A Complete Guide To The Most Haunted Places in Key West

If you're looking for delightfully spooky places to visit in Key West, you've come to the right place.

Key West is known for its colorful history, exhaustive history & some scandalous secrets. The city has been home to pirates, sailors, and famous celebrities. But nobody talks about how it also becomes home to some bizarre characters.

Before we dive in, did you know that Key West is already one of the most haunted cities in the United States? It's no surprise that the area is home to various stories and legends about ghosts, spirits, and curses. So sit back, relax, and grab your favorite blanket because these stories will have you on the edge of your seat…

The Key West Cemetery?

Located on Simonton Street, this cemetery has been around since 1847 and contains many notable people, including Ernest Hemingway, who was buried there in 1961 after his suicide at Ketchum, Idaho. Visitors to his gravesite report seeing a male figure dressed in black standing next to the grave or walking through the cemetery alone.?

Others have reported seeing his ghost sitting on the bench near his gravesite, reading a book, or drinking an old water bottle he used during his time here on earth.

Captain Tony Saloon

Captain Tony's Saloon is not only one of the most haunted places in Key West but also one of the most notorious places in Key West. This bar is famous for many reasons: it was a favorite hangout for Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet. This bar has had a tumultuous history, and there are both friendly and unfriendly ghosts who frequent it. What's the deal with Captain Tony's?

This bar first opened in the mid-1800s and served as the city morgue before becoming a bar. It, like most morgues, had a history of horrifying events. In 1885, it was entirely destroyed by a hurricane. Along with the building, many people perished in the sea! The scene was terrifying, like something out of a horror movie! Bodies were floating and scattered in the water! Some of the rumors about the bar being haunted may have started here.

There's also a creepy surprise at the end of this story. Over a dozen bodies were discovered in the bar's floorboards during renovations! These bodies are said to be the spirits that still haunt the saloon today. The Lady in Blue is just one of the ghosts seen by visitors. She is frequently seen walking up and down the hallways and hiding in the bar's restrooms.?

Ernest Hemingway's house

Anyone who knows Hemingway knows how much he adored his home in Key West. Many of his works were inspired by the city. His house in Key West is also one of the city's most haunted. Visitors to his home will be in for a real treat.?

According to those who have walked through its halls, it is rumored that Hemingway still lives in this house. In fact, his ghost has been seen at his desk and in the house's windows. Others have reported hearing him typing in his bedroom! Perhaps you could get his autograph or visit the haunted Key West Cemetery.

The Key West Lighthouse

The Key West Lighthouse is one of the best places to go if you want to see some breathtaking views. It was constructed in 1825 and has 88 iron steps that visitors can climb to reach the top. The views up here are spectacular! The lighthouse served to keep sailors coming into Key West safe from the many hazards that existed in the nineteenth century. This is still one of Key West's most popular tourist destinations. Could it be the lighthouse's beauty or the ghosts who like to haunt visitors??

That's correct! Ghosts! The Key West Lighthouse is yet another of the city's most haunted structures.

When the lighthouse was still used to guide sailors, it was maintained by a woman named Barbara Mabry. She had been in charge of the lighthouse for over 32 years and took over when her husband died unexpectedly. She helped keep it going even during some terrifying hurricanes.

The lighthouse fell into the hands of the supernatural as long ago as the 1860s, it all started a hurricane, in particular, wreaked havoc on Key West. Many people rushed to the lighthouse to seek shelter from the storm. Six of Mabrity's children and fourteen Key West residents died in the storm, and their bodies were washed out to sea. After the storm, the lighthouse was in poor condition, and repairs were made. Mabrity wanted to keep caring for the building and did so until she died at the age of 82. She was firmly attached to the lighthouse, explaining why she continued to haunt it. Those who have seen ghosts here have reported seeing a woman going up and down the stairs.

They claim she is wandering around looking for someone she has misplaced. Maybe she's looking for her missing children or her husband at the lighthouse. Visitors report that she is friendly and that they have never felt ill will from the ghost. Friendly ghosts are always welcome, especially in Key West, but some buildings have spirits who aren't so fond of humans...

Marrero's Guest Mansion

Marrero's Guest Mansion, one of Key West's few adults-only bed and breakfasts, is a place for fun in the sun, relaxation, and ghost hunting. It is a beautiful old Victorian mansion where visitors enjoy spending time. Before it became a bed and breakfast, it was the site of several deaths. This could be why the spirits continue to visit.

Ghosts are frequently felt and seen in this area. Room 18 is a popular place to see ghosts and strange things happen. Sometimes the chandelier swings in different directions, and other times it swings violently. Most visitors believe this is the ghost telling them she doesn't like them! Are you afraid yet? There are even more well-known haunts in Key West.

Fort East Martello House

The Fort East Martello House is one of the scariest places on Key West! Why? Have you heard the legend of Robert the Doll? He lives in this structure! Robert the Doll is a so-called haunted doll who has ruined many people's lives since his inception. His owners donated him to this museum to appease the natives. He's actually one of the main draws here.?

The doll, Robert, is said to have haunted the house where he lived with his owner. He would move around the house on his own and move objects. His story has grown in popularity, and it is one of the main reasons people visit the Fort East Martello House.

Final Thoughts?

The city of Key West is full of mysteries. There are so many places in the area that claim to be haunted by spirits, but we have tried our best to find out which ones are real and which aren't.

If you're in for a treat, there are ghost tours available where you can learn all about Key West gruesome past. But don't say we didn't warn you, is not for the faint-hearted.