As Halloween creeps closer, it’s the perfect time to explore the spooky side of paradise. Beyond the sunshine and sophistication, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach are teeming with ghostly legends, haunted hideaways, and stories that just won’t rest.
👻 The Riddle House — Yesteryear Village, West Palm Beach
Once the home of a cemetery gatekeeper, this early 1900s Victorian house is said to be one of Florida’s most haunted. Mysterious voices, flying tools, and even a ghost named Joseph—who reportedly hanged himself in the attic—have been documented 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
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
At the Coral Cut on Palm Beach, an eerie stretch of limestone rock hides a legend of a witch who kidnapped children and trapped their souls within the stone. Some claim an eerie glow appears through the barred window at night, while others say you can still hear whispers if you dare to touch the wall.
💎 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: The old Cartier building is home to a tragic love story that ended in a deadly shootout. Visitors have heard 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. Staff and tour guides have reported a small glass bottle that mysteriously lifts off a shelf and hovers 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. Locals say 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 Henry Flagler’s wedding gift to his wife, this grand mansion is said to host more than just history. Visitors have reported cold spots, voices, and objects moving on their own. Some believe Flagler and his wife never truly left their winter paradise.
👻 The Colony Hotel
From Judy Garland’s laughter to Winston Churchill’s ghostly brushstrokes, The Colony Hotel remains a hotbed for elegant apparitions. Staff say the spirits are polite — and tip well.
🌊 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.
Whether you’re a believer or just here for a spooky good story, Palm Beach’s haunted history offers a perfect blend of elegance and eerie. So this Halloween, grab your flashlight, your curiosity, and maybe a Bloody Mary from a local bar or restaurant — just don’t say her name three times.
