Known as one of the most haunted cities in the USA, Charleston, South Carolina is one of the best places to take a ghost tour!
If you’re ready to book a Charleston ghost tour, look no further because I’ve vetted all of the best ghost tours in Charleston, including haunted tours in Charleston and Charleston ghost walks so that you can learn more about the city’s sordid past while enjoying some amazingly creepy stories.
As someone who has visited Charleston multiple times, I know that one of the best ways to get acquainted with it is on a ghost city tour in Charleston and I’ve vetted these tours to make sure you’re getting the most for your time and money.
There are a number of Charleston ghost tours to choose from so you don’t have to choose a Charleston haunted tour that is too scary if you’ve got kids with you (or just want to sleep well at night, I don’t blame you as a fellow scaredy cat).
⏳Don’t have time to read the whole list?
The best Charleston ghost tour is this Ghosts of Charleston night-time tour.
But if you’re really into the nitty and gritty of the ghosts, ghosts, and spirits that haunt this city, I’ve also included some of the more intensely scary and best Charleston ghost tours for the bravehearted so you can really feel those goosebumps.
Ready to book a Charleston ghost tour?
Let’s get started!
Easy Guide: Best Charleston, SC Ghost Tours
| #1 PICK 🏆 | Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard | 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 1960+ reviews | ▶ Book Here! |
| #2 PICK | Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston (family-friendly) | 4.5 out of 5 stars, 1750+ reviews | ▶ Book Here! |
| #3 PICK | Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour | 4.5 out of 5 stars, 900+ reviews | ▶ Book Here! |
1. Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 1,960+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Ready for a spooky adventure in Charleston?
Join this Ghost and Cemetery Tour where your guide will spill the city’s ghostly secrets.
As you stroll through historic streets, their guides share chilling tales from “The Ghosts of Charleston” by Julian Buxton, revealing hidden stories of dark deeds and restless spirits.
The grand finale takes you to the Unitarian Church Graveyard, an overgrown southern garden with rumored hauntings.
While real-time ghost sightings are rare, since ’96, some guests have reported eerie encounters.
Choose an early or late evening tour, meeting at Buxton Books on 160 King Street.
After 90 minutes of haunting stories, you’ll return to the Unitarian Church Graveyard, where you started.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 20
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No public restroom is available while on the tour so plan accordingly!
2. Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston: spooky Charleston tours
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 1,750+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 40 minutes | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Experience the spookier side of Charleston in style with this haunted horse and carriage ride.
No need for walking – just hop on a comfortable carriage and let our guide take you on a spine-tingling journey through the city’s twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways.
Note: this is a great ghost tour in Charleston with kids, as it’s fun and a little bit spooky without being too scary.
This wheelchair-accessible ghost tour is not only a fun way to immerse yourself in Charleston’s ghost stories and niche history, but it also allows you to cover more ground in less time compared to a walking tour.
Start and end your adventure at the Old South Carriage Company’s stable, where you can greet the draft horses, grab a bottle of water, or use the restroom.
Your certified tour guide will be ready to take you on a 40-minute after-dark journey, spanning over 15 eerie blocks of Charleston’s old walled city.
You’ll pass by historic landmarks like the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Circular Congregational Church and St. Michael’s Church.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Narrated by a professional guide
- Food is not allowed on the carriage, but drinks are
- Strollers can be stored at the stables while on the tour
3. Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 904+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Prepare for a spine-tingling journey through Charleston’s eerie past on this Ghost & Graveyard Tour.
As darkness falls, join your knowledgeable local guide at a central meeting point and venture into the city’s shadowy Historic District.
Wander through the city’s oldest cemetery after hours, peering into the chilling depths of Charleston’s history.
During this 90-minute adventure, you’ll encounter infamous locations with grisly histories and hear the eerie stories that have given rise to sayings like ‘graveyard shift.’
Discover the ghost of Sue Howard, a grieving mother who prays at her child’s grave from the spirit world, and learn why famous rebel warrior John C. Calhoun and his wife still dance in the street every year, over 150 years running.
Brace yourself for tales of being buried alive, a grim consequence of old Charleston’s approach to contagious diseases.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 20
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your booking time
- Walking pace is leisurely, so you won’t be too exhausted afterwards
4. Charleston’s Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour: best Charleston ghost walk
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars, 980+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Get to know the historic streets of Charleston with the one and only Mike Brown, the host of the beloved Pleasing Terrors Podcast.
This 90-minute Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in the eerie tales that Charleston has hidden in its cobblestone corners.
Mike is not just your average tour guide – he’s a master storyteller who seamlessly weaves together suspenseful narratives with his unparalleled knowledge of the city’s chilling past and haunting present.
Mike’s expertise has been featured on major television and radio networks, including the BBC, HGTV, Voice of America Radio, and Destination America’s Ghost Asylum, making this tour a must for any thrill-seeker or history buff visiting Charleston.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 20
5. Narrated Haunted Ghost Cruise of Charleston Harbor
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 370+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
This isn’t your typical ghost tour – it’s a ghostly voyage on a 45-foot catamaran, The Palmetto, that takes you to eerie sites you can’t reach on foot.
Departing from the Charleston Maritime Center, just a stone’s throw from the South Carolina Aquarium in Downtown Charleston, this US Coast Guard Certified catamaran can accommodate up to 49 brave souls.
As you set sail into the mystic waters of Charleston Harbor, you’ll be captivated by tales of pirate attacks, naval battles, and other chilling stories from the city’s haunted history.
Feel the cool harbor breeze and let your imagination run wild as you explore the sites that have witnessed lost fortunes, pirate ships, and tragic deaths.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum passengers: 49
- Paid parking is available nearby, or participants can be dropped off outside the building for free
6. Charleston Ghost & Dungeon Night-Time Walking Tour with Entry to Provost Dungeon
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars, 360+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Note: this ghost tour is more focused on Charleston history, so if you want something more history-based and not too scary, this is a great option!
Get ready for a hair-raising journey through the historic streets of Charleston on the 90-Minute Ghost & Dungeon Nighttime Walking Tour, where you’ll even gain access to the infamous Provost Dungeon.
Led by local guides with a passion for the eerie, this tour delves deep into Charleston’s dark side, taking you through dimly lit alleys and ancient graveyards while regaling you with tales of voodoo, local superstitions, and the restless spirits that haunt the city.
The tour’s pièce de résistance is a visit to the Provost Dungeon, a relic of the pre-Revolutionary era where infamous pirates and Colonial patriots were once locked away.
You can choose from two evening departure times to embark on this unforgettable journey into Charleston’s spectral past.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum passengers: 20
- Leisurely walking pace
7. Supernatural Charleston Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 400+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
One of the best rated ghost tours in Charleston, the Supernatural Charleston Tour is all about those ghouls, goblins, and spirit that haunt the city and peer around the corners.
Your experienced guides know the city and its history like the back of their hands, so you’ll be in good company as they take you around the historic landmarks in Charleston pointing out all of the haunted sites and chilling your bones with the supernatural encounters that locals and visitors have had around town.
If you want an all-around great ghost tour in Charleston, this is a great pick and meets in Marion Square, an easily accessible part of the city.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 20
- Operates in all-weather, so be prepared with layers!
8. Charleston’s Haunted Ghost Tour – Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 37+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 50 minutes to 1 hour | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Embark on a chilling journey into Charleston’s ghostly past with this self-guided audio tour.
Simply download the app to your phone, and you’re ready to start whenever you desire, just by making your way to the Old Exchange.
Stroll past some of the city’s most haunted locations as you immerse yourself in the eerie tales that shroud them, including the renowned Dock Street Theater, the enigmatic Pirates Courtyard, the haunting Circular Church Graveyard, and more.
With a self-guided audio tour, you have the freedom to explore at your own pace and on your own schedule.
Effortlessly navigate with turn-by-turn directions as the stories unfold, and if you ever want to relive the spine-tingling experience, you can revisit the tour by listening to the captivating tales afterward.
It’s a ghostly adventure on your terms, offering a fascinating glimpse into Charleston’s haunted history.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Self-guided and done at your own pace – there are no tour guides, it is an app download
9. Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars, 953+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Join this small-group haunted boos and booze tour in Charleston for an unforgettable night of spooks and spirits, guided by none other than a lively pirate guide.
As you wander through the city’s cobblestone streets, you’ll have the chance to enjoy handcrafted cocktails (at your own expense) while your guide regales you with eerie tales and takes you to iconic locations such as the Powder Magazine, Charleston City Market, Washington Square, and more.
This intimate group experience is perfect for those aged 21 and over (don’t forget your valid ID) who want to blend some libations with their spine-tingling stories.
Plus, you’ll have a cool keepsake to remember the night—a commemorative cooler or cup.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 14
- 21+ and over, only!
10. Charleston Ghosts of Liberty Guided Walking Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 420+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Prepare for a chilling adventure in Charleston, as you embark on the Holy City’s haunted after-hours tour.
This tour will take you to some of Charleston’s spookiest locations, including the renowned Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon.
As you stroll through the historic streets, your guide will weave together a tapestry of history and local legends, sharing stories of the brave soldiers who once fought in this city.
The tour’s highlight is a visit to the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, a place with a rich history and an even richer collection of ghostly tales.
With origins dating back to the late 1600s, this site has seen it all, from freedom seekers to prisoners who found themselves on the wrong side of authority.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum passengers: 9
- Near public transportation
11. Charleston Boo Hag & Brews Walking Ghost and Bar Tour: haunted tours in Charleston
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars, 144+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Want to go on one of the best ghost tours in Charleston for adults?
Led by a friendly local Charlestonian, this tour is a unique blend of history, hauntings, and happy hours.
You’ll kick things off with a stop at the first bar location, where a complimentary snack awaits to fuel your ghostly journey.
As you sip your drinks, get ready to be enthralled by eerie tales of the city’s haunted past.
You’ll meander through the dimly lit streets, passing by iconic landmarks like the Circular Congregational Church and St. Philip’s Church, where ghostly legends come to life.
Your adventure culminates at a hauntingly beautiful local park, where you’ll hear the bone-chilling story of one of Charleston’s most feared ghosts.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 10
- Must be 21+
12. Ghosts! Charleston Dark History and Ghost Tour with Adam
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars, 133+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Get ready to dive into Charleston’s chilling past on a captivating small-group history and ghost tour with Adam!
Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll embark on a fascinating city stroll that takes you through the most haunted corners of Charleston.
Along the way, you’ll encounter iconic landmarks like Hibernian Hall, Washington Park, Chalmers Street, and the historic St. Philip’s Church, each with its own spine-tingling tales of ghosts and eerie occurrences.
Whether you’re a history buff or a thrill-seeker, this family-friendly walking tour promises an unforgettable evening as you listen to scary stories and uncover the darker side of Charleston’s rich history.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 14
- Make sure to wear appropriate footwear and bugspray!
13. Charleston Pirates and Ghosts Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 82+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Ahoy, matey!
If you’re ready to dive headfirst into the thrilling world of pirates and ghosts, look no further than this swashbuckling adventure in Charleston.
This isn’t your ordinary history tour – it’s a 2-in-1 experience that lets you unearth the secrets of both pirates and restless spirits in this historic Colonial city.
As you wander the very streets where these legends were born, you’ll visit old pirate haunts, eerie cemeteries teeming with ghostly tales, and even the ancient prison that once held the most infamous pirates in the world.
It’s a journey through time that promises to shiver your timbers and send chills down your spine, all while immersing you in the captivating history of Charleston.
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 20
- Good weather is required for this, so you’ll receive a refund if it can’t go ahead
14. Paranormal Investigation: YOU are the Ghost Hunter
⭐️ RATING: 4.4 out of 5 Stars, 223+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 – 2.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Gear up for an unforgettable Charleston adventure that’s not for the faint of heart!
Join a small group of fellow thrill-seekers as you step into the shoes of a paranormal investigator on this immersive ghost tour.
You’ll receive hands-on training with real ghost-hunting tools, including a thermal imaging camera, and your guide will regale you with spine-tingling local ghost stories.
Plus, you’ll have exclusive access to all the data collected during your investigation.
Suitable for all ages, this family-friendly tour takes you to iconic locations like Philadelphia Alley, St. Philip’s Church, The Powder Magazine, Washington Square, Lawrimore Park, 235 E Bay St, and French Quarter Lodge Alley.
Be prepared for possible route changes based on paranormal activity, and don’t forget your comfortable walking shoes. Dare to explore Charleston’s haunted history like never before!
Need-to-knows about this tour:
- Maximum participants: 12
- Family-friendly
15. The Death and Depravity Ghost Tour in Charleston
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars, 270+ reviews | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✔️ BOOK NOW
Explore the intriguing and shadowy aspects of Charleston’s history on an evening ghost tour that takes you from the city’s former brothels to gripping crime stories.
This unique walking tour combines elements of horror, scandal, and the truly bizarre to offer a fresh perspective on Charleston.
Please be aware that this tour features mature themes and language.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to the city, this tour is an ideal way to discover another side of Charleston’s history while visiting some of its landmarks at night.
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