Best Ghost Tours in Charleston

From the very founding of the city in the 17th century, the first settlers to arrive in Charleston described it as a place charged with supernatural energy, perhaps because they were engaged in bloody battles with the powerful shamans of the tribes that inhabited the area.

As successive tragedies and numerous stories unfolded, the mystical and even terrifying air of this enchanting corner of North America grew. So, if you enjoy unsolved mysteries and sleepless nights, a ghost tour is one of the best things to see and do in Charleston.

In this article I explain all the mystery tours available highlighting the most popular and the most unique so you can choose the one that best suits your requirements.

Rated as one of the city's best experiences, the traditional ghost tour of Charleston is offered by numerous companies and is one of the most sought-after experiences for travellers.

It's ideal if you're visiting the city with friends and family, as an expert local history guide takes the group of travellers on a tour of the most popular ghost sites and locations to hear chilling stories and the sad fates of their protagonists.

The specific details of the tour may vary depending on the company you choose to hire for the experience. However, most organising companies take visitors through The Provost Dungeon at the Old Exchange.

This is an old Gregorian-looking building that is considered the most haunted building in Charleston. Among other things, it is said that during the Revolutionary War, its dungeons were prisons and places of torture, so today the place is haunted by ghosts.

It's a short experience that usually takes place in the late afternoon, with tours generally starting between 7pm and 9pm. You'll have a chance to plan this adventure even if you only have a day trip to Charleston to see the city.

Useful information about Charleston

• Price: Adult admission starts at €37; children aged 4-12 pay €27 and children under 3 are free.
• Duration of tour: You should book at least 1 hour and 30 minutes for this tour.
• Recommended if... You want to take an adventure to get to know the city's darkest past. This is the classic tour that every first-time traveller to Charleston should take on their visit.

In the city of Charleston you'll also find a type of ghost tour designed for adults only. To participate in most of them you must be at least 16 or 18 years old, depending on the internal rules of the company you hire for the experience.

It is worth mentioning that this type of tour includes mature themes and language, which is why minors are not allowed. The experience usually takes place in the evening and is ideal if you are going to Charleston in July or going to Charleston in August (summer months) to walk the streets in the cool of the night.

The organising company provides travellers with a local guide who is an expert in both the history and customs of the city as well as its most notable legends. You join a group of hikers to meet and listen to macabre tales including demonic entities, heinous suicides, repudiatory murders.

The result is a glimpse into the darker side of human nature and the city of Charleston. Some of the places you will see range from respectable stately homes to brothels, which served as the main characters in the lurid tales.

Useful information

• Price: From approximately €35.
• Duration of tour: This adventure lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, although this may vary depending on the company you hire.
• Recommended if... you are visiting the city on your own, the ghost tour can be a great idea to meet other
  great idea to meet other intrepid travellers like you; also if you visit the city with friends you can spend a really fun night getting to know the mysteries of this beautiful city.

Are you a history buff and would you like to learn about the brave people who shaped the American nation? Charleston is a city with an impressive history that has played an integral role in the formation of the American nation.

For that reason, it is possible to find tours that focus exclusively on the men and women who fought in defence of America's freedom. This tour is a favourite with families visiting the city and is considered one of Charleston' s best guided tours, blending relevant historical events with chilling ghost stories.

The tour includes an expert guide throughout and while the itinerary of activities may vary from company to company, some of the places you can expect to see include The Dock Street Theatre (the city's most famous haunted theatre) or The Haunted Exchange Building (considered Charleston's most historically significant building).

Useful information about Charleston

• Price: You will need to pay approximately €35 for the experience.
• Duration of tour: Although it varies from company to company these tours generally take 1 hour 30 minutes to complete.
• Recommended if... You are interested in American history and want to learn about the lives of the historical figures who fought for the nation's freedom and rights. This tour is ideal to do with friends and family.

Does the idea of taking a ghost tour to the next level with a tour of the city's most famous cemeteries appeal to you? In Charleston, you'll find companies that offer this type of experience on an exclusive mystery tour of the city's cemeteries and cemeteries, which in Charleston are often referred to by locals as Gardens.

A tour with an expert guide will take you through the various graves to learn about their occupants as well as the spooky stories that led them to their untimely graves. If possible, hire a company that offers this tour at the end of the day, making it one of the best things to do in Charleston at night.

Finally, keep in mind that the itinerary and route may vary depending on the company you hire. Your guided tour may include either a trip to St. Michael's Church Cemetery. Located in the grounds of the city's oldest religious building in the heart of the historic centre, this is home to the tombs of famous people.

Alternatively, you may be fortunate enough to tour Magnolia Cemetery, a large rural cemetery considered one of the most beautiful in the city.

Useful information

• Price: From €37 for an adult ticket and around €27 for young people aged 12-17.
• Duration of the tour: 1 to 2 hours depending on the company you hire and the itinerary prepared for the experience.
• Recommended if... you are interested in the architecture of cemeteries and their relationship to the growth of cities. In Charleston these spaces form an important part of the city's history and culture, so it's well worth visiting one during your adventure.

With an impressive facade that looks like something out of a terrifying monster movie, the Old Charleston Jail is one of the most significant historic buildings in the city.

You'll find local companies that will arrange tours of the facility as long as it's not undergoing repairs or renovations.

The jail was in active operation between 1802 and 1939. For over 100 years, it housed some of the most notorious and dangerous criminals of the 19th century and later numerous Civil War prisoners. From notable pirates to true revolutionary heroes, they spent long nights of torture in dank, dreary rooms.

Join an expert guide to learn about the sad history of famous characters and to tour the old building.

Useful information about Charleston

• Price: From €37 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of tour: You should book between 1 and 2 hours for the experience.
• Recommended if... You want to get to know an outstanding historical monument of the city and, at the same time, take a mystery tour with surprising narrations.

The U.S.S. Yorktown is the name of one of the most famous aircraft carriers in American history, which served primarily during World War II. It arrived at Pearl Harbor in 1942 for the historic battle of the Coral Sea.

In Charleston it is possible to take a tour of this important historical site and also a ghost tour to connect with the spirits and stories of the fallen heroes who once served on the ship.

You will find some local companies offering this type of experience, including an expert guide who accompanies the group of travellers every step of the way. Children and teenagers who are enthusiastic about warships or ships in general are the ones who enjoy this kind of experience the most,
if you are going to New Orleans with children, consider this alternative in your travel itinerary.

This experience is done in small groups of travellers, and depending on the company you choose, it is very likely to take place at limited times and on specific days. This is why I recommend booking in advance.

Useful info

• Price: The guided tour can cost around €70 for an adult ticket.
• Duration of the tour: You will need to book 1h or 2h depending on the company you hire.
• Recommended yes... the boat is impressive and worth the tour in itself, but if you enjoy or like stories of wars and heroes, you will find the stories extremely interesting and fun.

Few things are as much fun as taking a pub c rawl to get a feel for the nightlife scene in a certain destination. In Charleston, the Pub Crawl experience is taken to the next level by blending this experience with a ghost tour designed to sneak terror under your skin.

You'll find several companies offering this type of experience in the city and the main difference between them is usually the price per traveller. Take into consideration that the cheapest options usually don't include any drinks, while the more expensive alternatives include a selection of complimentary drinks. I recommend reading carefully before booking.

Since the experience involves alcoholic beverages, companies will require the participant to be of legal drinking age in the USA; you will need to have a document to prove this.

Useful info

• Price: The cheapest option is available from €29 per traveller.
• Duration of tour: This type of tour usually takes at least 1 hour to complete.
• Recommended if... you're only in town for a short time, 2 days in Charleston or less, and you're looking for a tour to see the best of Charleston's nightlife.

Another interesting alternative to consider are combination tours that include the ghost tour experience with a boat tour for two of the city's best experiences at a generally cheaper price.

Although the experiences are paid for together, you may have to do them separately and at different times.

ACharleston boat tour will include a certified tour guide accompanying you on the tour and you'll learn about the history of the city as you navigate the waters of the harbour.

The ghost tour is a walking tour of the old city. The group will walk through Charleston's haunted and terrifying places to learn about the city's most famous scary stories.

Useful information about ghost tours in Charleston

• Price: Adults pay approximately €65 for both experiences, while children ages 4-12 pay approximately €40. Children under the age of 3 are free.
• Duration of tour: Each experience will take at least 2 hours to complete and take place at separate times.
• Recommended if... you are looking for alternatives to save planning time and money during your holiday. Packages with combined experiences often offer travellers interesting discounts not to mention the advantages associated with having a better structured itinerary.

When going on guided tours and adventures in the city of Charleston there are some general recommendations that all travellers can follow in order to have the most enjoyable experience possible; take note of the following suggestions.

• Wear comfortable shoes Although tours vary by location, all ghost tours involve some walking and require you to be on your feet for some time, so comfortable shoes are essential to avoid sore feet, injuries or blisters. A pair of trainers is usually sufficient.
• Eat a snack before the trip Ghost tours take place in the evening and you may want to have dinner after you finish, however it is not a good idea to walk long distances hungry so I recommend snacking on a light snack a while before the booked time.
• Take a rucksack: If you are taking personal belongings on the hike, take a rucksack that you can carry on your back. This will free your hands and allow you to be more comfortable.