of history. But when darkness falls, the St. Augustine Lighthouse transforms into something far more unsettling.
Ghost hunters and curious tourists have reported phantom footsteps climbing the spiral staircase when no one else is around. The spirits of two young girls who drowned during construction are said to roam the grounds, their giggles echoing through empty rooms.
Even the bravest visitors admit feeling watched as they climb the 219 steps to the top, wondering what shadows move just beyond their vision.
3. Coral Castle – Homestead
How does one man, working alone at night with no modern machinery, carve and move over 1,100 tons of coral rock? That’s the mystery Edward Leedskalnin took to his grave when he built Coral Castle between 1923 and 1951.
Some believe he discovered secrets of anti-gravity or magnetic levitation. Others swear the stones themselves pulse with strange energy that makes compasses spin wildly and electronics malfunction.
Walking through the castle’s hand-carved chambers feels otherworldly, like the coral remembers something ancient and powerful that modern science can’t explain.
4. Egmont Key – Tampa Bay
Reaching this island requires a boat ride across Tampa Bay, but what awaits is worth the journey—if you can handle the ghosts. Egmont Key served as a military fort and, tragically, a prison camp for Seminole people during the brutal wars of the 1800s.
The crumbling brick fortifications now stand as silent witnesses to centuries of suffering and death. Visitors walking among the ruins report shadow figures darting between walls, disembodied voices carried on the wind, and overwhelming sadness that seems to seep from the very ground.
The island’s beauty can’t mask its painful history or the spirits who apparently refuse to leave.
5. The Devil’s Tree – Port St. Lucie
At first glance, it’s just an oak tree standing in an empty lot. But locals know better than to get too close to this cursed landmark with a horrifyingly dark past.
Legend says the tree was used for lynchings and that a serial killer buried victims nearby, cursing the ground forever. People who approach report sudden drops in temperature, cameras and phones that mysteriously malfunction, and the disturbing feeling of being watched by something ancient and malevolent.
6. The Biltmore Hotel – Coral Gables
Luxury and ghosts make strange bedfellows at this magnificent 1926 hotel where glamour meets the paranormal. The Biltmore’s stunning architecture and world-class amenities attract celebrities and tourists alike, but some guests check in and never truly check out.
The most famous spirit is Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, a gangster murdered in one of the suites during Prohibition. Staff and guests report seeing his shadowy figure roaming the hallways, especially near the 13th floor.
The hotel’s massive pool, once the largest in the world, has its own eerie tales of phantom swimmers gliding through the water long after midnight.
7. The May-Stringer House – Brooksville
Built in 1856, this charming house looks like the perfect setting for a peaceful afternoon tea. Instead, it’s become one of Florida’s most documented haunted locations, with paranormal activity so intense that investigators return again and again.
The spirit of Jessie May, who died of tuberculosis in the home, is said to wander the upstairs rooms, sometimes appearing as a full-bodied apparition. Visitors also encounter Dr. Sheldon, whose medical practice occupied the building, still making his rounds among the living.
Objects move on their own, cold spots appear without explanation, and photographs often capture mysterious orbs and shadow figures.
8. Ashley’s Restaurant – Rockledge
Imagine enjoying a delicious meal while a friendly ghost watches from across the room. Ashley’s Restaurant occupies a beautiful 1920s mansion overlooking the Indian River, and it comes with a permanent resident named Ethel Allen.
Ethel died in the building in 1992, but apparently loved the place so much she decided to stay forever. Diners and staff regularly witness glasses sliding across tables, hear footsteps on the upper floors when no one’s there, and catch glimpses of a woman in vintage clothing.
Unlike many haunted locations, Ethel seems more playful than frightening, making Ashley’s a uniquely charming place to experience the supernatural over dinner.