St. Augustine: Dixie House Paranormal Investigation

The lights go out, and the house gets your attention. This two-hour investigation at St. Augustine’s famously haunted Dixie House gives you more than a ghost story from a guide. You take part in the search, use professional-style equipment, and learn how paranormal investigators look for signs of activity. I especially like the chance to use thermal and SLS cameras, and I like that a Para4ce investigator explains the tools instead of simply waving them around for effect. The main drawback is that the investigation videos and thermal-camera footage cost extra, so the $49 price does not include every keepsake.

This is a good pick if you want an active, hands-on evening rather than a standard walking ghost tour. Guides such as Brent and Thomas have earned strong praise for being professional, informative, respectful, and fun with families. Still, you should come with an open mind: equipment can record odd readings, but no paranormal experience can promise a clear answer.

Key points at a glance

• The Dixie House is the setting: You investigate inside a famously haunted St. Augustine property instead of hearing stories only from a sidewalk.
• You handle the equipment: Ghost-hunting tools, thermal cameras, and an SLS camera are available during the session.
• A Para4ce investigator leads you: The guide explains the equipment and helps you take part in the investigation.
• The session lasts two hours: Afternoon, evening, and night options may be available.
• The investigation is recorded: Mounted video cameras capture the session, while thermal images may show unusual heat patterns.
• The footage is optional: You can buy the investigation video and thermal-camera shots at checkout if you want to study the evidence later.

Entering the Dixie House for a real investigation

The appeal begins with the location. St. Augustine has no shortage of ghost stories, but the Dixie House gives you a fixed indoor setting where the focus stays on one property and its reported spirits. That makes this experience different from a general ghost walk, where you move through several streets and hear many tales in a short time.

Here, you spend the full two hours investigating the house. The guide introduces the location and helps you understand what to watch for. You are not left to guess which device does what or how to interpret a strange sound on a recording.

The exact address is sent by email and to the mobile number used for booking. That detail matters because the meeting point is not supplied in the general activity information. Check your messages before heading out, and do not assume the Dixie House is the same meeting place as another St. Augustine ghost attraction.

The setting also gives the evening a tighter mood. Inside a house, a quiet hallway, an unexplained noise, or a sudden temperature change can feel more personal than a story told outdoors. I like that the experience lets you test your own reactions instead of treating the supernatural as a stage show.

How the two-hour investigation works

The session begins with guidance from a member of the Para4ce Investigations Team. You learn the basic purpose of the equipment and how to use it during the investigation. This opening is important, especially if you have never handled ghost-hunting devices before.

You can use the available ghost-hunting equipment as the investigation develops. The experience does not simply place you behind a guide. You get a role in looking for possible activity, recording observations, and deciding which moments deserve a closer look.

The activity information does not promise a fixed room-by-room route, a specific number of participants, or a guaranteed encounter. That is worth keeping in mind. The night is built around investigation rather than a tightly scripted show, so the pace may depend on the house, the group, and what happens during the session.

The guide remains central throughout. A good paranormal investigation needs someone who can keep the group focused without turning every flicker into proof of a ghost. Past sessions led by Brent and Thomas were praised for being professional, informative, respectful, and enjoyable for families. Those qualities matter here because the guide sets the tone for the entire evening.

Using thermal and SLS cameras

The most distinctive part of this experience is the equipment. You have access to a thermal camera and an SLS camera, along with other ghost-hunting tools. You can also bring your own equipment, so this works for both curious beginners and people who already own a camera, recorder, or other investigation gear.

A thermal camera records heat patterns rather than ordinary video. That does not automatically prove paranormal activity. People, lights, air movement, and the building itself can affect readings. Still, thermal images give you a different way to examine a moment that felt unusual.

The SLS camera is another tool used during the investigation. It is designed to map shapes and movement, which can produce striking images. As with any device, the useful part is not simply seeing a figure on a screen. The guide can help you consider the setting, movement, and possible ordinary explanations.

I appreciate the chance to see the equipment in use rather than hearing vague claims about advanced technology. The tools give the evening structure. You are watching, listening, recording, and comparing what you notice instead of waiting for a performer to produce a scare.

Bring a camera if you like. The activity specifically recommends one, and you may bring any ghost-hunting equipment you own. You do not need to arrive as an expert. The team supplies equipment and explains what you need to know.

What the mounted cameras add

Mounted video cameras record the investigation from fixed positions. This gives you a record of the session beyond what you personally see in the moment. If something unusual happens in another part of the house, the recorded footage may offer another angle.

That is useful for a practical reason: the most intense moment of a paranormal investigation can pass quickly. A sound, movement, or apparent figure may be easy to misremember later, especially when several people react at once. Recorded footage gives you a chance to look again with a cooler head.

The video is not included in the $49 booking price. You can add the investigation videos and thermal-camera shots at checkout. I would treat this as an optional souvenir rather than an essential part of the experience. If you enjoy reviewing evidence, sharing clips, or keeping a record of the night, the add-on may be worth considering. If you mainly want the live experience, you can skip it and keep the basic cost lower.

The footage also gives you something to share with family and friends who did not come along. Just remember that a recording can preserve a strange moment without settling what caused it. That is part of the fun, and also the reason to keep your expectations sensible.

The guide makes the difference

This is not an activity where technology does all the work. A guide must explain the devices, manage the group, and keep the investigation respectful. The strongest praise connected to this experience centers on those human qualities.

Brent was described as an amazing guide who helped create a strong connection with the spirits. Thomas was praised for making the experience a blast for a family. Another session was called professional, informative, and respectful. Taken together, that points to a team that understands the mood of the activity without treating every participant the same way.

Families may appreciate a guide who can keep the event fun without making it too intense. Beginners benefit from clear instruction. More experienced ghost hunters may value the chance to use supplied equipment and bring their own tools.

The word respectful matters. Paranormal investigations can easily become loud or theatrical. A calmer approach gives you more room to notice small sounds, changes in temperature, or unusual equipment readings. It also makes the activity more comfortable for people who are curious but not eager for a haunted-house scare.

The guide speaks English, and no other language is listed. If you need detailed explanations in another language, this may not be the right choice.

Is $49 a fair price?

At $49 per person, the experience sits in a reasonable range for a two-hour, equipment-based evening activity in St. Augustine. You are paying for access to a specific haunted property, a Para4ce team member, ghost-hunting equipment, mounted recording cameras, and use of thermal and SLS cameras.

The value is best if you want to participate. A regular ghost-story walk may offer more city history or more locations, but this activity gives you more time in one place and puts equipment in your hands. You are buying a chance to investigate, not just listen.

The value is weaker if you only want a dramatic haunted-house show. The activity is built around observation and investigation, so it cannot promise a startling event, a visible spirit, or a clear answer. Your enjoyment will depend on how much you like uncertainty and patient checking.

Budget for the optional video and thermal-camera footage if those matter to you. Since they are not included, the final cost can rise above the advertised $49. On the other hand, the base price already covers the guide and the main equipment, so you can decide after thinking about how much evidence you want to keep.

Best time to book your session

The investigation is usually offered in the afternoon, evening, and night. A night session may fit the mood best, but an afternoon booking can work well if you prefer a less intense setting or need to fit the activity around dinner and other plans.

The schedule also makes this easy to pair with another St. Augustine activity. You could spend the day visiting historic sights, then set aside two hours for the Dixie House. Do not pack the evening too tightly, though. You will want enough time to arrive at the emailed address, get settled, and take part without watching the clock.

The activity is for people who can follow the no-smoking, no-alcohol, and no-drugs rules. Those restrictions help keep the investigation safe and the equipment readings easier to interpret.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your St. Augustine plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy the Dixie House most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you enjoy:

• Hands-on activities rather than a guide-only presentation
• Ghost stories with a chance to examine possible evidence
• Cameras, sensors, and unusual technology
• Small-group-style investigation work, although the exact group size is not specified
• Family outings that can handle a spooky theme
• Returning to footage later to discuss what happened

It may not suit you if you want a broad introduction to St. Augustine history, a fast-moving city tour, or a guaranteed scare. It also may disappoint you if you expect every piece of equipment to produce a clear result.

You do not need to be a committed believer. In fact, a curious but careful attitude is ideal. Notice what happens, listen to the explanation, and leave room for both unusual possibilities and ordinary causes.

Practical tips before you go

Keep the booking address handy because it arrives by email and text rather than appearing in the general activity description. Bring a camera, and bring any personal ghost-hunting equipment you want to use.

Wear something that allows you to stay comfortable for two hours, though the available information does not specify a dress code. Arrive ready to listen closely and handle equipment as instructed.

If you plan to buy the video and thermal-camera footage, add it during checkout. If you are unsure, decide based on your interests: evidence fans and families who want a keepsake will get more from the footage than someone who only wants a spooky night out.

Finally, remember that a paranormal investigation is not a guaranteed performance. The best outcome may be a strange reading, a question you cannot settle, or a good story to discuss afterward. That uncertainty is not a flaw if you come prepared for an investigation rather than a scripted scare.

Should you book the Dixie House investigation?

Book it if you want to take part in the search, use thermal and SLS cameras, and spend two focused hours inside a famously haunted St. Augustine house. The professional, respectful tone praised in sessions with Brent and Thomas is a strong reason to choose it, especially for families and first-timers.

Skip it if you want a standard sightseeing tour or if the optional footage pushes your budget too far. At $49, the base experience offers solid value for active ghost hunters, but the real payoff comes from your curiosity and willingness to accept an uncertain result.

FAQ

How long does the Dixie House paranormal investigation last?

The investigation lasts two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $49 per person.

What equipment can I use?

The experience includes ghost-hunting equipment, a thermal camera, and an SLS camera. You may also bring your own equipment.

Is the investigation recorded?

Yes. Mounted video cameras record the investigation. Thermal-camera shots are also available as part of the optional footage package.

Are the videos and thermal-camera shots included?

No. The investigation videos and thermal-camera shots are available as an add-on at checkout.

What language is the experience offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring a camera and any personal ghost-hunting equipment you want to use. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.