Several local events are covering the theme of fear this Halloween on the First Coast – spanning from ghost tours, pub crawls and haunted trails. These five venues and events are sure to satisfy those wanting a dose of fear.
In the final week of October, Halloween is the focus amongst those celebrating an opportunity to succumb to fear, feast and sweets. Jacksonville is featuring the only notable haunted house this year after Warehouse 31 left St. Augustine. However, a walking trail containing “scare-actors” is open this year, along with St. Augustine’s Halloween themed events.
Haunt Nights – Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing is featuring three haunted houses in 2015, according to their website.
Apocalypse Clown 3D Takeover is a three-dimensional experience that takes the consumer through an environment full of “murderous clowns.” Although, if clowns are too freighting, Pinehurst Asylum is a closed setting and “are looking for new guests to stay.” Pinehurst is full of mentally-ill patients set free and ready to impose their will against those who enter.
If these two don’t appeal to a standard of fear, The Backwoods are sure to induce fright. Set in a rural, wilderness, the local community consists of “psycho-mutants, cannibals and Dirty Dan.”
The haunted houses are open Wednesday and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, they are open from 7 p.m. until 12 p.m.
Special Halloween “Spirits with Spirits” Paranormal Pub Crawl – St. Augustine
St. Augustine Historic Walking Tours walks its consumers through several of the town’s haunted bars and taverns. The tour is led by a licensed guide, and one domestic beer or wine is included in the ticket.
The tour lasts between two and three hours, which spans across four pubs and costs $19.
The Halloween-themed event is October 30th, and the tour lasts from 8 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., according to its website.
Trail of Terror – Jacksonville, FL
Located at Paintball Adventures, this trail is consumed with “bone-chilling zombies.” Beginning at the Carnival of Terror, passing through The Clinic and experiencing Fort Risika – this trail embodies Halloween through changing settings.
Outside of the presence of zombies, different food trucks can be found at this venue every day that they are open. On Halloween, the food trucks present will be What’s Smokin’ BBQ and On-the-Go Tropical Snow.
The trail is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – opening at 7 p.m.
Haunted Lights’ Wine and Carriage Tour – St. Augustine, FL
Downtown St. Augustine is famous for its haunted fables, and this event allows those of age to enjoy a few glasses of wine with their ghost stories.
The group tour is by horse-drawn carriage and lasts 45-50 minutes through the historic district. Consumers are given two souvenir wine glasses and their stories are taken from true narratives, from the Seminole tribe, Flagler hotel and pirates, according to their website.
The tour begins at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday – advanced reservation is required.
Pub Hearse Ride – St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine is home to an excess of haunted locations, and the Pub Hearse Ride is another that welcomes its guests to these various locations.
This tour gives its consumers a ride through downtown St. Augustine in a “haunted hearse,” according to their website. Guests are introduced to a “K-II EMF Ghost Meter,” to enhance the spiritual experience of the tour by being taught how to find the various spirits.
Guests are welcome to bring a cooler with alcoholic beverages.
Outside of visiting several haunted locations, the tour brings its guests to three pubs, where they spend 30-40 minutes in each bar.
The tour lasts three hours, and the maximum number is guests allowed per hearse is eight. Reservations must be book online, and departure times vary between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
man running in forestPhoto by 
