Palm Beach and West Palm Beach have a spooky side hiding behind the sunshine and glamour. From a famously haunted house to mysterious rock walls, historic cemeteries and ghost stories along Worth Avenue, these local legends have been passed down for generations.
Whether you believe in ghosts or just love a good story, here are some of the area’s most intriguing haunted places to explore this Halloween.
👻 The Riddle House — Yesteryear Village, West Palm Beach
Built in the early 1900s, the Riddle House once stood near Woodlawn Cemetery before being relocated to Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Once the home of a cemetery gatekeeper, this early 1900s Victorian house is said to be one of Florida’s most haunted. According to local legend, the house is haunted by Joseph, a former employee said to have died in its attic. Stories of unexplained voices, moving objects and strange noises have followed the building for decades. The house was so active that workers once refused to go inside. It is also the focus of one of the episodes of the Ghost Adventures TV series.
⚰️ Woodlawn Cemetery — Tales Beneath the Moonlight
Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach is the final resting place of many of the area’s early residents, along with plenty of stories from the city’s past.
Each October, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County brings the past back to life — literally. During its Haunting History event, docents from the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum lead guests through Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach under a nearly full moon. Here, pioneers, politicians, and prominent Palm Beach families share chilling tales of their untimely ends. Murder, mystery, and mayhem echo among the tombstones — a haunting reminder that history never truly rests.
🧱 The Witch’s Wall — Country Club Road, Palm Beach
Hidden along Country Club Road, the Coral Cut is a narrow passage carved through Palm Beach’s natural rock formation.
Local legend tells of a witch who kidnapped children and trapped them inside the rock. Some versions claim touching the wall can free their spirits, while others describe mysterious lights appearing behind a barred opening.
The unusual landmark is real. The witch, as far as anyone knows, remains a legend.
💎 Worth Avenue’s Ghostly Past
Worth Avenue isn’t just about luxury shopping — it’s one of the island’s most haunted spots.
- Cartier Haunts: A former Cartier location is associated with a tragic love story that ended in a deadly shootout. Local legend tells of phantom gunshots echoing through the halls.
- Ta-boo Ghosts: The former location for the Ta-boo restaurant is rumored to host the spirits of Barbara Hutton and JFK — and two eerie twins said to play pranks on guests.
- Gucci Poltergeist: At 150 Worth Avenue, a mischievous spirit is said to haunt the former Gucci boutique. Local ghost stories say that a small glass bottle mysteriously lifted off a shelf and hovered midair before crashing to the floor — all on its own.
- Ghostly Animal Fun in Via Mizner: Architect Addison Mizner buried his beloved pet monkey, Johnnie Brown, near Pizza Al Fresco on Worth Avenue. Legend has it that you can still hear mischievous giggles and see a monkey-shaped shadow darting between the palms at night. Johnnie Brown is also rumored to play with Laddie (the dog of the subsequent owner of Via Mizner), which is the only other nearby grave.
🏛️ The Flagler Museum (Whitehall)
Built in 1902 as the winter home of Henry Flagler and his wife, Mary Lily, Whitehall is one of Palm Beach’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
Over the years, ghost stories have attached themselves to the mansion, including tales of unexplained sounds, cold spots and mysterious activity.
While these stories remain unverified, the museum’s Gilded Age history offers plenty of atmosphere.
👻 The Colony Hotel
Palm Beach’s iconic pink hotel has welcomed generations of celebrities and notable guests since opening in 1947.
Local ghost stories connect The Colony to famous figures, including Judy Garland and Winston Churchill. While these accounts remain folklore, they add another layer to the hotel’s colorful history.
🌊 Phantoms of the Beaches
Palm Beach’s pristine shoreline hides a spectral secret. Legend has it, the island’s beaches are haunted by phantom pirates, drowned sailors, and Seminole spirits. One audio engineer, recording ocean breezes for a relaxation project, instead captured chanting, drumming, and laughter — believed to be echoes of Seminole tribes celebrating the Green Corn Festival centuries ago. Those who linger after dark say they still hear the rhythmic sounds of the unseen.
Believer or Skeptic?
From the Riddle House to Worth Avenue, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach have no shortage of spooky stories.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these local legends offer a different way to explore the area’s history this Halloween.
Last Updated: October 2026
