As a full moon shines over the Nation's oldest City, the October atmosphere becomes even more hauntingly enjoyable.
Halloween is nearly here — arrange an autumn break filled with eerie encounters, celebrations, and dining in the Nation’s Oldest City.
There’s so much to do on Florida’s Historic Coast this fall that you’ll want to stay just one more day.”— Susan Phillips, President and CEO, St. Johns County VCBST. AUGUSTINE, FL, UNITED STATES, October 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — October has arrived, Halloween is only a few weeks off, and there is still ample opportunity to arrange a spooky-season trip to Florida’s Historic Coast.
Spend Halloween where ghostly encounters are more than just imaginative tales. With over 460 years of history, St. Augustine has accumulated centuries of eerie legends, unexplained phenomena, and ghost stories — making October an especially exciting time to visit. Beyond the hauntings, fall festivals, farm experiences, dining, live music, and seasonal events fill the calendar throughout the month.
“This fall, treat yourself to a getaway that’s less stress and more fun,” says Susan Phillips, President and CEO of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau. “Visitors from Florida and Southern Georgia can hop in the car and be here in just a few hours, without the hassle of heavy luggage and connecting flights. There’s so much to do on Florida’s Historic Coast this fall that you’ll want to stay just one more day.”
Featuring centuries-old brick streets, historic cemeteries, an imposing Spanish fort, and a famously haunted lighthouse, St. Augustine is packed with ghostly experiences. Guests can pick from a broad array of ghost tour operators, with options ranging from family-friendly early-evening outings to late-night paranormal investigations that offer a good dose of fright. The Ximenez-Fatio House Museum Mortality & Mourning Candlelight Tours run every weekend through Oct 31. Get into the spirit with a Beetlejuice Pub Crawl by The Tasting Tours, embark on an intimate ghost-hunting adventure with After Dark Investigations using paranormal detection equipment, or discover the story behind the Pittee sisters who haunt the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum during its Dark of the Moon Ghost Tours.
Autumn has arrived on Florida’s Historic Coast, and spooky season is only one part of the picture. Elkton’s agricultural heritage comes alive at Sykes Family Farms’ popular harvest festival, which includes a nine-acre corn maze, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, U-pick sunflowers, farm animals, and kids’ activities. Enjoy culture and cuisine at the St. Augustine Greek Festival, a weekend filled with traditional food, dancing, and live music. With live entertainment, fresh fall flavors, and autumn-themed activities, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches offers a month packed with reasons to plan a quick escape.
And since October is already underway, a fall getaway doesn’t require months of planning. Getting here is simple, with convenient access via major corridors like I-95, I-10, and I-75, or by taking a scenic oceanfront drive along Florida Highway A1A. With so much to see during the day and even more after dark, October on Florida’s Historic Coast is best enjoyed as a multi-day stay. Pair a ghost tour or family trick-or-treating with a day at the beach, a stroll through Historic Downtown St. Augustine, or a world-class meal and creative cocktails at one of the area’s MICHELIN-recognized restaurants.
There’s still time to turn Halloween — or any October weekend — into a Florida escape. Staying an extra day is even easier with lodging partners and attractions offering special Fall Travel Deals. Discover more things to see and do in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.
Located midway between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, Florida’s Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the golf and seaside communities of Ponte Vedra, the rural communities of Hastings, Elkton and St. Johns, and 42 miles of Atlantic coastline.
Florida’s Historic Coast is also a celebrated culinary destination, home to a growing collection of MICHELIN-recognized restaurants that showcase the region’s diverse and evolving food scene.
The St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau is the official tourism marketing and management organization for St. Johns County and Florida’s Historic Coast. The destination’s official website, FloridasHistoricCoast.com, provides visitors, travel professionals and media with information, inspiration and resources for experiencing St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and The Beaches.
Visitor Information Centers are located at 10 Castillo Drive in St. Augustine and at the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., in St. Augustine Beach.
For travel information, visit FloridasHistoricCoast.com or call 1-800-653-2489. Follow Florida’s Historic Coast on Instagram and Threads at @FloridasHistoricCoast and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OfficialStAugustine.
Barbara Golden
+1 904-669-8142
bgolden@floridashistoriccoast.com
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB
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