Ybor Ghost Tour

Definite MUST if you’re in Tampa. The Official Ybor Ghost Tour lived up to the hype and then some. Greg eloquently shared the intriguing history about Ybor’s vibrant past. We got to use an EMF reader at the 4^th most haunted place in the US. Everyone’s meters were going off. AWESOME! One lady had to leave and wait for her family outside cuz she couldn’t stay in the building any longer. Another lady got some really interesting pics of anomolies, orbs, mists, etc on her iPhone. My Nikon DSLR caught this weird streak of light. Don’t forget to tip your guide. They sure deserve it.

#Tampa — #Yborcity Attended last evening with with my local tribe Tampa Bay Jews.
«The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour» Tour guide was Joe.
Event was terrific #WINNER

I love to watch ghost hunting and paranormal type shows on TV. I enjoy it. My husband is a huge skeptic. When I told him I wanted to go on this ghost tour, he humored me and went along. Joe was our tour leader that night. He was thorough, well-​versed, and interesting. Joe presented the legends and historical facts of the city, adding his own personal experiences to the mix. Although no one in our relatively small group actually saw a ghost, we each experienced anomalies of cold spots and wildly-​beeping EMF meters. My husband, still the skeptic, remarked that he was impressed by the history. We had a wonderful experience and would recommend it to anyone so inclined.

Okay, where do I start?!? I had so much fun on this goes to work I damn near Peed my pants last night. The best part about ghost tors is when they let you go inside buildings, we had to go inside several of them and the paranormal activity was off the charts. The history was interesting, and the tour guide was very articulate and interesting.

I should start off by saying my husbands does note believe in ghosts and will always find some explanation for the un-​explainable however we both had a lot of fun on this tour. We did this tour on Halloween night to add a little spook to our Holiday.
The tour met with our Host, Greg, at a cigar shop. I wasn’t a fan of the second hand smoke while waiting for it to begin so we waited on the sidewalk out front. This did not prove to be a problem as Greg walked around the entire building and outside asking everyone if they were there for the tour. We purchased our tickets on their website and never actually spoke to anyone but they had all of our information.
Once the tour started, I was a little surprised by how fast we walked through the city. I was expecting a leisurely stroll and this was not the case… good thing I had been on the treadmill all week and was ready to speed walk! (I have short legs so I have to walk twice as fast to keep up with tall people lol). We didn’t walk far but learned a lot of history about Ybor that I did not know. Bieng born and raised in Tampa I usually know more than other people about Tampa history but apparently I did not know the deep dark secrets of Ybor city! The history lesson alone was worth the tour but things got really interesting and spooky in the Cuban club. One of our tour mates claimed to be scratched by ghosts during the tour! Apparently the Cuban club does not like Italian visitors… so being Italian, I was pretty darn scared. My husband and I will argue all day if she was really scratched or whether or not our EMF readers were really seeing ghosts or magnets in the wall and if all the orbs we saw in the camera were ghosts or not, but we both had a blast. Overall a really great tour, they just lose a star for the second hand smoke.
I do not recommend for small children because it is very very spooky.

Had a great time, Charlie is a terrific tour guide. Liked the Ybor history as much as the ghost tour.

Ybor City’s past has always blended history and mystery. It’s been world-​famous for its cigars, defined by its multi-​cultural roots and celebrated for its festivals and events.
The Official Ghost Tour of Ybor City offers quite a lively way to learn about the more than century-​old community’s lifestyles and livelihoods and as well as the afterlife of some of those who dwelled and died here.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you will gain a real feel for an area known for the diversity, authenticity and creativity that have always been its defining characteristics.
This new guided tour explores a different side of what has traditionally been renowned as Tampa’s Latin Quarter and National Historic District. It investigates the sometimes tragic past of an area first settled by immigrants from around the world, sharing some of its deepest secrets and introducing you to some of its most sinister characters.
Joe Howden, a resident as well as an engaging raconteur, lets the past speak for itself as he escorts groups along the red brick streets stopping to explain strange sightings, moans and groans emanating from empty buildings and unaccounted for happenings reported at various locations. One such stop actually brought out goosebumps. He even leads groups into the murky depths of a former morgue where many have captured strange images with their cameras. (Note: Ask Joe about his childhood experiences with ghosts.)
Howden’s delightful delivery about the missteps, misfortunes and misdeeds that led to accidental or intentional deaths in Ybor City makes the experience occasionally eerie but balances it out with cheery tidbits about some of the more playful spirits that have lingered here long after their demise.