St Augustine: Riding with the Ghosts Golf Cart Tour

St. Augustine’s haunted past is easier to enjoy from a quiet electric cart than on foot. This 75-minute ride takes you along narrow cobblestone streets to cemeteries, old churches, hotels, and the Castillo de San Marcos, with time to step off at several sites.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives the guide room to tell stories and answer questions. I also like the practical comfort: you cover more ground than a walking tour, yet still get out for photos and closer looks. The main drawback is that you remain outside the buildings, so anyone hoping to enter a jail or haunted hotel may find the tour less frightening than expected.

• Cobblestone streets after dark: The cart gives you a pleasant way to see St. Augustine’s older quarters without tiring your feet.
• Guides with personality: Bob and Robert are praised for clear storytelling, humor, patience, and a strong grasp of local history.
• Several haunted landmarks: Expect the former Ponce de Leon Hotel, Alcazar Hotel, Castillo de San Marcos, Huguenot Cemetery, and Tolomato Cemetery.
• Stops beyond a simple drive-by: You will disembark at several locations for photos and more storytelling.
• A compact group: With no more than 10 participants, the ride feels more personal than a large sightseeing vehicle.
• Photos included: Complimentary photos give you a useful memento without adding another charge.

A Haunted Ride Through America’s Oldest City

St. Augustine is famous for its Spanish colonial past, stone fort, old cemeteries, and narrow streets. Those same features make it a natural setting for ghost stories. The Riding with the Ghosts tour uses an electric golf cart to connect the city’s history with tales of hauntings, deaths, and strange happenings.

I would think of this as a history tour with a spooky edge, not a theatrical haunted house. The mood comes from the places themselves: weathered graveyards, old religious buildings, former hotels, and streets paved with uneven cobblestones. The guide supplies the story and atmosphere rather than special effects.

That distinction matters when you choose. If you want loud scares, actors, or access inside a haunted building, this may feel restrained. If you prefer real landmarks, local stories, and a comfortable ride through the historic center, the format makes good sense.

Starting at Constitution Plaza

The regular meeting point is on the east side of Constitution Plaza by the Slave Market, at 150 Charlotte Street. This is also where the tour returns, so you can plan the beginning and end of your evening around the same central spot.

Arrive with enough time to locate the exact pickup area. The information provided for the tour gives a seasonal change: from November 15 through January 11, pickup moves to 2 Artillery Lane, beside the Trinity Episcopal Church thrift store. That is an important detail during the holiday season, especially if you are relying on a map or meeting friends at the usual plaza location.

The cart is an electric vehicle rather than a full-size bus. You get the benefit of a raised view and a roof over the vehicle while still moving through streets that can feel too tight for larger transport. The tradeoff is that you must step in and out of the cart, and there are three passengers per row.

What the 75-Minute Route Covers

The route is designed to show you a broad selection of St. Augustine’s haunted landmarks in a fairly short time. You will ride through the city, listen to the guide, and leave the vehicle at several sites for pictures and additional stories.

The order can depend on the day, timing, and local conditions, but the main points named for the tour include:

• Former Ponce de Leon Hotel
• Alcazar Hotel
• Castillo de San Marcos
• Huguenot Cemetery
• Tolomato Cemetery
• Old churches and other historic sites along the route

You should not expect a long stop at every location. Seventy-five minutes gives the guide enough time to connect several places, but not enough time for an extensive talk at each one. That short format is useful if you have limited time in St. Augustine, though it can leave you wanting more, especially if you enjoy the history as much as the ghost tales.

One participant wished the tour lasted longer to allow more time with the stories and historical background. I can understand that reaction. The route covers a lot, and the compact schedule means the guide needs to keep moving.

Former Ponce de Leon Hotel and Alcazar Hotel

The former Ponce de Leon Hotel is one of the city’s headline stops. Its grand past gives the guide plenty to discuss, and its connection with St. Augustine’s famous hotel era adds a different layer to the tour. You are not simply hearing a ghost story in an anonymous building. You are hearing it beside a landmark that helped shape the city’s reputation as a resort destination.

The Alcazar Hotel provides another reminder that St. Augustine’s grand buildings have long histories before the ghost stories begin. The tour lets you see these places in the context of the city, rather than treating each haunting as an isolated tale.

Because the experience is conducted from the street, you should expect to view these buildings from outside. One person hoped to enter a building such as the old jail and found the tour less scary because that did not happen. That is a fair limitation to keep in mind when comparing this ride with an indoor haunted attraction.

Cemeteries, Churches, and the City After Dark

Huguenot Cemetery and Tolomato Cemetery are key parts of the route. Cemeteries bring a quieter mood than the hotels and fort, and the old stones help connect the stories to St. Augustine’s long past. The guide’s job here is not only to frighten you, but also to explain why these places matter.

Old churches appear along the ride as well. Their age, setting, and connection to the city’s early residents give the stories a strong sense of place. On a walking tour, you might cover fewer sites in the same amount of time. Here, the cart allows you to link these scattered locations without turning the evening into a march.

The ride through narrow, cobblestone streets is part of the experience. You get changing views of the old city while the guide talks, and the movement keeps the tour from feeling like a series of static speeches. On the other hand, street noise or activity around popular landmarks can affect how clearly you hear every word.

Castillo de San Marcos and the Best Photo Stops

The Castillo de San Marcos is the most instantly recognizable landmark on the route. Its massive stone walls give the ghost stories a powerful setting, even if the tour does not include an interior visit. The fort also helps place the stories within St. Augustine’s military past.

You will have opportunities to step off the cart at several sites. These stops are useful because they break up the ride and give you a chance to take photographs rather than watching every landmark pass by. Complimentary photos are included, a small benefit that adds value to the $39 price.

The photo stops also make the tour work for families. One guide paused when a young child needed a restroom break, and the children in that group enjoyed getting out to take pictures. That does not mean the tour is designed specifically for young children, but it shows that a patient guide can adjust the pace when practical needs arise.

Bob, Robert, and the Human Side of the Tour

The guide matters a great deal on a ghost tour. Bob, also referred to as Robert by some participants, is repeatedly singled out for his humor, friendly manner, clear speaking voice, and storytelling. He is described as patient at the stops and willing to interact with the group rather than simply reciting prepared lines.

That personal style can make the difference between a memorable evening and a basic sightseeing loop. A good guide knows when to pause, how to build suspense, and how to add historical detail without losing the group.

The tour is conducted in English. The small size, limited to 10 participants, should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. It also helps families or couples feel less lost in a large crowd.

Still, the exact experience depends on the guide working that departure. The strongest feedback centers on Bob and Robert, so if a lively storyteller is important to you, keep that in mind when choosing your date and time.

Comfort, Seating, and the Limits of a Golf Cart

The electric cart is the main practical reason to book this tour. St. Augustine’s historic center is enjoyable on foot, but uneven paving and a full day of sightseeing can make another walking route less appealing. Here, you can rest while still reaching several parts of town.

You do need to step in and out of the vehicle. The seating arrangement allows three passengers per row, so you may not sit exactly where you expect. If you are booking for a group, ask the staff to seat you together before the cart fills.

That point matters. A group of six once found itself scattered because seating was not called out clearly before boarding. The ride itself remained enjoyable, but the arrangement reduced the social side of the outing. If sitting beside specific companions is important, arrive early and speak up before everyone boards.

The cart is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the stated requirement is that participants must be able to step in and out. Anyone with mobility concerns should consider that carefully before booking.

Is $39 a Fair Price?

At $39 per person, the tour is priced in the middle range for a short guided attraction, but the value depends on what you want from it. You are paying for 75 minutes of transportation, a live guide, several stops, ghost stories, and complimentary photos.

I find the price easier to justify because the cart covers more ground than a walking tour while keeping the group small. You are not paying only for a seat. You are also getting a guide who connects the landmarks and gives you an organized introduction to St. Augustine’s haunted side.

The value is weaker if you want building access or a long, detailed treatment of every story. There is no food or drink included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. You will need to reach the meeting point on your own.

The flexible booking terms also help. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your St. Augustine plans depend on weather or changing schedules, though you should still check the departure time before committing.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a gentle introduction to St. Augustine’s ghost lore without spending the evening walking. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes history served with a little suspense.

It is also a sensible choice for visitors with only one evening in town. The route brings together major landmarks, cemeteries, churches, and hotels in a single outing. You can use it as an overview, then return to the places that interest you most during daylight.

Families should appreciate the shorter length and the chance to get out for photos. The guide’s patience with a child’s restroom need is encouraging, but the tour remains an evening storytelling experience, not a dedicated children’s program.

I would choose something else if your priority is intense fear, underground spaces, actors, or entry into haunted buildings. The cart offers atmosphere and stories from the outside. It does not promise a haunted jail visit or a long investigation at one site.

Small Details That Improve the Evening

Bring a light layer if you are taking an evening departure. The vehicle is open to the surrounding air, and the ride may feel cooler than walking through town. Comfortable clothes also make it easier to step in and out at the stops.

Keep your phone or camera ready, but listen first. The complimentary photos are a nice extra, and the stops are built for pictures, yet the guide’s stories are the main reason to book.

Plan to arrive at the meeting point early, particularly for the last ride of the night. One delayed departure left people waiting in the plaza after dark with mosquitoes, which is not the best way to begin a ghost tour. Clear seating instructions would also help larger parties stay together.

If you are visiting between November 15 and January 11, double-check the seasonal pickup at 2 Artillery Lane. Going to Constitution Plaza by habit could put you at the wrong place.

Should You Book Riding with the Ghosts?

Book it if you want a comfortable, small-group ride through St. Augustine’s haunted landmarks, with a personable guide and several photo stops. The combination of Bob or Robert’s storytelling, the electric cart, and the compact route makes this a useful choice for a first look at the city after dark.

Skip it if you need indoor access, serious scares, or a long exploration of one haunted site. At $39, the tour offers good value for a guided overview, but its appeal lies in atmosphere, local stories, and convenience rather than special effects.

For most visitors, I would place it early in a St. Augustine visit. It gives you a map of the historic center, introduces the city’s ghost lore, and shows you which landmarks deserve a closer look later.

FAQ

How long is the Riding with the Ghosts Golf Cart Tour?

The tour lasts 75 minutes, including the guided ride and stops at several sites.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $39 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

The regular meeting point is on the east side of Constitution Plaza by the Slave Market, at 150 Charlotte Street.

Where is the seasonal pickup location?

From November 15 through January 11, pickup is at 2 Artillery Lane, beside the Trinity Episcopal Church thrift store.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to 150 Charlotte Street.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

Do I need to walk between all the sites?

No. You ride in an electric golf cart and disembark at several locations for stories and photos.

Can I enter the haunted buildings?

The tour information describes visits by cart and outdoor stops. It does not include entry into buildings such as the old jail.

Is the tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?

Participants must be able to step in and out of the vehicle. The available information does not state that the cart is wheelchair accessible.

Are photos included?

Yes. Complimentary photos are included.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel the reservation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The tour allows you to reserve your place and pay later.