Best Ghost Tours in Charleston SC

Most Charleston ghost tours aim for atmospheric and historical rather than jump-scare scary. Guides share documented stories and local legends with theatrical flair, but you won't encounter actors leaping from doorways. The genuine eeriness comes from the locations themselves—centuries-old graveyards, crumbling jail cells, gas-lit alleys. Kids over 10 usually handle walking tours fine; younger children may find the dark and the subject matter unsettling. The Haunted Jail Tour is the most intense option and not recommended for anyone under 12.

Ghost tour operators typically set a minimum age of 10 to 12. The content covers murder, disease, executions, and slavery—all historically accurate but heavy material. The Old City Jail tour explicitly warns against bringing young children due to stories of abuse and torture that occurred there. Carriage-based ghost tours tend to be milder and work better for families with older kids who want a less intense introduction to Charleston's haunted history.

For serious ghost hunters and history enthusiasts, the Bulldog Tours Haunted Jail Tour offers exclusive access to the Old City Jail and covers Charleston's darkest history—including Lavinia Fisher's cell. For a more social experience, the Haunted Pub Crawl tours combine ghost stories with drinks at local bars. Walking tours through the French Quarter hit multiple haunted locations in a single evening. We recommend the jail tour for first-timers seeking an unforgettable experience.

The Old City Jail consistently tops lists of Charleston's most haunted locations. Operating from 1802 to 1939, it held over 10,000 prisoners including pirates, Civil War POWs, and the infamous Lavinia Fisher. Other notably haunted spots include the Unitarian Church Cemetery, the Dock Street Theatre, the Battery Carriage House Inn, and the Poogan's Porch restaurant. The jail is the only haunted building you can actually tour inside at night.

October fills up fast—book at least two weeks ahead for Halloween season. Summer weekends also sell out quickly, especially for the popular 8 PM and 9 PM time slots. Weeknight tours usually have availability with a day or two notice. The jail tour has limited capacity since you're going inside the building, so advance booking matters more there than for open-air walking tours.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential—you'll cover half a mile to over a mile on foot, and Charleston's cobblestones can be uneven. The city stays warm and humid even at night from May through September, so dress light. Bring a layer for October through March when temperatures drop after sunset. Most tours continue in light rain, so a compact umbrella helps. Skip the heels.

Walking ghost tours typically run 60 to 90 minutes. The Haunted Jail Tour lasts about 45 minutes inside the jail. Carriage tours run 40 to 50 minutes. Haunted pub crawls stretch to two hours or more, depending on how long you linger at each bar. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Street-level walking tours can usually accommodate wheelchairs, though the uneven sidewalks and cobblestones present challenges. The Old City Jail is not wheelchair accessible due to multiple floors, narrow passages, and stairs. Carriage tours work well for mobility issues since you remain seated throughout. Contact tour operators directly to discuss specific accessibility needs.

Light rain doesn't stop most walking tours—guides carry on with umbrellas and the atmosphere arguably improves. Heavy downpours or thunderstorms typically result in rescheduling or refunds. Tours that include indoor locations like the jail have more shelter options. Check your operator's weather policy when booking; most will reschedule or offer refunds for severe weather.

Most Charleston ghost tours depart between 7 PM and 10 PM, with the most popular slots being 8 PM and 9 PM. Tours run year-round, starting later in summer when the sun sets later. Some operators offer earlier departures (5:30 or 6 PM) during winter months. The jail tour offers multiple evening departures with the last tour typically starting around 9 PM.

Absolutely—if you can handle the content. The Haunted Jail Tour is unlike any other ghost tour because you actually go inside the Old City Jail, featured on Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters. You'll stand in the cells where prisoners died, hear stories in the exact rooms where events occurred, and experience a building that hasn't been sanitized for tourism. It's more expensive than street walking tours but the experience justifies the cost.

Photography is generally allowed and encouraged on walking tours—flash photos are fine outdoors. Inside the Old City Jail, some areas permit photography while others don't; your guide will specify. Many ghost hunters bring EMF detectors and other equipment. Tour operators are usually accommodating since people love sharing their spooky snapshots on social media.