Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure in St. Augustine, Florida

It is a pleasure to live near America’s oldest city. I live about 60 miles from St. Augustine, Florida, or about an hours drive. As many know, St. Augustine was the first city in America settled. Some history books don’t mention St. Augustine, as it was a Spanish settlement instead of English. But nevertheless, the city is steeped in history. Odd thing is, I recently found out that the ghosts insisted on having a part of St. Augustine’s history. This was discovered when I went aboard the Ripley’s Ghost Train.

Upon arriving at Ripleys for our ghost tour, we were escorted into a lobby that looked somewhat like a Victorian era house. This added to the atmosphere. Each person boarding the ghost train was outfitted with a ghost detector as they called it. The guide explained it would pick up any electromagnetic fields given off by the ghosts. I still doubt the authenticity of the device, but I noticed that the small children on the tour were very excited by the device. The tour guide explained that they would become real ghost busters.

The actual train is a tour trolley. But you still get the effect of the eerie tour. The tour took us to various supposed haunted places in St. Augustine, mainly in the downtown area. The first stop on the tour was the Castle Warden. This is an old house that is supposedly haunted. The lights were very dim and anyone would be a bit frightened by the house. The haunted tales added to the aura. Supposedly, the owner of the house succumbed to an untimely and mysterious death.

We also visited the old St. Augustine graveyard, and checked out the local water front where ghosts from Civil War days are suppose to hang out. Some say that the waters around St. Augustine are haunted.

What really added to the aura were the customs of the tour guide, the guides in the house and graveyard and the driver of our ghost train. All were in period customs that added to the feel of the tour.

The tour is only available on Tuesday through Saturday nights. The trains leave at thirty minute intervals. The first tour begins at 8:30, which was the tour we took. The cost was a little steep, but worth it. It was $26.00 per person. I was hoping to get a discount for our 14 year old, but she was adult prices, as children are from 6 through 12. Children younger than six are free. They do suggest leaving children younger than 6 at home. It is also suggested that you call in advance to make sure seats are available and to reserve a seat, especially during the busy summer season. For more information, call 1- 904- 824 – 1606.

Reference:

• Experience