Back in the day, I went on a ghost tour of downtown Orlando for a college newspaper article I was writing. Although I’m not a horror fan, it was a fun way to learn some local history and also get creeped out. And it turns out there are quite a few reportedly haunted places in Orlando.
Whether you believe or chalk it up to an overactive imagination, the stories are fascinating. From nightclub spirits (the non-alcoholic kind), to a spooky stretch of highway, and even a haunted Disney ride, I thought it would be interesting to share some local legends. I’ve heard some of these for years.
Just in time for spooky season, here are 12 reportedly haunted places in Orlando.
1. Church Street Station
Years ago, Church Street Station was home to a spooky attraction called Terror on Church Street. Although the attraction is gone now, rumors of ghosts still linger in the area. Church Street Station may be one of the most haunted places in Orlando, according to the stories.
Visitors to this downtown hub have reported various apparitions and felt their clothing being tugged on. Several buildings here have ghost stories, such as Ceviche and the Kress Building (home of Kres Chophouse). The staff of one now-closed restaurant claimed to see the ghost of a young Victorian girl.
2. The Beacham
The Beacham on Orange Avenue has a long history, starting out as a movie theater in 1921. The downtown building has undergone many changes over the years. It was once known as Zuma Beach Club and later Tabu before becoming the club/concert venue it is today.
Legend has it that the ghost of an old woman haunts the stage area. Witnesses have reported sudden drops in temperature when she appears.
Did you know there’s a secret tunnel underneath The Beacham that used to connect to the Angebilt Hotel down Orange Avenue? It’s rumored that vaudeville performers at The Beacham used the tunnel to avoid the crowds, but this hasn’t been confirmed.
The tunnel’s blocked off, but it’s an interesting—and creepy—piece of Orlando lore.
Address: 46 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
3. The Angebilt Hotel
The Angebilt started its life in 1923 as an upscale hotel. It hosted famous names such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Nowadays, it’s a coworking space, but the spooky stories live on.
People working there have claimed to hear laughter and party noises. One woman who was working alone said she kept hearing knocks on her door. Some have reported restroom stalls that refused to unlock and then started shaking.
Address: 37 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
4. Elijah Hand Building
Elijah Hand ran a carpentry and funeral business downtown at 15-17 W. Pine Street in the late 1800s. He knew how to embalm—a new practice at the time—and his business thrived. His son Carey eventually took over and opened his own funeral home across the street, which is now the Ying Academic Center (also rumored to be haunted).
While the Elijah Hand Building hasn’t been a funeral home in decades, it’s developed a reputation as one of the more haunted places in Orlando. People have reported hearing footsteps, feeling cold spots, and sensing a heavy presence in the air. There have even been reports of various ghosts.
The Elijah Hand Building has housed different nightclubs in recent decades. When I stopped by to take a photo, the building was awaiting its next business venture.
Address: 15-17 W. Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801
5. Rogers-Kiene Building
The Rogers-Kiene Building, constructed in 1886, is one of the oldest buildings downtown. It now houses CityArts. Legend has it that the original owner and his wife still linger within its walls, with sightings reported on the first and second floors.
I recall hearing tales of poltergeist activity back in the early 2000s when the building was a coffee shop. With its unique green hue and ghostly stories, the Rogers-Kiene Building definitely stands out.
Address: 37-39 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
6. Greenwood Cemetery
As you stroll through Greenwood Cemetery near downtown, you might recognize some local names such as Bumby, Boone, Gore, Parramore, T.G. Lee, and Bob Carr. Many of Orlando’s prominent figures are buried here.
Greenwood Cemetery is considered one of the most haunted places in Orlando. It’s said to contain multiple ghosts, including:
- A northerner named Fred Weeks, who fell victim to a land-buying scam
- July Perry, who tragically died in the Ocoee riots
- Orlando’s first fire chief
- Ghostly soldiers in uniform
In the area known as Baby Land, where children under 5 are laid to rest, people have reported hearing children laughing and a music box playing. People have even reported being touched or feeling someone tugging on their clothes.
Address: 1603 Greenwood Street, Orlando, FL 32801
7. Pirates of the Caribbean
They say that dead men tell no tales—but if the rumors are true, there’s a ghost at Pirates of the Caribbean with a spooky story.
He’s called George. George is said to be a welder who died in an accident during the Disney ride’s construction. No one has found evidence of this tragic event, but the stories persist.
Cast Members say good morning to George when they open the ride, and good night when they close. Supposedly, if they don’t, the ride malfunctions.
Other strange occurrences are linked to the ride, such as doors opening on their own, sudden chills, unexplained touches, and ghostly footsteps. Is that cold spot just the A/C kicking on, or is it George making his presence known? You be the judge.
8. Enzian Theater
Have you heard the bizarre ghost story about the Enzian Theater in Maitland? Word has it that around 1am, the head of a screaming woman appears and then disappears into the kitchen.
(I’ve been in the Enzian at 1am and have never seen any screaming heads floating around. This story, on the other hand, has been floating around on the Internet for years. I’m curious where it came from.)
Address: 1300 S. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
9. Annie Russell Theatre
It’s common for theaters to have their own ghost stories. The Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College is no different.
Annie Russell was an actress who become a theater professor at Rollins. She was involved in many Rollins theater productions until her death in 1936.
People say they’ve spotted Annie’s ghost in the theater, dressed in a floor-length lavender gown. Rumor has it that she helps out actors and stagehands, and she even has a favorite seat up in the balcony.
Address: 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
10. Oviedo Lights
Imagine it’s midnight, and you’re driving down Snow Hill Road in Oviedo, heading toward the Econlockhatchee River bridge. Suddenly, a bright light appears. It’s not a car headlight—this light is a mysterious greenish hue.
As you continue driving, the light seems to follow you. And just as quickly as it appeared, it vanishes into thin air.
These strange lights, known as the Oviedo Lights, have been documented since the 1960s. Generations of bored teenagers have made the trip to witness this phenomenon for themselves.
There are all sorts of wild stories and urban legends surrounding the lights. Many believe they’re simply swamp gas.
11. The Inside-Out House
The Inside-Outside House in suburban Longwood got its name because its framing is on the outside. A retired sea captain named Captain Pierce originally built this prefabricated house in Altamonte Springs in 1873. Today, the house operates as the Cottage Gift Shop.
The ghosts of Captain Pierce and his cat, Brutus, are thought to haunt the home. People have reported feeling cold spots and hearing disembodied voices and footsteps.
(Side note: The Inside-Outside House is the perfect name for a home said to be haunted by a ghost cat. Owners of indecisive felines, you know what I’m talking about.)
Address: 141 W. Church Avenue, Longwood, FL 32750
12. The I-4 Dead Zone
The I-4 Dead Zone is a quarter-mile stretch of highway north of Orlando that’s said to be haunted by the ghosts of settlers from the 1800s.
The spooky tale began when a group of German immigrants settled on the land that is now Sanford, only to be decimated by yellow fever in 1887. The settlers abandoned the colony, leaving behind the graves of the dead.
When the government bought the land for the construction of I-4, the graves were supposed to be moved. But instead, they were paved over.
Since then, drivers near the southern end of the St. Johns River Bridge have reported strange occurrences, such as static on their radios, loss of phone reception, orbs, and ghostly sightings. This part of I-4 is also notorious for its high number of car accidents.
So if you ever find yourself driving through the I-4 Dead Zone, look out for more than cars on the road.
Conclusion: 12 Reportedly Haunted Places in Orlando
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the tales surrounding these 12 allegedly haunted places in Orlando offer an eerie thrill as we head toward Halloween. So next time you’re visiting a historic building in Orlando, don’t forget to ask if they have any ghost stories or urban legends. You could be in for a spooky surprise.