Spooktacular Sights: A Review of Tampa’s Haunted River Tour

If you love spooky tales especially during Halloween season then you'll love Tampa's Haunted River Tour. I went board this very popular frightful tour last night with my family and had a fabulous time. The tour brings plenty of scary tales, ghostly encounters and lots of fun all on the historic Hillsborough River. It's very family friendly and if you have guests in town it's the perfect activity everyone will enjoy.

The Haunted River Tour is part of the Pirate Water Taxis owned by the Yacht Star Ship company. The boats are decked out in spooky decorations and supernatural encounters on board. Located behind the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa, you can find parking easily at one of the parking garages or open lots. After walking a few blocks you'll immediately see the boats adorned in scary spider webs and ghosts on board. The tour lasted 50 minutes and was filled with fun historical stories about the Hillsborough River mixed with many haunted stories.

The entire family had a great time including the grandparents who enjoyed the scenic views. If you get thirsty while aboard you can purchase an alcoholic beverage for adults or water. Besides the beautiful views our host Captain Jack II did a great job of informing everyone of Tampa's history while engaging with all the children on board. Our favorite part was running into Captain Patchy’s Pumpkin Barge which is a floating pumpkin patch where children receive a pumpkin. You get to meet Captain Patchy and then they hand out other fun surprises and gifts out of their treasure chest. This is an affordable experience the entire family will love.

According to the Yacht Star Ship, "This year, the Haunted River Tours will take place aboard our largest taxi, Captain Jack II, featuring a special stop at Captain Patchy’s Pumpkin Barge. Children aboard the tour will receive a small pumpkin (while supplies last) and get the chance to meet Tampa’s grumpiest Tugboat Captain at the barge! Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just looking for a fun and festive night out, this cruise is sure to deliver a hauntingly good time for all.

Even though it still feels like summer, fall is in full swing in Tampa Bay. Don't let the lack of autumn weather keep you from participating in all the Tampa Bay fall activities. From family-friendly pumpkin patches to haunted tours in Ybor City, don't miss out on these spooktacular events! With the help of Tampa Bay Date Night Guide, we included the top 13 must-see Halloween events happening in Tampa Bay!

Some events may require some good travel time depending on where you are. But don't worry, we only included the must-see fall activities happening in Tampa Bay so you don't waste your time.

One Tampa Bay Halloween event even made the list of the best Halloween attractions in the U.S.. If you've never been to Busch Gardens' Howl-o-Scream, it keeps improving yearly. This year, Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream takes over the entire park with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more.

Or you can explore on your own. Tampa is home to some super haunted locations in Florida. Check out the places here.

If you're looking for more family-friendly events, the best pumpkin patch in Florida is less than an hour away from Tampa. ZooTampa has also brought back Creatures of the Night! On top of Haunted Wharf, Sparkman Wharf is hosting a pumpkin painting open house, movies on the lawn, and other family-friendly events!

If you love a good, scary haunted house then you must go to Scream-A-Geddon. The fully immersive Dade City attraction is totally worth the hype! This year it features 6 terrifying attractions including the popular Zombie Paintball Assault. Tickets can be purchased online for dates September thru October 31st.

Tampa's premier Halloween event! Howl-O-Scream is back at Busch Gardens with haunted houses, scare zones, sinister shows and more.

Tampa’s ONLY nautical haunted attraction onboard a WWII cargo ship.

In the fifth iteration of UNDead in the Water, a mysterious female apparition and her possessed cult threaten passengers across 60,000 square feet of cavernous cargo holds and open-air decks. Traverse multiple decks of this WWII ship and save your soul from the horror that awaits.
[undeadinthewater.com]

Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is an outdoor haunted trail located in Plant City with three different attractions. The trail is open from 7:30-11p.m. every Friday and Saturday September 27-November 2 & every Sunday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. starting October 6

A new pirate-themed speakeasy recently opened up in Downtown Tampa. Morgan's Cove is going to be a great place to spend a weekend night come Halloween time. Another option is to head to Dracula's Legacy Wine Bar & Bistro where it's spooky-season year round. They are located at 811 N Tampa St, Tampa

Tampa Bay’s Riverwalk is hosting a family friendly trick-or-treat event on Saturday, October 28 from 4pm-7pm. Show up in your best costume!

After taking a year off, Haunted Tours are back! The cruise will include terror filled-storytelling, ghostly horror, and haunted happenings on this 45-minute storytelling ride aboard one of Tampa’s most popular attractions. Running Friday-Sunday starting October 4. Click here for more info.

Think Comic-Con but for horror movies! October 4-6, actors, including Walton Goggins (Fallout), Howie Mandel (Gremlins), Anthony Starr (The Boys) and more will descend upon Tampa for Spookala. Click here to get more info!

Sparkman Wharf in Channelside has loads of Halloween themed events all throughout October. But everybody will be lining up for Haunted Wharf on Halloween Weekend. Sparkman Wharf will transform into a haunted pirate shipwreck with sinister surprises at every corner. Haunted Wharf is a free community event for all ages that will offer silly spooks for the kids and scary fun for the adults as the evening progresses. Enjoy entertainment, Halloween photo-ops and festive food and drinks!

An Eerie Evening at the Tampa Bay Hotel will be held on October 27, 28, and 29, 2023. See the Museum in moonlight as you've never see it before and explore Victorian horror stories brought to life! Tickets are $35 for non members!

All spirits welcome in the most haunted kava bar in the world! Serving up botanical teas, kava, and coffee, you can find some of the tastiest concoctions in this alcohol-free lounge. For Halloween themed alcoholic beverages, go downstairs to their Sister business - The Catacombs

Get the perfect pumpkin for your front porch at the Hyde Park pumpkin patch! Bring the little ones for storytime in the patch this Thursday, October 5.

Bring the whole family to Armature Work's annual Fall Fest taking place on October 22 this year. The event is from 12 – 5pm and will be held on the Pier, South Lawn and West Lawn. There will be bounce houses, face painting, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, holiday-inspired treats, a petting zoo and more!