Key West Ghosts and Gravestones: Nighttime City Tour w/ a Creepy Twist

When I told my friends that we were doing the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour in Key West they thought I was kidding. It’s not because it’s not a cool tour, but because I’m not into creepy things. The Key West Ghosts and Gravestones Tour was actually really great, full of history and just had a dark side to many of the stories they told. I have walked around Key West at night many times, but having a narrated tour of the city and seeing it through a different lens was really good for putting a twist on a place I’ve spent so much time.

Have you done the Ghosts and Gravestones Key West tour, or maybe in another town? I wasn’t expecting it to be something I would be into, but I really enjoyed it. The style of storytelling, the history and the actual ride through town were all enjoyable. We’ve got the full scoop here and maybe you’ll add it to your visit to Key West. If you have any questions about Ghosts and Gravestones or other Florida Keys activities, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re happy to share more and help YOU make the most of your time in the Keys.

Highlights of Key West’s Ghosts and Gravestones Tour

Thinking about what I really enjoy about doing the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour in Key West, I think it really is the tour guides. They love their job so much and really lean into the creepy stories and they love to tell them with a flare of drama. It’s more of funny than scary at any time. Not all of the Ghosts and Gravestones stories of Key West are creepy in terms of actual ghostly tales or eccentric people, but there are historic things that have happened in Key West that both shaped the town and are a dark part of Florida Keys history.

There are plenty of moments when you’ll roll your eyes at the ghost stories, but then there are some historic stops on the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour that are heart wrenching, such as visiting the African burial ground. There is so much history to learn about all through Key West and this tour is actually a really good one for that. One more bonus of doing the Key West Ghosts and Gravestones Tour is that you get to stop into the Shipwreck Museum after hours. I like visiting this museum in general, but arriving and hearing the stories within after dark is pretty cool. And then you can also come back to visit the next day to see more of the museum, so that’s a bonus.

TIP: if you’re in Key West for Fantasy Fest or Halloween, know that schedules may be different and tours may sell out in advance, so plan appropriately.

Book Ghosts and Gravestones Key West here!

What age is best for Ghosts and Gravestones Key West?

Even though I don’t think the Key West Ghosts and Gravestones Tour is scary, I don’t know that it’s good for all ages of kids. The stories are weird and some kids who are more susceptible to being creeped out might not like it. The stories and sights aren’t gory, but they are eerie. Be wise about bringing kids on the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour. The Key West Conch Train Tour is a great alternative that’s very kid friendly and happens in the daytime.

Having said that, there were several kids on our Ghosts and Gravestones tour and most of them did alright. A few kids kept talking loudly to ask their parents clarifying questions, but as a parent myself it wasn’t annoying or took away from the tour. Our guide was great about adjusting her words and how certain stories were told to keep things kid-friendly and she was patient with the questions from the younger riders.

Being Prepared for a Nighttime Ghost Tour in Key West

I’ve walked around Key West at night more than any other city in the USA and always think it’s beautiful and unique. Seeing the city from a moving vehicle and getting stories along the way is very different. It’s fun and fascinating, but this is NOT the way to photograph Key West at night. Doing Ghosts and Gravestones is much more for the storytelling element and not for the art of it. You do have opportunities to get off the trolley and see certain sites on foot, but it’s not enough that it’s a good idea to bring camera gear. Just your phone camera is good for this tour.

The trolley for the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour in Key West is open air with windows that can be closed if the weather gets bad, but in general it’s just a nice breezy trip. They do provide ponchos for when it’s a bit rainy, but unless it’s a real soaker, the windows tend to stay open. I would recommend wearing shorts and maybe bringing a light jacket for this tour. You should be plenty warm, including in the winter, and if you get a rainy tour, you’ll dry more quickly. I will say, if you’re visiting the Florida Keys in the summer, you’ll likely get some rain during your time in Key West, and often it happens in the evening, so just be prepared and okay with it.

Parking for Ghosts and Gravestones (or other trolley tours)

Parking can be tricky in the Mallory Square area where you catch the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, but there are options. There are several small parking lots in the neighborhood within a few blocks of the Ghosts / Conch Train depot, as well as lots of street parking options. If you’re planning to look for street parking in the historic district of Key West, be sure that you’re being mindful of the street signs with parking restrictions AND the painted markers on the street curbs that will also note restrictions and driveway entrances. Key West is very residential and there are many marked areas you need to be mindful of when you’re looking for parking.