The 7 Spookiest Charleston Ghost Tours

Though many tourists travel to Charleston, South Carolina, to see attractions like the Battery or Rainbow Row, or to sample the city’s Lowcountry cuisine, others visit to learn about the dearly departed. Thanks to its pre-Revolutionary heritage, its wealth of ancient tombstones and its ghost-centric folklore, Charleston is often considered one of America’s most haunted cities. With that in mind, U.S. News gathered a selection of the top ghost tours using both expert opinion and ghost hunter sentiment. Whether you choose to venture out in the twilight hours or well after dark, Charleston’s ghosts are not to be missed.

Price: Adults from $35
Duration: 1.5 hours

This jaunt takes you through the city’s most historic (and haunted) areas, including the Unitarian Church graveyard, to which this tour has exclusive after-hours access. Many tourgoers report local spirits reaching out to them during the tour while guides regaled them with stories. Reviewers also applaud the amount of history shared and appreciate that the tour isn’t too frightening.

This tour departs every day at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Discounts are available for seniors, students and children. Tour Charleston also offers several historical tours that highlight the city’s heritage.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from $37; kids from $27
Duration: 1.5 hours

This unique walking tour takes you to one of the city’s oldest graveyards after dark. As you traipse through the cemetery, your expert tour guide will tell you about notable graves and explain some of the town’s spookiest paranormal stories. You’ll even hear how past Charleston residents may have been buried alive. Travelers call this tour captivating and spooky. They especially enjoy seeing the picturesque cemetery at night.

The tour departs daily at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Bulldog Tours offers a variety of other walking tours focusing on history and food, among other topics.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from $28; kids from $15
Duration: 1.5 hours

This tour starts in Charleston’s Washington Square Park, taking ghost seekers on an alluring stroll through the historic city to learn about its otherworldly – and often gruesome – past. Tourgoers call the experience thought-provoking, excellent and a must-do in Charleston thanks to the thorough guide.

Tours start at 7:30 or 9:30 p.m. every day.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from $25; kids from $10
Duration: 1.5 hours

The Ghosts of Liberty Tour focuses solely on stories about patriotic men and women who fought for America before their demise. You’ll learn about these patriots and their hard-fought battles, as well as Charleston’s unique history and its famous churches. Patrons say this excursion is wonderful and enthralling.

Tours depart at 8 p.m. daily. For even more thrills, consider the company’s Death and Depravity Tour, which explores famous sites associated with the city’s seedier history.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $35
Duration: 1.5 hours

This boat tour aboard a 45-foot catamaran takes you to corners of the city that are unreachable on foot to share ghostly tales of pirates, wars and the many ships lost in Charleston’s harbor and just off its coast. Most reviewers recommend this tour and give it high marks, calling it fun and insightful.

These haunted ghost tours depart at 6:30 or 8:15 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and at 8:15 p.m. on Saturdays. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed. Not a fan of the supernatural? Consider Sandlapper’s other tours, including its sunset cruises.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from $28; kids from $15
Duration: 1.5 hours

Learn about the Holy City’s pirate folklore, legendary ghost stories and Gullah culture on this tour, led by a costumed guide. Visitors call this tour informative and a great experience for all ages, especially kids.

Tours depart daily at 7:30 p.m. Charleston Pirate Tours also offers a daytime pirate tour, as well as a treasure hunt tour for kids.

Check prices & availability on:

Price: Adults from $50; kids from $40
Duration: 40 minutes

This carriage ride takes you on a tour of one of the most haunted cities in the U.S. Visitors can learn about ghosts, pirates and patriots from Charleston’s history. During the tour, guides will share information and local lore as guests visit alleys, graveyards, hotels and the historical Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. Past tourgoers say the ride was entertaining and educational.

The carriage ghost tours depart several times daily, starting around 5:30 p.m. Old South Carriage Co. offers a variety of other historical carriage tours as well.

Check prices & availability on: